The Stanley Theatre

When the film boom occurred at the beginning of the 20th century, a boom in the building of theaters sequentially followed. The store-front nickelodeons that were created as result of this boom ceased to provide audiences with an enjoyable film viewing experience. Cities across America began constructing theaters so massive and elegantly designed that they were deemed "movie palaces". Philadelphia was no exception to this emergence of palaces as several were constructed in the Center City area. After The Stanton was erected in 1914, Market Street needed another theater to entertain the growing film audience. The Stanley was built in 1921 on the corner of 19th and Market Street in the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. The exquisite theater designed by the Hoffman-Henon Co. is comprised of a travertine marble lobby with an Adam style designed auditorium. Many silent films were screened here in coordination with one of the best symphony orchestra's Philadelphia had to offer. The large seating capacity of 2,916 allowed for many popular movies of the time to be screened there. The Stanley became Philadelphia's hub for viewing horror films such as "Frankenstein" and "Dracula". Other notable movies screened here during the 1930's included "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", "Island of Lost Souls", and "King Kong". The late 30's and early 40's introduced some animated Disney films like "Pinocchio" and "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"which shattered The Stanley's attendance records. Many notable people have attended films at The Stanley. Frank Sinatra made an appearance at the opening of "From Here to Eternity" and Jerry Lewis attended the opening of the film he starred in "The Delicate Delinquent". Perhaps the most notable event to ever happen within the confines of The Stanley was in May of 1929 when notorious gangster Al Capone was arrested in the lobby for carrying concealed weapons. Advocacy at The Stanley began to diminish as time moved on. Ultimately on January 20, 1970, the theatre aired its last film. It was demolished three years later but its impact in the history of Philadelphia entertainment will never be overlooked.