Trail Theatre

New pics posted.

Will add a few more soon, new owners are renovating it.

This Theater has 415 seats from what I know, not 300

The Trail made the cover of Boxoffice, October 6, 1951.

are there any interior shots of this theatre? Is there a stage?

This is a 2009 photo.

Here is another photo of the Trail Theater.

This is a photo of the Trail Theater.

Here is the Trail Theater at night.

The Trail Theatre is more than just a small town theatre, it is a colorful part of the City. It is a combination of art deco and modern architecture and has been a St. Joseph landmark since it opened in 1951. The neon sign with the colorful art deco lines extends across the front of the theatre. It is something to see at night time.
The Trial is much smaller than most movie palaces but both it and the Missouri have the same color scheme for the front facade and feature some art deco in their designs. The Trail has a partial glass block facade with chrome and a light, milk green glass front. Glass blocks also edge the ticket booth which has neon lighting above below and behind it.
The lobby is lined with red English tile. Beyond the doors to the auditorium the Jade green velvet seats are surrounded with yards and yards of velour cloth on the walls. The stage curtain is lit by a rainbow of colors and is the same fabric as the walls. The sidewalls give a sunburst effect from the special lighting.
The Trial opened its doors with the feature “Fahter’s Little Dividend” starring Elizabeth Taylor and Spencer Tracey. When it opened in 1952 it was considered on of the most modern theatres in
St. Joseph.
The Trail was remodeled in 1960 and many of the special lighting effects were altered. The red sidewalk was removed as well as the quarry tile. but the beauty of the facade remained including the colorful neon.
When the Trial opened in 1952 it was owned by the Dickinson Theatres of Kansas City as they also owned the Plaza in Kansas City and also operated the Joe, King and Rialto Theatres in St. Joseph.