Secret Cinema: From Philadelphia with Love
All-new From Philadelphia with Love
at new Fishtown venue
Friday, April 29, 2022
8:00 pm
Admission: $10.00
2223.fish (The Summerfield Church Building)
2223 E Dauphin Street (Konrad Square), Philadelphia
215-634-4695
On Friday, April 29, the Secret Cinema will present the latest chapter in its ongoing series From Philadelphia with Love: Industrial, Educational and other Lost Local Films (2022 Edition). Once again, it will contain 100% new programming, and will also be our first screening at a brand new (to us) venue…The 2223.fish Theater, the spacious auditorium of Summerfield Church, in the heart of the Fishtown neighborhood.
From Philadelphia with Love… showcases rare 16mm prints from the Secret Cinema archive about different aspects of life in the Philadelphia region. Some were made as sponsored films promoting goods or institutions, and others are educational, documentary or dramatic in nature. Most are virtually impossible to see elsewhere.
The Secret Cinema began showcasing these ephemeral scenes of lost local history back in 1999. We’ve now projected over 65 of these films — but none of those will be repeated in this month’s program. In fact, few have been seen by anyone since they were originally made.
There will be one complete show at 8:00 pm. Admission is $10.00.
COVID policy: Proof of full vaccination and photo ID required for entrance. Masks must be worn inside the building.
Just a few highlights of this 2022 edition of From Philadelphia with Love… are:
Commonwealth vs. Lopinson (1970s) – For several weeks in 1965, local newspapers gave front-page coverage to one of the most sensational trials in Philadelphia history. In the end, Jack Lopinson was found guilty of hiring a hitman to murder his wife and his business partner — both were shot to death in the basement of his recently acquired Center City restaurant/tavern Dante’s. Lopinson himself was shot in the leg, as part of a plan to make it look like a robbery gone wrong. This amazing film was part of a series of educational films made for law students, which recreated the courtroom testimony of notable trials. What is remarkable is that the roles of the two key attorneys were played, just a few years after the events, by the actual participants from the case: prosecutor Richard Sprague, and defense attorney Charles Peruto, two of the most celebrated Philadelphia lawyers ever. Adding to the realism, the jury (and thus we, the film audience) are shown the real-life, gory crime scene photographs from 1964.
Pennsylvania’s Highway Story (1949) – When this colorful Kodachrome short was made, cars and trucks looked very different, but the steady increase in road use was already a problem for planners. The film details current and future improvements on the drawing board for roads throughout the state — including, of course, those in Pennsylvania’s largest city.
The Story of the U.S.O. Labor Plaza (1943) – This slice of lost World War II history was made on behalf of local labor unions, to showcase their role in creating an open-air nightclub providing recreation for soldiers passing through town. It was built quickly in Reyburn Plaza, north of City Hall (today the location of the Municipal Services Building and its adjoining plaza). The film includes coverage of its groundbreaking, and just two weeks later, the gala grand opening. On offer were snacks (five cents each), and dancing to a live swing band with volunteer hostesses.
Plus Ben and Me (1953), The Everyday Gamble (1973), and much more.
2223.fish (The Summerfield Church Building) is located in a beautiful, 100-year old stone building on Konrad Square Park, in the heart of the ever-growing Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia. In addition to providing worship services, they serve as a lively community center, with the auditorium hosting theater, concerts, flea markets and neighborhood meetings. The building is located near Septa’s York-Dauphin el stop, and route 5 bus line.
