Majestic Theatre

Opened in Feb. 1928; closed in 1960. Architects were the Boller Brothers.

My father took me to this theater when I was a little girl, in the late 50's. The only thing I can remember are the little lights on the floor in the aisle along the seats, and I only wish that I was a little older at the time so that I could remember the beautiful architecture that I have always heard so much about. I do remember the Majestic Restaurant next door, and the open-faced roast beef platters with a hugh pile of mashed potatoes and gravy they served.

The Majestic Theatre in East St. Louis, Il. seated 1743 and was originally part of the Samuel Komm Theatres of St. Louis. The theatre has been gutted of much of the original decor it sits mostly as a shell in the heart of the closed up downtown east St. Louis business district. When it closed in 1960 if my records are correct it was operated by BAC theatres of Belleville, Il.

I wonder if there are any pictures in someones archives, of the interior the the Majestic Theatre. Even though it is just a shell of its former self, I can say that it still shines with a beauty that is "haunting" to see, as it sits among the decayed and delapidated buildings that surround it today...

I have pics of the Majestic and when the add a photo feature is put back online I will submit them.

I will be looking forward to seeing the photos...

The Majestic Theatre should be brought back to life! If only the mayor would attempt to organize a major cleanup, starting with downtown East St. Louis. The theatre could possibly be used for plays and other cultural events. SIU in East St. Louis has always been involved in ballet, and other types of performing arts. The Casino Queen is so close by, and they are always busy. If downtown could be revitalized with new stores and restaurants, which could be built in the place of the vacant and decayed buildings that are there now, I am sure many people would come back, as long as there is adequate security. I know a lot of people who would be thrilled to walk along Collinsville Avenue once again. I firmly believe a new future could lie just within reach of the beautiful and historical Majestic Theatre.

Majestic built by Harry Redmond and Fred Leber, replacing an earlier Majestic on the same site.

Great States Theatres (a branch of the Paramount-Publix theatre empire) leased and operated the theatre for many years beginning in 1929.

The organ from the Majestic, Wurlitzer Opus 1222 (shipped to the theatre on 12/12/25), currently entertains patrons as the lobby organ at the Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO.

I just received a book called "Ticket to Paradise: American Movie Theaters & How We Had Fun," and I saw an exterior photo of the Missouri Theatre in St. Joseph, Missouri, which was very similar to the Majestic. It was also built by the Boller Brothers in the 1920's. I found a website thru Cinema Treasures about the Missouri Theatre where you can view some photos of the interior of this theatre that were taken before and after they rehabbed the building. If anyone can remember what the inside of the Majestic looked like, please check out these photos and let me know if they compare at all to the likeness of the Majestic.

I don't think this poor building is ever going to see patrons again. I took an adventure earlier this summer to find it, and it is truly amazing, as are the other buildings around it... but they are all falling apart, miserably so. The beautiful building next door is totally caved-in in the back. But I highly recommend a drive-by viewing, at the very least. You can see it from the interstate.

Here are photos of what the exterior of the Majestic looks like today...notice the foliage growing out of the facade! Majestic is an appropriate word though, even now, to describe that fantastic terra-cotta.

Charles: Hope to see your pictures of this St. Louis Gothic Revival Majestic theatre SOON! The front facade of this theater is breathtaking in the postcard photo!

I drove by this theater a few weeks ago on a cross-country jaunt(made a point to look up as many theaters as possible).I found this bldg absolutely breathtaking.Aren't there any shots of the interior or news on the state of the interior?

I first noticed this theater up close in 1969,when I stopped for the night in a Holiday Inn in downtown-imagine that?Spending the night in E.St.Louis?It looked like it had closed recently,although,I guess it had been closed for about 9 years.What a shame.It appeared quite pristine.

Here is a vintage photo of the Majestic Theater.

This theatre looks more like a European cathedral and definitely deserves to be saved. And to see the foliage growing out of the building's facade in a couple of the photos is very sad.

How does the Fox Theatre in St. Louis compare to the Majestic?

More photos:
http://www.agilitynut.com/05/10/estl1.jpg
http://www.agilitynut.com/05/10/estl2.jpg

Patsy, If you want to make a comparison you would be better by comparing the Majestic in E. St. Louis, Il. with the Missouri in St. Joseph, Mo. Both theatres were Boller Brothers theatres and there are similarities both exterior and interior.
http://cinematreasures.org/theater/230/

Chuck: Thanks...will do!

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985

Majestic Theatre (added 1985 - Building - #85000977)
240-246 Collinsville Ave., East St. Louis
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Boller Bros.
Architectural Style: Other
Area of Significance: Performing Arts, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Commerce/Trade, Vacant/Not In Use, Work In Progress

Here are some interior photos of the Majestic. It looks alot better on the outside.

Lost Memory: Your Oct 13, 2005 post features a vintage photo though I couldn't bring it up and would like to see what this theatre once looked like and to think it was added to the NRHP in just '85 which isn't that long ago. What happened to this theatre and the interior as those photos are very hard to view?

I've seen a lot worse returned to use and glory.The sin of this great relic is its location.The curse of E.S.L.will probably be fatal,in the end.I drove past it a few weeks ago.I didn't even turn my head to look.It really saddens me.

Patsy, that link was to a 1947 photo and it has gone to link heaven. To emphasise what Mr. G just posted, take a look at these photos of East St. Louis. The other buildings look as bad as this theater.

It sounds like this theatre is in a decaying part of St. Louis and its fate is probably written in stone now due to the declining area. However, I do hope to see some vintage photos here of this once great theatre in the near future!

I guess the theatre's heydays were from 1925 to 1949...24 years of glory. And I see that after the word, Owner it reads....Private. Who owns the building?

The information given by the National Register of Historic Places is accurate for 1985. The building might still have a private owner or its possible that the city of East St. Louis owns it today. I really have no idea.

Lost Memory: And if you can somehow post the photos you added on Oct 13, 2005 that would be wonderful! I've tried a few times to view them, but no luck!

I just now noticed your above post with all of the depressing East St. Louis photos and your "link heaven" comment concerning the 1947 vintage photo so I guess we won't see it afterall...still hoping to see one of that era though.

Okay Patsy, here is the 1947 photo from another source.

Thanks! I knew you'd come through for me....again! Happy New Year!

I know "beggers can't be choosers", but if there is any way you could somehow find some vintage interior photos that would be wonderful, too! We've seen the decaying interior so it would be nice to see what it once looked like on the inside!

Wow, I thought Camden, NJ and Gary, Indiana were dumps. East St. Louis seems to outdo them both in urban devastation. If there was ever a city that needed to be leveled and replaced with a park, this would seem to be it. How awful that this is what is directly opposite the St. Louis Arch. What a shame since The Majestic appeared to be such a beautiful structure.

Also, the intro says that this theater "may be declared a landmark". May be? If it hasn't happened by now I can't imagine that it will be in the future. There appears to be virtually nothing left to this sad city. Regular St. Louis must appear to be Emerald City in comparison.

"Regular St. Louis must appear to be Emerald City in comparison." Interesting quote as I'm a Wizard of Oz fan!

Who isn't!!!! :)

Exterior and interior shots from 10/11/08.

Looks like many the graffitti artists have been inside. With all that damage, does anyone think it could one day be saved and revived?

Do any CT members know anything about East St. Louis? Is there any movement to Landmark this theater? (Not that it would make much difference). Seriously, this city looks to be in even worse shape than Camden, New Jersey. Is there any real hope for the Majestic or East St. Louis?

Hey LuisV, upon looking again at the photos from the 10/21/08 post, there is a large amount of light coming from the projection booth, which makes me wonder if the roof is gone.
What a shame, such a once beautiful place has been left to rot away.

Yes, I thought the same thing. The roof appears to be missing. I don't really have any hope for this theater.

A hi-res scan of the postcard at the top of the page can be seen in my flickr stream:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pulp-o-rama/3284170161/in/set-72057594129975085/
Gorgeous place, the exterior doesn't seem to be in such a bad shape judging from the photos posted above. Notice all the detail in the tiny tiles on the facade!

Doesn't look like it is in the worst shape in the world inside or out. Problem is, what would you do with it if it were fixed up?

There is a web site that shows recent interior photos, I am sorry that I didn't keep the link. but the theatre is in horible shape inside. part of the back roof has fallen in, water leaks throughout the theatre, there was even a photo of skeletons of a mother dog and its baby. Knowing East St. Louis' economy I don't this theatre will ever be revived.

For a brief history and some other interesting information about the Majestic (and some other early East St Louis theatres), go to the link below, and click "View the Record" at the bottom of the page:

http://riverweb.ncsa.uiuc.edu/cgi-bin/viewrid?RID=507

I just emailed the mayor about this situation! I agree with all of you! This needs to happen for the sake of us, the youth!

I do have pictures of the Majestic now from 2008. It's not in too bad of shape considering it has been sitting there for over forty years.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/statlerhotel/sets/72157603668064824/show/with/2178527741/

1985 Photo

My parents and grandparents spent a lot of time in this theater. My Aunt actually worked there in the ticket booth, sometimes letting her husband to be in free. I'd love to share any vintage photos available with them if there are any around.
JMS