[Saguaro]

My wife and I will be in Philly at Christmas, and are curious what are the "grand" movie theaters in town -- not the cineplexes, but rather the old-school "moving picture" halls from days gone by, that would make for a memorable cinematic experience. If anyone could suggest such locales, I would greatly appreciate it!

[PhillyRising]

My wife and I will be in Philly at Christmas, and are curious what are the "grand" movie theaters in town -- not the cineplexes, but rather the old-school "moving picture" halls from days gone by, that would make for a memorable cinematic experience. If anyone could suggest such locales, I would greatly appreciate it!

I don't think any of the actual theater buildings that survived actually show movies. There are some small ones scattered in the older suburbs. There is the Anthony Wayne in Wayne however I have never been in it to say how grand it still is.......

[volguus zildrohar]

Saguaro, this is one aspect where you will be severely disappointed with this city.

Center City currently has a grand total of zero first run movie theaters and offers but three art house theaters and a theater that amounts to a glorified screening room. Many of the old grand movie houses stood where you'll today find highrises and drugstores. The Boyd, at 19th & Chestnut, was the last and closed in 2002. It is in a state of flux right now for renovations to become a multi-purpose theater. The Boyd, along with a few other facades in West and Northeast Philadelphia, still stand but none show pictures. Across the city you'll find just today's cineplexes in various states of disrepair save for the most recent. There has been attention given to the subject of late but nothing will happen in time to do you any good. I believe The Bala, about 15 minutes from Center City just across the city line, is about as close as you're going to get.

This is one of the few things about Philadelphia I'm apologetic for and I'm truly sorry.

[donybrx]

I wish that the answer could be as interesting as your question, but like most cities, the movie palaces in Phllly have either been shuttered, demolished or sitting idle. As elsewhere, these 'palaces' became not viable years ago, hence the proliferation of the more efficient cinemas for movie viewing.

That said, if you like the old palaces, I recommend a book to you about Philly's truly phenomenal past with regard to theater architecture. It is "Philadelphia Theaters: A Pictorial Architectural History" by Irvin R. Glazer full of info and rare photos from the Glazer collection at the Athenaeum of Phila. (Dover books..about $14 bucks). I found my copy at the Phila. Museum of Art museum shop, but it's bound to be carried by Amazon, etc. online. It's a must have. While a few of the old palaces still exist there are two that are prospects for renewal including the art deco BOYD on Chestnut st. in Center City and the UPTOWN at 2240 No. Broad St. which might come back as a performance hall for a proposed museum of Rhythm and Blues...The Boyd's restoration had been well underway but has been snafued by an unanticipated $30 Million pricetag...it's on hold. The UPTOWN is a art deco palace too...a masterpiece judging from the photos I have seen.Spectacular.

Philly had some stunners up to and including the MASTBAUM (demolished) a cavernous nearly 5,000 seat behemoth, lavishly turned out.

The Good News! Philly has other amazing theaters that you might drop by or attend--- especially the Academy of Music on Broad St., the nation's oldest in-use opera house (1857) modeled on La Scala...a top notch prodcution of The Nutcracker is running there thru New Years Day or so. You can get info/tix at the Pennsylvania Ballet website of the Kimmel Center website...

http://www.kimmelcenter.org
http://www.paballet.org/season/current.aspx

Another grand theater is the FORREST where 'Phantom of the Opera' is showing. It's a show I wouldn't have gone out of my way to see, but did in fact go to... happly, the show is equal to Broadway fare and the theater is classic beauty.
http://www.forrest-theatre.com/

Maybe other forumers have info about old movie houses in and around Philadelphia. I'd be interested, too.....'

In any case. have a great trip.....

[passdoubt]

Whoops, my post is redundant

[donybrx]

^NO! No such thing.......

[Saguaro]

Thanks to all who replied. Unfortunate news about the old theaters. We hit Philly every Christmas, since my wife's family lives out just past the Main Line. Our plan was to go see "Rocky Balboa" in old Philly style. We'll have to make do with a multiplex in the burbs, I guess.

In response to donybrx: we've already bought tickets to the Nutcracker, but thanks for the heads-up! We're catching a 4pm show, then heading to McGillin's for a few rounds afterward. :cheers:

[donybrx]

^^^ You raise a point.....is it better to get drunk before the Nutcracker...or afterwards.........hmmm.... :) *hic*

[bryson662001]

Actually the Ritz chain (3 locations in Old City/Society Hill) may only offer basic modern architecture but they show a large selection of great, quality films in a safe, clean environment. I hope we never lose them.