The former Lydia turned Grand Theatre had a major renovation in 1936 that cost as much as most small-town new theatres in 1936. Owner Harry Schiller was preparing the theatre for a Christmas 1936 relaunch as the New Grand when a fire on December 8, 1936 destroyed the theatre. A new plan was drawn up with work starting almost immediately.
On May 7, 1937, the new New Grand launched with “A Star is Born.”
Fred H. Michelson began construction of his new theater in 1907 in downtown Grand Island. The Michelson launched on May 18, 1908 with live acts and motion pictures. The Strand replaced the Michelson on October 27, 1920 with its new Bartola Organ played by B.G. Cowham and playing Cecil B. DeMille’s “Something to Think About.” Dorothy Root Gibbs succeeded him playing the Bartola. The Strand ended its operations on April 27, 1924 with Gaston Glass in “After the Ball.” After unsuccessfully finding a new operator, the venue was retrofitted in 1926 and 1927 for an L.J. Skaggs Grocery Store.
The Gothenburg Opera House launched with the live play, “Valley Farm,” on June 4, 1909. And the patrons didn’t have to wait long for the first films to play there - the first moving picture show was a week later on June 12, 1909. Films became the predominant form there and the venue was renamed the Sun Theatre on November 23, 1917 relaunching with Douglas Fairbanks starring in “The Americano.”
The Strand replaced the Michelson on October 27, 1920 with its new Bartola Organ played by B.G. Cowham and playing Cecil B. DeMille’s “Something to Think About.”
The Elks Theatre opened with a live stage presentation of “The Wizard of Oz” on December 22, 1904. The theatre became the Orpheum Theatre on May 22, 1921 staying live. But then the Orpheum relied more heavily on motion pictures installing sound in 1929. Its major, multi-month 1930 refresh largely was aimed at presenting talkies. And W.F. McAleer pulled off a major coup in 1932 by signing up exhibition contracts with both MGM and Warner Brothers to become the top movie house in town.
The final film at the Orpheum was December 19, 1939 with “Nurse Edith Cavell.” Showings of “Nonotchka” were cancelled when the film print and theatre burned ending the theater’s run on December 20, 1939.
The Parsons launched on December 17, 1941 with Robert Young in “Married Bachelor" with seating for 750 people. Shy of its third anniversary, a fire on September 23, 1943 gutted the theatre. H.J. Griffith Amusements Circuit had to get dispensation to rebuild the venue from the War Production Board. The New Parsons Theatre launched on August 31, 1944 with Lucille Ball and Dick Powell in “Meet the People.”
Commonwealth Circuit took on the location. The final operator was B&B Theaters Circuit which turned the venue into a three-plex rebranding as the Parsons Cinema. It was the 46th location for B&B. The Parsons was split on the lower floor and an upper floor auditorium was created in the former balcony. B&B discontinued a policy of late night X-rated films. Seating count for all three theaters combined was 500.
The two screens opened on December 21, 1984 still under the Parsons Theatre. The name of the theatre officially changed to the Parsons Cinema with a grand opening celebrating Screen #3’s arrival on February 2, 1985. B&B subleased to a couple who were considering purchasing and renovating the venue in November of 1998. That became moot when the theatre burned down due to a faulty furnace on December 15, 1998.
Note: This theatre opened for the first time in 1941 - not 1921. The note above correctly states that the Parsons Amusement Company (which owned the Elks Theatre as of 1918 and also the Liberty Theatre both in Parsons) did build a new theater but it was in Nevada, Missouri in 1921 (which the note also says)… not a new theater in Parsons.
Homer H. Daniels launched the Liberty Theatre here on May 9, 1919. The opening film was William S. Hart in “The Hell Hound of Alaska.” Dickinson Theatres Circuit took on the venue closing it in 1928. When the circuit closed the Best for a refresh and name change to the Uptown on June 16, 1928, Dickinson reopened the Liberty on June 18, 1928 to carry the Best/Uptown bookings.
After Dickinson closed the Liberty in 1929, Daniels reacquired the venue equipping it with Photophone to project sound films. It reopened September 13, 1929 with “We Americans” as a new named revealed to those patrons for the first time as the Gala Theatre. Daniels closed the Gala for the summer of 1931 but sold it in October. The theatre chairs were sold at 50 cents each as the theatre redecorated.
With new seating and a refresh, the Gala nameplate was jettisoned in favor of the Ritz Theatre. It debuted on November 23, 1931 with Jaynet Gaynor with “Daddy Long Legs” and Glenn Tryon “The College Racket” supported by a Graham McNamee sports short and newsreel.
H.J. Griffith Amusements merged with Dickinson creating Griffith-Dickinson in 1939. Griffith decided to refresh the front of the building to a streamlined moderne look. After a naming contest, the name Katy was chosen with the Katy Theatre debuting June 20, 1941 with Henry Fonda in “Chad Hanna” and Roy Rogers in “The Sheriff of Tombstone.”
The Best Theatre launched on July 19, 1911 with “Is Time for Press,” “The Baseball Star from Bingville,” “Fighting Blood” and a “Spot Song.” The Best closed as a silent theater venue in June of 1928 for a major, three-week, $30,000 refresh under a new name. The Kimball organ was excised as Dickinson Theatres Circuit decided to equip the theatre with a “super organ.” The operator stated that silent dramas would best be presented with a “super organ.” A $20,000 Wick three-manual direct actuation electric model was selected as that super model. New Motiograph projectors and all new seating were also part of the update. The booth was expanded in the event that the theatre might adopt sound equipment in the future.
The Best closed with the film, “Ladies' Night in a Turkish Bath” on June 16, 1928. While the theatre was closed for the refresh, Dickinson reopened the moribund Liberty Theatre on June 18, 1928 to carry the Best/Uptown bookings. The New Uptown Theatre launched with silent films on July 2, 1928 with Colleen Moore in “Happiness Ahead,” live music with Don Reynaldo Torres and Troubadours Orchestra and Jimmie Durkin at the Wick organ.
The theatre was equipped for sound in March of 1929. During the Depression, sponsored a popular Bank Night. That, however, was ruled as an illegal lottery in 1935 and discontinued. On November 24, 1935, Dickinson Circuit then renamed this venue as the Dickinson Theatre relaunching with Gary Cooper in “Peter Ibbetson.” The displaced Uptown was getting a new location just two doors Eastward to its new home at 1815 Main Street retrofitting an existing retail spot - Smith Clothing Company - for a streamlined theater. (The New Uptown opened on a 15-year lease on December 8, 1935 and has its own CinemaTreasure page.)
When H.J. Griffith Amusements merged with Dickinson in 1939 creating the Griffith-Dickinson Circuit, Griffith decided to refresh both the (New) Uptown and the Dickinson. The Dickinson sign was removed with a naming contest for the new location. After its refresh the contest winner was announced with the venue renamed the Kansan Theatre. The new Kansan opened May 27, 1939. It launched with Bob Hope in “Some Like It Hot”.
The Kansan re-upped with a ten-year lease in 1950. It closed in 1960 and was converted into a dry cleaners and has since been demolished.
Dickinson Theatres Circuit opened the New Uptown Theatre here on December 8, 1935 with Kay Francis in “I Found Stella Parish” and May Robson in “Three Kids and a Queen.” The former Uptown had taken over the Best Theatre location in 1928 but Dickinson decided to move it two doors Eastward to a retrofitted retail operation just vacated by Smith Clothing Company, The resulting streamlined deco theatre had a 15-year lease. The former Best / Uptown Theatre was renamed the Dickinson Theatre (and, later, the Kansan Theatre in 1939).
When H.J. Griffith Amusements merged with Dickinson in 1939 creating the Griffith-Dickinson Circuit, Griffith decided to refresh both the (New) Uptown and the Dickinson. The Best/Uptown/Dickinson became the Kansan after a renaming contest. The (New) New Uptown Theatre relaunched on May 6, 1939 with Adolphe Menjou in “King of the Turf.” The theatre sputtered after World War II failing to fulfill its 15-year lease with Griffith Amusement Circuit closing it in 1946. It was retrofitted for a Singer Sewing Machine retail store in 1947.
The Parsons Drive-In Theatre launched on May 6, 1948 by Louis Stein with “Home in Indiana” supported by a cartoon and newsreel. Stein Theatres sold the theatre to Commonwealth Theatres Circuit which - in turn - sold it to B&B.Theatres Circuit.
B&B closed it in the wee hours of July 4, 1988 citing lack of attendance. The Parsons went out in style with an all night lineup of “Crocodile Dundee II,” “Vice Versa,” “Dirty Dancing,” and “La Bamba.”
Mr. and Mrs. James W. Pace launched the original Pace Theatre on April 3, 1916 with a live play, “Kentucky Sue.” Son, Archie, also worked at the Pace Theatre. But the family decided to build a more grand venue.
The new location was announced in 1923 with architectural plans by E.B. Watson of Norfolk. The original Pace continued until January of 1925 when the New Pace opened nearby. The new Pace has its own page as the Eagle Theatre, a name it received in 1967.
Mr. and Mrs. James W. Pace launched the original Pace Theatre on April 3, 1916 with a live play, “Kentucky Sue.” Son, Archie, also worked at the Pace Theatre. But the family decided to build a more grand venue.
The new location was announced in 1923 with architectural plans by E.B. Watson of Norfolk. The theatre finally launched on January 14, 1925 with “The Sea Hawk” and a musical concert on the mighty Wurlitzer organ from Kanas City costing $10,000. In 1929, the Pace added sound to stay relevant. And in 1930, James' son, Clyde Pace, was sent to manage the new Pace in Gordon.
Black Hills Amusement took over the theatre with Ted Jastroff managing. A major overhaul led the theatre to its final stage as the Eagle Theatre beginning on September 27, 1967 with “The Dirty Dozen.” Commonwealth Theatre Circuit took on the venue. Craig and Janine Bullard took on the single-screen venue in 1986 adding one screen each in 1989 and 1992 in the balcony and then purchasing the neighboring insurance building to add the fourth screen in 1997.
In 1916, P.G. Armbus purchased the Pastime Theatre from L.J. Cross. Dissatisfied with the Pastime, he began development as the proposed Queen Theatre. It launched as Theatre Royal (after a soft launch with a movie serial) with a live play, “In the Shadow of the Cross” on September 18, 1916 but continued thereafter as a movie theater, the Royal Theatre. Earl Kipp of the competing Gayety Theatre took on the Pastime. The Gayety was closed shortly thereafter followed by the Pastime. Professor Charles L. Henning took over the Royal organist duties thanks to his knowledge of the Wurlitzer and improvisational skills in 1919.
Burr B. “B.B.” and Clara Grove took on the venue relaunching it as the Grove Theatre on April 17, 1932 with George Arliss in “Millionaire.” The theatre’s business dwindled in the TV age dropping to Saturday/Sunday operation in 1957. It closed on December 19, 1957 due to “the continued complete absence of adult attendance.” On October 13, 1962, new operators took on the Grove for one more show with “The Fisherman” at the relaunch with Jim Langford managing for the Commonwealth Circuit. It closed not long thereafter. The building became a shoe store.
The Muse opened November 21. 1923 as a 375-seat theatre by L.J. Cross & Son (Roy) with Colleen Moore in “The Ninety and Nine” at 1531 10th Street. An early problem found Roy Cross admonishing patrons for reading the title cards too loud during screenings. Earnest Holcomb took on the theatre in 1929 deciding not to convert to sound and operating with a heavy mix of live plays until 1931.
George W. Luce took on the venue equipping it with sound and a new deco front. Luce renamed it as the Riviera Theatre on July 5, 1931 with Dorothy Mackaill in “Once a Sinner.” In May of 1933, B.B. & Clara Grove took over the Riviera after foreclosure proceedings citing lack of rent. On October 16, 1937, W.H. Ostenberg took on the Riviera and Grove Theatre after B.B. Grove’s death but Clara Grove stayed on as manager. The Riviera closed in 1942.
After the War, Midwest Amusement Company and W.H. Ostenberg III took on the Riviera on December 25, 1948 renaming it the Valley Theatre after a refresh that included a new front and reduced seating count. LeVern DeBolt changed the policy to Spanish films on Thursday with Friday-Sunday English language films. After that went out of business, Myrl D. Cross leased the theatre in 1959 to the Platte Valley Community Theatre. The building was auctioned in 1963 becoming the Eagles Fraternal Lodge. That building was acquired by the city in 1989 and demolished. In its place was the city’s Gering-Municipal and Retail Complex (G-MARC) that was still in use in the 2020s.
The Pace Theatre opened replacing the Empress Theatre on September 7, 1930 by Mr. and Mrs. James W. Pace. It opened with Will Rogers in “So This is London” supported by a two-reel comedy and newsreel. Clyde Pace managed the venue while his brother, Archie, worked at Chadron’s Pace Theatre.
Black Hills Amusement took on the venue when Pace retired on January 1, 1935. On January 31, 1940, a fire occurred gutting the interior leading to the New Pace. It relaunched on July 12, 1940 with Bob Hope in “The Ghost Breakers.” Just shy of its 30th/40th Anniversary, an April 9, 1970 fire once again gutted the venue. The Pace, therefore, ended with the April 8, 1970 screening on “The Savage Wild.” The building was then demolished.
The former Lydia turned Grand Theatre had a major renovation in 1936 that cost as much as most small-town new theatres in 1936. Owner Harry Schiller was preparing the theatre for a Christmas 1936 relaunch as the New Grand when a fire on December 8, 1936 destroyed the theatre. A new plan was drawn up with work starting almost immediately.
On May 7, 1937, the new New Grand launched with “A Star is Born.”
Fred H. Michelson began construction of his new theater in 1907 in downtown Grand Island. The Michelson launched on May 18, 1908 with live acts and motion pictures. The Strand replaced the Michelson on October 27, 1920 with its new Bartola Organ played by B.G. Cowham and playing Cecil B. DeMille’s “Something to Think About.” Dorothy Root Gibbs succeeded him playing the Bartola. The Strand ended its operations on April 27, 1924 with Gaston Glass in “After the Ball.” After unsuccessfully finding a new operator, the venue was retrofitted in 1926 and 1927 for an L.J. Skaggs Grocery Store.
The Gothenburg Opera House launched with the live play, “Valley Farm,” on June 4, 1909. And the patrons didn’t have to wait long for the first films to play there - the first moving picture show was a week later on June 12, 1909. Films became the predominant form there and the venue was renamed the Sun Theatre on November 23, 1917 relaunching with Douglas Fairbanks starring in “The Americano.”
Closes January 14, 2021 permanently for demolition.
The Elks theatre became the Orpheum Theatre on May 22, 1921 staying with live presentations
On May 7, 1937, the Grand launches with “A Star is Born.”
September 14, 1913 launch of the Majestic Theatre.
The Island Theatre launched with “College Days” on May 19, 1927.
The Strand Theatre launched in Arcadia (though not necessarily here) on July 2, 1930 with talking pictures.
The Strand replaced the Michelson on October 27, 1920 with its new Bartola Organ played by B.G. Cowham and playing Cecil B. DeMille’s “Something to Think About.”
The Elks Theatre opened with a live stage presentation of “The Wizard of Oz” on December 22, 1904. The theatre became the Orpheum Theatre on May 22, 1921 staying live. But then the Orpheum relied more heavily on motion pictures installing sound in 1929. Its major, multi-month 1930 refresh largely was aimed at presenting talkies. And W.F. McAleer pulled off a major coup in 1932 by signing up exhibition contracts with both MGM and Warner Brothers to become the top movie house in town.
The final film at the Orpheum was December 19, 1939 with “Nurse Edith Cavell.” Showings of “Nonotchka” were cancelled when the film print and theatre burned ending the theater’s run on December 20, 1939.
December 20, 1939 - Fire ends the Orpheum.
The Parsons launched on December 17, 1941 with Robert Young in “Married Bachelor" with seating for 750 people. Shy of its third anniversary, a fire on September 23, 1943 gutted the theatre. H.J. Griffith Amusements Circuit had to get dispensation to rebuild the venue from the War Production Board. The New Parsons Theatre launched on August 31, 1944 with Lucille Ball and Dick Powell in “Meet the People.”
Commonwealth Circuit took on the location. The final operator was B&B Theaters Circuit which turned the venue into a three-plex rebranding as the Parsons Cinema. It was the 46th location for B&B. The Parsons was split on the lower floor and an upper floor auditorium was created in the former balcony. B&B discontinued a policy of late night X-rated films. Seating count for all three theaters combined was 500.
The two screens opened on December 21, 1984 still under the Parsons Theatre. The name of the theatre officially changed to the Parsons Cinema with a grand opening celebrating Screen #3’s arrival on February 2, 1985. B&B subleased to a couple who were considering purchasing and renovating the venue in November of 1998. That became moot when the theatre burned down due to a faulty furnace on December 15, 1998.
Note: This theatre opened for the first time in 1941 - not 1921. The note above correctly states that the Parsons Amusement Company (which owned the Elks Theatre as of 1918 and also the Liberty Theatre both in Parsons) did build a new theater but it was in Nevada, Missouri in 1921 (which the note also says)… not a new theater in Parsons.
Homer H. Daniels launched the Liberty Theatre here on May 9, 1919. The opening film was William S. Hart in “The Hell Hound of Alaska.” Dickinson Theatres Circuit took on the venue closing it in 1928. When the circuit closed the Best for a refresh and name change to the Uptown on June 16, 1928, Dickinson reopened the Liberty on June 18, 1928 to carry the Best/Uptown bookings.
After Dickinson closed the Liberty in 1929, Daniels reacquired the venue equipping it with Photophone to project sound films. It reopened September 13, 1929 with “We Americans” as a new named revealed to those patrons for the first time as the Gala Theatre. Daniels closed the Gala for the summer of 1931 but sold it in October. The theatre chairs were sold at 50 cents each as the theatre redecorated.
With new seating and a refresh, the Gala nameplate was jettisoned in favor of the Ritz Theatre. It debuted on November 23, 1931 with Jaynet Gaynor with “Daddy Long Legs” and Glenn Tryon “The College Racket” supported by a Graham McNamee sports short and newsreel.
H.J. Griffith Amusements merged with Dickinson creating Griffith-Dickinson in 1939. Griffith decided to refresh the front of the building to a streamlined moderne look. After a naming contest, the name Katy was chosen with the Katy Theatre debuting June 20, 1941 with Henry Fonda in “Chad Hanna” and Roy Rogers in “The Sheriff of Tombstone.”
Address has typo - 1911 Main is correct.
Architectural sketch of the new Parsons Theatre in 1941 by E.J. Bauer and Bill J. Moore.
The Best Theatre launched on July 19, 1911 with “Is Time for Press,” “The Baseball Star from Bingville,” “Fighting Blood” and a “Spot Song.” The Best closed as a silent theater venue in June of 1928 for a major, three-week, $30,000 refresh under a new name. The Kimball organ was excised as Dickinson Theatres Circuit decided to equip the theatre with a “super organ.” The operator stated that silent dramas would best be presented with a “super organ.” A $20,000 Wick three-manual direct actuation electric model was selected as that super model. New Motiograph projectors and all new seating were also part of the update. The booth was expanded in the event that the theatre might adopt sound equipment in the future.
The Best closed with the film, “Ladies' Night in a Turkish Bath” on June 16, 1928. While the theatre was closed for the refresh, Dickinson reopened the moribund Liberty Theatre on June 18, 1928 to carry the Best/Uptown bookings. The New Uptown Theatre launched with silent films on July 2, 1928 with Colleen Moore in “Happiness Ahead,” live music with Don Reynaldo Torres and Troubadours Orchestra and Jimmie Durkin at the Wick organ.
The theatre was equipped for sound in March of 1929. During the Depression, sponsored a popular Bank Night. That, however, was ruled as an illegal lottery in 1935 and discontinued. On November 24, 1935, Dickinson Circuit then renamed this venue as the Dickinson Theatre relaunching with Gary Cooper in “Peter Ibbetson.” The displaced Uptown was getting a new location just two doors Eastward to its new home at 1815 Main Street retrofitting an existing retail spot - Smith Clothing Company - for a streamlined theater. (The New Uptown opened on a 15-year lease on December 8, 1935 and has its own CinemaTreasure page.)
When H.J. Griffith Amusements merged with Dickinson in 1939 creating the Griffith-Dickinson Circuit, Griffith decided to refresh both the (New) Uptown and the Dickinson. The Dickinson sign was removed with a naming contest for the new location. After its refresh the contest winner was announced with the venue renamed the Kansan Theatre. The new Kansan opened May 27, 1939. It launched with Bob Hope in “Some Like It Hot”.
The Kansan re-upped with a ten-year lease in 1950. It closed in 1960 and was converted into a dry cleaners and has since been demolished.
Dickinson Theatres Circuit opened the New Uptown Theatre here on December 8, 1935 with Kay Francis in “I Found Stella Parish” and May Robson in “Three Kids and a Queen.” The former Uptown had taken over the Best Theatre location in 1928 but Dickinson decided to move it two doors Eastward to a retrofitted retail operation just vacated by Smith Clothing Company, The resulting streamlined deco theatre had a 15-year lease. The former Best / Uptown Theatre was renamed the Dickinson Theatre (and, later, the Kansan Theatre in 1939).
When H.J. Griffith Amusements merged with Dickinson in 1939 creating the Griffith-Dickinson Circuit, Griffith decided to refresh both the (New) Uptown and the Dickinson. The Best/Uptown/Dickinson became the Kansan after a renaming contest. The (New) New Uptown Theatre relaunched on May 6, 1939 with Adolphe Menjou in “King of the Turf.” The theatre sputtered after World War II failing to fulfill its 15-year lease with Griffith Amusement Circuit closing it in 1946. It was retrofitted for a Singer Sewing Machine retail store in 1947.
The Parsons Drive-In Theatre launched on May 6, 1948 by Louis Stein with “Home in Indiana” supported by a cartoon and newsreel. Stein Theatres sold the theatre to Commonwealth Theatres Circuit which - in turn - sold it to B&B.Theatres Circuit.
B&B closed it in the wee hours of July 4, 1988 citing lack of attendance. The Parsons went out in style with an all night lineup of “Crocodile Dundee II,” “Vice Versa,” “Dirty Dancing,” and “La Bamba.”
Mr. and Mrs. James W. Pace launched the original Pace Theatre on April 3, 1916 with a live play, “Kentucky Sue.” Son, Archie, also worked at the Pace Theatre. But the family decided to build a more grand venue.
The new location was announced in 1923 with architectural plans by E.B. Watson of Norfolk. The original Pace continued until January of 1925 when the New Pace opened nearby. The new Pace has its own page as the Eagle Theatre, a name it received in 1967.
Mr. and Mrs. James W. Pace launched the original Pace Theatre on April 3, 1916 with a live play, “Kentucky Sue.” Son, Archie, also worked at the Pace Theatre. But the family decided to build a more grand venue.
The new location was announced in 1923 with architectural plans by E.B. Watson of Norfolk. The theatre finally launched on January 14, 1925 with “The Sea Hawk” and a musical concert on the mighty Wurlitzer organ from Kanas City costing $10,000. In 1929, the Pace added sound to stay relevant. And in 1930, James' son, Clyde Pace, was sent to manage the new Pace in Gordon.
Black Hills Amusement took over the theatre with Ted Jastroff managing. A major overhaul led the theatre to its final stage as the Eagle Theatre beginning on September 27, 1967 with “The Dirty Dozen.” Commonwealth Theatre Circuit took on the venue. Craig and Janine Bullard took on the single-screen venue in 1986 adding one screen each in 1989 and 1992 in the balcony and then purchasing the neighboring insurance building to add the fourth screen in 1997.
In 1916, P.G. Armbus purchased the Pastime Theatre from L.J. Cross. Dissatisfied with the Pastime, he began development as the proposed Queen Theatre. It launched as Theatre Royal (after a soft launch with a movie serial) with a live play, “In the Shadow of the Cross” on September 18, 1916 but continued thereafter as a movie theater, the Royal Theatre. Earl Kipp of the competing Gayety Theatre took on the Pastime. The Gayety was closed shortly thereafter followed by the Pastime. Professor Charles L. Henning took over the Royal organist duties thanks to his knowledge of the Wurlitzer and improvisational skills in 1919.
Burr B. “B.B.” and Clara Grove took on the venue relaunching it as the Grove Theatre on April 17, 1932 with George Arliss in “Millionaire.” The theatre’s business dwindled in the TV age dropping to Saturday/Sunday operation in 1957. It closed on December 19, 1957 due to “the continued complete absence of adult attendance.” On October 13, 1962, new operators took on the Grove for one more show with “The Fisherman” at the relaunch with Jim Langford managing for the Commonwealth Circuit. It closed not long thereafter. The building became a shoe store.
The Muse opened November 21. 1923 as a 375-seat theatre by L.J. Cross & Son (Roy) with Colleen Moore in “The Ninety and Nine” at 1531 10th Street. An early problem found Roy Cross admonishing patrons for reading the title cards too loud during screenings. Earnest Holcomb took on the theatre in 1929 deciding not to convert to sound and operating with a heavy mix of live plays until 1931.
George W. Luce took on the venue equipping it with sound and a new deco front. Luce renamed it as the Riviera Theatre on July 5, 1931 with Dorothy Mackaill in “Once a Sinner.” In May of 1933, B.B. & Clara Grove took over the Riviera after foreclosure proceedings citing lack of rent. On October 16, 1937, W.H. Ostenberg took on the Riviera and Grove Theatre after B.B. Grove’s death but Clara Grove stayed on as manager. The Riviera closed in 1942.
After the War, Midwest Amusement Company and W.H. Ostenberg III took on the Riviera on December 25, 1948 renaming it the Valley Theatre after a refresh that included a new front and reduced seating count. LeVern DeBolt changed the policy to Spanish films on Thursday with Friday-Sunday English language films. After that went out of business, Myrl D. Cross leased the theatre in 1959 to the Platte Valley Community Theatre. The building was auctioned in 1963 becoming the Eagles Fraternal Lodge. That building was acquired by the city in 1989 and demolished. In its place was the city’s Gering-Municipal and Retail Complex (G-MARC) that was still in use in the 2020s.
Opened with “They Call Me Trinity” on March 16, 1972 .
The Pace Theatre opened replacing the Empress Theatre on September 7, 1930 by Mr. and Mrs. James W. Pace. It opened with Will Rogers in “So This is London” supported by a two-reel comedy and newsreel. Clyde Pace managed the venue while his brother, Archie, worked at Chadron’s Pace Theatre.
Black Hills Amusement took on the venue when Pace retired on January 1, 1935. On January 31, 1940, a fire occurred gutting the interior leading to the New Pace. It relaunched on July 12, 1940 with Bob Hope in “The Ghost Breakers.” Just shy of its 30th/40th Anniversary, an April 9, 1970 fire once again gutted the venue. The Pace, therefore, ended with the April 8, 1970 screening on “The Savage Wild.” The building was then demolished.
Launches June 4, 1954 with Audie Murphy in “Gunsmoke” and George Montgomery in “Battle of Rogue River “