Philadelphia Film Center
1412 Chestnut Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19102
1412 Chestnut Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19102
12 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 82 comments
Passing along the link to my 3-page 60th anniversary retrospective on WEST SIDE STORY, which includes a historian interview and reference listing of its roadshow engagements. The year-long Midtown run gets a mention.
This year, the theater will turn 100 years old.
Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker opened here in 12/20/19. I believe it is the first Star Wars film to play here. 2 ROCKY films played here: ROCKY II (Budco Midtown) and ROCKY BALBOA (Prince Music Theatre)
Would love to see the red design marquee converted back to the Midtown marquee.
Phila Film Society email today with 2 photos (to add to gallery) The Film Society is proud to unveil an updated and renovated second floor theater at the Philadelphia Film Center.
Rechristened as the Albert M. Greenfield Education and Community Screening Room (formerly the Black Box Theater), the second floor theater space boasts state of the art digital presentation with 2K laser projection and 7.1 surround sound, brand new retractable stadium seating, new wood flooring, and update entry & concessions areas.
Stop by the Film Center and see the new space and enjoy a first-run film or one of our upcoming special programs.
That red design marquee is covering the marquee that William Goldman Theatres put up when the renovated the Karlton into the Midtown.
Oh awesome. I hope this theater does well
Tonight & next Tuesday eve, “Apocalypse Now Final Cut” here. Digital. The theater has 2k projection, 7.1 surround sound. My notes are that the “Redux” version was here 7-31-01.
I wish they would put the old marquee back instead of that red design.
That’s interesting. I’m kind of glad they are keeping the main auditorium intact as it may be large by today’s standards but it is still under 500 seats. That being said, IMO, with all the upgrades in sound and projection (and the addition of 70mm capability) I really do hope they put in a new permanent screen that can take advantage of most of the width of that stage. At 32' wide the current flying screen is smaller than the screens in the big rooms at Riverview Plaza. No question that width stage and size auditorium should have at least a 50' wide screen (if not wider) especially if they want to do justice to any future 70mm screenings. I’m not sure, but I am guessing that if they are going to be installing Dolby Atmos Sound, a new permanent screen would be a must considering the number of speakers behind the screen.
Despite what seemed like was to happen from looking at the article’s renderings, future articles made it clear the main auditorium is not going to be divided. The 2 new auditoriums, in addition to the former ballroom aka black box space (2nd floor) will be on the 3rd floor.
Thanks for the update. Apparently the main auditorium will be getting Dolby Atmos Sound, 4K, 35mm and 70mm projection (and I hope a new permanent screen with side masking). The dividing of the main auditorium appears to be the same configuration as what was done to good effect at the Ambler. I’m not familiar with the Ballroom Auditorium at the Prince. I wonder if that would just become another small screening room or a somewhat larger 100-150 seat room. No matter, this is great news for Philadelphia area film goers. The idea of being able to see 70mm again is going to be a real treat.
There is a “locked” article today at Phila. Business Journal where renderings (free to see) indicate plan to change name to Philadelphia Film Center (with wording on the main facade as Midtown wording used to be) & to change raised upper section of main auditorium into 2 more auditoriums with screens, so that together with ex ballroom auditorium, the building will have 4 screens.
Not many new movies in main auditorium but Solo: A Star Wars Story starts May 24 for a one week run in the main auditorium.
Todd-AO: Can-Can, The Alamo, Sound of Music Super Panavision 70: West Side Story, Lawrence of Arabia 70mm blow-up: Far from the Madding Crowd, Oliver B&W: Diary of Anne Frank (CinemaScope 4-track) Regular run: Raintree County (Camera 65 – 35mm mono) Mary Poppins (35mm 4 track). I saw them.
I wish that the Prince could survive as a film only venue with a 60' wide permanent stage width screen instead of the present 32' flying screen. It is pretty sad that in a city as large as Philadelphia that there are so few screens in Center City. At least with the Prince showing movies there is a decent venue for more mainstream films. I have read of a possible small multiplex in the Gallery renovation but I’ll believe that when I’m actually sitting in one of the theaters waiting for the show to begin.
I wish they would put a real marquee back
According to the Prince website they are showing Dunkirk in both Digital Projection and 35mm. Apparently it was erroneously noted in an article in the Sunday Inquire that the Prince was showing it in 70mm.
1st film for the summer in the main auditorium is “Despicable Me 3” starting Friday June 30.
PPDDSS I remember the painting when it was new. I have seen it since is has become a ‘ghost’. Not a fitting tribute to a once great movie theater.
andyp Mr. Gordon was the manager when I worked there. He ran a pretty tight ship. It was a pleasure working there and a pleasure working for him. I learned a lot. When we were not busy he was constantly trying to get me to learn and memorize all the state capitols.
Jack K mentions seeing Around the World in 80 Days there. As of now, 2015, there is still the ghost of a painted sign on the rear Sansom Street wall advertising that film.
Today Inquirer article states 156 seat cabaret Prazz Room to be upstairs http://www.philly.com/philly/entertainment/music/20150901_Cabaret_returning_to_Philly–at_a_couple_of_venues.html
Jack_K: I also worked at the Midtown from January 1969 to November 1970. Saw Oliver there for ten months. Norman Gordon was manager, and assistant manager was Bob Beck. It was a wonderful theatre before it was twinned.
I fell in love with the Midtown when my parents took me there to see Around The World in 80 days.
The screen was basically wall to wall with only enough room to accommodate the open curtain. There was a row of exit doors under and as wide as the screen.
In 1958 I became an usher there. I started the 48th or 49th week of South Pacific. The theater had the most perfect projection (70 MM) and stereo sound of any I had experienced.
The theater did have then a balcony, left over from the Karlton. But it was closed off by curtains and only contain air conditioning equipment and at the top the projection room.
After a short time I was made assistant manager. I felt more important than the President of the US.
I have fond, but fading memories of the Midtown, but would be please to answer any questions for might hove.