THE HISTORIC WANAMAKER BUILDING IN PHILADELPHIA IS TURNING INTO FILM THEATER FOR THE SPOOKY-SEASON

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The historic Wanamaker Building in Philadelphia is getting a spooky-season makeover: for a few nights leading up to Halloween, its grand spaces are being transformed into a vintage film theatre

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Wanamaker Building

What’s happening

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  • The pop-up film series is part of the arts programme Opera Philadelphia is running in the building (a series called “Pipe Up!”). 

  • The screenings will take place in the Greek Hall of the Wanamaker Building, using a restored 1929 Wurlitzer theatre organ for live accompaniment.

  • Silent horror films from the 1920s are being screened — titles include The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), Nosferatu (1922), Faust (1926), The Phantom Carriage (1921), and Häxan (1922).

  • Admission is free (with advance registration). 

Why this matters

  • Historic setting meets immersive experience: The Wanamaker Building isn’t just any venue — it’s a landmark, originally designed in 1911, featuring the famous grand court and the large bronze eagle symbol. Incorporating the 1929 Wurlitzer adds to the authenticity of the silent film experience.

  • Unique cultural offering for Halloween: Instead of typical jump-scares or new films, the programming takes viewers back to film history. As the curator notes: “What was scary a century ago … gets under the skin.” 

  • Re‐activating a space in transition: With department store use waning, the building is being used in new ways — art, performance and pop-ups — which helps keep its public role alive. 

What to expect & how to prepare

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  • Venue & atmosphere: Expect a historic hall (Greek Hall) instead of a commercial cinema. Seating may be less “movie-theatre” and more adapted for the event.

  • Live organ accompaniment: A highlight is the live organ score — the organist watches the film and improvises, making the screening a hybrid of concert + cinema. 

  • Film selection: The films aren’t modern horror — they’re silent era, stylistically gothic or experimental. If you’re into film history, this is a treat; if looking for conventional scares, consider alongside the format.

  • Registration / timing: As noted, the screenings begin at 7 p.m. and admission is free with registration. 

  • When & where: Building address is 1300 Market St., Philadelphia. 

A few things to note

  • Because the setting is historic and the format is unique, arrive a little early to navigate seating and orientation.

  • While free, registration is required—spots may fill up quickly given the novelty.

  • The films might have older pacing and silent-film aesthetics (intertitles, slower action) — go with an open mind, especially if you’re used to modern horror.

  • Being in a non-typical screening space may mean different acoustics and sight-lines than a standard theatre. The organ accompaniment will change the feel.

Final thought

If you’re in Philadelphia this Halloween season and want a distinctive experience rather than a standard haunted house or recent horror film, this event at the Wanamaker Building offers something cinematic, historic and atmospheric. Think gothic shadows in a grand hall, live organ echoing between marble columns, and a chance to relive how horror looked in its early days.

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