Centre Theatre

The Centre finished construction in December, 1941, and was immediately acclaimed as one of the finest of the numerous Southwest cinemas designed by architect Jack Corgan.

Here is a description from the 1942 Film Daily Year Book: "The frontage of unsymmetrical design is dominated by a tower with a large center panel of illuminated, rose-tinted Vitrolux glass, divided into 24" squares by aluminum settings. The marquee and four line interchangeable letterboard is vividly illuminated with mult-colored tubing forming a flowing design toward the center. The large, spacious foyer is indirectly illuminated with neon. The walls covered with Avodire Flexwood Veneer give a rich, warm atmosphere. Aluminum display frames are recessed in the walls at various places. Standee area with restrooms off each end has the walls spaciously done in striped peach Sanitas washable cloth. The ceiling is in canary yellow and illuminated with three circular recessed light coves.

Mezzanine is divided in two levels with a rail dividing the upper level and overlooking the lower level. The walls and ceilings are treated in a similar manner as the standee area. The auditiorium is funnel-shaped toward the stage, and walls and ceiling step down in sections. Each section is broken by a light cove. The wall coves have dim house lighting and the ceiling coves bright house lighting. At each cove, a flowered baroque design in turquoise blue is worked in on the coral acoustic plaster background in a pleasing colorful effect. The entire theatre is done in a simple modern style, with colors, lighting, comfort, and convenience being given foremost thought."

More information about the Centre’s operating history and the current status of the site is needed.

Recent comments (view all 7 comments)

lostmemory on July 11, 2007 at 7:06 pm

This is a photo of the Centre Theater. Date given for photo is 2/6/1942. Here is another photo. This photo is dated 10/26/1942. The site might be slow at times.

lostmemory on March 18, 2008 at 2:19 am

Here is a 2008 photo.

lostmemory on April 29, 2009 at 5:57 pm

Here are some 1984 photos:

Photo1

Photo2

Photo3

Photo4

sarider on September 9, 2009 at 4:46 am

August 2009 photo of the Centre Theater:
View link

rivest266 on September 26, 2009 at 9:31 pm

Opened on February 10th, 1942
ad at View link on page 4

lostmemory on November 12, 2009 at 3:34 am

Here is another 2009 photo.

amg2000 on July 15, 2010 at 4:54 am

Here’s a shot from my July 2010 trip to Corpus Christi:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/aonghais/4795424152/