Earle Theatre

The theatre, the most expensive venue in Philadelphia at the time of its opening on March 24, 1924,[1] was originally called the Elrae (Earle spelled backwards), after Stanley Corporation stockholder George H.

[3] 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, Benny Goodman and Billy Eckstine.

[6] The theatre returned to Vaudeville for periods, including April 1931[7] and September 1940, with a four-week production of Boom Town.

[8] 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.

[3] George Matthews Harding painted the extravagant murals and friezes, and marble was imported from Italy.