Introduction
The Stanley Theater — 1926
The Stanley Theater at Broadway and Market Street, built and operated by the Stanley Corporation of America, and costing in excess of $1,000,000, was first opened to the public February 19, 1926. For years the most prestigious theater in Camden, the Stanley was razed in 1965 to make way for a Holiday Inn that was never built.
Besides movies, the Stanley was renowned for live entertainment. Philadelphia in those days had a ban on Sunday entertainment, and the Stanley would get top acts. Click here for a page about a typical Stanley live show.
The Stanley was torn down in the mid-1960s to make room for a Holiday Inn that was never built. The lot has stood vacant for many years.
1926 Advertisement
Stanley Company of America — Jules E. Mastbaum, President
Congratulates two great municipalities upon the completion and inauguration of the world’s longest Suspension Bridge. Stanley Theatres everywhere create a bond of friendship, and that feeling has grown through the establishment of a new bond in the Bridge connecting Camden and Philadelphia.
Motion Pictures — Music — Vaudeville
Presented In the Finest and Most Modern Playhouses In the Country — Visit the Stanley Theatre at Broadway and Sixth Street — Other Stanley Houses Are Conveniently Located — Programs of the Highest Quality
Postcard
Postcard derived from the above 1926 photograph
Stanley Theatre Beautiful
Camden Courier-Post —
Stanley — Theatre Beautiful — B’way & Market — Noon to 11 P.M. Showing Continuous
The Story of Women Born for Love, and Their Gay Defenders — A Play of Life and Gayety — Richard Dix in “The Gay Defender” with Thelma Todd
On Stage — El Cleve — Mummer’s Parade
Clara Bow in ‘Get Your Man’
Camden Courier-Post —
Stanley — Theatre Beautiful — Next Week — Clara Bow with Charles Rogers in “Get Your Man” — A Slogan for Miss 1928
Scalla — Banjoist Supreme — Our Gang Playing Hookey — Orchestra Plays
Stanley Concert Orchestra — No Man Is Safe! If every girl were to use Clara’s tactics — whoopee! “Get Your Man” will get you, man!
Direction Stanley Company of America
Camden Courier-Post —
By this time the Stanley Corporation was running four of Camden’s theaters.
Stanley — B’way & Market — Adolphe Menjou — Serenade — On Stage: Helena Marsh, Metropolitan Opera Co. — Smith’s Modiste Shop
Towers — Broadway & Pine — 5 Big Keith Acts — Bobby O’Neil & Co. — Grape-Juice — Extra Attraction—First South Jersey Screening. Feature Photoplay. Silk Legs — Extra! Extra! Tonight Is Guest Night
Grand — Olive Borden in “Come to My House”
Chaliapin to Sing for Stanley Members
Camden Courier-Post —
Chaliapin to Sing for Stanley Members
Feodor Chaliapin, famous Russian basso, will sing this Sunday evening at the Stanley Music Club’s concert in the Stanley Theatre. As is his custom he will announce his offerings from the stage and will not sing any set program. His extensive repertory permits his selection of thoroughly enjoyable programs and it is assured that he will be heard at his best.
He will have as assisting artist, Max Rabinowitch, pianist. He will alternate with Chaliapin, playing the Liszt Sonetto 104 del Petrarca, Chopin’s Valse No. 2, the Schubert-Codowsky “Hedge Rose,” Godowsky’s Little Valse, and Moskowsky’s Etude in G flat.
Theatre Program — Week of November 5, 1928
The Stanley Theatre — Camden N.J. — Direction Stanley Company of America
Program — Week of November 5, 1928 — Monday–Wednesday: Emil Jannings in “The Patriot” — Thursday–Saturday: “The Perfect Crime”
Camden Safe Deposit and Trust Co. — Main Office: 224 Federal Street — Central Office: N.E. Cor. 4th & Federal Sts.
Joe E. Brown in ‘Fireman Save My Child’
Camden Courier-Post —
Stanley — Joe E. Brown in “Fireman Save My Child”
Evelyn Knapp — Lilian Bond
Warner Baxter in ‘Man About Town’
Camden Courier-Post —
Stanley — Warner Baxter — Man About Town — George Burns — Gracie Allen
The Babbling Brook — Sky Devils — Spencer Tracy — Ann Dvorak
Spencer Tracy in ‘Sky Devils’
Camden Courier-Post —
Stanley — Sky Devils — Spencer Tracy — Ann Dvorak
S.S. Van Dine — Murder in the Pullman
Walter Stanton
Camden Courier-Post —
Peggy Shannon in ‘Society Girl’
Camden Courier-Post —
Stanley — Peggy Shannon — Society Girl — Spencer Tracy — James Dunn
Andy Clyde — Boudoir Butler
Joe E. Brown in ‘Tenderfoot’
Camden Courier-Post —
Stanley — Joe E. Brown in “Tenderfoot”
Ruth Etting — A Mail Bride — Mills Brothers — I Ain’t Got Nobody
Movie Fans in Philadelphia Travel Free to Camden
Camden Courier-Post —
Hundreds of Philadelphians were attracted to Sunday movies here yesterday when Public Service double deck buses carried riders free between the two cities. Theatre interests chartered the buses.
The first bus left Philadelphia at 1:15 p.m. with 52 passengers for the Stanley Theatre. The driver reported he left 150 standing on the streets for the next bus. They were operated on 30-minute schedule and made 20 trips, according to Joseph E. Murdock, theatre manager.
“It was only an experiment and exceeded our expectations,” he said.
Stores Will Join in Bargain Period
Camden Courier-Post —
Merchants’ Association Announces Plans for Three-Day Event
A committee of the Merchants’ Cooperative Association, headed by Harry A. Moran, secretary and manager of the Hurley Store, has announced a three-day co-operative promotion which will be known as Camden’s Co-operation Days.
All merchants of this city have been invited to participate in the event which will be outlined in newspaper and radio announcements. City and store decorations and entertainment features which may include the personal appearances of stage, radio, sports and screen stars are being arranged.
The whole event has been arranged because of recent disclosures, resulting from investigation made by the local publishers proving that local industrial employment and business conditions have shown a decided upward trend in the city within the past several months.
The committee includes Charles Gates, Camden manager of Sears, Roebuck & Company; J. B. Van Sciver, Jr. of J. B. Van Sciver; C. A. McGrew, manager of J. C. Penney; Lester Abrahamson of Lester’s; S. Savage of Western Auto Supply; William Rothman of Barrett’s Tire Shop; Leonard R. Baker of Baker-Flick; Samuel Auerbach of Auerbach’s; N. Futernick of Futernick’s; Max Peck of the Fashion Shop; Simon Abrahamson of Simon’s; Michael LaSala of DiJulio-LaSala; Joseph Murdock, manager of the Stanley Theatre; W. L. Tushingham, business manager, and F. J. Kinsella, advertising director of the Courier-Post Newspapers.
Protests Boost In Sunday Theatre Prices
Camden Courier-Post —
To the Editor: Sir,
It didn’t take long for the Stanley Theatre to break faith with the people. The second Sunday on which they were permitted to open they added five acts of cheap vaudeville and raised the price of admission from 40 cents to 60 cents. It would be interesting to know if they raised the salary of their employees proportionately.
The Courier-Post Newspapers cajoled the people of this community into voting for an open Sunday. Now see if they’ll editorialize on keeping the admission the same as on weekdays. If I remember aright, one of the highlights in your vigorous campaign for Sunday movies was a touching appeal on behalf of the people who worked six days and were without amusement on the seventh.
— James P. Lynch
Merchant Leaders Promoting Camden’s ‘Co-operation Days’ Sale
Camden Courier-Post —
The above business leaders welcomed State Senator Emerson L. Richards to Camden yesterday when he sounded the keynote for the opening of the biggest merchandise sale in Camden in 20 years.
Left to right, back row: Cutler A. McGrew, manager of the J. C. Penney Company; Frank J. Kinsella, advertising director, Courier-Post Newspapers; Edward Callow, district manager Stanley-Warner Theatres; Joseph Murdock, manager Stanley Theatre.
Middle row: W. L. Tushingham, business manager, Courier-Post Newspapers; Samuel Auerbach; Russell Gibbons, Baker-Flick Company; William Rothman, Barrett’s Tire Shops; Joseph Kobus.
Front row: M. Futernick; Harry A. Moran, chairman Merchants Committee; S. Lester; J. Price Myers; and S. Abrahamson. At right, Senator Richards is shown addressing merchants at the court house plaza.
Checked and Double Checked
Camden Courier-Post —
By Jiminy
Deputy U. S. Marshal George Winner told Don Basenfelder who in turn relayed to us the fact that there is an amusing sign in front of the Camden Stanley Theatre advertising the current photoplay … In large letters one reads “Hell Below” … In smaller type on the wooden frame is the theatre’s legend: “Always Comfortable and Cool” …
About Toby Wing
Toby Wing
W.C. Fields in ‘Poppy’
Camden Courier-Post —
Stanley — Scientifically Air Conditioned — Broadway and Market — Now on Screen: The Greatest Laff Show On Earth! — W. C. Fields in “Poppy” with Rochelle Hudson
On Stage Sunday In Person — Famous Hal Roach Comedy Star — Charlie Chase — Heading Gala Stage Show
Barbara Stanwyck in ‘The Bride Walks Out’
Camden Courier-Post —
Stanley — Starts Tomorrow — R.K.O. Picture — “The Bride Walks Out” — Barbara Stanwyck — Gene Raymond — Robert Young — Helen Broderick — Ned Sparks
On Stage Sunday In Person! — The World Famous Duncan Sisters — Direct From Hollywood — Radio’s Famous Character Lazy Dan — The 12 Aristocrats–12 — Hollywood’s Dancing Sweethearts — In a Gala Stage Revue
Last Day! — Clark Gable & Jeanette MacDonald in “San Francisco”
Robert Taylor in ‘A Yank at Oxford’
Camden Courier-Post —
Stanley — Broadway and Market — Tomorrow — Robert Taylor in “A Yank at Oxford” with Lionel Barrymore, Maureen O’Sullivan, Vivien Leigh, Edmund Gwenn, Griffith Jones
On the Stage Sunday — In Person — Benny Goodman and His Swing Orchestra — Year’s Greatest Stage Show
Last Day: Joan Crawford — Spencer Tracy — “Mannequin”
‘Proudest’ Boy Mourns Terrier Killed by Hit-Run Auto Driver
Camden Courier-Post —
‘Toby,’ Chosen in Theatre Contest as Image of ‘Mr. Smith,’ Aristocrat of Moppet Division, Comforts Gap in Life of Bobby Atherholt
Stanley Theater — 1930s
The Stanley Theater — 1930s
Stanley Sponsors Contest for Girls
Camden Courier-Post —
Stanley Sponsors Contest for Girls — Invites Them to Imagine Selves in Situation With Cary Grant
What would another girl do if she were stranded in a lonely South American port with Cary Grant? That is the situation in which Jean Arthur finds herself in Columbia’s spectacular “Only Angels Have Wings,” which opens with a carnival of fun and midnight Hollywood opening at the Stanley Theatre on Thursday, July 6.
In the picture Jean Arthur’s situation is complicated by the arrival of alluring Rita Hayworth, Grant’s ex-girl friend, and there is a battle-royal of the sexes for the affections of Cary.
Here is a chance to have all the fun, thrills and romance of imagining yourself spending lonely evenings with Cary Grant, in addition to winning prizes for the best imagination.
The Stanley Theatre management is sponsoring a contest for the best letter of not more than 100 words from any girl in Camden or South Jersey, telling what she would do if she were placed in the same situation as Jean Arthur in “Only Angels Have Wings.” The first prize will be a complete beach ensemble, consisting of bathing suit, cap, beach robe, and beach sandals. The next 20 best letter writers each will receive two complimentary tickets to “Only Angels Have Wings.”
Letters may be serious or comic. Perhaps you would immediately fall deeply in love with Cary Grant. Or would you spurn his advances? Or would you telegraph to your mother? These are just a few suggestions, but let your own imagination run riot. Letters should be mailed to Contest Manager, Stanley Theatre, Camden, and they must be postmarked not later than midnight July 5.
October 1939 — Street Advertising
The photo was taken by Arthur Rothstein for the Farm Security Administration. My best guess is that this was taken around South 2nd Street, below Mickle Street.
Clark Gable in ‘They Met in Bombay’
Camden Courier-Post —
Stanley — Scientifically Air-Conditioned — Broadway and Market — Tomorrow
Clark Gable — Rosalind Russell in Clarence Brown’s Production — “They Met in Bombay” — Peter Lorre — Jessie Ralph — Reginald Owen — Matthew Boulton
Last Times Today: “A Woman’s Face”
Fred MacMurray in ‘One Night in Lisbon’
Camden Courier-Post —
Stanley — Broadway and Market — Starts Tomorrow — Scientifically Air-Conditioned
Texas Cowboy (Fred MacMurray) Loveblitzes World’s Most Beautiful Blonde (Madeleine Carroll)! — Fred MacMurray — Madeleine Carroll — “One Night in Lisbon”
Last Times Today: “They Met in Bombay”
‘The Man Who Came to Dinner’
Camden Courier-Post —
Stanley — B’dwy and Market — Now — Davis — Sheridan — Wooley in “The Man Who Came to Dinner”
Starts Friday: Mickey Rooney — Judy Garland — “Babes on Broadway”
The Storm of January 1943
Camden Courier-Post —
Even more effectively than the OPA ban on nonessential driving, Dame Nature cleared the streets of traffic today, as the upper photograph shows. Taken from the court house, it reveals the important intersection of Broadway and Federal Street shortly before noon, totally devoid of traffic and virtually of pedestrians, too, as the freezing rainfall continued. Below are shown Camden city employees cindering Market Street to prevent skidding.
Memories
I graduated in 1940 from Merchantville High and when my husband and I were dating went to Camden almost every night. Skated first at 4th & Federal and then at 7th and Cooper, then for movies Friday at the Grand, Saturday night at the Savar and Sunday at the Stanley for the stage show. Saw many of the big bands there—it was a wonderful time to be young.
— June Styron Formont, January 2004
The Stanley Theater, the Camden Trust, and the Savar Theater — 1952
The Stanley Theater, the Camden Trust, and the Savar Theater — 1952
The Stanley Theater — 1955
Note that air conditioning had been installed after the 1952 picture had been taken.
The Stanley Theater — May 1964
Camden Courier-Post —
The Stanley would be closed and gone the following year. In the days before cable television, major sporting events would be broadcast by closed circuit television to theaters. I saw Muhammad Ali fight on closed circuit at the old Cherry Hill Arena back in the 1960s.
— Phil Cohen, September 13, 2005
The Stanley Theater — 1964
The Stanley Theater — 1964
“Get Yourself A College Girl”