{"id":78,"date":"2021-10-23T03:59:17","date_gmt":"2021-10-23T03:59:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/?p=78"},"modified":"2022-01-05T02:52:46","modified_gmt":"2022-01-05T02:52:46","slug":"movie-going-in-northwest-philadelphia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/neighborhoods\/movie-going-in-northwest-philadelphia\/","title":{"rendered":"Movie-going in Northwest Philadelphia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Movie-going in Germantown, Philly from 60s to 80s. <\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Intro:<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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 areas of the Philadelphia area, which also includes, Mt Airy, Chestnut Hill, and East Germantown, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"909\" height=\"1024\" src=\"http:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/map-909x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/map-909x1024.jpg 909w, https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/map-266x300.jpg 266w, https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/map-768x865.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/map.jpg 1113w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 909px) 100vw, 909px\" \/><figcaption>the Northwestern Philadelphia area is outlined by red lines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Variety of the screening &#8220;events&#8221;<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">(primary resources researched by Bob)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Browsing the sections dedicated to the Northwestern Philly posted on the newspapers such as the Philadelphia Tribune, I noticed that there were many screenings accompanied with the events coordinated by the youth groups, such as the Boy Scout and the Y.M.C.A. in Germantown. Some of the venues are located in their own communities or buildings, such as the Germantown Y.M.C.A. Hall. (Fig.1) Some of the events took place at some affiliated buildings serving the local community, such as the Holy Cross Lutheran Church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"649\" src=\"http:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/11335_a-1024x649.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-134\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/11335_a-1024x649.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/11335_a-300x190.jpg 300w, https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/11335_a-768x487.jpg 768w, https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/11335_a.jpg 1262w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Germantown Y.M.C.A<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Posted on the &#8220;Germantown Gems&#8221; section of the Philadelphia Tribune on Nov. 22, 1960, the local Boy Scout Troop 355 organized the honor and awards ceremony at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church. After honoring the outstanding members, the evening was &#8220;climaxed&#8221; by the performance, which included &#8220;camp movies, Indian tribe dances and camp songs.&#8221; In addition, on Dec 13, 1958, the Senior Girl Scout Troop also organized one screening in this church. In order to welcome the guests, movies were shown as well, although the specific film&#8217;s name remained unknown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As shown above, churches served as one kind of significant space for the communities to reunite and watch the movies during certain events. Besides the Holy Cross Lutheran church mentioned above, the Baptist Church in Germantown, Chestnut Hill, Oak Lane, and Falls of Schuylkill formed the Union Baptist World Alliance service at the Second Baptist Church, located at the Germantown Ave. As introduced by the Philadelphia Tribune, Feb 13, 1962, one movie was shown during the event: &#8220;Gateway to the Holy Land.&#8221; <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition, Y.M.C.A not only held the film exhibitions during the holidays or special occasions just for celebrations but also organized the series of films exhibitions for the attendants to discuss the contemporary social issues which probably were partially mentioned or discussed in the films. On Jun 9, 1970, the Y.M.C.A in Germantown held such programs by showing films including &#8220;Memorandum,&#8221; &#8220;The Victims,&#8221; &#8220;Boundary Lines,&#8221; and &#8220;Heritage.&#8221; Therefore, the films serve as either the reflection of the issues or the stimulus for further discussions after the films. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/30-926-new-market-19591.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-136\" width=\"608\" height=\"586\" srcset=\"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/30-926-new-market-19591.jpg 483w, https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/30-926-new-market-19591-300x289.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 608px) 100vw, 608px\" \/><figcaption>The Second Baptist Church, Germantown, 1959<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Similarly, there were other screenings targeting the youths and the students from the local communities, such as the events organized by schools. For example, the elementary school located at Mt. Airy, Charles W. Henry School, exhibited a series of foreign films to the students and their families, documented by the Philadephia Tribune, on May 20, 1961. The films exhibited included: &#8220;The Japanese Folk Tale,&#8221; &#8220;Tara, The Stone-cutter,&#8221; the Danish film &#8220;Palle, Alone in the World,&#8221; and one French production &#8220;Nyok&#8221;. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another example of the screening organized by schools came from the Houston School Community Fair, held by the Henry H. Houston Elementary School at Mt. Airy, reported by the Philadelphia Tribune, May 19, 1970. Together with some live musical performances, several movies and cartoons were shown to the public. However, these events held by elementary schools are also closely related to the local churches as well. Many participants of the events are affiliated with local churches, sometimes providing supports for the exhibition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In addition to these indoor venues, the communities might also attend some outdoor and open-space film exhibitions. For example, posted on the Philadelphia Tribune on Dec 8, 1959, the one-hour film &#8220;Lady From Philadelphia&#8221; about the concert singer Marian Anderson&#8217;s tour was shown at Wissahickon Playground. With the theme of the film related to the local community, the open space venue even enhances the strong bonding between the patrons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Focusing on the more contemporary or later period, including from the 80s to the 00s, Jack conducted several interviews with the residents from the Northwestern Philadelphia area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/audio1942636881.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption>Interview One <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"http:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/audio1372398614.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption>Interview Two<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both interviewees expressed similar sentiments: that of a notable decline in moviegoing in Northwest Philadelphia as a whole. Where, in years prior, residents of the area had had access to many moviegoing options, the prevalence of cineplexes and other large establishments drove local, smaller theatres out of business. The Sedgwick Theatre, an Art-Deco style movie palace dating back to the 1920s, had pivoted towards local drama productions, and smaller establishments &#8211; such as the Band Box Theatre of Chestnut Hill &#8211; had closed down decades earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.robincarduner.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/lg_in_bandbox_basement.jpg\" alt=\"At the Bandbox, 1972\" width=\"607\" height=\"891\"\/><figcaption>Band Box owner Art Carduner, 1972<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thus, moviegoers of more present eras are often forced to go to the establishment chains, such as the Regal in nearby Roxborough or the AMC in the monolithic King of Prussia Mall. If they want to go to locally owned establishments, they are forced into the suburbs to places like the Ambler Theater, or the Hiway Theater in Doylestown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The presence of local moviegoing lives on similarly to its past: in local, small-scale events. Interviewee Karen Dorman, a lifelong Philadelphian who moved to Mount Airy around the turn of the 21st century, remembered going to screenings at the Trolley Car Diner on Germantown Avenue: &#8220;They used to put a blow-up screen outside, and you could watch a movie and order food.&#8221; Other local screenings included occasional showings at the Lovett Memorial Library.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Meanwhile, Chestnut Hill&#8217;s film scene revolved around a single movie club. After the demolishing of the Hill Theatre in 1973, a small group of local moviegoers began a weekly film screening group: the &#8220;Chestnut Hill Film Group&#8221;. Since then, the organization has run weekly film screenings of &#8220;rare and underseen movies, as well as classics&#8221; with the support of the Chestnut Hill Local. The location of choice for the screenings is the Woodmere Art Museum on the city limits. Interviewee Patrick Hauck, a member of the museum, attended occasional screenings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 &#8230; <a title=\"Movie-going in Northwest Philadelphia\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/neighborhoods\/movie-going-in-northwest-philadelphia\/\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Movie-going in Northwest Philadelphia<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[6,17,8,16],"class_list":["post-78","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-neighborhoods","tag-audience","tag-interview","tag-neighborhood","tag-non-theatrical-exhibition"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":244,"href":"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78\/revisions\/244"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zhouchenshu.upenn.domains\/phillymoviegoing\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}