Worth Theatre

John Eberson contributed greatly to the design of the interior of the Worth, which was done in a highly unusual blend of Egyptian, Art Deco and atmospheric.

Attended this one in late sixties as a high school student. My buddies and I would drive into downtown which was virtually deserted even then. Unfortunately the theater was the same way. Gorgeous thick red carpet with elaborate designs covered the floors. Opulent sculptured walls were dramatically lit including a cathedral like rose window backlit in the ceiling. Sculpted Egyptian figures larger than life adorned the walls. We always sat in the balcony. Once up the stairs there was a long waiting/smoking area/corridor just outside the seating of the balcony. I remember tvs hung hospital like up and down the space and every weekend while we were there it seems that "Wagon Train" (not old then) was on all the sets. Wish I had taken photographs of this theater. If anybody has any or knows where I could find some it would be greatly appreciated.
We used to go to the Hollywood (in the picture above) as well but neither it nor any other theater in the area could compare with the Worth.
We graduated in 1969 and all went our separate ways. I went off to college and never got the chance to see the Worth again. It was a truly amazing space for movies and I can only imagine what live performances of vaudeville must have been like.
Movie theaters and drive-ins populate my memories and mark milestones of my life. Too bad so many of them no longer exist. Even the most meager of the lot had more character than the multiplexes of today. I suppose however even these will be looked back upon with fondness someday.
Someone dim the house lights and pass the popcorn.
Ken Raney

My cousin was the manager of The Worth in the 50's and 60's. My family from Shreveport use to visit his family about once a year, and it was a great treat to go visit him at the Worth. He would allow us to have free access to the whole place from the projection booth to the stage. I even remember going into the catwalks above the ceiling and in the crawl space under the floor. I once asked if I could play the organ, and he told me that all the wires to it had been cut becasue they were afraid of a fire.

It was a truly grand place. I especially remember the rose windwow mentioned in the comment above. Unfortunately I never took any pictures.

In 1965 as a married young adult I was in Fr. Worth and again visited with him in the theater. Hush,Hush, Sweet Charlotte was playing. By this time, he had had the organ restored and it was played at intermission. So after visiting the theater for many years, I finally got to hear the organ.

That was the last time I saw the cousin and the Worth. I understand that the organ was installed in the Casa Manna Playhouse.

Tom Caldwell

I envy you Tom. Access to all the spaces you mentioned would have been great. I remember the move of the organ being mentioned locally on the news but never heard it used.
Casa Mana is an interesting building itself. Being a Buckminster Fuller geodesic dome it was perfect for theater in the round. I believe it's round stage has since been altered to a more traditional form though. Last time I was there my children were small and we saw a live production of "Little Shop of Horrors".

Old photo of the Worth Theater:
http://texana.texascooking.com/gifs/amazon/worth_a2.jpg

Hello,I was an usher at the Worth Theatre in 1964.I'd like to reminisce with anyone who has memories of the theatre..John

John,

Was Ray Jones the manager when you were working at the Worth?

I remembered his name as Sam Jones,but I think you are right.I remember the asst. manager was named Songer and I think his first name was Gary.The head of the ushers was Gary Eason....It was a great job for a 15 yr old kid.