Cheltenham Theatre
2385 Cheltenham Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19150
2385 Cheltenham Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19150
1 person
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When the Cheltenham Theatre first opened in 1961, it was owned by RKO-Stanley-Warner Theatres. It was closed by RKO and taken over by the now vanished Budco Theatre circuit which twinned the theatre.
Budco Theatres was sold to AMC in 1987 and the large multiplex circuit decided to close the theatre for good that same year.
A newer eight-screen multiplex bearing the Cheltenham name and operated by United Artists Theatres was located in the mall and outside of the mall, until it closed in 2008. The old Cheltenham Theatre is, however, long gone.
Contributed by
Ronnie Colbert
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Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
Looking at some old Inquirer articles, the closing was in December 1987. In March 1988, the Inquirer reported that the Cheltenham Twin and a PSFS bank had been demolished to make way for a new seven-screen theater.
Yes, the theater was equipped with Norelco 35/70mm projectors. The projectionist took such good care of them, they looked brand-new right to the end. But the Norelco is a exceptionally heavy projector, so they never removed them but bulldozed them with eveything else when the theater was torn down.
The Cheltenham Theater was a great place to see movies before it was twinned. The projection and sound were excellent, and I remember it having one of the largest screens in Philadelphia. After 2001 A Space Odyssey ended its Cinerama engagement at the Randolph I believe it moved to a 70mm six track sound showing at the Cheltenham because it was the best sound and screen in the city.
ya know 1987 was a year that closed alot of theaters in PA.. quess cause of all the AMCS that were taking over.
Boxoffice article on this theatre with lots of pictures. Issue of February 12, 1962:
View link
The opening date for this theater remains in question. I have found dates that range from 1954 to 1964. I watched ‘40 Pounds of Trouble’ at the theater on December 31, 1962. It was the opening day of this movie and was advertised as the Grand Opening of the theater. I entered the auditorium via the far left aisle and took an aisle seat about half way down. I remember the left arm rest being loose. The film was not a smash hit and possible helped to lead the film studios not to release films the week after Christmas. (Yes, December 31st. I was 16 and had no life.)
Grand opening described in this 1961 trade article: Boxoffice
New link to 1962 article cited above by Gerald A. DeLuca: Boxoffice
I too was lucky enough to experience the 2001 screening during its initial run there. Too young to remember if it was a Cinerama screen installation or flat 70mm. Thank you for the clarification !!
This theater in the early 80’s got mostly horror movies…