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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 theatre, the most expensive venue in Philadelphia at the time of its opening on March 24, 1924, was originally called the Elrae (Earle spelled backwards), after Stanley Corporation stockholder George H. Earle. It was initially made for Vaudeville performances but was later adapted to a movie cinema. 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
''Exhibitor's Herald'', 22 March 1924. The stage measured 62 feet by 35 feet. George Matthews Harding painted the extravagant murals and friezes, and marble was imported from Italy.
* 1939: Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra: ''Live 1939 at the "Earle Theatre", Philadelphia''.
Old photographs
at philadelphiabuildings.org
Photo of the interior
1924 establishments in Pennsylvania 1953 establishments in Pennsylvania Cinemas and movie theaters in Pennsylvania Defunct jazz clubs in the United States Jazz clubs in Philadelphia Theatres in Philadelphia Demolished buildings and structures in Philadelphia Buildings and structures demolished in 1953
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.
History
The theatre, the most expensive venue in Philadelphia at the time of its opening on March 24, 1924, was originally called the Elrae (Earle spelled backwards), after Stanley Corporation stockholder George H. Earle. It was initially made for Vaudeville performances but was later adapted to a movie cinema. 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
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was based ...
, Benny Goodman
Benjamin David Goodman (May 30, 1909 – June 13, 1986) was an American clarinetist and bandleader known as the "King of Swing".
From 1936 until the mid-1940s, Goodman led one of the most popular swing big bands in the United States. His co ...
and Billy Eckstine
William Clarence Eckstine (July 8, 1914 – March 8, 1993) was an American jazz and pop singer and a bandleader during the swing and bebop eras. He was noted for his rich, almost operatic bass-baritone voice. In 2019, Eckstine was posthumously ...
. 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
' (styled in all caps) is an American music magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond", the last word indicating its expansion beyond the jazz realm which it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1934 in Chi ...
jazz club while in Philadelphia. Cab Calloway
Cabell Calloway III (December 25, 1907 – November 18, 1994) was an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, conductor and dancer. He was associated with the Cotton Club in Harlem, where he was a regular performer and became a popular vocalist ...
had an annual concert at the theatre.
The theatre returned to Vaudeville for periods, including April 1931 and September 1940, with a four-week production of ''Boom Town''.
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.
Architecture
At the time of construction in 1923, the theatre was the costliest theatre ever constructed in Philadelphia. The opulent grand theatre in the Italian renaissance style contained 2768 seats, of which 1164 seats were on the balcony.Stanley Company Will Open New Playhouse This Month''Exhibitor's Herald'', 22 March 1924. The stage measured 62 feet by 35 feet. George Matthews Harding painted the extravagant murals and friezes, and marble was imported from Italy.
Notable recordings
* 1939: Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra: ''Live 1939 at the "Earle Theatre", Philadelphia''.
References
{{ReflistExternal links
Old photographs
at philadelphiabuildings.org
Photo of the interior
1924 establishments in Pennsylvania 1953 establishments in Pennsylvania Cinemas and movie theaters in Pennsylvania Defunct jazz clubs in the United States Jazz clubs in Philadelphia Theatres in Philadelphia Demolished buildings and structures in Philadelphia Buildings and structures demolished in 1953