Location 1: History of Philadelphia Theater

Matt Venini

The Nixon Theater in 1914. 

 Photo Credit: www.rjdiscousa.com

The Nixon Theater was a West Philadelphia icon where it once stood at 28 South 52nd Street along what once was considered the main street of West Philly for over a century with its popular commercial strip.


The theater was built in 1910 by architect John D. Allen who had also built the Orpheum Theater on Chelten Avenue in the Germantown section of the city. The 1,870 seat venue was made of brick and stone with a large arched entrance and a big bow window on the top floor. The theater was demolished in 1984 and now stands a Payless Shoe Source and a Rainbow Kids in its’ place. The theater was among the many venues that lined up and down 52nd Street. The Locust Theater was located on 52nd and Locust Streets. There was also the Belmont Theater on North 52nd and Filbert, and the State Theater at 52nd and Chestnut Streets. As of today, the only theater that still stands is the Locust Theater.

The Nixon started out as a vaudeville theater and sold tickets for vaudeville performances for 10 cents. The theater was eventually switched into film presentation in 1929. The Nixon was popular for musical events as well. Local radio DJ Jimmy Bishop organized many musical performances in the 1960's and brought in musical icons like Billy Stewart, who is famous for his hit 1966 song “Summertime.”

    A vinyl copy of Jimmy Bishop On Stage Live at the Nixon Theater.

Photo Credit: www.hidingplaceplace.com

  

This building reminds me of something similar that you would see in the movie Rocky when Sylvester Stallone goes on his depressing morning run through Philadelphia. The older-style buildings that are now run down or demolished were in the background of his run that helped set the scene of a dark and gloomy setting, which the Nixon would fit well in because of its' older architecture. I would definitely use this building in my movie if i make the year of my movie before 1985. I would use it as a hot attraction or run down in a darker scene. The Nixon Theater was one of many famous venues on 52nd street and the people of West Philadelphia deeply cherish the history of the wonderful and historic venue.