Above: a view of the outdoor Promenade in 1952 showing the hit film, "The Greatest Show on Earth." Photo courtesy of the Friends of the Boyd, Inc.

You know, the former movie palace at 1908 Chestnut Street. Movie palace? I know, it’s not in any of the Philadelphia guidebooks. Too bad because next year, the palace will be 80 years old. Opening day was Christmas, 1928. It was the Philadelphia’s only Art Deco palace, rich with color and form, deliberately designed to greet patrons with the spacious and stylized opulence that made an evening of theater something quite special.

You might not hear the echoes of Chestnut Street’s glorious era when passing by the aging, retro-fitted Sam Eric that lies obtrusively dormant. But a group of enlightened individuals, recognizing the tangible value of Philadelphia’s last surviving movie palace, have invested time and effort to lobby for the restoration that would put the historic Boyd Theater on everyone’s list of “must sees.” With dreams of big stage productions, live performances and films, they hope it will be on everybody’s list of “must experience.”

These people are the “Friends of the Boyd.” In 2002, after the last flick of the Sam Eric rolled its credits, the group organized to register their alarm and dismay about a plan to have the theater torn down. Since then, they have ridden the tides, cresting in January 2005 when the mayor’s office announced that the Boyd Theater was to be “restored and transformed into a live entertainment venue.” Later that year, the players changed and the dreams of the theater’s revival hit a current of troubled waters.

Legal wranglings quashed the Philadelphia Historic Commission’s “historic” designation of the Boyd, yet there exists a very detailed set of plans to refurbish the Boyd’s original Art Deco features. Even as late as February 2006, the current property owner, Live Nation, started to investigate the original features of the theater, make some improvements, and protect some of the surviving décor, including the outdoor terrazzo floor, Art Deco glasswork and marble.

“We have a complete set of total restoration plans that aren’t being implemented,” lamented Philadelphia attorney Howard B. Haas, who serves as chairman of the Friends of the Boyd. “We were very disappointed when Live Nation ceased renovation.”

Before that, Haas had been permitted access to the theater, and had even given small tours to give a glimpse of what could be. “It really is beautiful,” Haas said. A national paint expert was called on to uncover the original Art Deco colors. Then a paint mock-up was done in a section of the auditorium. One of Haas’ personal favorites in the historic building: The Proscenium Mural above the large screen in the auditorium. Above the 50’ by 30’ arch is an “ultra-modern mural of the Amazon Queen, which dedicates the theatre to the progress made by women in the history of the world.” - (Opening Day Program, 1928)

“Once the Boyd is restored and reopened, people will wonder how anyone could have contemplated destroying such a beautiful building,” Haas said with the conviction of a believer. “Still,” he admitted, “there is a lot of work done to prepare it for major renovation.”

But the biggest concern is that the theater could again fall into the hands of a developer who would demolish the theater. “That would be unacceptable,” said Haas.

The Friends of the Boyd are hopeful - and they are determined. “We want to make it clear that if any developer has his eye on tearing it down, we will vigorously fight that with protests and litigation,” Haas said.

What’s so special about this ghostly lady that once stood so grandly on her prime real estate? In May 2004, the Philadelphia chapter of The American Institute of Architects recognized the Boyd Theater (and the Uptown Theater) with their 2004 Landmark Building Award for their “exquisite Art Deco interiors, (that) symbolize the plight of historic urban motion picture palaces, both in Philadelphia and across the country.”

Over the years since the doors of the Sam Eric closed in 2002, city officials have conceded that the restoration of the theater would have economic benefits. That would be 2400 more entertainment seats to fill. That would be an opportunity for expanding the city’s special event spaces. That would rival the grand movie palaces of other major cities in the US and abroad. That would be more than a footnote in the history of Philadelphia’s architectural treasures.

At this moment, the Friends of the Boyd are looking for further support. More voices are needed to lobby for the restoration of the vintage theater. There may be a need for generous contributors, should the non-profit organization be granted the opportunity to get involved in the restoration – and the funding that will make that possible. And there is an immediate need to keep watch on the physical property while the fate of the theater is undecided.

“We hope that our neighbors will let us know if they see any problems,” Haas said. “If there is something that needs attention on the exterior of the property, we encourage individuals to contact us immediately.”
The Friends of the Boyd have a website with information about the history and plight of the historic Boyd Theater, including the hopes and dreams they hold for the Rittenhouse neighborhood.

To learn more about The Friends of the Boyd or how you can help save the Historic Boyd Theater, please visit: www.FriendsOfTheBoyd.org