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A.M. Ellis Theater Chain Photos Wanted
posted by
raymondgordonsears
on
July 27, 2005 at 4:15 am
Looking for pictures of theaters operated by the A.M. Ellis chain in the Philadelphia area. Mostly neighborhood theaters.
Comments (12)
If you can’t track the owners or successors of a chain, then you are best advised to contact the largest repository of theatre photos in the world: The Theatre Historical Soc. of America at: www.historictheatres.org Click on their Archive link to find out details. Best Wishes.
You can pull up a picture of the Tower thetaer in Upper Darby which was operated by the Ellis chain.
My father worked for the Ellis family for years as a film buyer. I do know the one son is a GYN at Abington Hosp- Michael Ellis.
CINDYK: What theatres did you go to and about what years. rg
CINDYK: My father worked for the Ellis family as long as I can remember as a theatre manager. Some of them were: The Parkside, Tower, Castor, Grand, Jackson, Chester Pike Drive-In (longest one until closed because 95 was going to go thru the middle of it), and the Bala theatre. I know there were others that he worked at before I was born. He also worked at the Bowlero (remember them) in Upper Darby, Eddystone, Frankford, and Conchester. Do you mean grandson or possibly great grandson (?) is a GYN. I remember Martin, Sydney and I think Bobby (black sheep of the family) not sure of his name. It’s been a long time. It’s possilbe that your dad may have known mine back then.
I am sure Michael Ellis is the son of one of them- he is probably is his late 50’s or early 60’s now. I saw him not too long ago. I do remember the black sheep too- Eddie! My dad told me so many funny stories about him. I think my dad worked there from around 1968 to 1975.My dad would have definitely known your dad if he was there at that time.
My dad started working for Ellis Theatres prior to 1950 and had to retire due to health reasons somewhere around the mid 80’s. The last theatre he worked at for them was the Bala and he worked there as the manager for the next owner until he left. I used to go with him to pick up films from the film exchange when they couldn’t get them delivered in time to be shown. Did you ever go with him to their offices at 1225 Vine St in Philly? You didn’t say if your dad is still around or not. If he is ask him if he remembers Fred Y. My dad always did all the errands for the Ellis' and used to take them to and pick them up from the airport or trains for their vacations.
Does anyone have any photos from these theaters.. Thanks rg
RG – Sorry but I don’t have any that I know of but when I get a chance I’ll look and see if I do.
IJY — Thanks, Would love the Renel theater as I went there as a kid. Have great memories from this and the Erlen, Rockland, Broad, Logan and this list goes ON. Thanks rg
I would love to see the Ellis Theater that was on Frankford ( not the 1946 pic ) from the 1950’s up until it closed in the 1970’s. Anyone have any pics?
IJY- Just saw you post from a year ago— what was your dad’s last name, if you don’t mind me asking- Sorry to say, my dad is not around but I think I remember a Fred. and YES— I did go to 1225 Vine Street. My dad also had worked for Stanley Warner around the corner. What a different business years ago!!! My father worked there til 1975 when they started using a booking agency in NY. Do you remember the name Larry Ruch??