Midwest Theater

1707 Broadway,
Scottsbluff, NE 69361

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Related Websites

Midwest Theater (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Carmike Cinemas, Commonwealth Theaters Corp., First International Theatres, Gibraltar Enterprises Inc.

Architects: Charles Dunwoody Strong

Functions: Concerts, Movies (Second Run)

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 308.632.3617

Nearby Theaters

Midwest Theater

The Midwest Theater was opened on May 3, 1946 with Rita Hayworth in “Gilda”. It had 920 seats located in orchestra and balcony levels. There was a 12-table pool hall in the basement below the auditorium. It was badly damaged by a fire in 1944 and reopened following repairs in 1945. It was closed by First International Theatres on September 12, 1996.

It is still in relatively good repair with the original art-work, some seats and carpeting all still within its walls.

Currently, the theater is owned by the Friends of the Midwest Theater and is operated by its volunteers.

Showing second run movies, the foundation is currently renovating the theater for live performances as well as movies.

In 2002, they received a tourism grant to renovate the very large marquee to all of its original splendor.

Contributed by Marie Erie

Recent comments (view all 20 comments)

Patsy
Patsy on August 27, 2012 at 4:58 pm

Was also told that the theatre’s original name was the Oasis.

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on December 9, 2012 at 10:36 pm

I am wondering, though, if that was the original name of the Egyptian, which stood on the same site until it was destroyed in a 1945 fire. The Boxoffice article cited by Joe Vogel indicates that this theater opened as the Midwest.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 26, 2018 at 4:24 pm

1952 photo added via Mase Mason.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 29, 2019 at 8:53 am

Fire damaged the marquee. Link won’t share as CT thinks it is spam. But search Scottsbluff Star Herald.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 29, 2019 at 8:55 am

Here is the updated official website, to replace the one beside the overview.

http://midwesttheater.com/

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on January 30, 2020 at 6:34 am

Boxoffice, Jan. 1, 1962: “Commonwealth Theatres, with headquarters in Kansas City, has taken over the operation of the Midwest, Bluffs and Oto theatres in Scottsbluff, Neb., as well as Biggers Drive-In and Terry’s Drive-In theatres.”

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on May 21, 2020 at 8:53 pm

Beautiful house. Every time I think I know every theater in the U.S. a new one comes to my attention.

bigjoe59
bigjoe59 on May 2, 2021 at 12:13 pm

Hello from NYC-

the marquee of this theater is featured prominently in a scene in the newest Best Picture winner Nomadland. it gives a clue as to where much of the film was shot. the film never really states where events are taking place.

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on September 4, 2021 at 1:40 pm

The Midwest Theatre launched May 3, 1946 with “Gilda” to the plans of architect Charles D. Strong.

rivest266
rivest266 on August 31, 2023 at 2:22 pm

Closed by First International on September 12thm 1996 on the eve of the new Monument Mall 6.

Midwest Theatre closingMidwest Theatre closing 12 Sep 1996, Thu Star-Herald (Scottsbluff, Nebraska) Newspapers.com

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