AMC Andorra 8 Theatre

Ridge Avenue and Henry Avenue,
Philadelphia, PA 19128

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: AMC Theatres, Budco, William Goldman Theaters Inc.

Architects: Israel Demchick, David Supowitz

Previous Names: William Goldman's Andora Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Original version of Andorra Theatre

Located in the Roxborough district to the north of Philadelphia. In 1964 the Andora Theatre was opened as a single screen theatre with 1,000 seats by the William Goldman Theatre Co. In 1973 the William Goldman Theatre Co. was sold to Budco Theatres Co. and it was renamed Andorra Theatre.

In late-1976, Budco twinned the Andorra. In 1984, Budco added two more screens, making it a four-plex theatre. In 1985, Budco added two more screens, making the Andorra a six-plex.

In mid 1986, American Multi-Cinema Inc. (AMC Theatres) acquired the Budco Theatres chain, adding the Andorra 6, as well as the Orleans 8, the 309 Cinema 4/9 and The Cheltenham Twin. In mid 1990, AMC added two more screens, making it an eight-plex.

Due to it’s location (and being less than three miles away from the nearby AMC (former General Cinema) Plymouth Meeting 12 Theatres), the AMC Andorra closed it’s doors for good on January 5, 2003. It has since been demolished, and an LA Fitness health club was built on the site.

Contributed by Michael R. Rambo Jr., Howard Haas

Recent comments (view all 12 comments)

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on December 23, 2008 at 1:26 am

An architect’s rendering of the proposed Andorra Theatre was published with a brief article about the house in the April 6, 1964, issue of Boxoffice Magazine. It was slated for a summer opening that year. Architects were the firm of Supowitz & Demchick (David Supowitz, Israel Demchick.) In its original, single-screen configuration, there were 1000 seats.

Timm
Timm on February 16, 2011 at 2:15 am

I was manager of the Andorra (87-88) for AMC after the Budco purchase. It was an interesting time. Is anyone out there who also was there?

GG
GG on April 24, 2012 at 1:09 am

I was Mgr. of the single screen Andorra in 1973-74. “American Graffiti” – “The Sting” – “Earthquake” all played 6+ weeks.

Michael R. Rambo Jr.
Michael R. Rambo Jr. on December 20, 2012 at 6:35 am

Here is the link to the page in the 4/6/1964 Boxoffice Magazine about the Andorra Theatre: http://www.boxoffice.com/the_vault/issue_page?issue_id=1964-4-6&page_no=73#page_start

Cmt327
Cmt327 on February 14, 2013 at 2:54 am

Timm, I watched my first movie there..it was “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and I was 5 years old. Thanks for the memories :)

mloren
mloren on May 25, 2013 at 11:55 pm

I lived in the apartment complex across the street from the Andora Shopping Center in the early 70’s, and we much enjoyed the theater, grocery store, steak house, etc. William Martin was the manager of the theater at the time……….does anyone know his whereabouts now? Best regards and thanks for the memories………Loren Martin, Big Cabin, OK

Alan_Kohn_235
Alan_Kohn_235 on July 20, 2013 at 12:14 am

I saw Klute there in 1971

Betzee
Betzee on December 16, 2017 at 3:04 pm

Went to see movies here many times growing up in Chestnut Hill. I remember once arriving with my mother and brothers who went down to check out a Christmas tree that had been placed beside the screen. Immediately a manager came running down the aisle because he assumed two preteen boys couldn’t be trusted. It seemed like such a huge theatre and it was since that visit preceded the 1976 twinning. The last movie I remember seeing there was “Dances With Wolves” while on a Christmas visit home in 1990. My parents switched to the Regal Plymouth Meeting because the parking was much easier and it offered stadium seating.

rivest266
rivest266 on December 20, 2020 at 6:09 pm

Opened as Andora and renamed Andorra around 1973.

Michael R. Rambo Jr.
Michael R. Rambo Jr. on May 3, 2023 at 1:27 am

Seen a picture of the original single screen Andorra Theatre when it was Acme Markets. William Goldman Theatres acquired the building from Acme Markets Inc when they built the current Acme Markets building. Rest is history.

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