A Collective Research Project by Penn Undergraduates
By Adeoluwa Adeoye and Tyler Wilson The Early Years Nestled at the bustling intersection of Broad Street and Locust Street, the Locust Theater in Philadelphia once stood as a beacon of cultural entertainment. From its glamorous inception to its controversial demolition, the theater’s 55-year history reflects profound shifts in American social dynamics, economic challenges, and … Read moreThe Wonderful Life, Death, and Afterlife of Locust
Philadelphia’s Erlanger Theatre stood on the northwest corner of 21st and Market for half a century, a witness to the complex and ever-evolving world of theater, film, and live performance. Over the years, it passed through a number of phases; from a legitimate theater to a first-run cinema to a nightclub and rock venue, the … Read moreFrom Video to Vaudeville: Unraveling the Enigmatic History of Philadelphia’s Erlanger Theater
Lights, camera, architecture! Welcome to our cinematic journey through the enchanting world of Philadelphia’s old movie theaters, where the grandeur of architectural design takes its star turn alongside the magic of cinema. Picture yourself stepping into these historical gems, where every arch, every embellishment, and every curve tells a tale as captivating as any silver … Read moreGlimpses of Glamour from the Past: Exploring the Architectural Elements of Old Movie Theaters in Philadelphia
Front view of The Erlanger Theater. Architectural Rendering by Hoffman-Hennon Co.. A Brief Overview of Erlanger’s life Our story starts with a boy in short trousers working after school hours. A. L. Erlanger began his career in the entertainment world selling opera glasses at the old Academy of Music in Cleveland. Little is known about … Read moreThe Erlanger Theater in Philadelphia: An Ill-Fated, Forgotten Legacy of Abraham L. Erlanger
Films and especially the act of moviegoing have, throughout their relatively short history, been construed as an opposition against moral goodness and institutions that uphold these tenets. To rephrase succinctly, many religious people and institutions have taken issue with the film production and theater industries, accusing them of promoting acts and themes antithetical to religious … Read moreThe Impact of the Catholic Boycott on Philadelphia Moviegoing
researched and written by Tanijah Johnson and Ryan Norton The Trocadero Theater’s 149-year history is marked by reinvention, as the venue in Philadelphia’s Chinatown changed in response to cultural shifts as well as economic necessity. Its original run as a theater space for minstrel shows and musical comedies, the popular entertainment at the time in … Read moreThe History of the Trocadero Theater
Maya Feltheimer, Eliza Penn, Ayanna Frey In 1964, Budco Quality Theaters opened a new theater with a seating capacity of around 900. The theater would incorporate the most advanced projection and sound techniques available. Architecturally, the theater also planned to adopt the funnel shape that was characteristic of the latest movie theaters in Europe. At … Read moreThe Evolution of the Budco Theaters
Movie-going in Germantown, Philly from 60s to 80s. Intro: Germantown, one of the most historic neighborhoods in the Great Philadelphia area, locates in the Northwestern area of Philadelphia. At its earliest days, it once was the permanent German settlement. In our project, we focused on this particular area, in combination with the surrounding Northwestern suburban … Read moreMovie-going in Northwest Philadelphia
by Sophie Huang and Zaccariah Wright, Fall 2021 CIMS Professor & Philadelphia Long-Term Resident As a cinema academic and former film programmer who has lived in Philadelphia for over 10 years, Professor Will Schmenner has a connection to moviegoing in this city that most people will never have. Before he became a professor at Penn, … Read morePersonal Moviegoing Histories in Philadelphia: Cinema Academics & Non-Academics, Philadelphia Natives & Non-Natives
By Aubrey Luk and Michele Gross The Boyd Theatre retains its long-standing legacy as the last operating movie palace in downtown Philadelphia until its closing in 2002. In its heyday, the palace thrived off the spectacle of both the films shown as well as its extravagent layout. This area of downtown Philadelphia was a constant … Read moreThe Big Bad Boyd and the Neighborhood Around It
