Friends of the Boyd

04/19/2026

History of Boyd projector & sign on display at the Ambler Theater: Friends of the Boyd volunteers salvaged the Boyd's film projectors on 4-15-05 during a pause for us by the workers who were demolishing the orchestra projection booth! (The theater operator was not going to need the booth for the planned live theater that didn't later happen). In 1953, the Cinerama screen the projectors were for was a huge 76 feet wide! And, in 1962, after the projectors were modified for 70mm, "one strip" Cinerama, the screen was about 40 feet tall by 100 feet wide, enormous! The "This is Cinerama" (1953) sign was found in 2006 in the Boyd's basement boiler room!

04/18/2026

At the Ambler Theater's (1928) wonderful exhibit space is a Century "Cinerama" film projector Friends of the Boyd donated from the Boyd (also 1928)! At the left is a "This is Cinerama" (1953) sign we donated yesterday morning! Closeups in comments. Thanks to Michael Bencik for storing the projector for years. In front: Howard B. Haas, President, Friends of the Boyd, who stored the sign, marquee letters & other items donated yesterday.

04/18/2026

Wow! After Friends of the Boyd donated yesterday morning the Technicolor marquee word from the Boyd, yesterday evening it went on display at the fantastic exhibit space of the historic Ambler Theater! Photo in a comment of the Scope word, also donated.

04/17/2026

Friends of the Boyd today donated to the historic Ambler Theatre (1928, like the Boyd) for their wonderful exhibit space, these marquee letters, price signs - This is Cinerama & a glass sign, UA pre show slides, a 70mm film splicer, and a 1928 cast iron chair end! All from the Boyd! More photos another day. FYI, the Ambler's annual 35mm film festival weekend starts tonight!

03/28/2026

When we organized, Gene Dichter, a noted architect & community leader, attended our rallies & expressed enthusiasm for saving the Boyd. He was very nice. Gene recently passed away at the grand old age of 102. R.I.P. Gene.

03/17/2026

Michael Norris is one of our leaders. He's also leading efforts at Carpenters Hall to celebrate our nation & ensure its future! Gift article to prior Inquirer article, in a comment.

Pennsylvania’s Constitution is also turning 250 this year. Carpenters Hall is celebrating our state’s most vital document

03/15/2026

One of the beautifully crafted costumes by Oscar winning Ruth E Carter on display until September at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, is this spectacular "Black Panther" costume (explanation panel in a comment). Yesterday photo by Howard B. Haas.

03/15/2026

Oscars tonight! Until September, at the African American Museum in Philadelphia (701 Arch St) is a fantastic exhibit of the costumes meticulously researched & designed by Ruth E. Carter who has so far won 2 Oscars! Included in the exhibit, among other movies, are costumes from Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, Armistead, Selma, The Butler, Black Panther, and Sinners. Yesterday's photo courtesy of Howard Haas.

02/24/2026

Gift link! A local saved & restored a film that will screen, with its director present on Thursday at the PFS East!

The genre film set in a small Southern town, "different from nearly all American films,” was restored in the Philadelphia region, where it never played in its initial release.

02/14/2026

Yea! On Friday, the Phila. Historical Commission designated the former Circle Theater in Frankford, a major movie palace (1929-1953) designed by Boyd architects Hoffman-Henon. The fabulous Spanish Baroque terra cotta facade is now protected! Inside, built with 3000 seats was the city's only atmospheric auditorium! See the article link in a comment. Thanks to the Historical Commission for itself nominating it.

The Circle Theatre was once home to a 3,000-seat auditorium. The ornate property remains today, but it hasn’t shown movies for decades.

02/13/2026

Thanks to Todd Berk of our area for his photo of the Isaac Theatre Royal (1908, fulltime cinema 1928 to 1956) during his recent New Zealand vacation! It became a live theater & the public rallied to save & restore it after the 2011 earthquake damaged it! Photos of its beautiful interior in a comment.

01/16/2026

This Rocky statue (photo by James Fennell) will be relocated to the top of the Art Museum's steps. We love this excerpt from the Jan 13 Phila. Inquirer: "In May 1982, Rocky III made its premiere in Philadelphia with a screening at the Sameric Theater at 19th and Chestnut in a star-studded affair that began with a reception at the Art Museum in which Stallone himself presented the Rocky statue to Philadelphia..." Yes, "star-studded" happened many times at the Boyd/Sameric!