Renel Theatre
7238 Ogontz Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
7238 Ogontz Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
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The theatre opened in September 1937 with second run pictures and closed in 1967. This theatre had a very large (working) fireplace in the inner lobby. The interior had glass bricks, modern murals, recessed lighting. A nice neighborhood theatre. Great Saturday matinees
Contributed by
ray
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Recent comments (view all 19 comments)
Every so often when coming home from the station I will drive through my old neighborhood and I will stop church (theater). The folks are sooo nice and let me spend a little time remembering when I was a kid and spent a lot of time in this building. rg
Here is a 1969 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/2u8b6a
Putney Swope with Stan Gottlieb and Allen Garfield was released in July of 1969.
The Renel Theater can be seen in this photo.
If you google search EXACTLY “Boxoffice May 29, 1937” and when the issue appears, type “Philadelphia” in the search box then after enough clicks, you will eventually see a photo of the glass block fireplace & mural above it! (next to a photo of a giant Hollywood vertical sign).
Does the fireplace & mural survive?
The next time I come home from work that way I will stop in and check it out. rg
Thanks, Howard, for the link to the Renel’s fireplace. I remember those chairs very well, although I never sat in them. When I was going to the Renel in the late 50’s and early 60’s the lounge always seemed to be very dimly lit and creepy to this young boy. I was very quick in going to the boys room (I think to the left of the fireplace, girls to the right) and did not want to linger in the lounge at all.
Here is a better view of the 1969 photo. The photo is from the Irvin Glazer theater collection:
http://tinyurl.com/pwxpwh
Another PAB photo?
The Renel was operated by Ellis Theatres from 1945 thru its closing.