Original operator in 1915 was Alex Papandrikos, who was followed by Tommy James as operator. In 1936 the theatre was taken over by Papand & Schulter who also operated the Roxy, Columbia, Powhatan and Avalon Theatres. Fred Wehrenberg purchased the property in 1946 and leased it to Sam Komm who operated theatre until closing in April 1948. Theatre closed with a (reissue) double-bill of “Of Mice and Men” and “One Million B.C.”
Building permit issued in December 1909 which means theatre opened in 1910. Theatre was listed in the City Directory from 1910 to 1918. Architect listed in building permit was O. J. Boehmer.
The Odeon on Grand was primarily a concert/recital hall which occasionally presented a film. When the Municipal Auditorium (the future Kiel) opened in 1934 and the Symphony moved its concerts there, a policy of movies and stage shows for Black audiences was attempted, but was unsuccessful. A fire in late 1935 led to the building’s condemnation and demolishment.
Originally known as the Palace Theatre, the first mention of the house I found was in February 1911 when theatre became part of the O.T. Crawford circuit…an affiliation lasting one year.
Theatre renamed Globe in 1932.
Renamed Carver in 1944. Theatre operated until late 1955. Structure demolished in early 1956.
Kyle is correct in his statement that GCC was never involved with this operation. It has been AMC since opening.
While on subject of corrections, it has been pointed out that there are no stadium-style venues; and, the 10-plex was not a re-do of the 5, which was in a different part of the mall.
According to the Kalamazoo Gazette, the theatre opened in 1907 as an early venture of W. S. Butterfield. Then known as the Majestic, the structure cost $45,000 and was built to seat 1240.
In 1923 fire swept the theatre, then known as Majestic Gardens. In 1924 the theatre reopened as the Capitol.
According to the Kalamazoo Gazette, the Fuller opened as a stage house in 1909. Butterfield took over the house in 1929, and continued to operate until the theatre’s closure in 1953.
My research has shown that the venue first appeared in the Arthur Enterprises blanket ad in April 1967. It was at this time the theatre became known as the Osage Art.
Prior to this time, theatre had been owned and operated by Henry, then Charlene Wendt.
My research also has shown that this theatre had union problems…even before opening. It was in 1944 that this, and two other theatres (the Kirkwood and the Ozark), effectively closed every other theatre in the
area. (In brief, the film handlers struck in sympathy with the projectionists.)
During the period of April 1967 to June 1968 theatre was known as the Osage Art.
Operators over years also include…Mid-America, RKO Mid-America, AMC.
The last operator was Harman Moseley who reopened the house in September 1991 as a twin (each auditorium seating around 200). Closure as a film operation took place in October 1999
And, apparently, in many other markets. A comment for the JL in Canton, CT says he was sued in 1973 by franchise holders…who won the case.
An article in the Post-Dispatch in February 1974 said 10 franchises had been sold in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois…and that the Jerry Lewis moniker was no longer being used. The article further stated 2 were closed—Bridgeton and Lake of the Ozarks; 5 were operating under different names; and 3 were never built…in Highland, Ill., Mt. Vernon, Ill. and South St. Louis County.
And, one wonders if the eventual Mid-America and Wehrenberg connection in St. Louis was possibly just as bookers.
And, a correction to my comment of 10:26 this morning: the last name of the Central City manager was Gowan, not Cowan.
Not helping the confusion was an item in the Box Office magazine issue of 5/14/73 which read:
“Edward B. Arthur, of Arthur Enterprises, has announced that effective 5/4, the Central City Cinema and the Bridgeton Cinema 1 & 2, became part of the Arthur Management Circuit. \"Central City will remain under the locl management of Les Cowan and the Bridgeton 1 & 2 under David and J. R. Robb.”
Kyle’s recollection is correct. Wehrenberg operated the venue from December 1975 to October 1976. This after Arthur operated from May 1973 to December 1975.
Original operator in 1915 was Alex Papandrikos, who was followed by Tommy James as operator. In 1936 the theatre was taken over by Papand & Schulter who also operated the Roxy, Columbia, Powhatan and Avalon Theatres. Fred Wehrenberg purchased the property in 1946 and leased it to Sam Komm who operated theatre until closing in April 1948. Theatre closed with a (reissue) double-bill of “Of Mice and Men” and “One Million B.C.”
Building permit issued in December 1909 which means theatre opened in 1910. Theatre was listed in the City Directory from 1910 to 1918. Architect listed in building permit was O. J. Boehmer.
The Odeon on Grand was primarily a concert/recital hall which occasionally presented a film. When the Municipal Auditorium (the future Kiel) opened in 1934 and the Symphony moved its concerts there, a policy of movies and stage shows for Black audiences was attempted, but was unsuccessful. A fire in late 1935 led to the building’s condemnation and demolishment.
Originally known as the Palace Theatre, the first mention of the house I found was in February 1911 when theatre became part of the O.T. Crawford circuit…an affiliation lasting one year.
Theatre renamed Globe in 1932.
Renamed Carver in 1944. Theatre operated until late 1955. Structure demolished in early 1956.
Theatre did not have an AKA of Movies. There was a venue with the Movies name, on Market street just east of Jefferson.
Before the theatre was known as the Annex, it was called Grant. This change was noted in the newspaper ads in 1937.
The theatre closed in December 1950 with the twin-bill of “Take My Life” and “Blondie’s Big Deal.”
Stage Dimensions: 48" wide x 30' deep.
Original stage dimensions: Proscenium—38 feet; depth—32 feet.
A couple of stage dimensions: Proscenium—45 feet; Depth—20 feet.
Dimensions: Proscenium—48 feet; Stage depth—42 feet.
In its later years it was a two-screen operation.
AMC’s last night of operation was July 28, 2011.
The Crestwood remained open for just short of a year after the Crestwood Plaza 5 opened. CP5 opened 3/21/86; Crestwood closed 3/12/87.
Kyle is correct in his statement that GCC was never involved with this operation. It has been AMC since opening.
While on subject of corrections, it has been pointed out that there are no stadium-style venues; and, the 10-plex was not a re-do of the 5, which was in a different part of the mall.
According to the Kalamazoo Gazette, the theatre opened in 1907 as an early venture of W. S. Butterfield. Then known as the Majestic, the structure cost $45,000 and was built to seat 1240.
In 1923 fire swept the theatre, then known as Majestic Gardens. In 1924 the theatre reopened as the Capitol.
Theatre closed in the fall of 1976.
According to the Kalamazoo Gazette, the Fuller opened as a stage house in 1909. Butterfield took over the house in 1929, and continued to operate until the theatre’s closure in 1953.
The original configuration as a two-screener had larger “auditorium” seating 640; the smaller 380.
My research has shown that the venue first appeared in the Arthur Enterprises blanket ad in April 1967. It was at this time the theatre became known as the Osage Art.
Prior to this time, theatre had been owned and operated by Henry, then Charlene Wendt.
My research also has shown that this theatre had union problems…even before opening. It was in 1944 that this, and two other theatres (the Kirkwood and the Ozark), effectively closed every other theatre in the area. (In brief, the film handlers struck in sympathy with the projectionists.)
During the period of April 1967 to June 1968 theatre was known as the Osage Art.
Operators over years also include…Mid-America, RKO Mid-America, AMC.
The last operator was Harman Moseley who reopened the house in September 1991 as a twin (each auditorium seating around 200). Closure as a film operation took place in October 1999
Did I hear someone calling?
Opening, as a single screen, took place in June 1969.
Two screen operation began in October 1972.
And, apparently, in many other markets. A comment for the JL in Canton, CT says he was sued in 1973 by franchise holders…who won the case.
An article in the Post-Dispatch in February 1974 said 10 franchises had been sold in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois…and that the Jerry Lewis moniker was no longer being used. The article further stated 2 were closed—Bridgeton and Lake of the Ozarks; 5 were operating under different names; and 3 were never built…in Highland, Ill., Mt. Vernon, Ill. and South St. Louis County.
And, one wonders if the eventual Mid-America and Wehrenberg connection in St. Louis was possibly just as bookers.
And, a correction to my comment of 10:26 this morning: the last name of the Central City manager was Gowan, not Cowan.
Not helping the confusion was an item in the Box Office magazine issue of 5/14/73 which read:
“Edward B. Arthur, of Arthur Enterprises, has announced that effective 5/4, the Central City Cinema and the Bridgeton Cinema 1 & 2, became part of the Arthur Management Circuit.
\"Central City will remain under the locl management of Les Cowan and the Bridgeton 1 & 2 under David and J. R. Robb.”
Kyle’s recollection is correct. Wehrenberg operated the venue from December 1975 to October 1976. This after Arthur operated from May 1973 to December 1975.
Opening date was January 6, 1966.
Architects the firm of Crane, Kiehler & Kellogg.
Operated by Butterfield Theatres.
First time in St. Louis, I mean.