State Theater

El Paso, TX

106 E. San Antonio Avenue

, El Paso, TX 79901 United States

(map)

Status:	Closed
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Unknown

Function:	Unknown
Seats:	738
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	Unknown
Firm:	Unknown

Known as the Wigwam Theatere in the early 1940's, at that time it was operated by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary Hoblitzelle & O'Donnell. By 1950 it had been renamed State Theater.

The State Theater had a showy combination marquee/sign that sheltered the entrance and outside ticket booth. "State" was spelled out in large letters on both sides and accented with neon.

Contributed by Billy Smith / Don Lewis

YOUR COMMENTS

1975 photo of the State Theater in El Paso.

www.flickr.com/photos/lastpictureshow/2255918856

posted by Don Lewis on Feb 10, 2008 at 12:16pm

This is from Boxoffice magazine in May 1960:

EL PASO-Interstate's State Theater, managed by Al Miledi, played host to just about every child in the area during the double billing of Columbia's "Barefoot Mailman" and "My Dog Buddy". As an added attraction, Charles P. "Chuck" Eisenmann and his stage pals, three well-trained German Shepherd dogs, were scheduled on a four-times-daily basis. Each stage presentation, lasting 30 minutes, featured "London the Wonder Dog", as he is seen in the film. At completion of this engagement, Chuck will take his dogs directly to Hollywood to begin shooting "Marks of Distinction".

posted by ken mc on Jan 27, 2009 at 6:04pm

Sounds more like something that would come from the National Enquirer.

posted by Lost Memory on Jan 27, 2009 at 6:36pm

In the 1950s, the State was called the WIGWAM. I saw "Hard Times" - the Bronson/Coburn film - and "Shadow of the Hawk" in a double bill in August, 1976. By then it was renamed the State.

Also in operation at that time was the Capri (Ellanay), the fabulous Plaza, and the Colon (showing Spanish-speaking films).

When I returned to El Paso in 1994, the State was closed. By then the Capri was no longer showing films as it was transformed into a clothing store. The interior was whitewashed but the decor remained intact. You could see the boxes and balcony while shopping in the auditorium section of the store! The Colon was also a clothing store in 1994. The Plaza was shuttered.

posted by hondo59 on Apr 16, 2009 at 11:07am

The year given for this photo is 1980.

posted by Lost Memory on Apr 28, 2009 at 10:51am

I remember it as the Wigwam. I was not allowed to go to the movies there because of the "element" that hung out there...according to my mother. If I wanted to go to the movies, I had to take my sister (ugh!). This was in the 1940's. Anyway, I wanted to watch "The White Gorilla" and told my sister if she told mother we went to the Wigwam...I would never take her to the movies again. Of course...if she did not go, I could not go either.

posted by Clyde on May 29, 2009 at 1:06am

April 1st, 1949 state opening is at http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TRYreEedUIUzKSinwWUgrg?feat=directlink

posted by Mike Rivest on Aug 31, 2009 at 4:40pm

The State Theatre was also known as the Rialto at one time.

posted by Chuck1231 on Sep 8, 2009 at 9:27am

Here is another 1980 photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Sep 8, 2009 at 4:05pm

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