Majestic Theatre
908 Rusk Street,
Houston,
TX
77002
908 Rusk Street,
Houston,
TX
77002
7 people
favorited this theater
The Majestic opened on January 29, 1923. This was the third “Majestic” in Houston.
The Majestic was John Eberson’s first atmospheric style theater he designed. Eberson was renowned for theater projects in New York and Paris. It was built by Mellie Esperson. The Majestic was Houston’s first theater with air-conditioning.
The Majestic was owned by the Interstate Theatre Chain (they also owned the Majestic in Dallas and the Majestic in San Antonio). The Majestic was built in a garden style and the ceiling was blue with stars moving overhead, lots of statues, etc. and was very ornate.
This was a first-run house from the day it opened until the day it closed. Sadly, this beautiful Italian Renaissance palace was demolished in 1971.
Contributed by
Stan Gilmore
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Recent comments (view all 62 comments)
And I would love to see exterior and interior, particularly, photos of this FIRST EBERSON ATMOSPHERIC THEATRE!
This theatre closed on 26 September 1971 and was demolished in February 1972 according to the book “Cinema Houston ”.
Death of the Majestic Theatre photo tour: Enter Here.
My grandfather was the manager of the Palace Theater in 1925. So I guess that was the second Majestic? He had worked his way up at the Majestic – started as an usher. Tragically, he was killed in a car accident in 1925 at the age of 33. I have a picture here of the lobby of the Majestic. I’ll have to try to figure out how to link it here.
Hello Elanor. If you do not have any luck linking your photo we would really appreciate the opportunity to help out by posting it on our flickr site, linking it here and giving you full credit.
You can read about flickr here; www.flickr.com and you may contact contact me at with any questions.
Thanks
Don…
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My grandfather is the second from the right.
According to opening day ads, “The Counter Jumper” with Larry Semon and Lucille Carlisle was the first film slated to play here.
“Racial Film Opens Strong at Houston Majestic"
About the showings of Home of the Brave, in Boxoffice magazine, July 16, 1949:
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Actually, the Wichita Orpheum Theatre built in 1922 by John Eberson was the first atmospheric theatre built in the United States.
ictjennifer: Yes the Wichita Orpheum was Eberson’s first attempt at ‘atmospheric’ design. However, the Majestic in Houston became his first full blown ‘atmospheric’ movie theatre. This building became the standard and the begining of Eberson’s other ‘atmospheric’ theatres. What a shame this historic movie palace meet with the wrecking ball. Let’s hope the people of Wichita preserve the Orpheum gem!