Don't Let Sameric Fade To Black
The Chestnut St. movie palace is a treasure Philadelphia can't afford to lose.
By Michael L. Norris
Philadelphia Inquirer, March 21, 2003
Philadelphia could lose a priceless piece of its architectural and cultural legacy, the former Sameric theater on Chestnut Street, if its owners demolish the grand old movie palace. But it doesn't have to be that way.
If a city such as Los Angeles can attract savvy real estate developers willing to preserve and restore their rich trove of movie theaters, there's no reason a similar effort can't succeed on a smaller scale here. Our downtown has a dynamic arts scene, rich and diverse architecture, a large population, and a vast array of tourist destinations. The Sameric, built as the Boyd theater in 1928, would only enhance what we have.
The Friends of the Boyd was established last year to enrich Center City's vital architectural and cultural mix by preserving, restoring and re-using the Sameric, which closed in May. Its owners, the Goldenberg Group, has said it was considering a multipurpose use for the theater, but in December it renewed its demolition permit for six months. We envision creating a multidisciplinary arts venue offering film, dance, music and theater.
Sure, we have the Kimmel Center, a great locale showcasing its resident companies and presenting top-notch, cultural acts. But many arts groups can't afford the Kimmel or its sister venue, the Academy of Music, or are shut out of bookings because of a lack of available performance weeks. I know; I asked them.
Nearly two dozen arts groups and film presenters have told the Friends of the Boyd they'd be interested in using space at a restored Boyd. They would represent just the kind of eclectic artistic programming that has fueled the successful preservation and re-use of movie palaces in cities such as Chicago, Seattle, Cleveland and Detroit.
It gets better. The Boyd is in significantly better shape than many of the other historic theaters around the country that have been restored and reopened. That means Philadelphians could reap all of the cultural and economic benefits of preserving the Boyd much sooner and for much less money.
Public support for saving the theater is strong - more than 5,000 people have signed petitions at weekly vigils in front of the theater or on the Friends' Web site. Public officials such as state Rep. Babette Josephs (D., Phila.) and City Councilman Darrell Clarke also have endorsed the Boyd's preservation, and Mayor Street devoted one of his weekly radio addresses to the Boyd. "If the Sameric is demolished," he said, "we'll look back and say it was an opportunity that was lost."
Preserving and restoring the Boyd will not only serve cultural groups and patrons of the arts. It will also save a unique architectural masterpiece for future generations. The only first-run Art Deco movie theater ever erected in Philadelphia, the Boyd features an exquisite glass-lined lobby, an enormous auditorium mural, and a stunning chandelier, all of which celebrate the importance of women in the progress of history. Architects and art deco experts have noted the Boyd's significance. Call me crazy, but preserving this has to be more important for nurturing Philadelphia's reputation as a world-class city than building yet another CVS, Dunkin' Donuts or parking garage.
By transforming the Boyd into a dynamic arts center, Philadelphia has a great opportunity to enhance its reputation as a vibrant, culturally rich city for visitors and residents. That's why I decided to get involved in saving the Boyd - even though my last experience at the Sameric in January 2002 involved a screening of The Lord of the Rings that started 15 minutes before its announced time, a missing-in-action manager and projectionist, and a petulant concessions worker.
We can do better. We deserve better. I urge residents of the Philadelphia area to join us.
Michael L. Norris is director of external relations at the Arden Theatre Company in Old City, a staff writer for the Ritz Filmbill, and a board member of the Friends of the Boyd.