The Bridge: Cinema De Lux

Penn and CineBridge recently unveiled The Bridge: Cinema De Lux--the second such ‘Bridge' in the U.S., the first on the East Coast, and the only one with animated works of several Penn film students among the shorts screened in the Media Immersion Room (MIR) just inside the lobby. The MIR features six Panasonic plasma screens on walls surrounding a central seating area, creating a multi-media art gallery, where theater-goers and restaurant patrons can watch short subjects, movie trailers and behind-the-scenes footage from popular films as well as the student animations and videos. It is also linked to the Live Fun Cameras in the 12 Lounge and other areas within the theatre. There are 21 student projects which have been selected for screening and they will rotate in groups of eight per month.

This 1,150-seat theatre, designed by architect Carlos Zapata is a joint effort between CineBridge and National Amusements (Almanac April 30, 2002) which is leasing the property from Penn.

There are amenities: free four-hour parking at the garage above the Fresh Grocer, across the street (with ticket stub), concierge-type services: taxi, restaurant and hotel reservations.

For more information, show times and ticketing see the website, www.thebridgecinema.com or call (215) 386-3300 (24-hour phone).

Lights, Camera, Action...a dazzling, glistening ice sculpture of a movie camera set the stage last Wednesday evening, for the gala opening of The Bridge: Cinema De Lux--the cornerstone of the area's revitalization.

Penn President Judith Rodin and National Amusement President Shari Redstone cut the ribbon, as WXPN's morning show host Michaela Majoun, the emcee of the evening, described Dr. Rodin as a “Bridge builder.”

12 Lounge, a full-service bar and restaurant with full wait service is open coffee, and bagels in the morning, then lunch, dinner, drinks and desserts--and no movie ticket is needed to visit this area of The Bridge. The menu includes appetizers, pizzas, sandwiches, salads, wraps and meals-to-go are available for take-out, or take-in to the theatres. There is both indoor seating and outdoor terrace seating, complete with free wireless internet access in the lounge and on the terrace as well as in the Media Immersion Room.

The Bridge, at 40th and Walnut, is a new style entertainment concept, that blends entertainment with technology, contemporary design and eclectic food and drink. The Bridge shows first-run feature films along with select high profile independents in the six climate-controlled auditoriums which have Dolby Digital Surround EX sound.

Dayna Lee designed the interior of The Bridge, which has several seating areas where patrons can relax before or after seeing a movie in one of the six theatres which offer 24" ultra-leather rocking recliner stadium-style seats, with reserved seating available.

Photographs by Marguerite Miller

More Photographs of the The Bridge and the reception held on Wednesday, November 6.

Photographs by Lisa Godfrey