West Philadelphia Collaborative History

Fans Theater advertises two second-run westerns, Gun Glory (1957) and The Sheepman (1958). Diary of a Madman, staring Vincent Price, first ran in theaters in 1963.

Duke Ellington and his Orchestra

Duke Ellington (pictured on left) frequently performed at Fay’s Theatre during its golden age.

Fay's Theater Sign

The small theater at 40th and Market Streets was most well-known as Fay's but it began it's life as the Knickerbocker Theatre.

A Local Theater for Second-Run Movies

Fan’s, the last incarnation of Fay’s Theatre, served as a second-run movie theater and occasional beacon for community outreach until 1964.

Jazz at Fay’s

Fay’s Theatre found success as a jazz club after managers expanded their target audience to reflect West Philadelphia’s changing demographics.

Fay’s Theatre: Community Change and Community Space

Fay’s Theatre, a small West Philadelphia entertainment venue, reflected the creation and transformation of community spaces during the Great Migration.

Knickerbocker Theatre Newspaper Advertisement

A 1915 Evening Public Ledger advertisement for Knickerbocker Theatre's production of "Bought and Paid For." The play was typical fare for the Knickerbocker—seemingly scandalous but ultimately reinforcing traditional middle-class values.

Plays for the Local Audience

The Knickerbocker Theatre, predecessor to Fay’s Theatre, debuted in 1914, offering performances catering to the local community.

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Saunders Park