Dante Theatre
1212 S. Broad Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19146
1212 S. Broad Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19146
1 person
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The Dante Theatre appears to have closed on May 17, 1964 with a double feature of “The Victors” and “The Maniac.”
This opened on May 12th, 1937. Its small grand opening ad can be found in the photo section.
The Alan… There is a link I posted to an image from that period in the comment just above this one you just added. Click.
Does anyone have a photo of the Dante between 1937 —– 1962? Please share. Thanks!
Direct link to image of the Dante Theatre in Boxoffice magazine, April 30, 1938: VIEW LINK
It was a nice movie theater. We went often.
From Boxoffice, November 7, 1936:
Lombardi “Dante” Backer
Philadelphia – Joe Lombardi, wel-known south Philadelphia theatre owner, heads the syndicate of Italian-Americans building a new theatre at Broad and Federal streets.
The theatre, which will show both foreign and domestic films, will be called the “Dante.”
Thanks, Joe, last year, I captured that restaurant photo but didn’t recall where I got it from. It is stunning.
Not exactly theater-related, but this web log post contains a 1935 Armstrong Linoleum ad with a picture of the stunning deco-moderne interior of a Philadelphia night club and restaurant designed by the architect of the Dante, Armand Carroll.
If you google search EXACTLY “Boxoffice April 30, 1938” and then after the issue appears, place in the search box “Philadelphia” then after enough clicks you will eventually find an exterior photo of the Dante in its Art Moderne glory.
Here is the website for the culinary school:
http://www.culinaryarts.com/
from 9-15-1937 The Exhibitor, photo of Dante Theatre’s ticket booth:
View link
and photo of glass brick standee wall at auditorium rear with text below:
View link
The standing rail of the new Dante Theatre, Philadelphia, PA Armand Carroll, Architect. Glass brick inlaid in wood panelling and topped with upholstering to match the chairs, is an unusual modern touch. Subdued reflected illumination from within serves only to guide incoming patrons.
There was a beautiful and detailed writeup (with photos) of this theater in the July 1938 issue of Architectural Record magazine. Armand Carrol is listed as the architect. The marquee was manufactured by Philadelphia Sign Company.
Given the name, could the theatre possibly have been used for Italian-language ethnic film programs?