According to local historian Chuck Langerman, the Erlen Theatre at 1814 Cheltenham Avenue opened on November 14, 1930. The one-screen movie theatre had a seating capacity of 1,700, making it one of the largest movie houses in the Philly area.
According to CinemaTreasures.org, the Erlen Theatre’s opening night featured Metropolitan Opera star Frances Alda, and prices ranged from 10 to 15 cents for weekday matinees and 20 to 35 cents for Saturday and holiday evenings.
From their Overview:
The Erlen Theatre was designed by Philadelphia architects William H. Lee and Armand de Cortieaux Carroll. The name ‘Erlen’ was derived from parts of the last names of developers Charles G. Erny and James A. Nolen. A preliminary sketch of the Erlen Theatre’s façade looks very different from what was actually constructed, and is found on page 12 of Volume Two of the book “American Theatres of Today” (1930). The foyer was decorated with red leather, shiny metal moldings, black columns and silver carved mirrors. The 125 foot wide auditorium had 1,700 seats. The auditorium was in the form of a huge arch that was cove lit to give it the effect of a midnight sky. The Erlen Theatre was built for local movie operators Sablosky brothers, who the next month opened another Lee designed Art Deco semi-Atmospheric style movie palace, the Norris Theatre in Norristown, PA. With the Midway Theatre, the Erlen Theatre was one of the last large single screen theatres built in Philadelphia.
The initial operation was second run neighborhood showing of movies, and that policy continued through the 1970’s. Unfortunately, despite considerable litigation, the Erlen Theatre was unable to book first run films because of opposition from operators of movie theatres in downtown Philadelphia. By 1950, local theatre operator A.M. Ellis Theaters Co. chain was showing movies here. In 1984, Ellis Theaters sold the Erlen Theatre to a church. In a 1985 Philadelphia Inquirer article discussing the possible sale of the theatre to become a Christian Cinema, the color of the interior was then described as royal blue. By 1994, the Erlen Theatre was for sale. In 2002, the theatre was auctioned off by the City for nonpayment of taxes, and for only $800 was acquired by the City. The City demolished the Erlen Theatre in 2002.
The City of Philadelphia demolished the Erlen Theatre in 2002. Today it is a Family Dollar.
In the same West Oak Lane neighborhood, the Renel Theater opened at 7238 Ogontz Avenue in 1936. The theatre initially featured second-run films, and by 1950 it was operated by the A.M. Ellis Theaters Co. chain. According to CinemaTreasures.org, the theatre had a large working fireplace in the inner lobby, and the interior had glass bricks, modern murals, and recessed lighting.
The Renel Theatre closed on September 12, 1970 and began screening adult movies until it closed again in 1976. It now operates as the Upper Room Missionary Baptist Church.
Fun Fact: “Renel” is an anagram of “Erlen”.
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