Documentary celebrates history of Palestra

By Mike McDonald
Collegian Editor
February 28, 2007

The Palestra is a place that all Philadelphia basketball fans know and love. It is more than just an old gym; it is a part of basketball history that was crucial to the game’s development both locally and nationally. A new documentary attempts to capture the essence of the wonderful building and chronicle its importance to the city of Philadelphia.

The Palestra: Cathedral of Basketball is presented by Philly Philms, and the film was written, produced and directed by former Penn women’s basketball player Mikaelyn Austin.

The documentary premiered Monday night at The Bridge movie theater in University City, and the atmosphere in the theater just felt like basketball. There were several former Big Five stars and a number of local coaches in attendance, including La Salle’s own men’s coach, Dr. John Giannini. Phillies and Eagles PA announcer Dan Baker hosted the premiere.

The film looks back at the history of the Palestra, from the construction to the beginning of the Big Five to the current day. There are lots of interviews with Big Five standouts and coaches, and they all speak about the Palestra with a unique sense of nostalgia and fondness.

The history of the Palestra is very much a part of the history of La Salle. The film abounds with clips from old games between the Explorers and their Big Five rivals. These clips are really the most fascinating part of the documentary; a full-length feature film of Ken Durrett and Howard Porter battling it out would be awesome to watch as it is.

Anyone who has walked inside the Palestra can sense the history that abounds in the air. But hearing the legends who played, coached and broadcasted there talk about why it was special to them gives a better impression of what it was like to be there in the hayday of the Big Five.

The commentary and testimony from the different Big Five figures add another level to the film. La Salle greats Bill Raftery and Doug Overton are among the people who tell stories of their days playing on the floor of the Palestra. And John Chaney tells a great story about how he and his friends used to sneak onto the trolley to get to Big Five games.

It is always fun to go to the Palestra for a game, but this film really makes a young fan wish that he or she could have been around to see it in the ’60s and ’70s. In the earlier days of the Big Five, the Palestra was the place to be. Going there was an event, and every big game involving a Philadelphia team was played there. There were no big games played in places like the Pavilion, the Liacouras Center or the Tom Gola Arena. College basketball in Philadelphia was played, as Phil Martelli says, where it should be—at the Palestra.

If the historic footage and the interviews weren’t enough, the narration provided by Harry Kalas just adds more to the experience. Also, the film features an introduction by 610 WIP’s Rhea Hughes.

The DVD of the film will be released soon, and it is enjoyable for any Big Five fan. The documentary provides exactly what it promises: a celebration of the Palestra, the most storied arena in basketball history.

It most definitely is, as the film states, a cathedral of basketball.

mcdonaldm2@lasalle.edu