Downtown Philadelphia in one of the city’s premier shopping areas stands one of the last surviving motion picture theater palaces of its time. The Boyd Theater, which many might know as the Sameric, opened Christmas day 1928 and played many top movies until it closed in 2002.
            The 2450 seat capacity, art deco masterpiece was built for Alexander R. Boyd and designed by one of the great Philadelphia theater architects, Hoffman-Henon. The Boyd Theater was considered to be the most elegant theaters on Chestnut Street, Philadelphia. Stepping into the Boyd was like stepping into an exquisite palace or an older Victorian home. It was one of the most luxurious theaters ever built. The theater was equipped with an etched glass-mirrored lobby, stunning chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, an orchestra pit, a stage house and balcony area seating. Alexander Boyd sold the theater palace to Warner Bros. shortly after he opened it to the public.
            People from everywhere in and out of the city would travel to the Boyd to watch timeless classic films. Some of the best movies of all times, such as “The Good Earth”, “Gone With The Wind” and “Kitty Foyle”, among many more credited films, had their exclusive first showings at the Boyd Theater. It was a place where both the rich and famous along with the ordinary person came to enjoy a night out. Grace Kelly even made an appearance in person for the opening night for the film “High Noon” which she had a starring role in. Read more history of Boyd Theatre...