Roxy Theater
2023 Sansom Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19103
2023 Sansom Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19103
2 people
favorited this theater
The Roxy Theater opened in 1975 as a single screen seating 120 and programs Art House/Independent movies. A second screen has now been added.
In 1984, Ray Murray and Claire Brown took over the Roxy Theater, offering new releases.
In 1994, theatre owner Max Raab filed an antitrust suit against Miramax Films, alleging the studio allowed only Center City Philadelphia’s Ritz theatres to show first run movies. In October, 1994, the Roxy Theater closed. Two nearby movie theatres also closed in 1994 – the Eric Rittenhouse 3, which was demolished and Sam’s Place I & II, which became a CVS Pharmacy.
Bernard Nearey purchased the theatre in October, 1996 so moviegoers would have more another choice. On February 7, 1997, the Roxy Theater was reopened with “Secrets and Lies” and “Hype”. The Roxy Theater shows arthouse, classics, and mainstream films.
Contributed by
Lost Memory, Howard B. Haas
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
Another photo of the Roxy can be seen here.
Set of photos of the Roxy, including exterior, lobby, auditorium:
View link
I forgot all about this place. Sansom was one my favorite streets in college for its collection of restaurants, t-shirt shops and general Greenwich Village-type ambience. I have no idea what it’s like now.
Ken mc, the block is GREAT!!!!! Outside of the Roxy, which is still a swell experience, there is a cool record/cd store, Fat Jacks comic crypt, a theater (plays)a top notch comedy club where the greats perform Paul Mooney Robert Kline, and a lot of first class resturants. Fell free to come and visit.
Sounds good. I will be there in May, so I will check it out. Thanks.
I used to go to the Roxy back in the 90’s when it showed foreign and indy films. It was the only place outside of NYC you could see these types of films….at the time I could live with the super narrow alley-like auditoriums and tiny screens (in fairness the projection was always good, the staff very nice and they had a great snackbar). These days, I’m not gonna go downtown to see the same movie I can see on a big screen with good sound near home. If they brought back the unique indies and foreign films I might go back. It’s too bad there is such a shortage of screens in downtown Philly.
I remember in the early 80’s they showed old classics. I rememebr seeing Auntie Mame there.
I wonder how the Roxy will fare when all films will only be availible on digital format? I hope they will work this out, I’d hate to lose this theatre.
I wish to clarify that the “HowardB” above is NOT me. That appears to be a person who may have previously lived in NE Philly (having reviewed his prior comments).
Here’s a link to a 2006 interview with Roxy operator Bernard Nearey: http://www.philadelphiaweekly.com/arts-and-culture/the_candyman-38421379.html