Liberty Theatre
301 S. Jefferson Street,
Mexico,
MO
65265
301 S. Jefferson Street,
Mexico,
MO
65265
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Frisina Amusement Company
Architects: Oliver William Stiegemeyer
Styles: Art Deco
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The Liberty Theatre opened on November 1, 1920. It was equipped with a $18,000 theatre pipe organ. Notable dates in the history of the Liberty Theatre were: 1954 when CinemaScope was installed, 1962 when the theatre was desegregated and black patrons were no longer required to enter through a side door and sit in the balcony, 1965 when the Frisina chain’s booking of Ann-Margret in “Kitten with a Whip” stirred the conservative residents.
Wayne and Virginia bought the theatre as a package deal with the Little Dixie Drive-In. The Robinsons shut down the drive-in and opened the Cinema 3 out on the edge of town, drawing the patrons from the Liberty Theatre. The last movie to play at the Liberty Theatre was Henry Winkler in “Night Shift” on September 30, 1982 and only drew a handful of patrons.
The Robinsons tried to keep the theatre useful, but an organization operating a haunted house attraction in the theatre they loaned it to, trashed the interior beyond repair. A car dealer needed to expand with more parking, and the Robinsons were made an offer and took it. The theatre was demolished in November of 1995.
Contributed by
Chuck Van Bibber
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
I grew up in Mexico, and was a regular at the Liberty. I was told it was the largest theater at the time it was built between St. Louis and Kansas City. It was built by the Cassius M Clay family. During the summer in the 50’s and 60’s the schools would sell ticket books for Wednesday afternoon matinee for $.25. This was a thrill for the neighborhood kids to spend the afternoon at the movies. The last movie I saw at the Liberty was “Family Plot” by Alfred Hitchcock. Not sure of the year. I was extremely disappointed in the demise of the Liberty. It was a landmark in Mexico. It was located at the corner of Liberty (hence the name) and Jefferson St. Located in the same block and connected to the theater was the Hoxey Hotel. The Mexico Jaycee organization used the theater as a haunted house and it was so badly destroyed that the theater was beyond repair.
There were other downtown theaters in Mexico. I remember the REX, which was located on West Promenade St. I know it was closed in the 60’s, but notsure when. I do remember seeing the marque lights light a few times. I know there was a fire there before it was torn down to make a parking lot. If anyone has pictures of this theater or any information on it, I would like to be contacted. Thanks
Bill – go to: cinematour.com; click on cinemas; click on Missouri; click on the section that features Mexico; scroll down to the Rex. I submitted the photo and have the original postcard. I also have one of the Sosna which was at the SE corner of Promenade and S. Jefferson. I don’t remember it. I remember Parson’s Jewelry being there in the ‘50’s.
Hope this helps.
George Cline
I remember spending so much time here. During the summer, students could purchase tickets for .25 for Wednesday matinee shows. That was during the 60’s. So sad it is gone.
The December 25, 1920 issue of Motion Picture News provided this description of Mexico’s new Liberty Theatre: “What the motion picture theatre means to the town of 8,000 inhabitants is indicated by the announcement last week of the formal opening of the new Liberty theatre, a $100,000 structure at Mexico, Mo. The Liberty is the largest house devoted entirely to motion pictures in any town in America of the size of Mexico. The seating capacity is a trifle over 1,500.
“Equipped with an $18,000 pipe organ, silk and tapestried mural ornament, two latest model Simplex machines, marbled foyer, spacious rest rooms for both men and women, and a perfect system of stage lighting and effects, the Liberty stands out as a paragon of not only small town houses but as one to which many theatres in the larger cities might look with envy.
“A. H. Whitney, one of the prominent business men of Mexico, has been appointed manager of the theatre, which is backed by interests of the Famous Players-Lasky Corporation. The Liberty will run productions of first run caliber, showing them at the same time that they are being presented in St. Louis and Kansas City.”
An article on the web site of television station KXEO attributes the design of the Liberty to St. Louis architect Oliver W. Stiegemeyer, who the article also credits with the design for remodeling Mexico’s Orpheum Theatre (later the Rex) in 1935.