Missouri Twin Cinema
118 N. Main Street,
Maryville,
MO
64468
118 N. Main Street,
Maryville,
MO
64468
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The Cook Theatre was opened in 1926 and was designed in a Spanish style by the Boller Brothers. It was destroyed by a fire in April 1944, and was rebuilt, again to the designed of the Boller Brothers architectural firm.
Later twinned, demolition of the Missouri Twin Cinema began in late-May 2010.
Contributed by
Paul Salley
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
The Missouri Theatre was reconstructed in 1944 by the Boller Brothers
The owner of the theatre in 1944 was J.R.Cook.
Seating capacity after the reconstruction in 1944 was 800.
Here is a 4/29/44 article from the Maryville Daily Forum:
Missouri Theater Destroyed by Fire
Spacious Show Place, Erected in 1926 by the Cook Family, Entirely Gutted by Flames After the Second Show Last Night.
Firemen Unable to Halt Flames That Start in Rear of Building
Fire which started soon after the second show had been completed last nighut about 11:30 o'clock totally destroyed the Missouri theater, leaving only the walls of the 18-year-old building standing. The Eugene Beauty Shop, which was located on the south side of the building was also destroyed. Nothing was saved at the Missouri, which was constructed and opened to the public in September 1926.
The fire last night was the second serious fire in the history of Maryville. The Empire theater, which was located across the street from the Missouri at the present site of the Masonic Temple and the Maryville Electric Light and Power company, was destroyed by fire in December, 1925.
The Missouri was built by J. F. Cook and his two sons, J. Ray,
the present operator of the theater, and Clarence K.. the present operator of the Tivoli theater. At the time the Missouri opened, it was considered as the most modern theater in this area. It had a seating capacity of 818, the main auditorium seating 540 persons, and the mezzanine, 218. It was designed by a Kansas City architect and followed closely the Spanish designs of show houses.
Here is a recent photo. The marquee has been removed.
The Missouri Theater owned by J.R. Cook was designed in 1926 by the Boller Brothers. The 1944 reconstruction is credited to Robert O. Boller. Firm should be Boller Brothers and there should be an aka name of Missouri Theatre.
An advertisement for Boller Brothers in the July 10, 1926, issue of The Reel Journal lists this house as the Cook Theatre. David and Noelles list of known Boller theaters gives the house the aka’s Cook and Missouri Twin.
Good history and info provided.Pity it couldn’t be saved,so many small towns lose so many classic theatres.