Boyd Theatre

I would also like to see, when The Boyd does reopen,some photos of its days as the RKO Stanley Warner’s Boyd and as Sam Shapiro’s/United Artists Sameric 4 Theatre.

I am looking forward to attending The Boyd with the awe I had the first time I walked in there in June of 1967. No longer the sad dying cinema. with over zelious security guards checking your bags, patrons you could not reason with, and bathrooms you mother told you not to use.

I saw movies regularly here. The balcony was indeed closed off. The orchestra had long ago been reseated, so rows were permanently gone, rather than “missing.” 40% sounds too high for seats roped off.

Let me be first to say, HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY BOYD THEATRE!!!!!
Hope to see you soon.

Nevermind Al……..Here is a summary of the news item.

PHILADELPHIA, PA â€" A local developer says he has a deal in place to buy the [url/theater/1209/] Boyd Theatre[/url] and plans to make it the centerpiece of a $95 million hotel and entertainment complex. Hal Wheeler of ARCWheeler expects to close the deal with current owner Live Nation by November 25, and intends to build a 30-story, 250-room hotel to the west of the theater.

Live Nation would book live entertainment into the theater about 60 nights a year, leaving it available for other events the rest of the time. Broadway-type plays would not be part of the plan, as the hotel would be built on land that was to be the site of a stage house for the Boyd under a previous proposal.

Wheeler’s development proposal, like Live Nation’s earlier plan to turn the Boyd into a Broadway roadhouse, would restore the theater to its original art deco glamour. But the project’s scope is far more ambitious, and aims to transform the 1900 block of Chestnut Street from a retail backwater into a Center City nightlife destination.

Good news today in the newspaper about the Boyd Theater. I hope the deal works out, I would at least liken it to the Tower Theater, only with places to eat and nearby clubs, will make it “the” Chestnut St. happening. I pray the new owners will not back out on the film part, like the Prince did. Until then, thank you, Howard, you have put up with nonscence by some on this site and you’ve handled it with class. Why should Ambler have all the fun?

I can’t believe no one has submitted a photo of this theatre.

This morning, the Philadelphia Historical Commission unanimously voted to add the Boyd Theatre to the PHILADELPHIA REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES!

Designation of the Boyd means that the building’s exterior is legally protected from demolition or alteration. Today’s decision was a landmark reversal of the 2002 denial. Today’s action means that the City of Philadelphia has done the right thing in taking this step! It does not mean the plywood on the facade comes down and the Boyd magically reopens, with its ornate Art Deco exterior and interior restored for public entertainment.
There’s more work to do!

I took this place for granted when I lived in Philly. I had my pick of theaters, though, with the Goldman, the houses at 16th and Chestnut, the Midtown over by Broad Street, and even the Fox, which disappeared soon after I moved to town. Them was the days.

Many many comments ago I mentioned it would be nice if someone put together a book of the Boyd Theatre. Detailing the history of the theatre and including as many pictures as possible. I know it would not raise enough money to restore the theatre, but I would certainly think there is enough interest in this theatre that the book would sell and at least help raise funds. I have bought enough “books” from the Theatre Historical organization which, in size comparison, would be similar to the souvenier programs that were sold during the roadshow film days. I am so glad I took the pictures I took back in the 1960’s of the Philadelphia theatres. However, I only have exterior pictures. It would be nice to have some history of the interiors as well. Since the Boyd is the only one left standing, this an opportunity worth pursuing. I am also still amazed at the number of people who attend rallies, meetings, etc. With the population of Philadelphia, you would certainly think more than a handful to a hundred would participate. I know the wheels of progress turn slow, but I keep thinking if the citizens of Philadelphia really cared, there would be an outpouring of support to save this masterpiece. There have been other theatres in a lot worse condition that have been brought back to life across this country. Do you suppose by the time the “touring revival of ‘The Lion King’ travels the country the Boyd could be one of its stops??

The Boyd’s role should be Broadway shows and live concerts that is why Live Nation bought the theatre in the first place. Live Nation sold its theatres across the nation to focus on the music business. Its not a reflection on the Boyd that Live Nation has the theatre for sale. The Academy of Music and the Kimmel Center don’t want to loose there Broadway shows but that is what should be done just as they took away shows from the Forrest and Merrium theatres which are to small to host the larger Broadway productions such as “Wicked”. Philidelphia is one of the largest markets for touring Broadway shows that doesn’t have a suitable theatre such as the Boyd with its 2400 seats. The Boyd should be allowed to present concert acts despite Live Nation’s clause which would not allow another owner to stage concert acts. A films series should be part of the programming of the Boyd when the theatre is dark. The Boyd is very lucky that is has Howard rooting for its survival.brucec

When movie theater going was at its height, it would not have been unusual for movie palaces such as the Boyd to run at full capacity daily. But that shouldn’t be the expected norm at any time. For if it’s looked upon that way it’s the worst possible way to try to run a theater, and accounts for why so many Philadelphia theaters folded. For that’s a terrible — and might I add extremely arrogant — pressure to put on the public; to expect them to pack the movie palace every day, and if they don’t, shame on them, blame the public for the theater’s failure and all that. It’s great if a theater can run at full capacity daily, but a theater should not be budgeted at if it automatically will. Rather, a much more down to earth expectation, and how the theater operational budget should be geared, is for a fairly good turnout on weekends and holidays, but just a small smattering of dedicated theater-goers all other times. And any theater attendance beyond that should be treated as unexpected windfall only. There are many things theaters can and should do to increase theater attendance. But putting a guilt trip on the public for not coming as often as the theater operator thinks it should should not be one of them.

To be a great theater operator you have to love people, and by that I mean love them for what they really are, not what you want them to be. If you can’t do that you don’t belong in the theater business, period. And to love people for what they really are in this instance means that any turnout, whether it’s a huge one or small, should be seen as a great turnout. Furthermore, a theater’s operational budget should be based on the annual take, not the daily one. We should not be thinking how much this theater can make per day but how much per year, and base every budget projection on that alone. A theater should be set up so that it operates daily, but not with the expectations that it will get a good turn out daily. For that’s the best way to kill a theater I know of.