Nuart Theater
195 North Broadway,
Blackfoot,
ID
83221
195 North Broadway,
Blackfoot,
ID
83221
No one has favorited this theater yet
The Nuart, which opened in 1930, was built by Paul Demordaunt, who went on to form a small Idaho theater chain with his partner, Hugh Drennen.
They also operated the local Idaho Theatre, a second-run house, and shared first-run films with a competitor, the Roxy.
The Nuart is now owned by Blackfoot Community Players who stage live performances and make the theater available to the community for rental. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 with Walter Demordaunt listed as its architect.
Contributed by
Ron Pierce
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
Here is a photo, circa early eighties:
http://tinyurl.com/2jwpad
Every Which Way But Loose was released in December of 1978 so I doubt that the photo is from the early eighties.
Blackfoot Area Chamber Of Commerce claims that this theater was built in the 1920s.
On September 17, 1980, Paul and Alice DeMordaunt were interviewed by Pam Morris for the Idaho State Historical Society’s oral history program. They say that the Nuart opened on February 12, 1930. The stadium-style auditorium, designed by Paul’s brother, Walter, seated 620 and cost $120,000. The opening attraction was “Sunnyside Up,“ with Charles Farrell and Janet Gaynor. DeMordaunt said that he had been in the theater business in Blackfoot since 1920 when he partnered with Hugh Drennon. Their previous theaters in town were the Mission and the Rialto. Later they also operated the Idaho Theatre at the same time as the Nuart. The Roxy, the other theater in town, was owned by someone else.
Later DeMordaunt and Drennon operated the Rio, Gaiety, Rex (Centre) and Motor-Vu in Idaho Falls. They later branched out to Rexburg where they operated the Holiday and the Romance (Westwood) theaters. Other Demordaunt and Drennon theaters were the Roxy in St. Anthony and the Roxy in Salmon. For another article on the Nuart, see the Blackfoot News on February 9, 1980.
Here are two photos from 1984:
Photo1
Photo2
Hugh Drennen was my Grandfather
Real nice theatre.
And your Uncle Clint on the marquee.From Ken Mcs post of 11/26/07.
Thats neat Mark was he your dads or moms dad?Welcome to Cinema Treasures.
How did i miss CLINT.Great Actor,but horrible ape movie.Thanls TLS.