By: Samuel A. McKee

         

         The legendary Commodore Theatre, located on the 4300 block of Walnut Street (Walnut Hill section) in Philadelphia, Pa, is one of Philadelphia's most historically significant buildings and movie theaters. Officially opened for business September 22, 1928, the 1,105 seat theatre was one of Philadelphia's largest. It was designed by the Ballinger Company in association with Hoffman & Henon in a Spanish Revival/Moorish style. The Theatre contained only one screen and was also equipped with a 10 rank Wurlitzer Organ.

        The Commodore was run by Stanley-Warner (Warner Brothers)  through the 1940's until its eventual closing in 1955. However, the theatre was given new life in the arts when it was brought back as a live venue in the early 1960's under the name of the 43rd Street Theatre. The theatre only lasted a couple seasons under this name and closed only a few years after its rebirth. The Commodore laid a vacant building until 1973 when it was converted for church use. It was made into the Masjid Al-Jamia Mosque, which with the Moorish style architecture made it a great choice. However, most of the interior architectural designs have been removed including the large sign on top of the building reading Commodore. As of present day the Commodore theatre still serves as an active mosque and its purpose as a neighborhood movie theatre is merely history.

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/25802
http://www.phillyhistory.org/blog/index.php/2011/06/neighborhood-movie-theaters/
http://www.rjdiscousa.com/theaters/theatercommodore1.html