Model Theatre
425 South Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19147
425 South Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19147
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Stanley-Warner Theatres, Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.
Architects: William Harold Lee
Functions: Retail
Styles: Art Deco
Nearby Theaters
The Model Theatre opened in 1911 as a vaudeville/movie theatre, on South Street. The theatre, seating 778, had a 32ft wide proscenium. Its claim to fame in the early days was that Mae West appeared on the stage at the Model Theatre. It was redecorated in 1923 and a Wurlitzer Hope-Jones 2 manual organ was installed. It was was remodeled in the 1930’s by architect William H. Lee in an Art Deco style. By 1941 it was operated by Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp. The Model Theatre closed on January 2, 1955 with Broderick Crawford in “Down Three Dark Streets” & Wayne Morris in “Two Guns and a Badge”. It was was incorporated into Dubrow’s Department Store. By 2008 it was a shoe store which by 2020 was a Foot Locker store.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
It looks like a shoe store is at that address now. I was on South Street not too long ago, but I was unaware of the former theater at this location. Too bad. Anyway, here is a 1945 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/29vxqp
Here is a view of South Street circa 1920s:
http://tinyurl.com/nj7wv2
This is the website for the current occupant. It does appear to be the same building as seen on the January 2008 photo. Function should be retail.
http://www.barefeetshoes.com/
Here is a better view of the 1945 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/yf4r2ky
Currently a Foot Locker. I wonder if any of the original interior is buried in there underneath drop ceilings
The Stanley Theatre Circuit sold the building in January of 1955 at which time it was altered to become a retail furniture store. It is believed that the Model Theatre closed permanently on January 2, 1955 with a double feature of “Down Three Dark Streets” and “Two Guns and a Badge.”