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Aldine Theatre -- Philadelphia Architects and Buildings

Basic info on the Sam’s Place theater, along with historical photographs. By A. Solether

Stanton Theatre -- Philadelphia Architects and Buildings

Basic info on the Milgram theater, along with historical photographs. By A. Solether

Boyd Theatre -- Philadelphia Architects and Buildings

Basic info on the Sameric theater, and many photographs of Philadelphia’s most famous movie theater. By A. Solether

Fox Theatre -- Philadelphia Architects and Buildings

Basic info on the Fox theater, along with historical photographs. By A. Solether

Friends of the Boyd

Website advocating the historical importance of Philadelphia’s famous Sameric Theater (formerly Boyd Theater), including many pictures of the old picture palace. By A. Solether

that's show business. by Barbara Wilson. Philadelphia Inquirer. Jan 11 1968 pg 22.

Samuel Shapiro decides to open another movie theatre in downtown Philadelphia, due in part to the success of “The Graduate” at his Rittenhouse Square location. By E. Fuld

Gay theater ad in the Philadelphia Inquirer

“Philadelphia’s Finest Male Cinema.” Philadelphia Inquirer 30 Jan 1976: 7-D .

An ad among various film advertisements and arts & leisure articles in the Philadelphia Inquirer inviting readers to a “Male Cinema.” By A. Carl

Philadelphia Inquirer Neighborhood Movie Directory

“Neighborhood Movie Directory.” Philadelphia Inquirer 9 Jan 1976: 8-D.

Local listings of theaters, movies, and showtimes in Pennsylvania. By A. Carl

Philadelphia inquirer [microform]. 1969-

Philadelphia inquirer [microform]. Philadelphia, Pa. : Triangle Publications, 1969-
Call#: Microfilm news 61

Microfilm Box 324, Dec 21^st 1969

Microfilm Box 327, June 1^st 1970

Microfilm Box 331, Dec 29^th 1970

Microfilm Box 334, Jan 11^th 1971

Microfilm Box 335, July 1^st 1971

Microfilm Box 338, Jan 1^st1972

Microfilm Box 340, April 11^th1972

Microfilm Box 343, Nov 9^th 1972

Microfilm Box 345, Jan 1^st 1973

Microfilm Box 348, June 24^th 1973

Microfilm Box 352, Dec 1^st 1973

Microfilm Box 353, Jan 16^th 1974

Microfilm Box 354, June 1^st 1974

Microfilm Box 357, Jan 1^st 1975

Microfilm Box 359, July 1^st 1975

The locations of movie theaters in Philadelphia along with the new releases of motion pictures. By M. Kach and G. Lane

Philadelphia inquirer public ledger [microform]. 1934-1969.

Philadelphia inquirer public ledger [microform]. Philadelphia, Pa. : Philadelphia Inquirer Co., 1934-1969.
Call#: Microfilm news 61

Jan 1, 1966- Jan 10, 1966

Microfilm Box 298, June 1^st, 1966 to June 10^th 1966

Microfilm Box 775, Jan 1^st 1967- Jan 10^th 1967

Microfilm Box 783, March 21^st 1967

Microfilm Box 790, June 1^st 1967

Microfilm Box 810, Dec 21^st 1967

Microfilm Box 310, Jan 11^th1968

Microfilm Box 313, June 1^st1968

Microfilm Box 316, Dec 1^st 1968

Microfilm Box 317, Jan 1^st 1969

The locations of movie theaters in Philadelphia along with the new releases of motion pictures. By M. Kach and G. Lane

Slobodzian, Joseph A. City Sued Over Bid to Preserve the Boyd, Sameric Said the Feuding Caused it to Sell the Theater at a Discount. Now, it Wants Damages. Philadelphia Inquirer. 10 Nov. 1995: B02

Sameric Corp., which sold the Boyd Theater in 1988, claims that the fight over the status of theater as a historical structure forced it to sell the building for less than fair market value. Courts have upheld the law allowing the designation of buildings as historical structures but have rejected the Boyd Theater’s designation as such. The new owners of the building intend to convert it into stores. By L. Pardue

Rickey, Carrie. Lights Are about to Go Out on City's Last Movie Palace \ The Sale of Sameric 4 is 'Almost a Done Deal', Said an Official With United Artists. Philadelphia Inquirer. 5 May 1995: B01

United Artists, the current owner of the Boyd Theater, AKA Sameric 4, are in the process of selling the theater to real estate investors despite efforts to preserve it as a historical structure. By L. Pardue

David and Lisa Advertisement. Philadelphia Inquirer. 11 Dec. 1963: 48.

It’s interesting that David and Lisa, released in New York in December of 1962, is being advertised in Philadelphia—the city in which it was filmed—almost a year later, in December of 1963—8 months after the film failed to win an Academy Award. And on a double-bill, no less. It’s very likely that this is a second-run for the film. By A. Migdail

Alpert, Hollis. Cinema Jolted By Natural Approach of French New Wave. Philadelphia Inquirer: Amusements and the Arts. 13 Dec. 1963: 1, 3.

Demonstrates the fact that Philadelphia was, to some extent, on the cinematic cutting-edge during the 1960’s. Of course, the bulk of the movies advertised in the Inquirer seem to be the standard big-budget Hollywood fare, but there were also theaters, like the Bryn Mawr, that were up-to-speed on world cinema movements. The fact that this article was included in the “Amusements and the Arts” section is proof that there was interested in this type of film in Philadelphia. By A. Migdail

A history of the Boyd (later Sameric) Theatre. Philadelphia theatres, A-Z : a comprehensive, descriptive record of 813 theatres constructed since 1724 / Irvin R. Glazer.

Glazer, Irvin R. “Philadelphia Theatres, A-Z.” New York, Westport, CT, London. Greenwood Press: 1986. p. 70-71

According to Glazer, the Boyd was the “only Art Deco first-run moving picture theatre erected in the city” of Philadelphia. In 1963, the Boyd underwent a transition from the three-projector Cinerama system to a single-projector system, though Glazer only mentions the three projection booths being installed. He also mentions, interestingly, that “when Cinerama product was no longer available, the Boyd had a brief period of porno.” By A. Migdail

Murdock, Henry T. Thrills, Laughs Are Balanced In Movie Fare. Philadelphia Inquirer. 22 Dec. 1963: 11, 15.

This is an article from the Philadelphia Inquirer briefly reviewing the films playing at each of the major Philadelphia theaters during the Christmas season, from “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” at the Boyd to “Kings of the Sun” at the Goldman. It is interesting to note that, in 1963, theaters made a somewhat long-term commitment to an individual movie (whereas today, most theaters play more than one film) so that the theaters in the article are often listed before the film that is playing. By A. Migdail

Advertisements for Philadelphia Theaters. Philadelphia Inquirer.

Philadelphia Inquirer. 2 Jan 1963: 17
Philadelphia Inquirer. 4 Jan 1963: 21
Philadelphia Inquirer. 9 Jan 1963: 17

These advertisements from the Philadelphia Inquirer show the kinds of movies that the theaters in Philadelphia were playing in 1963. The Viking seems to have been a more family-oriented theater, showing a lot of Disney movies (the Castaways, the Sword and the Stone, etc.) Obviously, “Daniella By Night” was being shown in art theaters, of which there were at least a few in Philadelphia. Notice the emphasis on “Cinerama” in the advertisement for the Boyd’s “The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm.” The Boyd Theater was, in fact, well known for being Philadelphia’s Cinerama theater though, in December of 1963, the Boyd switched from the three-projector Cinerama technique to the single-projector “70mm Cinerama.” (see also the review of “It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad World”). By A. Migdail

Irvin R. Glazer Theater Collection - Athenaeum of Philadelphia - Philadelphia Architects and Buildings

This is a digital version of the book by Glasser. It has detailed pictures of each theater from the 20^th century. The website has tons of links to everything from a full history of each venue to a brief synopsis of the main figures involved with the theater over the years. By W. Wright

Cinema Treasures | Pennsylvania

This website is a very detailed examination of old film theaters that have come and gone. It has a database of every theater worth mentioning in the Philadelphia area. By W. Wright

Keith's Theatre -- Philadelphia Architects and Buildings

This website has pictures of what the Keith Theater and many other picture palaces looked like back in the mid 20^th Century. It allows for a perspective of what Goldman actually did to the picture palaces and how the theaters’ evolved over time. By W. Wright

Goldman buys and rebuilds famous Kiethe theater into a new age movie theater. New York Times. New York, N.Y.: Jan 21, 1947. p. 29.

This article deals with Goldman’s expansion of his movie theatre chain. He moves his business from a small out of the way theater to a small empire of the last picture palaces in Philadelphia. The buying and gutting of this old establishment becomes representative of the new way of making movie theaters. Though Keithe’s theater is still considered a picture palace, it is a new age palace and much different than its predecessors. Goldman makes this venue into a state of the art theater for the next generation of film goers. By W. Wright

Kiethe Theatre, Philadelphia, Sold. New York Times Jan. 29th, 1943: Advertisements pg. 23.

Historic Kiethe Theatre Sold to William Goldman. By W. Wright

Tax Court Decision in Case of William Goldman v. Loews (MGM)

In LexisNexis, click "Get a Case" and search for case 19 T.C. 637

United States. U.S. Tax Court. William Goldman Theatres, Inc. v. Commissionner of Internal Revenue. 19 T.C. 637; 1953 U.S. Tax Ct. Lexis 262.

This is a federal court case (the case was never granted a writ of certiorari from the Supreme Court) about the settlement of William Goldman Theater Co. against Loews. This case talks about the money Goldman won after suing Loews under the Sherman Anti-trust act. The original case has to deal with the incurred loss of Goldman’s theaters because of an unfair monopoly practices under the vertically integrated studio system. Goldman was originally awarded $1.35 million for loss and damages, but after another appeal, a district court awarded him $125,000, plus $375,000 in punitive damages. By 1953, the case was already over seven years old, but it was not simply a case fighting large studios, it was a case that allowed for a local area theater owner to gain some control over distribution and exhibition with Philadelphia. This decision leads to Goldman opening a successful chain of movie theaters, which he owns and operates for over another twenty years. By W. Wright

Philadelphia theatres, A-Z : a comprehensive, descriptive record of 813 theatres constructed since 1724 / Irvin R. Glazer.

Glazer, Irvin R., 1922- . Philadelphia theatres, A-Z : a comprehensive, descriptive record of 813 theatres constructed since 1724 / Irvin R. Glazer. Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, c1986.

A one page exerpt about William Goldman and his winning stance against Loews. This one page gives a quick history of William Goldman’s ten year rise to becoming one of Philadelphia’s most prominent entrepreneurs. His ownership of multiple theaters in Philadelphia came at a point towards the end of the studio system. Goldman’s expansion of his theatre palaces changed the landscape of downtown for many years to come. By W. Wright

Central City Stanley-Warner Theaters Advertisement. The Philadelphia Inquirer. 7 Nov. 1936, Morning ed.: 18.

Central City theaters are now organized into one larger cohesive advertisement. All are owned by Stanley-Warner. Includes the Stanley, Boyd, Fox, Earle, Aldine, Stanton, Karlton, Keith’s, Palace, and Victoria theaters. By Alexis Tryon

Theater Advertisement. The Philadelphia Inquirer. 10 Oct. 1936, Morning ed.: 14.

New Terminal Theater opens at 69^th St. Advertises its “mirrorphonic sound”, “acousticon seat phones for the deaf”, and “complete air conditioning”. Shows are $.20 from 10:30AM to 6PM and $.30 after 6PM. Children are $.10. By Alexis Tryon

Theater Advertisement. The Philadelphia Inquirer. 8 Aug. 1936, Morning ed.: 7.

Many theater advertisements now read “Scientifically Air-Conditioned” across the top banner, with the titles looking frozen. New technological advancements with the heat of summer. Great way to keep film patrons visiting theaters in the summer. By Alexis Tryon

The Keswick Theatre (Images of America): Judith Katherine Herbst

Contains both advertisements as well as pictures. This book essentially describes the entirety of the Keswick’s existence as a suburban theatre that transformed an entire community. Takes the theatre from before it was constructed up to today. By Lee Forest Black

Philadelphia Architects and Buildings

Provides facts about buildings in Philadelphia. By Peggy DeAngelo

Friends of the Boyd

A website that brings attention to the Boyd theater in Philadelphia and asks for support in restoring it. By Peggy DeAngelo

Cinema Treasures - Theater Guide

Gives factual information about old theaters. Also provides an open comment space where people involved with the theater or who were alive to experience the theater can write what they know. The collection includes information and first hand acounts about old theaters in Philadelphia. By Peggy

Philadelphia theatres, A-Z : a comprehensive, descriptive record of 813 theatres constructed since 1724 / Irvin R. Glazer.

Glazer describes theaters built in Philadelphia after 1724. By Peggy DeAngelo

Philadelphia theatres, A-Z : a comprehensive, descriptive record of 813 theatres constructed since 1724 / Irvin R. Glazer.

Philadelphia Theater Locations (Constructed 1906-1915). Lists Philadelphia theaters with descriptions and addresses. By Jake M. Chanin

Philadelphia theaters : a pictorial architectural history / Irvin R. Glazer.

Glazer compiles historical photographs of Philadelphia Theaters. By Jake M. Chanin

"New Forrest Theater Opened Last Night" Philadelphia inquirer [microform]. Sept 3, 1907.

Review of new theater (playhouse) the Forrest Theater. This is a play house but it is still interesting because it is an example of the expansion in exhibition spaces and it marks the move towards more opulent spaces. The Forrest Theater is described as “magnificent” and “a gem.” By Jake M. Chanin

"How the Theaters will Usher in the New Year" Philadelphia inquirer [microform]. Dec 27, 1914.

Article on the future of motion pictures in 1915. Integration of the theater space as an exhibition area for plays, burlesque shows, vaudeville, and photo plays. By Jake M. Chanin