Ritz Civic Center

A Wurlitzer organ, opus 1187, was installed in the Ritz Theatre on 10/26/1925.

This is a photo of the Ritz in Blytheville.

1986 photo of the Ritz Theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c4%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=23358

1984 Night Photo

The Ritz Theater is listed in 1955 with 726 seats.

This is from the Blytheville Courier News in February 1951:

Moving picture patrons who smoke no longer will have to wait patiently until the show is over or leave their seats between features to enjoy a cigarette in the lounges. Patrons who wish to smoke during the showing of pictures in the newly-remodeled Ritz Theater that will have its formal opening here tomorrow may use a special smoking loge.

This is an innovation in the motion picture business in Blytheville. Fire-resistant construction of the new building has made possible the use of such a smoking loge. Fire Chief Roy Head has termed the structure "one of the safest anywhere" from the standpoint of fire resistance.

The smoking loge, which will seat approximately 150 persons, is located upstairs and occupies half the balcony area. Entrance to the smoking loge is located immediately to the patron's right as he enters the main portion of the lobby. Carpeted stairs lead to the smoking loge, which is equipped with the same velour-upholstered seats as are found in the downstairs part of the theater.

There is an interior photo on this page. The correct address is 306 W. Main Street.
http://tinyurl.com/nwl4hw

Here is a recent photo of the Ritz.

There is no plain Main St it is either E. Main or W. Main, the theatre is listed at 306 W. Main as previously noted.

Two blocks east of the Ritz there was a Gem theatre at 124 W. Main, anyone have information on the Gem?

Come to find out there was another theatre called the Roxy at 108 W. Main St. also, anyone have info on the Roxy so it can be added to CT? The address would put it in the same block as the Gem but across the street.

I was about to write up the Roxy and add it until I came across something interesting. See the Home Theater listing for what I found.

I understand what your saying LM, the Roxy/Home are the same theatre.
All we need to find out now is the name of the theatre located on So. Broadway. The archives that I went through didn't mention the Roxy but gave a Home Theatre on S. Bdway. But in any case not destroyed by fire.

Here is an older photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ltb42g

Google search for Ritz? LOL

This is one result of a Google search for Ritz Theater. :)