Colney Theatre
5621 N. 5th Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19120
5621 N. 5th Street,
Philadelphia,
PA
19120
3 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Stanley-Warner Theatres, Warner Bros. Circuit Management Corp.
Architects: Albert Douglas Hill, Harvey Childs Hodgens
Firms: Hodgens & Hill
Functions: Retail
Styles: Italian Renaissance
Nearby Theaters
The Colney Theatre opened by the Stanley Theatres Company chain on April 11, 1925 with Douglas Fairbanks in “Thief of Bagdad”. It was designed by the firm of Hodgens & Hill. It stood on N. 5th Street near Olney Avenue adjacent to the Olney Theatre (which has its own page on Cinema Treasures). All seating was on a single floor. It was equipped with a 2 manual Wurlitzer organ. In the 1940’s it was operated by Warner Bros. Circuit Management.
The Colney Theatre closed on May 9, 1952 with Marlon Brando in “A Streetcar Named Desire”.
Contributed by
Bryan
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
Looking at the view on Google, the building is still standing. It’s being used for a variety of retail businesses.
Built between 1924 and 1925, the Colney Theatre opened on Saturday, April 11, 1925 with 1,985 seats. This was two years before “The Jazz Singer” starring Al Jolson would signal the beginning of the era of “talking pictures.” Designed by the architectural firm of Hodgens & Hill, the theater included retail shops and was located near the Olney station of the Broad Street Subway. The marquee read COLNEY THEATRE across the front. The sides (or ends) supported the signboards and were topped off with COLNEY. The massive, illuminated roof sign, framed in chase lights, proclaimed COLNEY with two additional lines reading STANLEY and PHOTOPLAYS. The Colney had previously been operated by the Stanley-Warner Circuit Management Corp. before closing in 1958. Today, additional retail occupies the theater foyer/lobby. The marquee and roof sign are gone now and it is unknown for what purpose the auditorium serves today.
Small grand opening ad at http://fultonhistory.com/Newspapers%2023/Philadelphia%20PA%20Inquirer/Philadelphia%20PA%20Inquirer%201925/Philadelphia%20PA%20Inquirer%201925%20-%203803.pdf
also in the photo section.
The Colney opened for the Stanley Circuit on April 11, 1925 and while “The Thief of Bagdad” enthused audiences, the theater’s Wurlitzer Hope Jones Style F Organ costing some $75,000 - more than the entire cost of some neighborhood theaters of the era - apparently was the show stealer.
The Italian Renaissance stylings of Hodgens & Hill also wowed the opening afternoon’s audience. The bathing of the interior in blue and gold at the ground level with monochromatic interior elsewhere including the white terra cotta front suggested class. Under Stanley / Stanley-Warner, independent operator Herbert Elliott of the Fern Rock was a thorn in the circuit’s side. After about eight lawsuits - Stanley Warner Circuit cooperatively operated the Colney with Elliott while providing fare and an arrangement with his independent Fern Rock.
Elliott would sell out the Fern Rock to Stanley-Warner, as well. The last advertised show at the Colney for Stanley-Warner was “A Streetcar Named Desire” on May 9, 1952. Said a distressed Marlon Brando, “Colney! Hey, Colney!” The building was then listed for sale ending its cinematic journey.
Here is an article about the Colney Theatre, then under construction, from the February 28, 1925 issue of Exhibitors Herald:
“Olney, in Philadelphia, will have the distinction of one of the largest one floor theatres in the world when the handsome new Colney, at Fifth street and Olney avenue, is completed. The house is in every respect ‘the last word’ in construction and in artistic decoration and the Stanley Company of America dedicating the building to one of the city’s most progressive communities. Workmen put forth every effort to complete the operation so that the house was ready for opening on Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12.
“A theatre of the quality of the Colney has long been desired at Olney. That section of the city is growing most rapidly and it is a residence neighborhood with thousands of separate new homes. Last April actual building operation began. A site 112 feet on Fifth street, extending 220 feet to Lawrence street in the rear, at Olney avenue, was obtained.
Building went on apace. Hodgens and Hill, architects, gave skillful treatment to the problem of providing a one floor theatre with a seating capacity of 2500 and it is believed that the result of the planning will be to set a new standard for motion picture houses of the best class. Over the auditorium extends a dome, 50 feet in diameter. The Italian Renaissance style was adopted and the color scheme chosen was blue, gray and gold. The exterior is in white tapestry brick and terra cotta.
“Apart from its general air of dignity and quality the Colney has distinctions in details of construction. For instance, ventilation and heating systems are independently operated. Heating is by warm air. The cooling apparatus consists of four of the largest typhon fans in the city. Each is ten feet in diameter. These systems are separately placed in ornamental bays on each side of the auditorium.
“The theatre is equipped with a fine stage so that the house may be used for any sort of theatrical entertainment. At each side of the proscenium arch is the organ chamber with grill work in handsome design. The stage has two machines for operation of curtains, border lights and foot lights and all are controlled directly from the motion picture booth.
“The operator’s booth, it is claimed, is the largest in Philadelphia, being 11 by 26 feet in ground dimension. There will be three projecting machines and two spotlights in the booth. Special care was taken with the illumination system. Indirect lighting has been provided although the lobby will be supplied with a handsome crystal chandelier.
“At either side of the entrance are two stores and the second floor front has office space and also hall room that may be utilized for dancing or for other public purposes. The operator’s booth is on the mezzanine floor where the manager’s office is placed. Rooms for men and women are at the rear of the first floor. Handsome and comfortable chairs will be provided and in every detail there will be paid to comfort, convenience and beauty.
“The Colney will be an important addition to the Stanley theatres in Philadelphia. ‘It is eagerly awaited,’ said Jules E. Mastbaum, President of the Stanley Company, in speaking of the house. ‘The same high standard that prevails at all our houses will be maintained and the best of pictures will always be shown.’”