Keswick Theatre
291 N. Keswick Avenue,
Glenside,
PA
19038
291 N. Keswick Avenue,
Glenside,
PA
19038
4 people
favorited this theater
The Keswick Theatre is in Glenside, a Montgomery County suburb of Philadelphia. The theatre was designed in a Tudor Revival style by Philadelphia architect Horace Trumbauer, who also designed the Philadelphia Art Museum. A private opening on Christmas 1928 was held for the Kiwanis Follies. The Keswick Theatre opened to the public on December 27, 1928, with vaudeville and the silent version of the Warner Bros. movie “Glorious Betsy” starring Dolores Costello, which also had a sound on disc version. The theatre was wired for sound, but the equipment was not yet ready.
The 1,366-seat Keswick Theatre played host to everyone from Paul Robeson to the best big-budget films of the day. In 1955, the theatre was remodelled to host CinemaScope films.
In the Spring 1980 the theatre closed, and demolition loomed. Community activists organized a nonprofit organization to save the theatre, and operated the theatre with live shows from 1981 to December 1985, when it closed again.
The Keswick Theatre reopened in March 1988 under private ownership, with its current incarnation, as a place to see a wildly diverse array of talent. The acoustically luscious theatre was fully refurbished in 1994.
The original theatre pipe organ was an Aeolian Organ. The current organ is a 1,700 pipe Moller Theatre Organ, originally installed in 1928 in the Sedgwick Theatre in Philadelphia.
The Keswick Theatre was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. Philadelphia Magazine chose the Keswick Theatre as ‘Concert Venue of the Year’ for its ‘Best of Philly’ issue. In 2004, an Arcadia paperback book on the Keswick Theatre was published, written by Judith Katherine Herbst.
Contributed by
George Q, Ken Duckworth, Howard B. Haas
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 19 comments)
I am glad that this beautiful theatre was able to be saved and is supported so its future looks good.
From the Montgomery News:
After opening its doors in 1928, the Keswick Theatre has become a favorite historical landmark in Glenside. To help make sure the theater is part of the community for years to come, it is undergoing renovations, which began June 25.
More at: http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2012/07/30/glenside_news_globe_times_chronicle/news/doc501690d431cda398420019.txt?viewmode=default
Hey veyoung52, it was called the Warren theatre in 1960 when Windjammer played there in Atlantic City. It was supposed to start July 29, 1960. In the same month I also see articles about it being demolished in the fall 1960.
Don’t forget when Cinarama left Philly it later came to the Keswick. The 35mm projectors were taken out and the 3 system cinarama was installed.
NO, the Boyd was the only 3 projector true Cinerama venue in the Phila area.
Mel, who owned the theater gutted the booth and installed the euipment for cinarama. I was their. My father made all the signs for the theater inside and out. This WAS after its run in Philly
HowardBHaas… I believe you’re mistaken about the Keswick. A 3-projector run of “Windjammer” is cited in the Showcase Presentations in Philadelphia article if you want playdate details.
Thanks Michael Coate for that wonderful compilation!
^ You’re welcome.
Facebook page fore the Keswick Theatre, spelled “re”. Old photos in their photos page.
https://www.facebook.com/TheKeswickTheatre/?tn-str=k*F&hc_location=group_dialog