John J. McGuirk and Stanley Amusement Circuit built the new Cross Keys (two words) Theatre in 1914 with a new Woolworth’s store around the corner also built and opening at the same time. The new Cross Keys opened with vaudeville including Kute, Kunning and Klever - a children’s team - and Blake’s Circus - a trained animal act on December 28, 1914. The theatre was bathed in a color palette of rose, ivory and gold. Vaudeville presented by Stanley’s Sablosky and McGuirk began to be supplanted more commonly with movies in 1923 and 1924 and, by decade’s end, the Cross Keys converted to sound and became a movie house. Sadly, assistant Manager Max Harris was gunned down in the theatre on march 28, 1928.
Stanley-Warner Circuit closed the Cross Keys permanently on April 12, 1953 with “Niagra” and “The Lawless Breed.” After a period of inactivity, Jerry P. Altman sold the Cross Keys Theatre to Jerry P. Altman who turned it into the Orchid Auditorium with a restaurant in November of 1957. It held sporadic live events for five years. It was later demolished.
The Cedar Theatre appears to have opened here in 1913. It was known as the “Theater with a Personality.” The theatre was part of the Nixon-Nirdlinger Circuit. It converted to sound and, in October of 1939, the theatre received a streamlined makeover to the plans of David Supowitz.
The theatre continued into the late 1950s as the Cedar. The theatre was refreshed becoming the Abbe Art Cinema that launched here on September 24, 1959 with “The Mistress” and “The Surf.” It closed permanently on October 27, 1972 with Barbara Bennet in “Kiss This Miss” and “Temptation & Sin.”
The Sherwood stopped advertising and was listed as closed after “Man in the Saddle” and “The Harlem Globetrotters” at end of lease on March 30, 1953. It came back under a new operator as a grind house with continuous shows of a Doris Day double-feature consisting of “Love Me or Leave Me” and “House of Bamboo” on September 9, 1955. The Sherwood departed at end of lease on May 31, 1959 with “Tiger’s Claws” and “Veiled Lady.”
Stanley Theatre Circuit launched the unsuccessful Rexy Theatre on November 9, 1928 with Clara Bow in “The Fleet’s In.” It was dropped in 1933 likely exercising an opt out clause in the leasing agreement. The Rexy then reopened as a live theatre unsuccessfully in 1936. It was reopened for films by Warner’s Circuit infrequently in 1938-1939 and sold off. It made a comeback in 1944 closing following showtimes on November 12, 1944.
The theatre was auctioned off in 1954. The Rexy was demolished at the end of its thirty-year lease in August of 1958. Based on zero knowledge, the theatre could have easily been subleased as an African American theater from 1944 to 19xx which would explain both its lack of advertising and its auction in 1954 followed by the original leasing term expiry permanently ending its stay on South Street in 1958. However, it is a common target of vandalism / break ins so may have simply been vacant for 14 years. Based on the demolition “by the pound” for wood, the chances that the entry above is factually correct about its closure in 1975 is - at best - as an airdome.
The address here is incorrect here, as well. It was built at 8th Street and South with an address of 817 South Street consistently advertised. There is some form of apartment complex on that spot - and sadly, no pizza place as promised above. Finally, though the trades sometimes say 2,083 seats, I think the original 2,500 capacity is borne out in almost all other documentation so feel that the cap should be placed at 2,500. Other than that, I agree with everything above… though the architects refer to the style they were trying to achieve as Georgian.
The Stanley Theatre Circuit sold the building in January of 1955 at which time it was altered to become a retail furniture store. It is believed that the Model Theatre closed permanently on January 2, 1955 with a double feature of “Down Three Dark Streets” and “Two Guns and a Badge.”
The Howard Theatre is listed consistently into 1959 at 2614-2620 North Front Street. On October 24, 1963, the Howard played adult films and had live burlesque rebranded as the Howard Follies Theatre. (See photo.) Protests led to the end of that practice on August 5, 1964. A final operator came in rebranding under an “art” house policy as the renamed Art Howard Theatre. It appears that two adult titles would be placed with a more mainstream title. The Art Howard ceased operations on February 14, 1965 with a triple feature of Doris Wishman in “Diary of a Nudist,” Rose Alba in “Eves on Skis.” and Kim Novak in “Kiss Me, Stupid.” Clearly, the marquee remained “Howard” so no real need to change the listing entry.
The Belvedere opened in 1916. It was known as the Chestnut Hill Theatre by 1919. The Chestnut Hill went into a receivership auction in 1930 complete with its Moller Opus 2410 Pipe Organ and 500 seats unable to convert to sound. It found new operators in 1932 reopening and closing as the Hill Theatre. It reopened as the Hill Theatre under new operator William H. Wold in 1933. It closed and reopened under a new operator in 1935.
Under a new operator, the theatre was renovated in 1940 to the plans of David Supowitz bringing air conditioning, new seating and a streamlined look. (The Lee remodel reference as occurring in 1936 seems odd given the short period of time between refreshes. Especially, a Lee refresh which would likely have been extensive.) Meanwhile a brand new theatre was proposed by Goldman Circuit to the plans of William H. Lee seating 750 just three blocks away - and could be the reference above. I’m assuming that Lee theatre got off of the drawing board but was not built. Meanwhile, the Hill Theatre closed April 5, 1973 with “A Clockwork Orange.”
The rebranded Vernon Theatre launched for Warner on October 25, 1940 with “Brigham Young Frontiersman.” Stanley Warner closed it on May 27, 1951 with Doris Day in “Lullaby of Broadway.” A salvage sale occurred in June and July of 1951 prior to and as the theatre was being razed.
P.J. Kileullen built and launched the Cayuga Theatre in 1911. The building was technically 4367-4371 Germantown taking up three addresses. It was sold to a new operator in 1913. The Cayuga closed in December of 1957. It appears to have been a house of worship for two years likely losing its attractor.
A classified ad next appeared offering the venue for lease and operator Max Raab took on the venue as the Aardvark Theatre on October 20, 1961 with “Henry V.” The Aardvark tried art, repertory and exploitation for the next two plus years before closing permanently on January 16, 1964 with “The Shameless Sex” and “Cover Girl Killer.” Another classified ad looking for a new operator appears to have gone unheeded.
Frank Migone launched the Alhambra with a 2,500 seats capacity on September 11, 1911. But he sold it quickly to William W. Miller of the Wm. Penn Theatre within two months. The Alhambra exited with “I"ll See You In My Dreams” and “Pals of the Golden West” on March 9, 1952.
It was subleased on a ten-year basis as an event center featuring wrestling and boxing as well as a skating rink. The building became vacant in 1960 and was damaged by a fire on May 11, 1962 leading it to be razed soon thereafter for a parking lot.
The architect referred to it as Adam Style architecture complete with a marble and gold interior and terra cotta and granite front at open. Harvey C. Hodgens' exterior architectural sketch is in photos and was created for operators Samuel and George Felt of the Aldine. John A. Queen was at the organ for the grand opening.
The Ambassador initially closed on December 4, 1956 as a second-run, discount operation with “Safari” and “Miami Expose.” Albert M. Greenfield subleased the venue to Samuel Gross on a one-year basis. The theatre tested its rebranding as the remodeled Ambassador Art Theatre from October 14, 1958 with “The Gold Rush” and closing permanently on October 13, 1959 with “The Truth About Women” and “Secrets of the Reef.”
The Andrews Theatre was an African American movie theatre on Mulberry Street in the city’s African American business district that was decimated by racial violence and arson in 1930.
The Star Theatre / Starr Theatre was an African American movie theatre in Sherman Pecan Street near or in the city’s African American business district that was decimated by racial violence and arson in 1930. Dates of operation are pretty challenging to track down but was open at least by 1915.
The last film to play at the Superba appears to be a Christmas show in December of 1955. The Legg family operated the theatre from 1921 until its closure as an independent theater.
The Arcade’s first advertisement is on February 1, 1908 playing Ehtel Reed in “The Gainesbrough Hat” and “Miser’s Nephew.” It was one of three downtown theaters in 1908 Dennison along with the Nickel Palace and the Empire. It appears to have closed in December of 1921. It was auctioned off in 1922 when the final operator declared bankruptcy.
The Northeast Shopping Center (aka Korvette Shopping Center, for a period) opened in October of 1959 theatre-less and anchored by E.J. Korvette’s Department Store. In 1964, an announced expansion brought both a public library a Philadelphia’s first twin-screen movie theater in 1964/65. The concept was to have a road show title on one screen and a continuously-running feature on the other. It opened as Cinema I & II on Christmas Day 1965 with Edna Knowles as the cashier and “Do Not Disturb” with Doris Day and “Pinocchio in Outer Space” starring Pinocchio.
The theatre hosted German films as a recurring series, became the General Cinema Northeast I, II, III (1973), and the GCC Northeast 4 (1976) all with Knowles as cashier. Korvette’s departed in 1980. A new Tower Records store came in and did some tie-ups with the theater. The GCC Northeast 4 closed on May 31, 1999 at the end of its leasing period. And yes, Edna Knowles made it all the way from opening in 1965 to its closing date of May 31, 1999. The business was so slow, however, that she had to work concessions as the theatre didn’t sell almost any tickets on weekdays so the box office was closed around 1997.
The last “feature” on the marquee by long-time employee Joe “Zuck” Zuckschwerdt - in charge of the GCC attractor for some 25 years - read, “Goodnight, Edna. Thanks for 35 Great Years.”
John J. McGuirk and Stanley Amusement Circuit built the new Cross Keys (two words) Theatre in 1914 with a new Woolworth’s store around the corner also built and opening at the same time. The new Cross Keys opened with vaudeville including Kute, Kunning and Klever - a children’s team - and Blake’s Circus - a trained animal act on December 28, 1914. The theatre was bathed in a color palette of rose, ivory and gold. Vaudeville presented by Stanley’s Sablosky and McGuirk began to be supplanted more commonly with movies in 1923 and 1924 and, by decade’s end, the Cross Keys converted to sound and became a movie house. Sadly, assistant Manager Max Harris was gunned down in the theatre on march 28, 1928.
Stanley-Warner Circuit closed the Cross Keys permanently on April 12, 1953 with “Niagra” and “The Lawless Breed.” After a period of inactivity, Jerry P. Altman sold the Cross Keys Theatre to Jerry P. Altman who turned it into the Orchid Auditorium with a restaurant in November of 1957. It held sporadic live events for five years. It was later demolished.
The Cedar Theatre appears to have opened here in 1913. It was known as the “Theater with a Personality.” The theatre was part of the Nixon-Nirdlinger Circuit. It converted to sound and, in October of 1939, the theatre received a streamlined makeover to the plans of David Supowitz.
The theatre continued into the late 1950s as the Cedar. The theatre was refreshed becoming the Abbe Art Cinema that launched here on September 24, 1959 with “The Mistress” and “The Surf.” It closed permanently on October 27, 1972 with Barbara Bennet in “Kiss This Miss” and “Temptation & Sin.”
The Sherwood stopped advertising and was listed as closed after “Man in the Saddle” and “The Harlem Globetrotters” at end of lease on March 30, 1953. It came back under a new operator as a grind house with continuous shows of a Doris Day double-feature consisting of “Love Me or Leave Me” and “House of Bamboo” on September 9, 1955. The Sherwood departed at end of lease on May 31, 1959 with “Tiger’s Claws” and “Veiled Lady.”
The Nixon Theatre resigned at end of lease on May 29, 1977 with “King Kong,” “Superfly T.N.T.” and “Tiger Force.”
The Dante Theatre appears to have closed on May 17, 1964 with a double feature of “The Victors” and “The Maniac.”
Stanley Theatre Circuit launched the unsuccessful Rexy Theatre on November 9, 1928 with Clara Bow in “The Fleet’s In.” It was dropped in 1933 likely exercising an opt out clause in the leasing agreement. The Rexy then reopened as a live theatre unsuccessfully in 1936. It was reopened for films by Warner’s Circuit infrequently in 1938-1939 and sold off. It made a comeback in 1944 closing following showtimes on November 12, 1944.
The theatre was auctioned off in 1954. The Rexy was demolished at the end of its thirty-year lease in August of 1958. Based on zero knowledge, the theatre could have easily been subleased as an African American theater from 1944 to 19xx which would explain both its lack of advertising and its auction in 1954 followed by the original leasing term expiry permanently ending its stay on South Street in 1958. However, it is a common target of vandalism / break ins so may have simply been vacant for 14 years. Based on the demolition “by the pound” for wood, the chances that the entry above is factually correct about its closure in 1975 is - at best - as an airdome.
The address here is incorrect here, as well. It was built at 8th Street and South with an address of 817 South Street consistently advertised. There is some form of apartment complex on that spot - and sadly, no pizza place as promised above. Finally, though the trades sometimes say 2,083 seats, I think the original 2,500 capacity is borne out in almost all other documentation so feel that the cap should be placed at 2,500. Other than that, I agree with everything above… though the architects refer to the style they were trying to achieve as Georgian.
The Stanley Theatre Circuit sold the building in January of 1955 at which time it was altered to become a retail furniture store. It is believed that the Model Theatre closed permanently on January 2, 1955 with a double feature of “Down Three Dark Streets” and “Two Guns and a Badge.”
It appears to have ceased operations on October 20, 1977 with “The Deep.”
The Howard Theatre is listed consistently into 1959 at 2614-2620 North Front Street. On October 24, 1963, the Howard played adult films and had live burlesque rebranded as the Howard Follies Theatre. (See photo.) Protests led to the end of that practice on August 5, 1964. A final operator came in rebranding under an “art” house policy as the renamed Art Howard Theatre. It appears that two adult titles would be placed with a more mainstream title. The Art Howard ceased operations on February 14, 1965 with a triple feature of Doris Wishman in “Diary of a Nudist,” Rose Alba in “Eves on Skis.” and Kim Novak in “Kiss Me, Stupid.” Clearly, the marquee remained “Howard” so no real need to change the listing entry.
Closed November 11, 1965 with a double feature of “What’s New Pussycat?” and “Genghis Kahn.”
The Belvedere opened in 1916. It was known as the Chestnut Hill Theatre by 1919. The Chestnut Hill went into a receivership auction in 1930 complete with its Moller Opus 2410 Pipe Organ and 500 seats unable to convert to sound. It found new operators in 1932 reopening and closing as the Hill Theatre. It reopened as the Hill Theatre under new operator William H. Wold in 1933. It closed and reopened under a new operator in 1935.
Under a new operator, the theatre was renovated in 1940 to the plans of David Supowitz bringing air conditioning, new seating and a streamlined look. (The Lee remodel reference as occurring in 1936 seems odd given the short period of time between refreshes. Especially, a Lee refresh which would likely have been extensive.) Meanwhile a brand new theatre was proposed by Goldman Circuit to the plans of William H. Lee seating 750 just three blocks away - and could be the reference above. I’m assuming that Lee theatre got off of the drawing board but was not built. Meanwhile, the Hill Theatre closed April 5, 1973 with “A Clockwork Orange.”
The rebranded Vernon Theatre launched for Warner on October 25, 1940 with “Brigham Young Frontiersman.” Stanley Warner closed it on May 27, 1951 with Doris Day in “Lullaby of Broadway.” A salvage sale occurred in June and July of 1951 prior to and as the theatre was being razed.
P.J. Kileullen built and launched the Cayuga Theatre in 1911. The building was technically 4367-4371 Germantown taking up three addresses. It was sold to a new operator in 1913. The Cayuga closed in December of 1957. It appears to have been a house of worship for two years likely losing its attractor.
A classified ad next appeared offering the venue for lease and operator Max Raab took on the venue as the Aardvark Theatre on October 20, 1961 with “Henry V.” The Aardvark tried art, repertory and exploitation for the next two plus years before closing permanently on January 16, 1964 with “The Shameless Sex” and “Cover Girl Killer.” Another classified ad looking for a new operator appears to have gone unheeded.
The Benn Theatre closed permanently on February 6, 1977 with “In Search of Noah’s Ark.”
Frank Migone launched the Alhambra with a 2,500 seats capacity on September 11, 1911. But he sold it quickly to William W. Miller of the Wm. Penn Theatre within two months. The Alhambra exited with “I"ll See You In My Dreams” and “Pals of the Golden West” on March 9, 1952.
It was subleased on a ten-year basis as an event center featuring wrestling and boxing as well as a skating rink. The building became vacant in 1960 and was damaged by a fire on May 11, 1962 leading it to be razed soon thereafter for a parking lot.
The architect referred to it as Adam Style architecture complete with a marble and gold interior and terra cotta and granite front at open. Harvey C. Hodgens' exterior architectural sketch is in photos and was created for operators Samuel and George Felt of the Aldine. John A. Queen was at the organ for the grand opening.
The Ambassador initially closed on December 4, 1956 as a second-run, discount operation with “Safari” and “Miami Expose.” Albert M. Greenfield subleased the venue to Samuel Gross on a one-year basis. The theatre tested its rebranding as the remodeled Ambassador Art Theatre from October 14, 1958 with “The Gold Rush” and closing permanently on October 13, 1959 with “The Truth About Women” and “Secrets of the Reef.”
Closed August 1, 1920 and replaced by JC Penney.
The Andrews Theatre was an African American movie theatre on Mulberry Street in the city’s African American business district that was decimated by racial violence and arson in 1930.
The Star Theatre / Starr Theatre was an African American movie theatre in Sherman Pecan Street near or in the city’s African American business district that was decimated by racial violence and arson in 1930. Dates of operation are pretty challenging to track down but was open at least by 1915.
John Tullock of Sherman, Texas was the architect.
Look Cinemas says it’s renovating this venue for an opening later in 2022.
Theater website info: https://www.lookcinemas.com/our-locations/x0tfk-colleyville-tx-look-dine-in-cinema
The last film to play at the Superba appears to be a Christmas show in December of 1955. The Legg family operated the theatre from 1921 until its closure as an independent theater.
The Arcade’s first advertisement is on February 1, 1908 playing Ehtel Reed in “The Gainesbrough Hat” and “Miser’s Nephew.” It was one of three downtown theaters in 1908 Dennison along with the Nickel Palace and the Empire. It appears to have closed in December of 1921. It was auctioned off in 1922 when the final operator declared bankruptcy.
City Lights Weatherford opened on November 16, 2012 with ten films including “Skyfall,” “Wreck it Ralph” in 2D and 3D and “Twilight: Breaking Dawn.”
The Northeast Shopping Center (aka Korvette Shopping Center, for a period) opened in October of 1959 theatre-less and anchored by E.J. Korvette’s Department Store. In 1964, an announced expansion brought both a public library a Philadelphia’s first twin-screen movie theater in 1964/65. The concept was to have a road show title on one screen and a continuously-running feature on the other. It opened as Cinema I & II on Christmas Day 1965 with Edna Knowles as the cashier and “Do Not Disturb” with Doris Day and “Pinocchio in Outer Space” starring Pinocchio.
The theatre hosted German films as a recurring series, became the General Cinema Northeast I, II, III (1973), and the GCC Northeast 4 (1976) all with Knowles as cashier. Korvette’s departed in 1980. A new Tower Records store came in and did some tie-ups with the theater. The GCC Northeast 4 closed on May 31, 1999 at the end of its leasing period. And yes, Edna Knowles made it all the way from opening in 1965 to its closing date of May 31, 1999. The business was so slow, however, that she had to work concessions as the theatre didn’t sell almost any tickets on weekdays so the box office was closed around 1997.
The last “feature” on the marquee by long-time employee Joe “Zuck” Zuckschwerdt - in charge of the GCC attractor for some 25 years - read, “Goodnight, Edna. Thanks for 35 Great Years.”