Rig Theater

204 West Broadway,
Hobbs, NM 88240

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Rig Theater

Probably the fourth movie theater to be opened in Hobbs. It opened on September 19th, 1930, as a “modern all talking playhouse” with the movie, “Manslaughter”, starring Claudette Colbert and Frederick March. The Rig was financed by L.C. Griffith and erected by Gates Corgan.

With thanks to the Hobbs Public Library.

Contributed by Don Lewis

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on November 9, 2005 at 5:28 pm

Hey Bryan. The Hobbs library info says “ the Ritz was built on the site of the Roosevelt, which was destroyed by fire several years ago.” The info is somewhat conflicting, because it also says the Ritz was the first movie theater built in Hobbs. It doesn’t call the Roosevelt a theater so I am at a loss on this. From what I have read, I gather that the Rig and Roosevelt were not one and the same. I visited Hobbs about 11 years ago and don’t think any of these buildings have survived with the exception of the old Frontier Theater building.

cottonchipper
cottonchipper on April 22, 2007 at 2:04 pm

According to Max Clampitt, who writes about early Hobbs history for the Hobbs News-Sun, the operators of the Rig had a Model A Ford with the doors removed that they would cruise around Old Hobbs and pick up people to give them a ride to the Rig Theater.

cottonchipper
cottonchipper on August 20, 2007 at 6:39 am

The Rig Theater was located in the 200 block of West Broadway, directly across the street from the Reel. Here’s a link to a picture:
View link

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on August 20, 2007 at 2:48 pm

Great photo on the link posted by Mark. I especially like the hardware store to the left of the RIG that advertises hardware, furniture and “explosives”.

cottonchipper
cottonchipper on September 15, 2007 at 3:51 pm

According to the 1935 Hobbs city directory, the Rig was located at 204 West Broadway.

STELLARB
STELLARB on September 15, 2007 at 5:13 pm

This is the coolest theatre i’ve seen in some time. I’m not surprised it was in New Mexico. They have lots of great small town movie houses.Thanks for sharing it

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on September 16, 2007 at 1:25 pm

Hello GrindHouse. Since you enjoyed the RIG photo so much you would really be in for a treat to visit Mark’s website.

www.markcotton.com

Don……

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