Cheltenham Theatre
2385 Cheltenham Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19150
2385 Cheltenham Avenue,
Philadelphia,
PA
19150
5 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: AMC Theatres, Budco, Stanley-Warner Theatres
Architects: Drew Eberson
Nearby Theaters
The 1,500-seat Cheltenham Theatre opened on August 31, 1961 with Hayley Mills in “The Parent Trap”. It was owned by RKO-Stanley-Warner Theatres. It was closed by RKO and taken over by the now vanished Budco Theatre circuit which twinned the theatre on April 5, 1978.
Budco Theatres was sold to AMC in 1987 and the large multiplex circuit decided to close the theatre for good that same year.
A newer eight-screen multiplex bearing the Cheltenham name and operated by United Artists Theatres was located in the mall and outside of the mall, until it closed in 2008. The old Cheltenham Theatre is, however, long gone.
Contributed by
Ronnie Colbert
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Recent comments (view all 23 comments)
I was an usher at the Cheltenham Movie theater between 1973-75 when it was owned by RKO. It was a single screen. The Manager was Mr.Warshawer and Edith…Fun times.
At that time Edith was a chain smoker in her mid 50’s, and the 75 year old doorman was deaf. I miss them both.
“The Sand Pebbles” was another film presented at the Cheltenham on a road show basis. I have ticket stubs from Friday, March 10, 1967 for the 8pm performance. The admission was $2.75 and our seats were located in the center section of Row Y, seats 101-102-103-104. I remember being impressed with this theatre even though it was a newer one. It was quite large with one floor seating if I remember correctly. Sorry to think it, along with so many other theatres, ended up being a pile of rubble.
The Cheltenham Theatre, seating 1,500, opened with a single-screen in 1961 with Walt Disney’s “The Parent Trap” starring Hayley Mills, Maureen O'Hara and Brian Keith. The mammoth pearl-coated movie screen, at 60' x 25', was one of the largest in the world. The projection room was equipped for standard 35mm motion pictures, wide-screen or CinemaScope, and 70mm films. It was also equipped with six-channel stereophonic sound. The Cheltenham Theatre wouldn’t be twinned until its acquisition by Budco Theatres in 1984. AMC Cinemas (now AMC Theatres) acquired Budco and the Cheltenham Theatre on December 31, 1986 and closed it almost immediately. It has since been demolished.
Source: Box Office Magazine — February 12, 1962 — Pages 42-43.
Note: Since the article that this information was extracted from appeared on February 12, 1962, it would not have been possible for the “Grand Opening” of this theater to have occurred on December 31, 1962!
Grand opening ad at http://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2023/Philadelphia%20PA%20Inquirer/Philadelphia%20PA%20Inquirer%201961/Philadelphia%20PA%20Inquirer%201961%20a%20-%205886.pdf or in the photo section.
April 5th, 1978 grand opening ad as a twin in photo section.
As a single screen theater, it was a truly impressive screen theater where I saw not only “2001: A Space Odyssey” but also “Chinatown”. As a twin truly ruined and u impressive.
The Cheltenham was one of the most beautiful theaters in the Phila suburbs. I went to the hard ticket presentation of Becket.They also had sub run of Lawrence of Arabia in 70mm as well as the Sand Pebbles. Just breathtaking to see them on that big screen and with that 6-track sound. I also saw: I Am Curious Yellow, Dear John, A Long Day’s Journey Into Night there. Very similar in architecture to the King of Prussia theatre, that was in the parking lot in front of the old Korvettes. Most likely had the same architect.
The Cheltenham was one of the most beautiful theaters in the Phila suburbs. I went to the hard ticket presentation of Becket.They also had sub run of Lawrence of Arabia in 70mm as well as the Sand Pebbles. Just breathtaking to see them on that big screen and with that 6-track sound. I also saw: I Am Curious Yellow, Dear John, A Long Day’s Journey Into Night there. Very similar in architecture to the King of Prussia theatre, that was in the parking lot in front of the old Korvettes. Most likely had the same architect.
Was Beckett a Roadshow engagement? The Sand Pebbles was