The Mecca theater opened on August 26, 1914 with “The Oubliette” featuring Lon Chaney and Pauline Bush. It was equipped with a Seeburg Motion Picture Player. The Mecca closed July 27, 1952 with a double feature of “Silver City” with Yvonne de Carlo and Lana Turner in “Mr.Imperium.” The building was sold becoming the Club Blue Angel nighT club for one year in 1953. It ceased operations and was taken on by the Good Samaritan Church in 1954.it was said to be vacant during a 1955 fire that damaged the building and became a car dealer lot.
The Wesda Theatre was a Post-War neighborhood venue completed in September of 1946 with a delayed opening due to lack of seats due to a manufacturing strike. The 476 seats finally arrived and launched with a pay-what-you-can show on January 30, 1947 by Harry Good and Raymond Unger. All proceeds went to the March of Dimes Polio Fund. Their opening film of “Three Little Girls in Blue” with June Haver. Good and Unger closed the Theatre and Fred Krimm ran it on a sublease. Good and Unger returned to the struggling Wesda venue closing it on January 3, 1954 with “Destination Gobi” supported by a Bowery Boys second feature. The operators converted the space to a shoe store.
The Wayne Theatre launched April 18, 1921 with “Scarmbled Wives” and a note from its stars, Marugerite Clark and Norman and Constance Talmadge. It also had a Fotoplayer Orchestral Organ at the launch.
George Gardner of Cinema Twenty launched what was to be the first of several Jerry Lewis Cinema locations in southern Ohio. It opened at the Imperial Shopping Center with its first film of “Airport” on September 13 1972. “The Poseidon Adventure” was the longest running film during the short run under the Jerry Lewis moniker. With the Jerry Lewis circuit going bankrupt and then defunct, the name was changed to the Huber Heights Cinema beginning May 10, 1974.
Randolph H. Haun took on the venue in February of 1976 running it as a family discount house closing it and the County Square Cinema in October of 1978. Carolee Austin took on the venue on November 3, 1978 as the Flicker Palace with “Hooper.” It ended on October 26, 1995 at end of lease with “Apollo 13.” It relaunched as the Huber Heights Movie Palace with a second run policy and “Independence Day” on October 18, 1996. It closed February 1, 2001 with “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
The Far Hills Theatre launched in 1937. It closed at the end of lease and was taken on by Jewel Theatre Circuit of Brooklyn which became a lightning rod of controversy in the conservative city. In 1958, it showed Brigitte Bardot films which weren’t well received in the neighborhood. In October of 1960, obscenity charges were brought against the theatre. Six films led to raids in 1961. All of the charges were dropped by the Ohio Supreme Court. That was followed by six weeks of “and God Created Women” with bomb scares that led to the theatre’s policy change in 1963 to less risqué fare.
Under new operators, Sanval Corporation of New York, the theatre rebranded as Cinema South on February 15, 1964 with John Wayne in “McLintock.” But the film it became known for was “Billy Jack.” So popular was “Billy Jack” at Cinema East that it played over a year. During its 60-week run, star Tom Laughlin and his wife, actress Dolores Taylor, made a personal appearance.
For old time’s sake, Bob Mills got the theatre in trouble again in 1975 with the X-rated “Last Tango in Paris.” But, again, the theatre won its court challenge. Mills closed Cinema South on February 18, 1979 with “Pardon Mon Affaire.” Chakeres Theatre Circuit then took on the venue reopening it with “Meteor” on October 18, 1979. It closed at the end of lease on Deptember 30, 1984 with “Never Ending Story.” But the story did end in December of 1984 when the theatre was razed.
The Kon-Tiki launched August 23rd, 1968 opening with the film, “The Odd Couple.” Levin Theatres leased the theatre after showings on May 14, 1987 to USA Cinemas. USA felt the venue was dated closing it and stripping it of much of its interior charm. It relaunched as the Salem Avenue Cinema 1-3 losing its Polynesian and Hawaiian look.
USA Cinemas was bought out by Loews. Thus, the venue closed as Loews Salem Avenue Cinemas 1-3 final shows were on January 31, 1999 with “Down in the Delta,” “Virus,” and “The Faculty.” Loews would close its Beaver Valley 1-6 later in the year leaving the Dayton market, altogether.
Robert J. Hirsch opened his Sigma Theatre on September 14, 1922 with Owen Moore in “Reported Missing.” The theatre converted to sound to remain viable. It closed March 8, 1964 with “Little Red Riding Hood.” H&K Theatres Circuit took on the venue rebranding it as the Little Playhouse. The venue played repertory films beginning on June 24, 1964 with “South Pacific.” The Little Playhouse closed on November 18, 1965.
On August 3, 1966, the theatre rebranded as Cinevu sporting Ultra Harveyscope Deep Dimension projection and relaunching with “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” Harveyscope was the culmination of a three-year dream of legendary projectionist John Harvey with 40' wide and 12' high screen and a curved screen of ten feet. Charley McCartney managed the venue and his passion for the art of widescreen projection would continue with Dayton’s Neon Cinerama Theatre in the 1990s. Cinevue closed on October 27, 1968.
On February 24, 1969, Emerson Newman formerly of the Ohio Follies on Jefferson, rebranded the venue as Todd Art Theatre / Todd’s Art Theatre with “De L'Amour” and an adult second feature. It rebranded closing as the Todd Burlesk Theatre and Bouzouki Lounge in 1991. The property was sold at Sheriff’s Sale in February of 1992. It appears that it was sold and razed in 1994.
Herbert C. Ochs launched his second o-zoner called Drive-In Theatre (West) on August 1, 1946 and renaming hid other venue as Drive-In Theatre (East). The theatre had twin-illuminated towers opening with “Where Do We Go From Here?” supported by the Goofy cartoon, “A Night for a Day,” the March of Time newsreel, “American Beauty,” “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” live fireworks and a live radio remote broadcast.
Bob Mills CinemAssociates launched the Cinema Centre on December 6, 1975 with “Hound of the Baskervilles” and “Conduct Unbecoming.” The venue sported identical 300-seat auditoriums developed by Bi-Ni Development. A remodel brought seating count to 250 seats. Chakeres Theatre Circuit opted out of its lease closing the theatre on September 25, 1983 after a 24-week run of “Flashdance” and a double-feature of “Tootsie” and “The Survivors.”
The Sun Theatre was a replacement for both the town’s Crescent Theatre which burned down on December 24, 1924 and its Auditorium which was the replacement movie house after the Crescent’s demise. The new-build Sun Theatre launched on October 19, 1925 with Reginald Denny in “California Straight Ahead.” Manager C.C. Porter decided to install Western Electric sound on October 3, 1930 declaring the silent era all but over.
Festival Enterprises launched this 6-plex on December 25, 1975 as it raced against the UA quadplex project that would open the previous week on December 19th. The Festval had “Lucky Lady,” “Dog Day Afternoon” and “Man Who Would be King"among their openers. Mann took on the venue selling it in 2000. The theatre closed after a 15-year run and became an auto dealer.
UA Cinemas 4 opened Christmas Day 1971 at the above address. UA would leave and the venue became the Northgate Cinema. It closed July 9, 1998. It was converted to retail as a Hancock Fabrics store.
Kiddie Cinema launched Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1969 showing 16mm kids films. The venue reopened as Shellmel Circuit’s New Kiddie Kinema on April 26, 1970 with “Doctor Doolittle.” The Kiddie concept ended June 27, 1971 with “King Kong v. Godzilla.”
On July 28, 1972, the venue became National Cinema’s Cedar Cinema with repertory double feature films starting with the Marx Brothers in “A Night at the Opera” and “Day at the Races.” On November 29, 1972, National switched to 16mm adult films. Under new inedpendent operation, the Cedar Cinema switched back to repertory films on April 6, 1973. It closed September 6, 1973.
On September 28, 1973 and under independent operator Doug Wright, the fifth operator of the venue, it was renamed the Bijou Cinema staying with repertory films. The opening film was “Zorro’s Fighting Legion” and a Little Rascals festival. The Bijou failed going out of business less than a year later on June 16, 1974.
In August of 1974, the venue went adult as the Bijou Adult Cinema which likely ceased operations at the end of lease on 1979.
The Mecca theater opened on August 26, 1914 with “The Oubliette” featuring Lon Chaney and Pauline Bush. It was equipped with a Seeburg Motion Picture Player. The Mecca closed July 27, 1952 with a double feature of “Silver City” with Yvonne de Carlo and Lana Turner in “Mr.Imperium.” The building was sold becoming the Club Blue Angel nighT club for one year in 1953. It ceased operations and was taken on by the Good Samaritan Church in 1954.it was said to be vacant during a 1955 fire that damaged the building and became a car dealer lot.
The Wesda Theatre was a Post-War neighborhood venue completed in September of 1946 with a delayed opening due to lack of seats due to a manufacturing strike. The 476 seats finally arrived and launched with a pay-what-you-can show on January 30, 1947 by Harry Good and Raymond Unger. All proceeds went to the March of Dimes Polio Fund. Their opening film of “Three Little Girls in Blue” with June Haver. Good and Unger closed the Theatre and Fred Krimm ran it on a sublease. Good and Unger returned to the struggling Wesda venue closing it on January 3, 1954 with “Destination Gobi” supported by a Bowery Boys second feature. The operators converted the space to a shoe store.
The Wayne Theatre launched April 18, 1921 with “Scarmbled Wives” and a note from its stars, Marugerite Clark and Norman and Constance Talmadge. It also had a Fotoplayer Orchestral Organ at the launch.
George Gardner of Cinema Twenty launched what was to be the first of several Jerry Lewis Cinema locations in southern Ohio. It opened at the Imperial Shopping Center with its first film of “Airport” on September 13 1972. “The Poseidon Adventure” was the longest running film during the short run under the Jerry Lewis moniker. With the Jerry Lewis circuit going bankrupt and then defunct, the name was changed to the Huber Heights Cinema beginning May 10, 1974.
Randolph H. Haun took on the venue in February of 1976 running it as a family discount house closing it and the County Square Cinema in October of 1978. Carolee Austin took on the venue on November 3, 1978 as the Flicker Palace with “Hooper.” It ended on October 26, 1995 at end of lease with “Apollo 13.” It relaunched as the Huber Heights Movie Palace with a second run policy and “Independence Day” on October 18, 1996. It closed February 1, 2001 with “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”
The Far Hills Theatre launched in 1937. It closed at the end of lease and was taken on by Jewel Theatre Circuit of Brooklyn which became a lightning rod of controversy in the conservative city. In 1958, it showed Brigitte Bardot films which weren’t well received in the neighborhood. In October of 1960, obscenity charges were brought against the theatre. Six films led to raids in 1961. All of the charges were dropped by the Ohio Supreme Court. That was followed by six weeks of “and God Created Women” with bomb scares that led to the theatre’s policy change in 1963 to less risqué fare.
Under new operators, Sanval Corporation of New York, the theatre rebranded as Cinema South on February 15, 1964 with John Wayne in “McLintock.” But the film it became known for was “Billy Jack.” So popular was “Billy Jack” at Cinema East that it played over a year. During its 60-week run, star Tom Laughlin and his wife, actress Dolores Taylor, made a personal appearance.
For old time’s sake, Bob Mills got the theatre in trouble again in 1975 with the X-rated “Last Tango in Paris.” But, again, the theatre won its court challenge. Mills closed Cinema South on February 18, 1979 with “Pardon Mon Affaire.” Chakeres Theatre Circuit then took on the venue reopening it with “Meteor” on October 18, 1979. It closed at the end of lease on Deptember 30, 1984 with “Never Ending Story.” But the story did end in December of 1984 when the theatre was razed.
The Eastwood opened in November of 1916. It closed in 1934 and after unsuccessfully listing it for sale, it was auctioned off in 1937.
The Da-Bel closed September 29, 1992 with “Honey, I Blew Up the Kids.” It was razed one week later.
Closed September 18, 2009 as a sub-run discount theatre.
The Kon-Tiki launched August 23rd, 1968 opening with the film, “The Odd Couple.” Levin Theatres leased the theatre after showings on May 14, 1987 to USA Cinemas. USA felt the venue was dated closing it and stripping it of much of its interior charm. It relaunched as the Salem Avenue Cinema 1-3 losing its Polynesian and Hawaiian look.
USA Cinemas was bought out by Loews. Thus, the venue closed as Loews Salem Avenue Cinemas 1-3 final shows were on January 31, 1999 with “Down in the Delta,” “Virus,” and “The Faculty.” Loews would close its Beaver Valley 1-6 later in the year leaving the Dayton market, altogether.
Loew’s Ames Theatre closed on May 26, 1988 with “The Seventh Sign” and “Three Men and a Baby.”
Washington Square Cinema launched July 10, 1964 with “The Three Musketeers.” It closed on September 25, 1988 with “A World Apart.”
Robert J. Hirsch opened his Sigma Theatre on September 14, 1922 with Owen Moore in “Reported Missing.” The theatre converted to sound to remain viable. It closed March 8, 1964 with “Little Red Riding Hood.” H&K Theatres Circuit took on the venue rebranding it as the Little Playhouse. The venue played repertory films beginning on June 24, 1964 with “South Pacific.” The Little Playhouse closed on November 18, 1965.
On August 3, 1966, the theatre rebranded as Cinevu sporting Ultra Harveyscope Deep Dimension projection and relaunching with “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World.” Harveyscope was the culmination of a three-year dream of legendary projectionist John Harvey with 40' wide and 12' high screen and a curved screen of ten feet. Charley McCartney managed the venue and his passion for the art of widescreen projection would continue with Dayton’s Neon Cinerama Theatre in the 1990s. Cinevue closed on October 27, 1968.
On February 24, 1969, Emerson Newman formerly of the Ohio Follies on Jefferson, rebranded the venue as Todd Art Theatre / Todd’s Art Theatre with “De L'Amour” and an adult second feature. It rebranded closing as the Todd Burlesk Theatre and Bouzouki Lounge in 1991. The property was sold at Sheriff’s Sale in February of 1992. It appears that it was sold and razed in 1994.
Herbert C. Ochs launched his second o-zoner called Drive-In Theatre (West) on August 1, 1946 and renaming hid other venue as Drive-In Theatre (East). The theatre had twin-illuminated towers opening with “Where Do We Go From Here?” supported by the Goofy cartoon, “A Night for a Day,” the March of Time newsreel, “American Beauty,” “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” live fireworks and a live radio remote broadcast.
Bob Mills CinemAssociates launched the Cinema Centre on December 6, 1975 with “Hound of the Baskervilles” and “Conduct Unbecoming.” The venue sported identical 300-seat auditoriums developed by Bi-Ni Development. A remodel brought seating count to 250 seats. Chakeres Theatre Circuit opted out of its lease closing the theatre on September 25, 1983 after a 24-week run of “Flashdance” and a double-feature of “Tootsie” and “The Survivors.”
The Sun Theatre was a replacement for both the town’s Crescent Theatre which burned down on December 24, 1924 and its Auditorium which was the replacement movie house after the Crescent’s demise. The new-build Sun Theatre launched on October 19, 1925 with Reginald Denny in “California Straight Ahead.” Manager C.C. Porter decided to install Western Electric sound on October 3, 1930 declaring the silent era all but over.
That would make it demolished, as well.
Announced closure in January of 2021 after being closed since March of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last show was April 30, 1966. It was auctioned off May 18, 1966. A month later it was demolished.
Festival Enterprises launched this 6-plex on December 25, 1975 as it raced against the UA quadplex project that would open the previous week on December 19th. The Festval had “Lucky Lady,” “Dog Day Afternoon” and “Man Who Would be King"among their openers. Mann took on the venue selling it in 2000. The theatre closed after a 15-year run and became an auto dealer.
Closed August 23, 1998
UA Cinemas 4 opened Christmas Day 1971 at the above address. UA would leave and the venue became the Northgate Cinema. It closed July 9, 1998. It was converted to retail as a Hancock Fabrics store.
Its December 21, 1967 opening film was “The Comedians”
Closed September 28, 1971
Kiddie Cinema launched Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1969 showing 16mm kids films. The venue reopened as Shellmel Circuit’s New Kiddie Kinema on April 26, 1970 with “Doctor Doolittle.” The Kiddie concept ended June 27, 1971 with “King Kong v. Godzilla.”
On July 28, 1972, the venue became National Cinema’s Cedar Cinema with repertory double feature films starting with the Marx Brothers in “A Night at the Opera” and “Day at the Races.” On November 29, 1972, National switched to 16mm adult films. Under new inedpendent operation, the Cedar Cinema switched back to repertory films on April 6, 1973. It closed September 6, 1973.
On September 28, 1973 and under independent operator Doug Wright, the fifth operator of the venue, it was renamed the Bijou Cinema staying with repertory films. The opening film was “Zorro’s Fighting Legion” and a Little Rascals festival. The Bijou failed going out of business less than a year later on June 16, 1974.
In August of 1974, the venue went adult as the Bijou Adult Cinema which likely ceased operations at the end of lease on 1979.
The Fig Twin opened Christmas Day 1971 with “Star Spangled Girl” and “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight.”