Lobo Theater

So sad to hear that it has closed. I saw a midnight of "Quadrophenia" there in 1998, the same lineup was playing as is shown in this picture, so I assume it was the same time. Here's hoping someone can breathe life back into this great venue.

Here's a picture of the theatre that I took in 1998.
http://www.achangeinscenery.com/scooters/Lobo98.jpg

A 2005 photo of the Lobo theater can be seen here.

This is a 2006 photo of the Lobo theater.

The function should be church as that is the current occupant.

This article gives the closing date as August 4, 2000:

"Albuquerque Journal 08/14/2000

Its sound system and seating couldn't compete with the ultra-modern multiplexes springing up around town, so, after a brief experiment as a venue of first-run films and years of being run as a labor of love the one-screen Lobo Theater has gone dark.

But while it couldn't compete in technical terms, the Lobo Theater had no match in terms of playing host to memorable events. When built in 1938 by Lebanese immigrant Latif Hyder, the Lobo was the first theater in the city outside of Downtown. On opening night, nearly 62 years to the week before its closing, it was host to 4,000 movie-goers who gathered in the Lobo's sleek, air-conditioned lobby to see "In Old Chicago," starring Tyrone Power and Don Ameche. Up until his death in 1985, Hyder sat in the back of the theater every night, munching popcorn and singing along to the musical scores.

More recently, a core group of dedicated patrons flocked like clockwork to the Lobo after midnight to sing along with Tim Curry and other stars of the cult film, "Rocky Horror Picture Show." A one-time staple for the university and art-film crowd, the 578-seat, discount theater was the place to savor foreign films, especially from the classic 1930s balcony. It was ideal for special cinema events. On Oscar night, it was the place to dress up like a movie star for a glamorous evening viewing the Academy Awards.

When it closed its doors at 3013 Central NE on Aug. 4, the Lobo was the city's oldest continuously operating theater, but had been struggling financially for years, critically in recent months. It is to be hoped that it might yet be resurrected to its rightful place as a vital cog in a vibrant part of the city".

Hello!

My name is Ryan Makkonen and I am the head of the New Mexico Film Club based out of UNM. I spoke with a local filmmaker named Billy and he told me that the Lobo Theatre available to be rented on certain nights. The reason we are contacting you is we were wondering if it would be possible to rent the Lobo Theatre on Sunday nights around midnight so that the club can take submissions so that we can show films from all over New Mexico so that all filmmakers in NM can have their films seen. Could you please contact us at nmfilmmaker@hotmail.com Thank you so much for your free time and have a wonderful day! God Bless!

Sincerely,

Ryan Makkonen
Film Club Founder
Abq. Film Club Coordinator
Makk One Productions Founder
makkoneproductions@hotmail.com
nmfilmmaker@hotmail.com
http://www.myspace.com/nmfilmmakers

The Lobo was the last of the great Albuquerque theaters. Catering to UNM students and die-hard "Rocky Horror" fans, it was the last theater in the city that still featured an accessible balcony (The Highland Theater, in operation at the same time, still had a balcony, but it was in poor repair and patrons were not allowed to access it). The last film I saw there was Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. That was several years before it closed. They used to have a great Oscar telecast there. Sadly, this great lady has become a church.

This is a recent photo of the Lobo Theater.

I know the people operating it when i was last there in '96 worked very hard to keep it running. I always thought it was the pride of Nob Hill. It's a shame if the area can't support it any more.

Another marquee photo. Here is the OBO, better known as the Lobo Theater.

A 1974 view of the Lobo Theater in Albuquerque.

As Ken MC posted on Jul 30, 2006, this is a church called City on a Hill. "The Lobo Theater opened on August 19, 1938" according to this Lobo Theater history page from the church website. Click "Next" at the bottom of that page for some photos.

Here is another photo of the Lobo.

I find it appropriate that the Lobo should become a church, for it is where I attended a dozen showings of "Gigi," which I certainly worship.

This is still a church. Some interior photos are on the church website. Here is a recent exterior view.

Lobo Theater photo

The Lobo getting ready for the Oscars in 1995:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34152329@N06/3472057537/in/set-72157617054310351/

1983 Photo