The Little Theatre opened as a movie theatre screening international cinema at 56-58 E. Columbia Street. The Motion Picture Guild of America Circuit launched the theatre. It had locations of Little theaters in Philadelphia, Newark, New York City and Washington, D.C., amongst others. The George DeWitt Mason architected venue launched in downtown Detroit on September 7, 1928 with the Motion Picture Guild presenting Pierre Magnier in the film, “Cyrano de Bergerac.” And if people missed the buzz around the theatre, it was because most of the attention was given to the Fox Theatre’s development and opening. The Fox launched just two weeks later about a baseball throw away on September 23d commanding the attention. Not too surprisingly, the Little Theatre closed on March 23, 1933. Its final film was “Zwei Menschen” with Charlotte Susa.
On September 16, 1933, under new operators, the venue became the Rivoli Theatre with the Polish film, “Noc Listopadowa” starring Mieczysław Krawicz. The Rivoli closed on January 11, 1934 with Max Hansen in the film parody, “Das Kabinett des Dr. Larifari.” But it may have been the showings in November of 1933 of “The Nude World” that doomed W. H. Kinnear’s Rivoli. The theatre opened the film on November 8, 1933 and it ended up being held over until month’s end - an unprecedented run for the Rivoli. But the police paid a visit and Kinnear ended up in legal trouble in January of 1934 which coincides with when the venue closed. It was also a foreshadowing of what would occur 32 years later when the venue would go all adult films for a 10-year period.
The former Little/Rivoli became a live stage playhouse with Erwin Paul Lang relaunching it as the Drury Lane Theatre on January 7, 1935 with the comedy, “Milestones.” The Drury Lane failed quickly closing just three months later.
The venue reopened September 7, 1935 as the Europa Theatre specializing in German films. It relaunched with Marta Eggerth in “Kaiserwalzer.” The theatre made headlines booking two Russian films, “Peasants” and “The Youth of Maxim,” which were banned by local officials as Soviet propaganda and that move was supported by the local court system. On January 1, 1936, the Europa switched from German films to repertory films. The Europa closed in February of 1936. In October of 1936, the theater owners did get news from the State Supreme Court of Michigan that the banning of the film violated the operator’s First Amendment rights.
Harry Nathan took on the venue and rebranded it as Cinema Theatre on February 25, 1936. It switched back to European films starting with Leni Riefenstahl in “The Blue Light.” The Cinema belly-flopped closing on May 14, 1936. But Ira Kaplan revived the venue on September 19, 1936 reopening as the Cinema with the film, “Cloistered” supported by a Mickey Mouse cartoon and a Brittany travelog. The Cinema Theatre was a true independent showing art films and exploitation titles. A 1937 Russian film booking by the Cinema Guild of Detroit led to another injunction… but this time for false advertising. The Cinema Theatre closed on July 18, 1943 with two French films.
On November 11, 1943, the venue came under the operation of Telenews Theatres Circuit reopening as the New Cinema Theatre and the film, “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” Telenews bailed on the Cinema but Martin J. Lewis of Continental Circuit took over the theater. Continental was the New York-based firm best known for art houses including New York City’s 55th Street Playhouse, Thalia, Fifth Avenue Playhouse, the 72nd Street Playhouse, and the Heights Theater amongst others. Cinema Theatre closed on April 27, 1952 with John Laurie in “Edge of the World” and Robert Flaherty’s “Man of Aran.”
New operator Paul Broder gave the venue a major refresh and greeted customers back to the New Cinema Theatre which relaunched Easter Sunday, April 18, 1954 with Richie Andrusco as “Little Fugitive.” But art film wasn’t what people wanted and it switched to sub-run double features. The Cinema Theater’s tenure ended grinding prints of “Sabrina” and “Rear Window” continuously until 3a on April 20, 1955 likely closing at the end of a 20-year leasing period.
On March 8, 1956, Studio Theatre Corporation of Livernois reopened the Cinema and renamed it as the World Theatre and shared its bookings with the Studio Theatre. Its reopening film was “The Trouble with Harry.” The theatre was refreshed with widescreen projection to play VistaVision films. That continued until October 5, 1958. The Trans Lux Krim had become the art house of choice and the World Theatre closed January 11, 1959.
The theatre returned to its short-lived live stage play days when it was renamed the Vanguard Playhouse in June of 1959. It was officially renamed the Vanguard Theatre in 1963. It closed on January 2,1966 with a matinee of a children’s play - “The Emperor’s New Clothes” - and an adult evening play, “Over the Counter.”
On January 14, 1966, the venue relaunched as an adult movie theatre first known as the Gem Theatre with the films, “For Members Only” and “Women Around The World.” In late February, it would be rebranded as the Gem Art Theatre. The Gem Art appears to have closed on November 9,1976 after showings of Nadia Henkowa starring in “Devil’s Ecstasy” and Sativa and Teddy Steel in “Nostalgia Blue" likely at the end of a ten-year leasing period.
Chuck Forbes bought the Gem for $5,000 in 1990 reopening with live fare in January of 1992. In 1997, the 5.5 million pound theatre closed. Weight is rarely an issue but with a new baseball stadium being built nearby, the Gem was in the way. A solution was created so that it and its neighboring building, a nightclub also owned by Forbes, could be picked up and moved from 56 E. Columbia and moved five blocks away to 333 Madison Avenue. International Chimney of Buffalo took six months prepping for the move which began October 16, 1997. It relaunched in its new spot on September 9, 1978 with, “I Love You, You’re Perfect… Now Change.” It was still going in the 2020s as was it contemporary, the Fox Theatre, only now a little further apart from one another.
Closed March 18, 2020 for COVID-19 pandemic. Performed a theater refresh during the pandemic reopening May 29, 2020. But business slacked due to the pandemic and lack of new releases so the theatre closed again January 24, 2021 permanently. The final weekend consisted of free repertory films.
The Robbins owned theater opened in an existing retail building in 1923 as Theatre Academie. It became the Echo Theatre in 1934 largely serving African American audiences. In 1940, it became an African American only cinema. In the early 1950s, it was open to all audiences until closing on November 13, 1952 likely at the end of a 30-year leasing period.
Joe Gilmore built his structure opening it for retail on April 7, 1882. It hosted some dances and live events, as well. His new Gilmore Building was launched in late April of 1906. J.H. Hungerford had taken on the lease of the recently-closed San Carlo Theatre land on February 20, 1920 re-opening it with William Farnum in “The Lone Star Ranger” and a two-reel Sunshine comedy. But Hungerford was dissatisfied with the San Carlo and bought the Gilmore building - likely the latter 1906 building - a month later. He opened the Family Theatre here on June 5, 1920 playing “The Rivers End”. The Family Theatre became the full-time movie theatre and the San Carlo Theatre switched back to live fare just months later.
Hungerford sold the Family in 1932 and the theatre had a grand reopening on April 23, 1932. C. William “Wally” Johnson and Paige with A.W. Person, operator of the Lyric in Crete, took possession of the venue in December of 1932 reseating it with upholstered chairs and new projectors. It reopened on Christmas Day with a naming contest. The winning name was the Friend Theatre which is the name it used as of January 5, 1933 shows with Joan Blondell in “3 on a Match.”
Johnson would take over sole possession of the Friend and closed it for major improvements in November of 1936. The theatre relaunched on January 3, 1937 as the Plaza Theatre with Shirley Temple in “Dimples” for its soft launch. The theatre would have a gala reopening upon finishing all of its improvements to formally welcome the Plaza moniker on February 5, 1937 with “Three Men on a Horse.” On May 2, 1940, the Plaza was destroyed by fire just hours after the conclusion of “Castle on the Hudson" which would be the venue’s final screening. Johnson would create a new space for the Vogue Theatre relaunching November 14, 1940.
Closed with the other Showbiz locations on March 20, 2020 for the COVID-19 pandemic. While the others reopened in May of 2020, this location closed for the above transformation to a family fun center. Relaunched with the grand reopening listed above on December 18, 2020 with 13 screens and 14 bowling lanes.
The Majestic Theatre launched with the John Ford western “Marked Men” starring Harry Carey on May 5, 1920. On June 25, 1926 under new operators, it became the Ritz Theatre relaunching with “Flaming Waters” starring Mayme Kelso. Its days were numbered when the Palace opened with sound in March of 1930. The Ritz closed remaining silent with Strongheart in “The Return of Boston Blackie” on July 22, 1930.
The March 21, 1930 opening of the Palace Theatre marks the first talkies for Boise City launching with “Hot for Paris" starring Victor McLaglen. The theatre vanquished the Ritz Theatre which would close four months later.
Long’s Theatre (and Meat Locker, next door) open on May 31, 1947 with Randolph Scott in “Trail Street.” The theatre was still going into the mid-1970s.
The Boise Downtown Stadium 9 closed March 18, 2020 for the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened August 28, 2020 only to close again October 4, 2020. In January of 2021, Regal made the closure permanent.
The Ashland Street Cinemas closed following March 18, 2020 showings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It didn’t reopen with an announcement made by Coming Attractions Theatres on January 22, 2021 that the closure would be permanent.
Harry Musselman opened the Osceola Auditorium Theatre on June 19, 1915 to a crowd of 400. In 1931, Frank E. Klein purchased the Auditorium and changed its name to the Rivoli Theatre.
In 1937, Klein hired Omaha-based architect Leo J. Dworak who – after a major refresh – renamed it the Muse Theatre in April 22, 1937 launching with Robert Taylor in “Personal Property.” The new configuration of the venue removed the 100-seat balcony. Several operators later, Billie Zedicher purchased the theatre in 1956. He was the final operator running the Muse until closure in 1978.
In September of 1996, the former and dilapidated structure was razed. Its 200,000 bricks were purchased and used in a new home construction project. The Muse Theatre sign was preserved and was hanging on the Gathering Grounds Coffee House west wall in the 2020s.
Address: 151 Maple Street, Friend, NE 68359
The Little Theatre opened as a movie theatre screening international cinema at 56-58 E. Columbia Street. The Motion Picture Guild of America Circuit launched the theatre. It had locations of Little theaters in Philadelphia, Newark, New York City and Washington, D.C., amongst others. The George DeWitt Mason architected venue launched in downtown Detroit on September 7, 1928 with the Motion Picture Guild presenting Pierre Magnier in the film, “Cyrano de Bergerac.” And if people missed the buzz around the theatre, it was because most of the attention was given to the Fox Theatre’s development and opening. The Fox launched just two weeks later about a baseball throw away on September 23d commanding the attention. Not too surprisingly, the Little Theatre closed on March 23, 1933. Its final film was “Zwei Menschen” with Charlotte Susa.
On September 16, 1933, under new operators, the venue became the Rivoli Theatre with the Polish film, “Noc Listopadowa” starring Mieczysław Krawicz. The Rivoli closed on January 11, 1934 with Max Hansen in the film parody, “Das Kabinett des Dr. Larifari.” But it may have been the showings in November of 1933 of “The Nude World” that doomed W. H. Kinnear’s Rivoli. The theatre opened the film on November 8, 1933 and it ended up being held over until month’s end - an unprecedented run for the Rivoli. But the police paid a visit and Kinnear ended up in legal trouble in January of 1934 which coincides with when the venue closed. It was also a foreshadowing of what would occur 32 years later when the venue would go all adult films for a 10-year period.
The former Little/Rivoli became a live stage playhouse with Erwin Paul Lang relaunching it as the Drury Lane Theatre on January 7, 1935 with the comedy, “Milestones.” The Drury Lane failed quickly closing just three months later.
The venue reopened September 7, 1935 as the Europa Theatre specializing in German films. It relaunched with Marta Eggerth in “Kaiserwalzer.” The theatre made headlines booking two Russian films, “Peasants” and “The Youth of Maxim,” which were banned by local officials as Soviet propaganda and that move was supported by the local court system. On January 1, 1936, the Europa switched from German films to repertory films. The Europa closed in February of 1936. In October of 1936, the theater owners did get news from the State Supreme Court of Michigan that the banning of the film violated the operator’s First Amendment rights.
Harry Nathan took on the venue and rebranded it as Cinema Theatre on February 25, 1936. It switched back to European films starting with Leni Riefenstahl in “The Blue Light.” The Cinema belly-flopped closing on May 14, 1936. But Ira Kaplan revived the venue on September 19, 1936 reopening as the Cinema with the film, “Cloistered” supported by a Mickey Mouse cartoon and a Brittany travelog. The Cinema Theatre was a true independent showing art films and exploitation titles. A 1937 Russian film booking by the Cinema Guild of Detroit led to another injunction… but this time for false advertising. The Cinema Theatre closed on July 18, 1943 with two French films.
On November 11, 1943, the venue came under the operation of Telenews Theatres Circuit reopening as the New Cinema Theatre and the film, “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” Telenews bailed on the Cinema but Martin J. Lewis of Continental Circuit took over the theater. Continental was the New York-based firm best known for art houses including New York City’s 55th Street Playhouse, Thalia, Fifth Avenue Playhouse, the 72nd Street Playhouse, and the Heights Theater amongst others. Cinema Theatre closed on April 27, 1952 with John Laurie in “Edge of the World” and Robert Flaherty’s “Man of Aran.”
New operator Paul Broder gave the venue a major refresh and greeted customers back to the New Cinema Theatre which relaunched Easter Sunday, April 18, 1954 with Richie Andrusco as “Little Fugitive.” But art film wasn’t what people wanted and it switched to sub-run double features. The Cinema Theater’s tenure ended grinding prints of “Sabrina” and “Rear Window” continuously until 3a on April 20, 1955 likely closing at the end of a 20-year leasing period.
On March 8, 1956, Studio Theatre Corporation of Livernois reopened the Cinema and renamed it as the World Theatre and shared its bookings with the Studio Theatre. Its reopening film was “The Trouble with Harry.” The theatre was refreshed with widescreen projection to play VistaVision films. That continued until October 5, 1958. The Trans Lux Krim had become the art house of choice and the World Theatre closed January 11, 1959.
The theatre returned to its short-lived live stage play days when it was renamed the Vanguard Playhouse in June of 1959. It was officially renamed the Vanguard Theatre in 1963. It closed on January 2,1966 with a matinee of a children’s play - “The Emperor’s New Clothes” - and an adult evening play, “Over the Counter.”
On January 14, 1966, the venue relaunched as an adult movie theatre first known as the Gem Theatre with the films, “For Members Only” and “Women Around The World.” In late February, it would be rebranded as the Gem Art Theatre. The Gem Art appears to have closed on November 9,1976 after showings of Nadia Henkowa starring in “Devil’s Ecstasy” and Sativa and Teddy Steel in “Nostalgia Blue" likely at the end of a ten-year leasing period.
Chuck Forbes bought the Gem for $5,000 in 1990 reopening with live fare in January of 1992. In 1997, the 5.5 million pound theatre closed. Weight is rarely an issue but with a new baseball stadium being built nearby, the Gem was in the way. A solution was created so that it and its neighboring building, a nightclub also owned by Forbes, could be picked up and moved from 56 E. Columbia and moved five blocks away to 333 Madison Avenue. International Chimney of Buffalo took six months prepping for the move which began October 16, 1997. It relaunched in its new spot on September 9, 1978 with, “I Love You, You’re Perfect… Now Change.” It was still going in the 2020s as was it contemporary, the Fox Theatre, only now a little further apart from one another.
Announced closure at the end of February 2021
Now Artes de La Rosa Cultural Center for the Arts and the website as of now is: http://www.artesdelarosa.org/
1945 ad for the African American theatre, the Savoy, in Detroit
Theatre’s current name is the AMC Johnson City 14
Closed March 18, 2020 for COVID-19 pandemic. Performed a theater refresh during the pandemic reopening May 29, 2020. But business slacked due to the pandemic and lack of new releases so the theatre closed again January 24, 2021 permanently. The final weekend consisted of free repertory films.
Tthe Duke Theatre launched May 2, 1947 with “13th Hour” and “Wife Wanted.”
The Robbins owned theater opened in an existing retail building in 1923 as Theatre Academie. It became the Echo Theatre in 1934 largely serving African American audiences. In 1940, it became an African American only cinema. In the early 1950s, it was open to all audiences until closing on November 13, 1952 likely at the end of a 30-year leasing period.
Joe Gilmore built his structure opening it for retail on April 7, 1882. It hosted some dances and live events, as well. His new Gilmore Building was launched in late April of 1906. J.H. Hungerford had taken on the lease of the recently-closed San Carlo Theatre land on February 20, 1920 re-opening it with William Farnum in “The Lone Star Ranger” and a two-reel Sunshine comedy. But Hungerford was dissatisfied with the San Carlo and bought the Gilmore building - likely the latter 1906 building - a month later. He opened the Family Theatre here on June 5, 1920 playing “The Rivers End”. The Family Theatre became the full-time movie theatre and the San Carlo Theatre switched back to live fare just months later.
Hungerford sold the Family in 1932 and the theatre had a grand reopening on April 23, 1932. C. William “Wally” Johnson and Paige with A.W. Person, operator of the Lyric in Crete, took possession of the venue in December of 1932 reseating it with upholstered chairs and new projectors. It reopened on Christmas Day with a naming contest. The winning name was the Friend Theatre which is the name it used as of January 5, 1933 shows with Joan Blondell in “3 on a Match.”
Johnson would take over sole possession of the Friend and closed it for major improvements in November of 1936. The theatre relaunched on January 3, 1937 as the Plaza Theatre with Shirley Temple in “Dimples” for its soft launch. The theatre would have a gala reopening upon finishing all of its improvements to formally welcome the Plaza moniker on February 5, 1937 with “Three Men on a Horse.” On May 2, 1940, the Plaza was destroyed by fire just hours after the conclusion of “Castle on the Hudson" which would be the venue’s final screening. Johnson would create a new space for the Vogue Theatre relaunching November 14, 1940.
Closed with the other Showbiz locations on March 20, 2020 for the COVID-19 pandemic. While the others reopened in May of 2020, this location closed for the above transformation to a family fun center. Relaunched with the grand reopening listed above on December 18, 2020 with 13 screens and 14 bowling lanes.
Sadly, it just closed.
The Majestic Theatre launched with the John Ford western “Marked Men” starring Harry Carey on May 5, 1920. On June 25, 1926 under new operators, it became the Ritz Theatre relaunching with “Flaming Waters” starring Mayme Kelso. Its days were numbered when the Palace opened with sound in March of 1930. The Ritz closed remaining silent with Strongheart in “The Return of Boston Blackie” on July 22, 1930.
On November 17, 2020, Flix temporarily re-shuttered all of its locations awaiting the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The March 21, 1930 opening of the Palace Theatre marks the first talkies for Boise City launching with “Hot for Paris" starring Victor McLaglen. The theatre vanquished the Ritz Theatre which would close four months later.
The Majestic Theatre changed names on June 25, 1926 to the Ritz Theatre under new operators opening with “Flaming Waters” starring Mayme Kelso.
Long’s Theatre (and Meat Locker, next door) open on May 31, 1947 with Randolph Scott in “Trail Street.” The theatre was still going into the mid-1970s.
The Boise Downtown Stadium 9 closed March 18, 2020 for the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened August 28, 2020 only to close again October 4, 2020. In January of 2021, Regal made the closure permanent.
Closed permanently on January 18, 2021 with Backyard Wilderness", “The Living Sea”: “Born to Be Wild” and “Great White Shark.”
The Beach Cinema Alehouse closed March 18, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On January 18, 2021, the operators made the closure permanent.
The Ashland Street Cinemas closed following March 18, 2020 showings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It didn’t reopen with an announcement made by Coming Attractions Theatres on January 22, 2021 that the closure would be permanent.
Harry Musselman opened the Osceola Auditorium Theatre on June 19, 1915 to a crowd of 400. In 1931, Frank E. Klein purchased the Auditorium and changed its name to the Rivoli Theatre.
In 1937, Klein hired Omaha-based architect Leo J. Dworak who – after a major refresh – renamed it the Muse Theatre in April 22, 1937 launching with Robert Taylor in “Personal Property.” The new configuration of the venue removed the 100-seat balcony. Several operators later, Billie Zedicher purchased the theatre in 1956. He was the final operator running the Muse until closure in 1978.
In September of 1996, the former and dilapidated structure was razed. Its 200,000 bricks were purchased and used in a new home construction project. The Muse Theatre sign was preserved and was hanging on the Gathering Grounds Coffee House west wall in the 2020s.
Reopened as a Studio Movie Grill on November 11, 2011. Closed in 2021.
Closed in January of 2021
Closed in January of 2021