Missouri Twin Cinema

Mike Rogers on January 24, 2012 at 10:55 am

Good history and info provided.Pity it couldn’t be saved,so many small towns lose so many classic theatres.

lostmemory on July 9, 2009 at 2:41 pm

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.

kencmcintyre on December 12, 2006 at 4:42 pm

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.

Chuck1231 on June 16, 2004 at 1:55 pm

The owner of the theatre in 1944 was J.R.Cook.