Tyler Theatre

111 S. Broadway Avenue,
Tyler, TX 75702

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Interstate Theatres Inc. & Texas Consolidated Theaters Inc., Plitt Theatres

Firms: Pettigrew & Worley

Functions: Bar, Retail

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Tyler TheaterĀ© Tyler Texas...Don Lewis / Billy Smith...http://preview.tinyurl.com/3brwx6f

The Tyler Theatre was opened on August 2, 1940 with Ann Sheridan in “They Drive By Night”. Operated by Interstate Theaters Inc., it was later taken over by Plitt Southern Theatres who closed it in 1982. Famous for producing beautiful “Tyler Roses”, the city of Tyler has let a cinematic rose die. The theatre has been gutted and converted into retail use.

Contributed by Don Lewis

Recent comments (view all 23 comments)

scooterjmatthews
scooterjmatthews on February 22, 2009 at 11:06 pm

I’m not sure when this photo/rendering was taken, but judging by the film listed on the marquee this image is from the early sixties.

Tyler Theater, circa 1962

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on October 3, 2009 at 11:05 pm

The August 10, 1940, issue of Boxoffice said that the Tyler Theatre had recently opened to overflow crowds. The opening was attended by actor Brian Donlevy, star of the first feature shown at the new house, “The Great McGinty.”

Interstate had been planning the Tyler Theatre since 1937. According to the November 13, 1937, issue of Boxoffice, the circuit had hired architect W. Scott Dunne to design the new theater, but Dunne had died suddenly, delaying the project.

As with the Interstate Circuit’s Alabama Theatre in Houston, also put on hold by the Dunne’s death, the Tyler Theatre was ultimately designed by the firm of Pettigrew & Worley. Four photos of the Tyler’s Art Moderne auditorium were published in the February 22, 1941, issue of Boxoffice.

EnnisCAdkins
EnnisCAdkins on April 15, 2010 at 10:48 pm

I worked at the Alabama Theatre in Houston when it was managed by Howard Skelton. In the mid 1960’s Mr. Skelton was transferred to Tyler, Texas as the city manager. He was a terrific guy. Can anyone who lives in Tyler update me on what happened to Howard Skelton? I will always remember him as the first manager I ever worked for.

GESkelton
GESkelton on April 25, 2010 at 11:00 pm

Ennis,

Good to hear from you. My Dad, Howard passed away on August 15, 2007. Can you contact me at as I need to talk to you.

Thanks

George Skelton

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on June 17, 2011 at 1:27 pm

Good job City of Tyler. That’s some real forward thinking you’ve done with three classic theater buildings that are/were within sight of each on the city square. I don’t know of any other city that can match that.

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on June 17, 2011 at 1:33 pm

A view of the Tyler Theater @ this link http://preview.tinyurl.com/3brwx6f

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on June 18, 2011 at 2:51 am

Don: It’s pretty easy to embed links now, using markdown code. Put the text that will become the link between square brackets [thus], then copy and paste the url between parentheses (thus). You can leave spaces between words in the text as usual, but leave no other spaces. Below, I’ve put Tyler Theatre between square brackets and put the photo’s url at Flickr between parentheses. That’s all there is to it:

A view of the Tyler Theatre

rivest266
rivest266 on October 16, 2019 at 5:58 pm

Closed in 1982 by Plitt Southern Theatres.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on June 2, 2020 at 1:03 pm

November 1956 photo added courtesy Alvita Wilson, via Pinterest and Traces of Texas FB page. Elvis Presley “Love Me Tender” promotion.

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