Rex Theatre

raubre on April 25, 2006 at 4:31 pm

It is strange. I don’t remember seeing the Rex until recently. Was it vacant in the 80s before its reopening?

richardg on April 11, 2007 at 4:23 pm

I just visited the Rex on Easter weekend and saw the “World Premiere” of a locally done full length film titled, “You’re In Trouble” which was paired with a previously released short titled, “Corporate Blues”. I’ll just say they’re both okay since this isn’t a movie revue site. Most everything listed here is pretty accurate according to my source who now operates the Rex. The screen used now is about one third the size of the original screen since movies are rarely shown. Today, the Rex’s primary purpose is a “Premiere Rock Venue Facility” All permanent seating has been removed so when seating is required, banquet style chairs are placed. It’s butt tough to sit on for over 2 hours but the semi “theatre” experience was still worthwile. Sipping a beer and watching a movie was strange but throughly enjoyable. Despite its present shortcomings as a true movie theatre, I’d go again.
The Rex closed in 1959 and never returned as a movie theatre until the the nineties. The “art fare venue” lasted until the mid nineties with one short closure and reopening. During the time frame between 1959 and the nineties the Rex hosted a barber school as well as a wholesale (very appropiately) popcorn facility. The Rex sat vacant from the mid 90’s until 2001, when it reopend with a premiere Rock & Roll showcase venue.
Although, today what appears to be the Rex’s balcony, it was vastly different in its movie showing days. The balcony today is much larger and has a new curved staircase. Originally, the balcony was only on the left side (as you face the screen) of the projection booth. It contained only 6 seats. Does that qualify for entry into the Guiness book? You also need a VIP pass to gain entry to the balcony.

Joe Vogel on November 1, 2014 at 4:31 pm

This item is from the February 19, 1916, issue of The American Contractor:

“Pittsburgh, Pa. — Moving Picture Theater, Store & Apt. Bldg.: $16,000. 2 sty. 32x80. 1604 Carson st. Archt. Chas. Geisler, 1933 Warnock st. Owner Louis Michael, 1606 Carson st. Plans in progress.”

A later issue of the magazine said that plans were complete and the architect would be taking bids for the project about March 15. Chas. Geisler was probably the Charles R. Geisler who designed the Harris South Hills Theatre in Dormont, Pennsylvania.

dallasmovietheaters on September 23, 2020 at 7:01 am

The location was home to a vaudeville theatre in 1905 named the Strand whose film roots dates back to becoming a full time nickelodeon in 1907. It became the New Strand Theatre in the 1930s after a refresh. By decade’s end it became the New Rex Theatre – the city’s second Rex.The Rex closed in 1959 with “Gone with the Wind.” But following a 30-year lease as a beautician school, the Rex returned with movies in 1989. For its last 11 years it was home to live events.

But the theatre closed in March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In September of 2020, the operators made the closure permanent stating, “Due to the ongoing hardship and uncertain future caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, The Rex Theater will be closing our doors after over a decade of live music and events.”