Eric's Place Theatre

I came across this in MOTION PICTURE HERALD March 15, 1941 about news reel theaters in Philly. I was surprised to see it mentioned the Karlton as a second-run house.

Two Phiadelphia News Houses

In Philadelphia, there are two center-city theatres dedicated to the newsreel. The 493-seat Translux, operated by the Translux Movie Corporation, and managed by Harry Jordon, opened in January, 1935. Hourly programs are presented with the admission “always 25 cents” (plus tax), from 10:30 A.M. to 11:30 P.M. daily, 10 A.M. to 12 midnight on Saturday and 2 P.M. to 12 midnight on Sunday.

Four newsreels are edited to form a half-hour review and four shorts complete the program. Newsreels are changed twice weekly and shorts once a week.

The editing of the newsreel follows a regular pattern, first emphasizing foreign news, then local, national defense and sports. Since the advent of the European war, news shots of the conflict have taken prominence. However, according to the management, in recent weeks, not much has been coming through to satisfy the patrons. First pictures of a battle or invasion are advertised by one-sheets in front of the house. Blow-ups are used for regular advertising. When war newsreel pictures are unusual special attention is given, as the pictures of the incendiary bombing of London were sold as “The Burning of London.”

The other Philadelphia newsreel house is the News Theatre, operated by William Goldman Theatres, Inc., independent circuit. Seating 385, the house was first opened in 1937 with a policy similar to that of the Translux, offering shorts and edited newsreels. The following year, the house experimented by featuring a revival instead of the short subject. This proved so successful that it was adopted as a regular policy. As a result, the News offers a two-hour program, changed weekly, of a feature picture revival and a 25-minute giant newsreel, edited from all five newsreels. The house is open from 10 A.M. to 11:30 P.M. weekdays, 10 A.M. to 12 midnight on Saturday and 2 P.M. to 12 on Sunday, charging 15 cents until 6 P.M. and 25 cents (plus tax) in the evening.

War news is the chief newsreel attraction, according to the management, but interest is equally keen when there is some item of special importance. Moreover, during the football season news shots of the principal games are as popular as war happenings.

In January Warner Brothers gave special attention to the newsreel at two of its second run houses in the downtown area, the Karlton and the Palace. A 25-minute digest from the five newsreels is presented and advertising follows the headlines of the day.

This opened on December 20th, 1974 along with the Eric on the Campus, Eric Montgomeryville Twin, and the Leo Twin. Its grand opening ad can be found in the photo section.

Movie theater floor plan: http://www.tbrg.net/listings/1519_chestnut.pdf

Robert Ford, an employee, posted this (at Friends of the Boyd Facebook page) – Eric’s Place. 1978. We premiered the Buddy Holly story. Gary Busey was there. I don’t recall if there were other celebrities there. I wasn’t sure who Busey was at the time. One of the guys pointed him out to me as he descended the steps from the upstairs lounge. This was a special preview that night..very cool! I remember thinking, with the clothes and the hairstyle, that he appeared to be someone that could have went to school with. I was stationed inside the theatre (usher) and got to see most of the movie! Loved it!! Went to the record store that next payday and got the soundtrack album which I still have and play occasionally. (it’s still in great condition).

Howard – MY comment in June 2005 mentions that the first time I patronized this theatre was during the roadshow engagement of “Magnificent Men.” I was disappointed in the screen size as it was the smallest screen I had ever seen in a movie theatre especially for a “roadshow presentation.” The traverse rod curtains actually opened and passed in front of the exit doors on either side of the screen to disappear into the wall coverings. HOwever, as I said the screen, which was located between the two exit doors, had to be one of the tiniest movie theatre screens. I would be interested to know exactly what size it was. Granted the theatre was not that big either, but it was still a disappointment after viewing movies at the Boyd, Stanley, Goldman, Fox, Midtown, etc. I would venture to say that even some of the multiplex screen sizes today are bigger than this one was. – Dennis -Lancaster.

Crazy Bob, I was just trying to figure out, what did the projectionist at the Trans lux, being a black man had to do with anything?

I saw a triple feature of RE-ANIMATOR, CAGED HEAT and THE MUTILATOR at Eric’s Place in 1985. Thanks to everyone for posting the links to the photos!

How funny to see the Google view of Chestnut Street as it is today. Starting from the theater going east, I managed an Arby’s on the corner of 15th and Chestnut, circa 1983, that is now a Wendy’s. Before it was Arby’s there was a restaurant in that space called the Busy Butcher. Going around the corner on 15th the Royal Bank building occupies the space of the former Budco Goldman. Tempus fugit.

It was renamed Eric’s Place for the owner’s grandson, Eric Shapiro. He was a wealthy young kid who liked to party. He died of a drug overdose.

Here’s a picture of eric’s place inside 2 years ago.
http://www.sindiraymondband.com/files/eric5.jpg

Here’s a photo from 2004:
View link

And, a photo today:
View link

Here is a link for a 1974 Sameric Theatres Co. advertising that includes Eric’s Place Theatre, as well as Sameric Theatre, Eric Mark I Theatre, Duke & Duchess Theatre and Eric Wynnewood Theatre:

[url]http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrambojr/160408206/[/url]