Laurel Theater
2310 San Pedro,
San Antonio,
TX
78212
2310 San Pedro,
San Antonio,
TX
78212
1 person
favorited this theater
The Laurel Theater was a single screen theater which played second run double features. It was opened in 1945 and sadly closed in 1982 and remained vacant until it was torn down in September 1986.
As a kid, I loved going there as it was in a residential area, close by, across from a middle school. It also had a balcony. It was an independent movie house worth remembering, rare now in these days of big chains.
Contributed by
Andy Sanchez
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Recent comments (view all 24 comments)
There are some comments about a fish tank. According to John Igo, the Uptown had a foutain in the lobby. The reason it was in the center of the lobby was due to an incident in the 1930’s. The union was at war with the owners, Community Theatres and set off a bomb in the lobby. With creative thinking, the owners took the hole in the floor which was close to some drain pipes and created a fountain in the center.
On a previous post I gave the website of the Laurel Theatre and I entered it without cap letters. To go to the site, go to: http://www.satheatres.com/Laurel_Theatre.php
I am correcting myself a second time. It must be age. The Laurel was razed in Sept. 1986 rather than 1987.
Was this theater known as the New Laurel? Here are some 1984 photos:
Photo1
Photo2
Photo3
My dad managed this theater in the 70’s, all the up until 1978. I saw Rocky and all The Pink Panther movies there in the balcony over and over again. It was the coolest thing when you’re a 7 yr old.
If anyone has any more pics of the place I’d love it if you posted them. My dad’s passed away now and I don’t have many pics of the theater, it’d be crazy if someone had pics of him at the theater.
If you have any stories of your dad please post them.Most of us were theatre managers.
Nice vertical on the LAUREL THEATRE.
His name was A.C. and he used to take me to the theater all the time when I was a kid, my sisters and I would sit up in the balcony, which was usually roped off and watch movies. I can’t remember how many times I saw Rocky and The Pink Panther movies. I believe they showed Rolling Thunder there as well as One flew over the Cuckoos Nest and Carrie, he did let us watch the end of Carrie when she reached up from beyond the grave. I think they also show The Exorcist there, but he wouldn’t let us watch that one, we left SA in 78 and I was 9 yrs old, so you can see why he wouldn’t let us watch certain movies. I remember going with him to Mr. Braha’s office and there was another guy with silver hair, can’t remember his name right now. I have vague memories of The Aztec, my memories are mainly of the New Laurel, I remember he brought home a lot of promotional stuff, t-shirts, 45’s posters and autographs. After watching movies in the balcony all day he would take us to the Century South to watch more movies, Jaws, Star Wars, The Incredible Melting Man, Manitou etc.
Beat City,Great story,You had it made,reminds me of a story of a friend who’s dad was a projectioinst in Tampa,During the summer my friend,Michael, would watch double features everynight on the roof of the one of the many Drive-ins in Tampa,hope your grades didn’t suffer,you lucky kid.Lol.