Earle Theatre

The Earle Theatre was a 2768-seat theatre in Philadelphia, United States at 1046 Market Street, on the southeast corner of South 11th Street. It is associated with being a thriving venue for big band jazz music in the 1930s and 1940s.

The Earle Theater in 1928

History
Earle Theatre main lobby in 1928

The theatre, the most expensive venue in Philadelphia at the time of its opening on March 24, 1924,[1] was originally called the Elrae (Earle spelled backwards), after Stanley Corporation stockholder George H. Earle.[2] It was initially made for Vaudeville performances but was later adapted to a movie cinema.[3] The theatre was a thriving venue for theatrical stage performances, films, and big band jazz music in the 1930s and 1940s, nurturing talents such as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Billy Eckstine.[4] The Count Basie Orchestra opened a one-week engagement at the Earle Theatre on Friday, 23 January 1942, breaking opening records. Basie also played at the Downbeat jazz club while in Philadelphia.[5] Cab Calloway had an annual concert at the theatre.[6]

The theatre returned to Vaudeville for periods, including April 1931[7] and September 1940, with a four-week production of Boom Town.[8] By 1953 the popularity of the theatre had declined due to the growth of television, and the last stage show was given on February 26, 1953. The theatre was demolished later that year and replaced with a two-story department store.[1]

Architecture

At the time of construction in 1923, the theatre was the costliest theatre ever constructed in Philadelphia.[3] The opulent grand theatre in the Italian renaissance style contained 2768 seats, of which 1164 seats were on the balcony.[9] The stage measured 62 feet by 35 feet.[3] George Matthews Harding painted the extravagant murals and friezes, and marble was imported from Italy.[9]

Notable recordings
Proscenium and side arches of the Earle theater in 1928

References
  1. "Earle Theatre in Philadelphia". Cinematreasures.org. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  2. Philadelphia Theatres, A–Z: A Comprehensive, Descriptive Record of 813 Theatres Constructed Since 1724. Greenwood Publishing Company. 1986. p. 99. ISBN 9780313240546.
  3. Spector, Gus (9 February 2009). Philadelphia Landmarks and Pastimes. Arcadia Publishing. p. 13. ISBN 9781439636985.
  4. "Jazz". Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  5. Ken Vail, Ron Fritts (2003). Count Base Swingin' the Blues (1936–1950). Scarecrow Press. p. 56. ISBN 9780810848825.
  6. Cab Records Film Idea, New Wrinkle. The Afro American. 8 January 1944. p. 8.
  7. Motion Picture Herald, April 25, 1931.
  8. Motion Picture Daily, Jul-Sep 1940.
  9. Stanley Company Will Open New Playhouse This Month, Exhibitor's Herald, 22 March 1924.
  10. "Jimmie Lunceford And His Orchestra". Discogs. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
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