Lansdowne Theater

Like previous reviewer Regina the Lansdowne theater was part of my Saturday youth. 11 of us lived in an Upper Darby row with no AC, so summer days were often spent here. In the winter it was every Saturday so our mother would clean. As a kid i checked out all the woodwork, marble and chandeliers and knew the Lansdowne theater was a gem.
They have been hard at work restoring it for a few years and she is looking great outside. I talked to a renovator today and told him how beautiful she looked.
He said there is much more to do but for now I will say the place looks prettier than even years ago. Can’t wait for it to open

The Landsdowne Theater is something of an institution of my childhood. You see, we did not have air conditioning in our house, meaning that on hot as snot summer days we were often packed up and plunked ‘at the movies’ where we’d watch the film 2 – 3 times while basking in wonderful air conditioning. Our mothers’ preferred theaters were the Lansdowne or the nearby Yeadon, both «second run» theaters where you could get in for $ 1 or less and both now defunct as movie houses. I am certain these days are the ‘origin’ of my deep love of movies and also the marvels of central air.
The Lansdowne as a movie theater has been closed since 1987 after an electrical fire, however since 2007 or so there’s been a dedicated nonprofit — Save the Lansdowne Theater — that has been thoughtfully restoring the building to it’s original 1930s glory. These people are serious. How can I tell?
1. They have obtained grants, done continuous fundraising, and have periodically had live performances and the becoming-​quite-​popular Halloween Ball.
2. They’ve also restored and leased the theater’s front retail spaces to a bakery and a funky gift store, using the profit from these small businesses to fund repairs and restoration.
3. Lastly, they will lease you the theater for ghost hunting, filming, and other related activities. Fun Fact: The «movie theater» scene in the movie Silver Linings Playbook is in front of the Lansdowne. This is not a nonprofit looking for handouts, they’re industrious, they have a plan and they’re committed to making it happen.
What I love is that this group has been so tireless and really taken care to restore this place. You see, being a ‘second run’ movie house, the theater had become quite run-​down by the time we spent our summers there, and much of the original beauty had been covered by things like drop-​ceilings and stucco. Having had an opportunity to go inside — the Rev and I literally saw some guys unlocking a side door and asked if we could peek in — I was amazed at the beauty that had been covered over. Even in its somewhat ragged state (it is still a work in progress), she is so much more beautiful a place than she ever was when we were watching endless repeats of «Bedknobs and Broomsticks». The lobby, with it’s ‘Chinese ceiling”, the deco paint, the moldings, the amazing restored chandelier. This place is special.
The group’s plan is to complete renovations and to become a full time performing arts venue (think «Keswick»). I honestly believe that would be quite a success.
This is a cool place for anyone who loves deco, loves movies and loves restorations. Highly recommend you get there whenever they have an event, even better support them and the businesses who lease from them. You’re helping not only that small business but also this nonprofit. That is cool, multiplied.

I saw Straight No Chaser here in March. It was my first glimpse of the inside of the theater — it’s beautiful! Obviously, the theater hasn’t been open to the public in many, many years. I believe that SNC’s concert was a benefit to aid in the restoration of the theater — what great guys! With some tender love and care, this theater could become something remarkable for the Lansdowne area. I hope that the fundraising efforts pay off!