Commodore Theatre

Fred, I was revamping my telephone contacts and—once again—had to pause on the listing for your Commodore Theatre. It seems like a million years ago, a veritable lifetime since I was in Portsmouth. The theatre’s classic front styling caused me to stop at the Box Office window and read the newspaper article displayed, detailing your restoration efforts. That’s when you walked up and invited me inside. You gave me a tour of the place and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the devotion to the project you exhibited. There was also a sense of lingering memories that seemed to exude from the very structure of the building and the interior appointments, so I frequently wondered if I was seeing the present-day version of the theatre, or if my mind’s eye was transporting me into the halcyon days of its prime. As our conversation continued, you asked if I’d lend you a hand with some repairs, to which I agreed. Over several days, you and I restored some wiring, both electrical and for the table telephones. You even turned me loose to tighten up some of the seating in the balcony. Between the various and sundry projects, you were the consummate host, telling me tales of the original architecture, showing me how the projectors used a continuous loop of film, and explaining how your staff handled the process of catering meals during the showings. You even allowed me to witness the fruits of your labor, letting me sit in on the current film during the evenings, “Meet Joe Black.” I helped shuttle out food to customers during the feature. It was a wonderful experience for me, and I hope some of what I contributed still remains as an integral part of the theatre’s underpinnings. I’m proud to have shared a tiny slice of its history. Since then, I’ve retired from the Air Force and taken up residence in Fulton, MO. I work at Callaway nuclear power plant, and I’ve held several different positions over the last 12 years. I’m still a “jack of all trades” and a master of a few of them. My work-a-day world doesn’t often provide the sweep and grandeur, or the historical beauty of such a place where you work, but my memories of the Commodore Theatre are always a fond reminiscence, whenever I am reminded of it. Bless you abundantly, and thanks for the memory! TJW

The Commodore was featured in this 1946 trade ad: boxofficemagazine

Sorry The link don’t work.

Another 2007 photo of the Commodore Theatre.
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Here is a nice recent photo of the Commodore.

This is a 2009 shot for marquee aficionados.

Another large view of the marquee from 2008 can be seen here.

Here is a more recent photo of the Commodore Theater.

Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997

Commodore Theatre (added 1997 – Building – #97000203)
Also known as VDHR File No.124-0101
421 High St., Portsmouth (Independent City)
Historic Significance: Event, Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Zink,John J.
Architectural Style: Art Deco
Area of Significance: Architecture, Entertainment/Recreation
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Recreation And Culture
Current Sub-function: Theater

Here is a 1967 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/hvcay

This is an interior view of the Commodore Theater in Portsmouth. Click on the photo to expand it.

Couple photos of the Commodore Theatre including the box office.
http://www.agilitynut.com/05/2/commt.jpg
http://www.agilitynut.com/05/2/commt3.jpg

I used to take the bus downtown with my brother to see movies.Back then, there were three theatres – the State, the Colony, and of course, the Commodore (by far the best).Years later, I re-visited the Commodore with my kids.The memories of the place came flooding back.I’d forgotton how beautiful it was.It’s the only place around to really experience a movie.Excellent!