Casa Linda Theatre
150 Casa Linda Plaza,
Dallas,
TX
75218
150 Casa Linda Plaza,
Dallas,
TX
75218
11 people
favorited this theater
Opened in 1945, the Casa Linda Theatre was the second theater in the United States to be built as an integrated part of a shopping center, a novel idea at the time. It followed another Dallas area theater, which was the first such theater to be constructed.
The theater was built and operated by B.R. McLendon, father of the legendary radio pioneer Gordon McLendon (the great Scotsman) who because famous for his re-enactments of baseball games, theater holdings, movie production, real estate holdings, and precious metals holdings.
The Casa Linda was the first portion of the shopping center to be built. Due to the shortage of building materials during and following the Second World War, construction of the theater took nearly five years.
The theater closed in early 1999 when its lease expired. The building had been sold to a potential real estate developer who later reneged on their offer to buy the theater.
Over the next two years, two other potential buyers backed out of their plans to buy the property (and the Casa Linda).
Contributed by
Richard Peterson
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Recent comments (view all 79 comments)
I still haven’t found anything else about this and have really seen no more work being done. I’ll try to remember to snag the number next time I’m over there.
I have to say, though, that I get a kick out of all those who have posted comments referring to the Casa Linda’s “original splendor” or other similar verbiage. I practically lived at this theater for 20 years and “splendor” is not a word I would ever use to describe it. Its interior was plain to the point of being spartan and from 1958 – 1979 it certainly showed its wear and tear. This is not a put-down, as no one ever maintained anything in pristine condition back in those days; even the Majestic, Capri, Tower, and Palace downtown were allowed to judiciously show their age. Compared to those venues, the Casa Linda was nothing special – but it sure is a part of some wonderful memories for me.
Oh, one other little point: someone posted that this theater was changed into a multi-screen in the 1960’s – not true. As of summer 1969 it was still in its original single-screen configuration. It was one of several McLendon theaters that hosted the world premiere of “True Grit” with John Wayne being carted around in a McLendon limo to each theater to make his appearance after the film’s showing. The other theaters were (I believe) the Preston Royal, Park Forest, and several McLendon drive-ins. Sometime in the early 1970’s is when the “twinning” or “tripling” took place, just in time for the auditorium in what had been the mezzanine (balcony, sort of) to show the reissue of “Jason and the Argonauts” in a new 35mm print (the Casa Linda had shown “Jason” during its first suburban run in 1963).
And now it’s gonna be a grocery store: View link :(
Mixed feelings on that one, Adam – in my heart I know it could never again compete as a movie theater unless the Alamo Drafthouse thing had worked out – but a grocery store? At least the address will be occupied and the deterioration will cease. Hope the new tenants keep the tower.
From East Dallas a photo of the Casa Linda with some of the auction announcement lettering still visible on the marquee.
Another view of the Casa Linda in the early morning sun.
Thats a great shot Don.
From April 2011 as the theatre was being remodeled as a grocery store.
Of course like most theaters in the old days, it originally had one very large screen.