Glenwood Theatre
9100 Metcalf Avenue,
Overland Park,
KS
66212
9100 Metcalf Avenue,
Overland Park,
KS
66212
9 people
favorited this theater
After five years of planning and the expenditure of more than $500,000, the Glenwood Theatre in Overland Park, KS opened to the public on November 23, 1966.
Hailed as ‘Kansas City’s Luxury Theater’, it maintained that stature for over 33 years.
Outside, a large fountain stood amongst beautifully landscaped grounds. Inside, the Grand Promenade exhibited statues, a fireplace, and most noticeably, a 15 feet wide by 15 feet tall imported Italian crystal chandelier.
Hostesses escorted movie patrons into the 816 seat auditorium, which boasted high back red rocker lounge chairs and a fully carpeted floor.
As a movie would begin, 40 foot tall curtains would slowly retract to reveal a 70 feet wide by 35 feet tall curved screen. The Glenwood Theatre was capable of showing 16mm, 35mm, and 70mm film formats.
As the movie exhibition industry became more competitive, a second smaller screen was added to the side of the main auditorium.
The Glenwood Theatre quickly became the most popular theatres in the Kansas City area, setting the world record for ‘Star Wars’ after making $1 million the first year of its release.
In 1983, two more smaller screens were added, but the original auditorium continued to be the popular draw.
With the introduction of a nearby megaplex in the 1990’s, ticket sales at the Glenwood Theatre declined.
Unable to compete, the theater closed in May 2000.
Sadly, amid much protest, the Glenwood Theatre was razed and replaced by a strip mall, signaling the end of a magical cinematic era.
Contributed by
Keith LeBrun
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Recent comments (view all 52 comments)
Thanks for the link, Chuck. As you stated, the picture dates back to 1984, shortly after screens 3 and 4 were added to the north side of the building in 1983.
I saw Cloak and Dagger here in 1984 or 1985. I only saw this one movie here, but I drove past the theatre many, many times, as my stepmother’s folks lived just a short distance north of the building. It was a very eye-catching mid-century building. Sorry that another strip mall in Overland Park was more important than a unique theatre like this one was.
2007 photo of the Glenwood Marquee courtesy Keith Wondra.
View link
Two interior photos of the Glenwood illustrate this article in Boxoffice of March 20, 1967. Richard Wells of William Behrman and Associates engineered the building and designed the exterior of the Glenwood, but the interior was designed by architect Mel Glatz.
Excellent find, Joe. Thank you!!!
I’m wondering about the stolen “Return of the Jedi†70mm prin. Is this still an ongoing investigation?
Now was the pyrite version of “Return of the Jedi†scored from the stolen 70mm print or 35mm?
The only way to tell is to look at any still existing VHS/Beta tape and look for que dots.
(Circularly) for 70mm
(Oval shaped) for 35mm prints
Que dots appear around every 15 to 20 minutes depending on each reel length.
Also any privately brought new/second hand 70mm projects in the past 10 years leading up to the theft at gunpoint in 1983, or any stolen 70mm projectors for this persons needs to make dodgy pyrite copies.
Chances are the print today would be so far, gone faded colour magnetic stripe would be fragile if not flaked away by now, due to poor storage.
Was there also a similar case in the UK of stolen “Return of the Jedi†print as I remember reading on huge poster at video library around 1983, and the theft in the US wouldn’t concern the UK.
So was the simultaneous coordinated theft by two parties working on different sides?
I’m, sure the FBI would like to catch these people? Maybe they are STAR WARS nuts or just pair of serious pyrites that wouldn’t care about shooting someone.
The thief was caught the next morning and the print was returned to the theatre.
Anyone remember if PATTON played here in original run?
The Glenwood was demolished but the marquee was saved and moved a short distance to just east of 95th and Metcalf Ave. It is being used for the new Glenwood Arts Theatre located inside Metcalf South Shopping Center.
Here is a fresh link to the first page of the March 20, 1967, Boxoffice article about the Glenwood Theatre. The article continues on the magazine’s next page.