On October 1st 1898 – The plans to build Belmont Theatre were announced by the Bureau of Building Inspection but the location is Fortieth street and Lancaster avenue.
Samuel F. Wheeler built the Belmont Theatre to play motion pictures. He then bought and built the Apollo theatre in April 1914.
July 25th 1913 – some builders were nearly injured when a wall was blown down by wind during the construction of the theatre.
The Belmont Theater opened on Saturday 27th December 1913 with 10c Admission as a new and modern Photoplay theatre. The theatre was also remarketed for its New Year’s Day attractions by adding the descriptor: ‘safest’ photoplay Theatre.
The theatre became well known very quickly and the real estate around the theatre was listed as ‘choice’ real estate. It was also listed under Albert M. Greenfield & Co. a lucrative real estate company at that time.
It was well established in the motion picture scene. The theatre was part of Paramount-Artcraft Week in August 1919 which was a drive to get better pictures into theatres across America.
Over the years that it was open, the Belmont Theatre had various other events.
These ranged from the political rallies to congressman speeches, Regular YMCA meetings for the West Branch of YMCA, baby parades, Award ceremonies for most popular policemen in West Philadelphia and people gathering “to sing the boys to victory” during World War I.
Blackface at the Theatre
One noteworthy motion picture was “The Jazz Singer” with Al Jolson which was being shown in many theatres during March 1928. He was the most popular entertainer who was regularly praised for his enthusiasm and charisma on stage. However, the picture has clear depictions of blackface and he regularly used blackface in his performances as well. Some argue, though, that his use of blackface was not to demean or mock black people but rather as persona for his performance. His supporters posit that he even advocated for a society more tolerant of race and credit him with putting jazz, ragtime and the blues into mainstream entertainment. However, he did this through cultural appropriation of the performance style and movement of black musicians in New Orleans.
Controversies and Hardships
Somewhere between 1914 and 1916, the theatre was closed and reopened on December 25th 1916 with a Russian film.
In 1923, $46 was stolen from the safe and burglars were seen attempting to rob the theatre in 1950.
Also, a manager and an usher were indicted for discriminatory practices after they assaulted and blocked a black woman from entering the theatre in June of 1934. However, the case was later settled outside of court in October of the same year.
The theatre eventually closed in 1970.
The Lasting Impression
Years later (1994), going to the Belmont Theatre to catch a movie was seen as a regular activity in West Philadelphia during its years of operation showing the impact that theatre had. However, this is not the case today.
Sources
May 7, 1994 (page 14 of 52). (1994, May 07). Philadelphia Inquirer (1969-) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/may-7-1994-page-14-52/docview/1843744119/se-2
January 1, 1914 (page 5 of 14). (1914, ). Philadelphia Inquirer (1860-1934) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/january-1-1914-page-5-14/docview/1828861037/se-2
October 1, 1898 (page 12 of 14). (1898, Oct 01). Philadelphia Inquirer (1860-1934) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/october-1-1898-page-12-14/docview/1826918367/se-2
August 24, 1913 (page 32 of 66). (1913, Aug 24). Philadelphia Inquirer (1860-1934) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/august-24-1913-page-32-66/docview/1828841468/se-2
December 26, 1913 (page 7 of 16). (1913, Dec 26). Philadelphia Inquirer (1860-1934) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/december-26-1913-page-7-16/docview/1828839256/se-2
December 26, 1916 (page 4 of 16). (1916, Dec 26). Philadelphia Inquirer (1860-1934) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/december-26-1916-page-4-16/docview/1829077146/se-2
July 25, 1913 (page 6 of 14). (1913, Jul 25). Philadelphia Inquirer (1860-1934) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/july-25-1913-page-6-14/docview/1828622940/se-2
July 29, 1918 (page 5 of 20). (1918, Jul 29). Philadelphia Inquirer (1860-1934) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/july-29-1918-page-5-20/docview/1829453755/se-2
August 31, 1919 (page 44 of 88). (1919, Aug 31). Philadelphia Inquirer (1860-1934) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/august-31-1919-page-44-88/docview/1829565781/se-2
October 23, 1916 (page 4 of 18). (1916, Oct 23). Philadelphia Inquirer (1860-1934) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/october-23-1916-page-4-18/docview/1829071583/se-2
March 11, 1928 (page 88 of 142). (1928, Mar 11). Philadelphia Inquirer (1860-1934) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/march-11-1928-page-88-142/docview/1834048996/se-2
January 5, 1928 (page 15 of 32). (1928, Jan 05). Philadelphia Inquirer (1860-1934) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/january-5-1928-page-15-32/docview/1831025883/se-2
June 2, 1933 (page 12 of 26). (1933, Jun 02). Philadelphia Inquirer (1860-1934) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/june-2-1933-page-12-26/docview/1831613234/se-2
May 13, 1916 (page 5 of 20). (1916, May 13). Philadelphia Inquirer (1860-1934) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/may-13-1916-page-5-20/docview/1829048611/se-2
Two indicted for blocking woman’s path. (1934, Jun 14). Philadelphia Tribune (1912-) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/two-indicted-blocking-womans-path/docview/531341577/se-2
Clergy push death probe of slain man: Letter sent to police heads by baptist ministers. (1934, Oct 11). Philadelphia Tribune (1912-) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/clergy-push-death-probe-slain-man/docview/531349454/se-2
Close movie rather than have L. U. men enter: Students fought barriers. (1950, Jan 28). Philadelphia Tribune (1912-) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/close-movie-rather-than-have-l-u-men-enter/docview/531909253/se-2
January 7, 1923 (page 6 of 104). (1923, Jan 07). Philadelphia Inquirer (1860-1934) Retrieved from https://proxy.library.upenn.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/january-7-1923-page-6-104/docview/1830828025/se-2
