Mastbaum Theatre

2015 article with photos.

https://hiddencityphila.org/2015/03/then-now-20th-and-market/

In 1955 Disney combined the three Davy Crockett television episodes into the theatrical film “Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier.” It played at the Mastbaum. I saw it with a live appearance by Fess Parker and Buddy Ebsen who also sang the famous “ Ballad of Davy Crockett.”

What a waste to tear down a gem like this. Like tearing down the Roman Coliseum.

I knew a guy who played the organ at the Mastbaum and other movie palaces of the time. He was a classically trained pianist and also played for President Truman. He has been gone for many years. He sounded like W.C. Fields when he talked.

Most likely it was a souvenir. “Ten Cents a Dance” is about a woman who was what was known as a taxi dancer (played by Barbara Stanwyck in the 1931 film; there was another film by the same title made in 1945). At taxi dance halls, men would buy tickets or tokens to buy a dance with one of a group of women hired by the hall; usually one token or ticket bought a dance lasting the length of a song. Such establishments were mostly gone from U.S. cities by the end of WWII, though a rather sleazy one plays a role in the musical “Sweet Charity.”

A true movie palace.

Here is a 1929 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/mmuhs3

Here’s a selective history of a few of the films shown at the Mastbaum during the 1940s

First half of the 1940s. 29 Aug 1942 Box Office reported that the Mastbaum to reopen next Friday with “Tales of Manhattan” after being closed since 1934-35. 12 Sept 1942 Box Office reported that the Mastbaum did reopen with that film. In 1942 “Pride of the Yankees” was shown as was “Now Voyager” Noel Coward’s “In Which We Serve” had a grand opening in 1943. “Arsenic and Old Lace” was shown in 1944.

To continue with the 2nd half of the 1940’s, 8 Dec 1946 Box Office reported that the “Stork Club” premiere broke records with the sale of more than $15 mil of war bonds. 1947 movies included “Humoresque" “Till the Clouds Roll By” and “The Treasure of San Madre” 1948 films shown included “Easter Parade” “Rope” and “Johnny Belinda” 1949 films included “White Heat”

If there’s a date on your newspaper copy, please tell us the date and name of newspaper so researchers can look it up themselves if so inclined.

The Mastbaum indeed might have been too huge to put to economic purpose, though less excuse exists for the demolitions of the Earle, Fox, and Stanley, three of the other flagship movie palaces of downtown Philadelphia, and NO excuse exists for the Boyd. (I lead the citizen activists advocating on its behalf).

I’m the grandson of the man hired to demolish the Mastbaum theater and current owner of Pantano & Sons Inc, known at the time as Pantano Wrecking Co. I was fascinated to discover this conversation regarding the Mastbaum after I noticed this page linked to our company website, which mentions the demolition of the theater along with a few b&w photos. I was particularly struck by Life’s Too Short’s post (from almost two years ago now) and his/her ability to keep perspective from both sides of the coin.

Admittedly, it does seem like a waste of an awful lot of craftsmanship and fine material, but alas it was a high profile project for my grandfather and certainly worth including in our company’s history write-up. As I understand it, the theater was unfortunately too grandiose for its own good, and the operation was unable to sustain itself financially. I’m not sure how I’d post it here, but I have an old newspaper clipping from the period titled, “Too Big, Too Much. End of the era of the movie palace.” if anyone is interested.

Hi Scott, It’s amazing that you mention the 72nd Street Theatre as I only came across it fairly recently and was amazed at how beautiful it was and how little people know about it.

Another theater that is underappreciated is Proctors 58th St Theatre. Maybe, part of that has to do with the unfortunate name but this too was a huge and beautiful theater that people have virtually totally forgotten about.

Finally, The Center Theatre, which was a sister theater of sorts to Radio City and built just a block away. It was stunning in its “modern” way and I find it amazing that virtually no one remembers that this theater ever existed.

I think it stems from the fact that New York City just had so many incredible palaces that it was very easy for some of them to be almost invisible; especially if they were a little off the beaten path. That’s one of the reasons that I am so greatful for this web site. I would never have otherwise found out about these showplaces if it weren’t for Cinema Treasures.

The Mastbaum sounds like it was a beautiful theatre, both inside and out. What a shame that it lasted for such a short time.