Here is the Shorpy link for the September 1940 photo, which is originally “Theater in Ouray, Colorado”.
Medium format negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration.
Be sure to click on “View full size"for incredible detail.
Biograph lobby mural now on display at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring Maryland.
Photo added credit Allyn Johnson courtesy the Old Time D.C. Facebook page.
“A huge crowd accompanied the opening of the Plaza Theater on September 12, 1930. Designed as a modern film house with the flexibility of presenting stage shows, the Plaza eventually hosted popular traveling shows and movies. Its size (capacity of 2,410), elaborate decor, and technical innovations made it stand out: While the exterior facade was designed to be reminiscent of a Spanish mission-style parapet, patrons were awed by the interior, with its intricately painted ceilings, mosaic-tiled floors, decorative metal railings and sconces and antique furnishings (Spanish Colonial Revival style). Additionally, the Plaza offered electrically cooled drinking fountains, a nursery, a $850 marble and brass telecheck system that alert ushers when a seat became vacant, and a Brenograph machine that could throw over a thousand color effects onto the black-and-white scenes. However, in the 1950s, the Theater’s patronage declined and by the 1970s it was sold. In the 1980s, the El Paso Community Foundation saved the Plaza from demolition and donated it to the City of El Paso in 1990. After, it was restored to its original splendor and today hosts concerts, shows, musicals and plays once again. ”
The address listed is the Wright Opera House built in 1888, not the Ouray Theatre.
In doing a street view based off the 1955 photo I posted, I believe the Ouray Theatre was at 640 Main Street, which today houses Gumpshun Gallery.
If you do a search of that address, it appears to be the same building with a heavily updated facade.
You can also match up the other buildings from the 1955 photo if you scroll right from there.
Yep, that explains it.
Street view shows the peaked structure on the corner with siding repairs in process, from the collapse that occurred next to it.
The peaked structure is 20 Rue Hill.
So the Star used 22 Rue Hill and is demolished.
The Capitol used the 132 Rue de l'Église address, is also demolished, so I will update that accordingly.
Street view shows both the Star Theatre and Capitol Theatre buildings as demolished.
Neighboring structures are still standing.
The addresses for the Star would have been 128 Rue de l'Église, not Hill or Hill Rue.
The paint store next to the Capitol Theatre in the `50s photo, is today Carrier Pelletier Law Firm, located at 134 Rue de l'Église.
So the Capitol would have been 132 Rue de l'Église.
Not sure what building Spilly’s Resto Bar is in, but it appears the small house with the peaked roof next door to where the Star Theatre was is it.
Address is 111-113 West Depot Street. South side of the square.
Building is still standing and lobby entrance was split into two retail spaces.
Hitchcock Insurance is in the right hand space.
Early `50s photo added courtesy David Melson.
2018 street view confirms location.
1967 photo added courtesy Mike Tammy Cerigny Payne, via the Westbank- Back in the day~ Facebook page.
Gretna Fair Grounds OTB & Casino is at that location and address now.
Undated image added courtesy Ron Evry.
Advertised as Burbank Burlesque Theatre.
Above 1930s photo added to Photos, via Martin King. Theatre was spelled with “re”. 2009 Photobucket link above no longer opens.
Here is the Shorpy link for the September 1940 photo, which is originally “Theater in Ouray, Colorado”. Medium format negative by Russell Lee for the Farm Security Administration. Be sure to click on “View full size"for incredible detail.
https://www.shorpy.com/node/23759
Washington Post article about the mural.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/
A 1986 video of the “Saving The Circle” effort.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSol766bDvI&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3FHKLmxO6-5LFexf9Lwb3KJNJ8_3wRnPv7bww1uthcXIJh_GEbDF7ND_s
Biograph lobby mural now on display at AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center in Silver Spring Maryland. Photo added credit Allyn Johnson courtesy the Old Time D.C. Facebook page.
Via Lost El Paso Facebook page.
“A huge crowd accompanied the opening of the Plaza Theater on September 12, 1930. Designed as a modern film house with the flexibility of presenting stage shows, the Plaza eventually hosted popular traveling shows and movies. Its size (capacity of 2,410), elaborate decor, and technical innovations made it stand out: While the exterior facade was designed to be reminiscent of a Spanish mission-style parapet, patrons were awed by the interior, with its intricately painted ceilings, mosaic-tiled floors, decorative metal railings and sconces and antique furnishings (Spanish Colonial Revival style). Additionally, the Plaza offered electrically cooled drinking fountains, a nursery, a $850 marble and brass telecheck system that alert ushers when a seat became vacant, and a Brenograph machine that could throw over a thousand color effects onto the black-and-white scenes. However, in the 1950s, the Theater’s patronage declined and by the 1970s it was sold. In the 1980s, the El Paso Community Foundation saved the Plaza from demolition and donated it to the City of El Paso in 1990. After, it was restored to its original splendor and today hosts concerts, shows, musicals and plays once again. ”
The address listed is the Wright Opera House built in 1888, not the Ouray Theatre. In doing a street view based off the 1955 photo I posted, I believe the Ouray Theatre was at 640 Main Street, which today houses Gumpshun Gallery. If you do a search of that address, it appears to be the same building with a heavily updated facade. You can also match up the other buildings from the 1955 photo if you scroll right from there.
Circa 1955 photo added as Ouray Theatre, painted on wall left of center. Courtesy Mase Mason.
John Wayne’s “Hellfighters” opened the same day 12/20/68 down the street at the Roosevelt Theatre.
Update: Photo taken June 12, 1966. The first Puerto Rican Parade.
Correct address is 124 S. Walnut Street per the museum’s website. Active link below.
https://www.harricynmuseum.org/
Address was 132 Rue de l'Église.
Building burned down in 2012 and was demolished.
Yep, that explains it. Street view shows the peaked structure on the corner with siding repairs in process, from the collapse that occurred next to it. The peaked structure is 20 Rue Hill. So the Star used 22 Rue Hill and is demolished. The Capitol used the 132 Rue de l'Église address, is also demolished, so I will update that accordingly.
In looking at your website link, Spilly’s and everything to the right of it have since been torn down.
Street view shows both the Star Theatre and Capitol Theatre buildings as demolished. Neighboring structures are still standing. The addresses for the Star would have been 128 Rue de l'Église, not Hill or Hill Rue. The paint store next to the Capitol Theatre in the `50s photo, is today Carrier Pelletier Law Firm, located at 134 Rue de l'Église. So the Capitol would have been 132 Rue de l'Église. Not sure what building Spilly’s Resto Bar is in, but it appears the small house with the peaked roof next door to where the Star Theatre was is it.
Multiple images added.
Name change to Capri Theatre was May 1968. Multiple images added.
Address is 111-113 West Depot Street. South side of the square. Building is still standing and lobby entrance was split into two retail spaces. Hitchcock Insurance is in the right hand space. Early `50s photo added courtesy David Melson. 2018 street view confirms location.
Multiple images added.
1955 image added via Ronald Platt.
“Ride A Crooked Trail” starring Audie Murphy on the marquee, released in 1958.
1964 photo added credit Tommy Mazzullo, closed and converted to Royal Reception Hall by then.
1967 photo added courtesy Mike Tammy Cerigny Payne, via the Westbank- Back in the day~ Facebook page. Gretna Fair Grounds OTB & Casino is at that location and address now.
Update: Photo credit William P. Gottlieb.