Diamond Theatre
2119-2123 Germantown Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19122
2119-2123 Germantown Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19122
2 people
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This theater, which may have originally been called the Cohooksink Theatre, opened in 1920 and sat 927. Later known as the Diamond Theatre, it was remodeled in 1937 to the plans of David Supowitz.
Later it became a Spanish-language movie house called the Teatro Puerto Rico in the 1960’s, but returned to mainstream movies later, though retaining the Puerto Rico name.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft, Tony
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
I believe this building was originally called the Diamond Theater. The actual address was on Germantown Avenue, a diagonal street that passes very close to the 6th & Diamond intersection. In the ‘80s this theater would occasionally show up in the Philadelphia Inquirer’s neighborhood movie listings; by then the films were typical Hollywood releases but the theater was still called the Puerto Rico.
According to Irvin R. Glazer’s “Philadelphia Theaters,” the Diamond Theatre was situated at 2119 Germantown Avenue and first opened in 1920 as a purpose-built movie house. In 1937, the Diamond was renovated and received a new marquee under the supervision of architect David Supowitz. Interior and exterior photographs taken at that time can be fournd on page 31 of Glazer’s book. (Curiously, in the chronological list of Philadephia theaters at the back of the book, the author contradicts himself by reporting the Diamond’s opening date as 1923!)
Thanks for your help with identifying this Warren & Rick…this was/is the Diamond Theatre. Found this site with photos of the Diamond/Puerto Rico Theatre. Unfortunately, you have to subscribe to their site to view the full photos (there are thumbnail views of the interior & exterior). Apparently, it was originally called the Cohooksink Theatre before its Diamond days.
P.S. I’ve just compared the exterior photo of the Diamond in Glazer’s book to the one of the Teatro Puerto Rico at nycsubway.org and it’s definitely the same theatre. The 1937 marquee had “DIAMOND” in illuminated letters across the front, with an illuminated diamond with just the letter “D” above that. These were later replaced by a painted sign “Puerto Rico Theatre” across the front of the marquee and a painted “PR” in the diamond above.
Here is a 1967 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/38cj4a
A Kimball theater organ was installed in the Diamond Theater in 1926.
Here is a contemporary view. The building is still standing but is not in use:
http://tinyurl.com/qmowk4
The next Google map link that you post will result in my posting them also.
Here is an undated photo from the Irvin Glazer collection:
http://tinyurl.com/yakgkkb
Very poor scan of a PAB photo.