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.

The Earle Theater in 1928
Earle Theatre main lobby in 1928
Proscenium and side arches of the Earle theater in 1928