Fox Pavilion
1202 Main Street,
Hays,
KS
67601
1202 Main Street,
Hays,
KS
67601
2 people
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Updated website for Fox Pavilion is:
http://www.foxpavilion.com/
I am pretty sure the Strand was operating in the mid to late 50s – I remember going to see second run movies when my father ran the Fox Theater – I had to be at least 8 or 9 – born in 1949 so, logic would say it was at least open in mid 50s – It was very run down by that time – The building still stands but what is left of the original theater is anybody’s guess.
That picture of the Liberty Theater is very close to the old Strand Theater location that was closed sometime in the 1960’s.
Link to the Grand Opening ad for the Fox Theatre.
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2010 photo of the Fox Pavillion Theatre.
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The Strand theater was owned by some company that owned the Fox Theater in 1950 – Continued operating into the late 50s early 60s before closing – It was renovated into a clothing store and building still stands – suspect that elements of the Strand are still there behind the renovation – To see the inside of the Fox after renovate just go to their website:
http://www.foxpavilion.com/
Glad to hear the Fox has been rehabilitated! Here it’s looking a little forlorn in the spring of 1994:
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1984 photo of the Fox Theatre.
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I hope that “deconstruction” doesn’t mean “destruction”. Here’s something that might help to confuse you even more. In 1955, the only theater listed for Hays, Kansas is the Fox Strand Theater with 1,037 seats located at 1202 Main Street. Did the Strand Theater close and this theater became the Fox Strand Theater?
Oh, here’s something that sounds a bit omenous, from this page: “Deconstruction of the historic Strand Theatre at 1102 Main has begun with renovations to follow.”
Don’t like that word “Deconstruction.”
I’ve submitted the Strand.
The Fox and the Strand at Hays are both mentioned in the 1951 consent decree pertaining to the various Fox theater chains. The text of the decree was published in the June 9, 1951, issue of Boxoffice. Unfortunately, the scan of it available on the Internet has a page fold obscuring too much of the text, and I can’t figure out exactly what it says, but possibly Fox was running both this theatre and the Strand at that time. The Strand was apparently still open, though.
The Strand’s address of 1102 Main Street sounds like it was a corner lot. If that’s so, then the Muriel, being directly across the street, might have been across either Main Street or across the cross street. Maybe somebody from Hays will know.
Joe….If you want to add the Strand, the last listing that I can find for it is in 1950. At that time it had 640 seats. It probably closed in the early 1950s. Address is 1102 Main Street. The building still stands.
Evidence of a couple of early Hays, Kansas theaters not yet included in the Cinema Treasures database, from the March 13, 1926, issue of The Reel Journal, a regional predecessor of Boxoffice Magazine:[quote]“M.G. Kirkman will open his new Murial Theatre in Hays, Kansas, on April 1, the opening picture being "Tumbleweeds” a United Artists release.
“‘Every effort will be made to make this house one of the best in the west,’ Mr. Kirkman writes The Reel Journal. The new Murial will be directly across the street from Kirkman’s Strand Theatre.”[/quote] Does anybody know anything more about either of these early Hays theaters?
Chuck….I don’t have any information on a previous Fox Theater but there was a Star Theater and a Strand Theater located in Hays. I don’t see either of them listed on this site.
There was also a Fox Theatre that opened in Hays in 1915, any one have any info on that theatre?
Here’s a 2008 view: http://www.boxsetgallery.com/stein/index2.html
A 1999 view of the Fox Theater in Hays.
In 1950 it would cost you 60 cents to attend the Fox grand opening.
This is a more recent photo of the Fox Pavilion.
Here is a photo of the Fox Pavilion.
The Fox Theater is now the Fox Pavilion – Renovated and absolutely Gorgeous – New owners have been true to the concept of the original Art Deco look, preserving much of the artwork and structure while converting it to an multi purpose reception and theater venue – Can view the theater at its new website:
http://www.foxpavilion.com
B.J. Reed
According to a story in the KC Star this morning, the Fox Theatre of Hays KS has been renovated and reopened. It is to be used to show older movies, dinner theater, events and Sunday night football. Hopes are that it will begin a downtown renovation renaissance.
EAA where r u?
The Fox was sold to a new owner in March 2006, according to this article:
http://tinyurl.com/s9zey
Hays, KS – This theatre has since been closed. The folks in Hays, KS reopened the FOX for a 25th Anniversary viewing of the movie “Paper Moon,” since it was filmed in that area of Kansas in the 70’s.
I remember the “cry-room” well! I saw many movies there and in the long-since torn-down Hays Drive-In â€" such as “Star Wars.â€
The only place to see movies in Hays, KS outside of your home, is at The Mall Cinemas 8. This theater houses an addition of 6 Screens to the original 1970’s 2, with a poorly executed attempt at noisy wooden stadium seating and awkwardly placed high and small screens with rather dark projectors. The movies usually look better and clearer on my home television, which shouldn’t be the case!
Luckily, this seems to pass for the people of Hays and they continue the weekend movie-going ritual that is a much better option than beer-drinking.
Since my escape from that small town nearly ten years ago, I’ve been introduced to the lumens of digital projectors and the GIANT screens of 24-plex suburban theaters, run by major corporations and I must admit, I’ve been spoiled quite a bit!
Strangely though, even with the splendor of the new projectors and larger-than-life screens, I still enjoy many of my movie-going experiences at the 1930’s Mayan Theatre just down the street from my home in Denver, CO. It’s an excellent example of what I’ve always felt a theatre should be! Architecture and Film are a truly worthy experience.
Sure, our megaplex theaters are here to baby-sit the growing number of teenagers in suburbia and offer alternatives to the club scene, but they lack the grandeur and style of the original ornate movie house!
I’d like to see a combination of the two one day, where architectural style can meet excellent projectors and comfortable seats!
Here’s to bringing back the FOX Theatre in Hays, KS, possibly as an Indi Film Theatre for the many F.H.S.U. students who have to drive to Lawrence for such experiences â€" or wait for DVD!
Good luck in your future!