Lansdowne Theatre
31 N. Lansdowne Avenue,
Lansdowne Borough,
PA
19050
31 N. Lansdowne Avenue,
Lansdowne Borough,
PA
19050
7 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 44 comments
Hidden City Philadelphia has an update on restoration efforts.
Exterior is featured in “Silver Linings Playbook”
yes it will be a grand occasion but thats my wedding rehersal day ill cath up to matt another time please go out and support matt
The marquis has been restored! All are welcome to attend the FREE relighting on Friday, October 5th at 7:00 pm. After the relighting the doors will open for tour for a $10 or more donation.
See more at the Facebook group “Save the Lansdowne Theater.”
I recently photographed the Lansdowne Theatre. Check out my blog post at After the Final Curtain
TOUR & POUR Historic Lansdowne Theater Opens Doors, Announces Vision
WHAT:
TOURSThe beloved Lansdowne Theater is opening its doors offering the curious a unique peek of the historic landmark that remains largely unchanged since its opening in the 1920’s. The public spaces—the grand theater complete with lit large main chandelier and the projection booth – will be open for tours and picture taking.
The tour marks an exciting milestone in the emerging plans to restore this grand theater. The premiere showing of a 5 minute promotional video about the future of the project will debut for Tour & Pour attendees. POURSAttendees will receive a coupon upon entering the theater which will entitle them to discounted pints of Yards Beer at 2312 Garrett Restaurant in nearby Drexel Hill. (Directions from the theater to the restaurant will be provided.) A portion of the proceeds from all food and drink at the restaurant will go to the campaign to restore and reopen the theater. WHO:OPEN TO THE PUBLIC WHEN:TOURSSunday, November 6th / 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM POURSSunday, November 6th / 4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
WHERE:TOURSHistoric Lansdowne Theater
31 N. Lansdowne Avenue, Lansdowne
610-622-1234
POURS2312 Garrett
2312 Garrett Road, Drexel Hill
610-626-9900
ETC: There is a $10 tax-deductible contribution per person for the tour. If you want to make a larger donation we would certainly be grateful. Please make checks payable to HLTC. All donations by check will be acknowledged in writing. There is plenty of free parking directly across the street from the theater. Children are invited to attend, but must be accompanied by a parent.
Lansdowne Theater receives grant to restore marquee
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/video?id=8400011
Lansdowne Theater Open House
June 4, 2011 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
$5 admission fee, payable at the door
Join us as the doors of The Lansdowne swing open for tours of the lobby, auditorium, stage and projection booth. Learn about the plans for the beloved building, and the history of one of the few remaining unaltered 1920s movie houses in the Philadephia region. Make sure to bring your camera!! The Lansdowne Farmers Market will be going across the street from the theater—stop in after you tour the theater.
i have helped matt with the cleanin of the audithorium for the straight no chasers concert. cleaning up the old seats i had lots of fun still waiting for news s i can get busy to reopen this grand palace. i saw HERCULES with steve reeves probably 1977 or 1979. at that time movie theatres showed old movies .
The firm of Farewell Mills Gatsch have begun to develop plans/specifications and bid documents for the restoration of the Lansdowne Theater Marquee. The actual restoration work should start early spring and be completed in the early summer.
This project is funded by the Greater Lansdowne Civic Association and the Delaware County Office of Housing and Community Development. The Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation continues to work to raise funding to fully restore the theater.
Philadelphia Inquirer story on the theater’s comeback here. Accompanied by a set of nice photos, which may be viewed separately here.
The story puts the theater’s closing date at July 3, 1987, after a fire broke out during a showing of Beverly Hills Cop II.
The Landsdowne just had a special movie screening on April 17 to kick off restoration efforts. They have already repaired the roof, reconnected the storm water drainage system, installed temporary lighting and a fire detection system, and removed obsolete mechanical equipment throughout the building. Preliminary architectural plans have been completed and planning work and rundraising efforts have commenced to conduct a restoration of the building.
SAVE THE LANSDOWNE RALLY OCTOBER 3 AT 10:30 a.m.
Join Lansdowne for a rally in front of the historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation on Saturday October 3rd at 10:30 a.m. Attendees will pose in a group photograph to demonstrate their desire to see the theater restored and reopened.
Immediately following the photograph you will be able to sign up to become a volunteer and help to make the reopening of the theater a reality. You are invited to participate in a public briefing to be held in Cinema 16:9 immediately following the recording of the photograph.
The original marquee lasted only 4 or 5 years. We have located photographs from the early 30s that show the current marquee in place. We suspect that the original was removed because it did not allow for the name of the films to be displayed.
Looking for your Lansdowne Theater Stories
The Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation is looking for your Lansdowne Theater story. Share memories of meeting friends at the theater. Was there a movie that you saw at the theater that changed your life? Did you work at the theater? Did you patronize or work at one of the businesses that occupied the retail or office spaces? If you have photographs of the theater we would love to see them. The best stories and photos will appear on the soon to be expanded www.LansdowneTheater.org
Send your stories to
Look for updates on the theater later this fall.
This is another expanded view of a thumbnail posted on 11/10/04. Photo is from the Irvin Glazer theater collection:
http://tinyurl.com/pcz5qd
Good things are happening! The Regency Cafe just moved into one theater storefront, and an independent video store, with a screening room, will open soon in the other!
http://www.regencycafe.com/
http://www.cinema169.com/
http://www.lansdownetheater.org/
I loved this theater as a kid I remember seeing snow white here when was about 4 or 5 in 1984 or 85.
Today’s exterior photo by Rob Bender:
View link
June, 2008
Dear Friends of Film in Lansdowne:
At long last, after more than 20 years, movies have come back to Lansdowne! Our wonderful arts community now has its own intimate, 30-seat microcinema/screening room right in the heart of the central business district. You are invited to join us for the Lansdowne Sofa Cinema Premiere this Saturday, 6/14 as follows:
6:45: Cry of the Snow Lionâ€"a breathtakingly beautiful and engaging film about Tibet and its people, featuring the Dalai Lama.
8:45: Reception with Tsering Wangdi, President of the Tibetan Association of Philadelphia who is working on the July appearance of the Dalai Lama in Philadelphia;
9:115 Cry of the Snow Lion, 2nd showing.
For one $ 5 fee, you may attend either screening and head Mr. Wangdi. Refreshments are also available.
The showing will take place at our first home, the Lansdowne Baptist Church, corner of Lansdowne and LaCrosse. There is free parking in the church lot.
We are delighted to present Lansdowne’s first film venture in two decades in a fun and engaging way. Advance tickets may be purchased this Saturday at the Sofa Cinema booth at the Lansdowne Farmers Market or at the door. For further information, please call: (215) 601-1138. For future features, please visit our website at: lansdownesofacinema.com. If you or your organization would like to work with the Sofa Cinema Committee or sponsor a particular film for your group, we would be happy to work with you.
Come and support film and fun in Lansdowne! See you at the movies!!
Gary Chilutti, Manager
Main Street Lansdowne
Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation
Lansdowne Sofa Cinema is a project of the Lansdowne Main Street Program under sponsorship of the Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation, a non-profit corporation under Section 501 c 3 of the IRS Code. The LEDC receives support from the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, the Borough of Lansdowne and numerous local businesses, philanthropic foundations and corporations. For more information, visit our website at: www.lansdownesfuture.com
Thanks to Barry Goodkin for sharing his exterior photo of June 23, 1985 during run of “Witness” (filmed in Philadelphia area)during annual Conclave visit to Philadelphia area by Theatre Historical Society of America:
View link
A web site. Very little info so far, but stay tuned!
http://www.lansdownetheater.org/
Here are a couple of photos. The first is undated, maye circa 1920s. The second is an expansion of a thumbnail posted by Lost Memory on 11/10/04:
http://tinyurl.com/35dqee
http://tinyurl.com/2qftzh
here is info on the LEDC:
http://www.lansdownesfuture.org/ledc/history/
From the Lansdowne Borough Council minutes, June 6 2007:
“Mr. Lee mentioned that the Lansdowne Theater sign is in disrepair and action is necessary. Mr. Travers stated that several citations have been issued and the building has been sold to the LEDC/GLCA partnership.”