Loew's Broad

The theatre was located at 39 W. Broad Street and first opened in March, 1921, as The James Theatre, named in honor of owner-builder William M. James. At the time, The James was reported to be the largest movie theatre in Ohio, with 3,000 seats (more likely, around 2,500). Its electric vertical sign, with a flashing effect that required 3,000 bulbs, was claimed to be the most spectacular in the Middle West. Presenting movies and vaudeville, The James supported its programs with a 35-piece orchestra and a Kimball organ. In 1927, William James sold the theatre to a company jointly owned by the Loew's and United Artists Theatres circuits, which was in the process of building an even larger theatre in Columbus that would be named the Ohio. Re-named Loew's Broad, the ex-James continued to play vaudeville and movies even after the March, 1928 opening of the Loew's & United Artists Ohio. In fact, the Ohio was so costly to operate that it switched to movies only in 1934, while the Broad continued with movies and stage shows for quite a few years after that. Eventually, the older Broad was reduced to subsequent-run double-features, and finally closed in 1961. It was demolished to make way for the Huntington Trust Building.

The architects of The James Theater were C. Howard Crane and Kenneth Franzheim. A seating capacity of 2800 is given in 1941 when it was listed as Loew's Broad.

I read an article about Billy James the owner/builder of this theater. In the article it mentions that this theater was first called the Rialto Theater before becoming the James Theater.

" After a few years, the success of the Broadway prompted Billy James to begin planning another venture nearby. Recognizing that the motion picture was rapidly moving beyond the flickers of the early nickelodeons, James built a large new theatre designed for the movies just to the west of the Broadway. Originally opened as the Rialto, the theatre was renamed the James. At 3,000 seats, it was the largest motion picture theatre in the city when it was built.

Featuring a large electric sign with more than 3,000 lights and one of the most impressive pipe organs in the Midwest, the James was a wonder to behold when it opened in 1921.

For all its glitter and glamour, the James Theatre had a relatively short life by that name. James sold his theatre to Loew's and United Artists, who opened it as the Broad in 1927. Billy James died in 1941. His theatre lasted another 20 years, finally closing in 1961. It was torn down to make way for the Huntington Trust building that now occupies the site".

Would've liked to have seen what this theater looked like, but it was long gone before I came here. It sounds much bigger than the Palace across the street.

The Columbus Metropolitan Library has an online historic photo collection with several photos of this and other theatres.

Broadway Theatre and James Theatre, side by side. The Broadway closed in 1929; the James became Loew's Broad.

Loew's Broad Theatre, 1960. The marquee advertises a live magic show, plus a double feature of Studs Lonigan and The Pusher.

Click on the thumbnails to see full-size photos.

One more Loew's Broad photo from the library collection:

Busloads of people flocked to Loew's Broad Theatre in 1956 to see \"The Ten Commandments\".

Click on the thumbnail to see a full-size photo.

And one last Loew's Broad photo, from 1957. This one shows lots of school buses lined up, some double-parked, outside the theatre whose marquee displays "The Ten Commandments".

Across the street is the RKO Palace marquee, advertising Alan Ladd in "Big Land", and a second feature of "Wicked Wife".

Thanks for all the info!

Here is another photo:
http://tinyurl.com/g5ax7

A Kimball theater organ size 3/15 was installed in the James Theater in 1921.

Great pictures and info.