Dante Theatre
1212 S. Broad Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19146
1212 S. Broad Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19146
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: A.M. Ellis Theaters Co,
Architects: Armand de Cortieux Carroll, Clarence Stern Thalheimer, David Daniel Weitz
Firms: Thalheimer & Weitz
Functions: College
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Nearby Theaters
The Dante Theatre opened on Broad Street near Federal Street on May 12, 1937, with Lyle Talbot in “What Price Vengeance”. The theatre was designed in a Streamline Moderne style by architect Armand de Cortieux Carroll. A year later, the architectural firm of Thalheimer & Weitz was hired to remodel the Dante Theatre. By 1950 it was operated by the A.M. Ellis Theaters Co. chain. The Dante Theatre was closed on May 17, 1964 with Vince Edwards in “The Victors” & Kerwin Matthews in “The Maniac”. Today the building is the home of the JNA Institute of Culinary Arts.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
If you google search EXACTLY “Boxoffice April 30, 1938” and then after the issue appears, place in the search box “Philadelphia” then after enough clicks you will eventually find an exterior photo of the Dante in its Art Moderne glory.
Not exactly theater-related, but this web log post contains a 1935 Armstrong Linoleum ad with a picture of the stunning deco-moderne interior of a Philadelphia night club and restaurant designed by the architect of the Dante, Armand Carroll.
Thanks, Joe, last year, I captured that restaurant photo but didn’t recall where I got it from. It is stunning.
From Boxoffice, November 7, 1936:
Lombardi “Dante” Backer
Philadelphia – Joe Lombardi, wel-known south Philadelphia theatre owner, heads the syndicate of Italian-Americans building a new theatre at Broad and Federal streets.
The theatre, which will show both foreign and domestic films, will be called the “Dante.”
It was a nice movie theater. We went often.
Direct link to image of the Dante Theatre in Boxoffice magazine, April 30, 1938: VIEW LINK
Does anyone have a photo of the Dante between 1937 —– 1962? Please share. Thanks!
The Alan… There is a link I posted to an image from that period in the comment just above this one you just added. Click.
This opened on May 12th, 1937. Its small grand opening ad can be found in the photo section.
The Dante Theatre appears to have closed on May 17, 1964 with a double feature of “The Victors” and “The Maniac.”