There were two theatres named Longwood in the 9400 block of South Broadway.
The first, with 400 seats, closed in July 1938. This located at 9409 S. Broadway.
The second, with just short of 700 seats, opened a few days later on July 22, 1938. The location was 9415 S. Broadway. The architects of record were A.F. and Arthur Standler. For nearly a year in 1938/39, theatre was part of the short-lived chain of neighborhood theatres of Harry Greenman.
Since the house has reverted back to its original name, the ORPHEUM, perhaps the information should now be under that name, not as the AMERICAN. House was never known as the RIALTO—that should be eliminated as an “aka”.
There is good news to report. In today’s Post-Dispatch it is reported the Orpheum will reopen April 10th.
As reported: “After more than a year of renovation — new seats, new lighting, new restrooms, even a new party room beneath the stage — the Roberts ORPHEUM Theatre will reopen to the public April 10.
"New roll-away seats will reduce the seating capacity somewhat to 1470, opening up more legroom. The multicolored friezes in the lobby, once lost in the shadows, are being scubbed and relit. The name ORPHEUM, first attached to the building when it was finished in 1917, will be restored. It had been known as the American Theatre for decades.
"And speaking of retro, the first act to hit the stage will be that boy band of yesteryear, the Backstreet Boys. The full lineup will be announced Monday, but among acts rumored headed this way are Mary Chapin Carpenter and Hydra, the band headed by Mickey Hart, formerly of the Grateful Dead.”
From the business section in the 1/6/2005 St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
“The Asian market and restaurant corridor on Olive Boulevard in University City now stretches from Interstate 170 to North and South Road with the opening this week of Wei Hong Theater and Cultural Center in the old Beverly Theater. It includes a restaurant, bakery and banquet halls.”
My records show the Southway opened on Nov. 5, 1938. By the end of the year the theatre was leased by Fred Wehrenberg, as well as the Lemay Theatre which the Lau family was interested in.
Indeed, the 4260 address was incorrect for Sarah & West Pine. That 1764 capacity was from the paper—perhaps they got the year of St. Louis' founding confused with seating capacities!
Here are some more airdomes: Kings, Grand-Florissant, Lindell,
Manchester, Shenandoah, Russell, Crystal, Webster, Viginia, Aubert, Cinderella, Hi-Pointe, Kingsland, Powhatan, Ozark, Melba, Retina, White Way, Ashland, American, Peerless, Mogler…and many, many more.
Theatre opened in 1922. Original architect was August Foell.
The theatre was remodeled in 1937, architect of the re-do was William Schlesinger—this the theatre we know today.
This was the only neighborhood house operated by Warner Bros. when they were in the St. Louis market in the early 30s.
The Varsity opened on Dec. 5, 1935 and was originally operated by the Ansell Brothers, who also operated the Ritz and Empress Theatres.
The architect was Bruce F. Barnes.
The facility was a conversion of a l-story automobile repair garage.
Theatre opened in early 1910.
Sam Komm didn’t enter the picture until 1938.
Wm. Sehybal, Jr. is listed on the building permit as the architect.
First City Directory listing for the Lowell was in 1910.
Years of operation were 1937 to 1951.
Wehrenberg leased the theatre in 1939.
Architect was Harris Armstrong.
Opened December 25, 1936.
Theatre operated from 1910 to 1949.
Original name was KNICKERBOCKER; became the PARK IN 1930; and, finally, the COMPTON in 1934.
Built by the Freund Brothers.
Architect was William Wedemeyer.
There were two theatres named Longwood in the 9400 block of South Broadway.
The first, with 400 seats, closed in July 1938. This located at 9409 S. Broadway.
The second, with just short of 700 seats, opened a few days later on July 22, 1938. The location was 9415 S. Broadway. The architects of record were A.F. and Arthur Standler. For nearly a year in 1938/39, theatre was part of the short-lived chain of neighborhood theatres of Harry Greenman.
Original name was the MIDLAND.
Since the house has reverted back to its original name, the ORPHEUM, perhaps the information should now be under that name, not as the AMERICAN. House was never known as the RIALTO—that should be eliminated as an “aka”.
There is good news to report. In today’s Post-Dispatch it is reported the Orpheum will reopen April 10th.
As reported: “After more than a year of renovation — new seats, new lighting, new restrooms, even a new party room beneath the stage — the Roberts ORPHEUM Theatre will reopen to the public April 10.
"New roll-away seats will reduce the seating capacity somewhat to 1470, opening up more legroom. The multicolored friezes in the lobby, once lost in the shadows, are being scubbed and relit. The name ORPHEUM, first attached to the building when it was finished in 1917, will be restored. It had been known as the American Theatre for decades.
"And speaking of retro, the first act to hit the stage will be that boy band of yesteryear, the Backstreet Boys. The full lineup will be announced Monday, but among acts rumored headed this way are Mary Chapin Carpenter and Hydra, the band headed by Mickey Hart, formerly of the Grateful Dead.”
From the business section in the 1/6/2005 St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
“The Asian market and restaurant corridor on Olive Boulevard in University City now stretches from Interstate 170 to North and South Road with the opening this week of Wei Hong Theater and Cultural Center in the old Beverly Theater. It includes a restaurant, bakery and banquet halls.”
My records show the Southway opened on Nov. 5, 1938. By the end of the year the theatre was leased by Fred Wehrenberg, as well as the Lemay Theatre which the Lau family was interested in.
Years of operation were 1914 to 1946.
Years of operation were 1915 to 1948.
Even though it opened as the Lincoln, the original plan was to name it the ARCADE.
Indeed, the 4260 address was incorrect for Sarah & West Pine. That 1764 capacity was from the paper—perhaps they got the year of St. Louis' founding confused with seating capacities!
Here are some more airdomes: Kings, Grand-Florissant, Lindell,
Manchester, Shenandoah, Russell, Crystal, Webster, Viginia, Aubert, Cinderella, Hi-Pointe, Kingsland, Powhatan, Ozark, Melba, Retina, White Way, Ashland, American, Peerless, Mogler…and many, many more.
Arcade Airdome operated from 1924 until 1950…one of the last (but not the last) airdome to operate in St. Louis.
Located at the southeast corner of West Pine and Sarah…at 4260 W. Pine. St. Louis Star in 1927 said it had room for 1764 patrons.
Closing date was December 5th, 2004.
The Dakota (originally the RED WING)was not built by Fred Wehenberg. The same goes for the Virginia.
Architectural design by Kennerly & Stiegemeyer.
Theatre opened September 6, 1915.
Theatre, which is the QUEENS (plural), not QUEEN, opened in December, 1919 (Not 1929).
Facility opened on Sept. 26, 1947.
Built by Flexer Drive-In Theatres, and operated by that firm the first season (which ended Nov. 10).
Fred Wehenberg bought the facility early in 1948, and then operated until closing.
The designer of the venue was William Mills.
Facility opened June 2, 1951. Architect was Lewis Wilson.
The only AMC house I’ve been in that does not have cup holders!
I misstated the address…it was 5951 Easton. Sorry.