Sunset Theatre
5970 S. Dixie Highway,
South Miami,
FL
33143
5970 S. Dixie Highway,
South Miami,
FL
33143
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In response to Porridge…. I worked as manager briefly, I don’t know, 3-6 months probably in the summer and fall of 1981. I worked at several of Wometco’s theaters in Miami learning all the trades… but relocated to Michigan and missed it all!! Its too bad Broward did not offer any similar showings, but then again where I live now I would have to travel a similar distance to see any “art house” offerings! I loved the Sunset though, its tiny concession stand, its tiny projection booth and its even tinier office!
W.F. Caudell and F.G. Murphy were the first owners of the South Miami Theatre according to an item in Boxoffice of June 24, 1946. Boxoffice of March 10, 1951, said that W.F. Caudell had reopened the Hi-Way Theatre in South Miami after remodeling the front, adding a new marquee, and painting and reseating the auditorium.
The July 1, 1953, issue of Boxoffice said that the Sunset Theatre at South Miami was being operated by Milton Frackman. The earliest mention of Wometco in connection with the house that I’ve found is in the April 9, 1955, issue of Boxoffice which referred to the Sunset as “…the Wometco circuit’s newest addition….”
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Boxoffice always calls the house the Sunset Art Theatre. By the late 1960s it’s back to calling it simply the Sunset Theatre.
Gailsey, glad you joined the conversation (some of these threads go on for years, it’s never too late). In light of your recollections, I’m glad my few trips to the Sunset were on busier weekends (it was a 90-mile round-trip for me, when Broward engagements weren’t imminent). When were you at the Sunset?
Well, this may be a bit late, but yep, remembering Gallipoli as quite the tear jerker. I don’t think I was working at the Sunset at the time, but do recall many a slow night (especially during the week) where one of my functions as manager would be to convince the one or two who straggled in to LEAVE with a refund and a free pass to come back another night to avoid the costs of showing a film (yes they were films!) to just the couple of customers! I still have to look as I pass everytime I drive by when I am in town!
I found a Miami Herald article that confirms the Sunset opened in 1946 as the South Miami. In 1950 it became the Hiway and in 1952 it became the Sunset and was taken over by Wometco.
Mike, thanks for all the Miami News links — been equally fascinating to revisit the full theater listings from those times. As it happened, a reunion of Miami News staff took place this weekend:
View link
This link will probably be gone or transfer to pay-per-view in a couple weeks.
This did not show up in the Miami News listings until 1952.
Judging from the ACI photos, the vertical sign came down between 1981 and 1985, while the theater was still open.
seen here around 2004 minus the vertical signage but with the marquee still intact
http://www.flickr.com/photos/woody1969/125665800/
1985 Photo
Whoh! Thanks for the link, Al, especially since my first look at the Sunset was after dark. Seven weeks for an art film in Miami: Doesn’t happen much anymore.
I remember the blink-and-you’d-miss-it entrance, but that’s even narrower than memory allows (especially if you look at their photo from 1985, “Prizzi’s Honor” on the marquee).
Been trying to remember the Sunset’s post-movie life, and the only business I recall was a boat showroom.
Get a load of this, S Porridge.
View link
Wometco’s Sunset endured until the mid 80s, closing with the German comedy “Men.” Stuck with art films most of its final years, although I’ve heard “Star Wars” took up a lengthy residence. Only visited a couple occasions, by which time the auditorium wore 70s-style wall treatments, while the tiny lobby and entry retained an attractive vintage flavor. Patrons lingered afterward to discuss what was just seen, and the staff seemed as interested (including one young usher weeping at the final shot of “Gallipoli”).
The Sunset address was 5970 S. Dixie Highway.
Also known as the SUNSET ART, this location may have opened as the SOUTH MIAMI in 1946 and then changed names to the HIWAY in 1950. It became the SUNSET in 1952 and was taken over by Wometco shortly after.
Hi, Art
Trying to figure out the vast arena that I have discovered, here.
I made a movie on DVD
Where can I get info on who would preview this work in a theatre?
Appreciate any help
Shalom
Joe
Sometime before we moved away from Miami, perhaps in 1991, the Sunset was sold to a developer who wanted to use it for retail. My recollection is that locals brought pressure on the developer to maintain the original theatre facade as a gesture toward South Miami town historicity.