Philadelphia Film Center

I grew up at the Jersey Shore and never had the opportunity to see a film at the Midtown before it was twinned, just as a “twin” and in its latest incarnation as the “Prince”. I would imagine being set up for Todd-AO 70mm that it had a very large wall to wall curved screen and multi-channel sound. If anyone recalls details about the screen size and presentation I’d love to hear about it. Apparently many older theaters made some major changes in the 50’s to accomodate the wide screens for Cinemascope and 70mm. Some ripped out or widened the original prosceniums while some just erected screens, speakers, curtains, etc in front of the old prosceniums.

It was pretty bad as a twin, but not quite as bad as some other “twinnings” from that era. It was a typical wall down the middle job and while the theaters were still large they were very long and narrow, at least the one I was in. It would be great if the Prince under the ownership of the PFS still features some film revivals in between the more commercial films, live shows and Philadelphia Film Festival.

The screen size is a bit compromised due to it being of the non-fixed “flying” variety to accomodate live stage shows. The screen is still not what I would describe as “small”, just a bit undersized for the size of the auditorium. If the Prince was just to be used for film, and a fixed screen erected, the width of the stage could probably accomodate a 50' to 60' wide screen. I attended screenings of “The Great Escape” and “Once Upon a Time In China” some years back at the Prince and the 35mm film projection and sound were exceptional. I do not know for sure, but I would assume that Digital Projection has been installed. It’s great news that the Prince will continue thanks to the Philadelphia Film Society. As much as I would love to see a bigger screen installed, I realize that for the venue to continue to survive it will probably need to continue as a multi-purpose venue…but it would be great if it would be possible to have a “flying” screen that was better suited to the size of the auditorium.

“The Sound of Music” premiered at the Midtown 50 years ago today. With a reserved-seat run of 93 weeks, do you think it is the long-run record holder for this venue?

Also, on a related note, I would like to mention my new 50th anniversary retrospective for “The Sound of Music” can be read here.

Film Society of Philadelphia buys the theater with $8 million in funding from a foundation. The venue will continue to be available for live shows; it will reopen March 18 with The Last Jimmy, a hip-hop musical. Philly.com story here.

I remember coming here opening day to see National Lampoon’s Vacation. There was a blonde in a bikini standing outside the theater. Recently I’ve been to see the Totally Biased show with W. Kamau Bell. The TV show Hit Me Baby One More Time also filmed here

In light of new movie Saving Mr. Banks, I asked Vince Young where Mary Poppins was shown in Center City Phila. & he replied as follows: It was the Christmas attraction at Philadelphia’s favorite theatre for musicals….the Midtown….and ran for months!

The building has been sold to a group that has leased it back to the theater company. What exactly will be presented here in the future seems to be a bit up in the air. Philly.com has the story.

I did go there but work blocked it as a dangerous site. SIGH. Are they stillshowing movies Howard?

Is this theater still in oepration? I knew they filed for bankruptcy in 2010.

In between being Jacob Reed’s Men’s Store and Karlton Theatre, there was a Kugler’s Restaurant in the building, until at the latest late 1920, when the building was converted to the Karlton Theatre.

To help pay the bills, the theater has announced a summer movie series: View link