Comet Theatre
4106 Finney Avenue,
St. Louis,
MO
63113
4106 Finney Avenue,
St. Louis,
MO
63113
1 person
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The Comet Theatre opened in 1939 on Finney Avenue.
They put neon along the roof line of the theatre above the marquee with a comet shooting across the top. In 1940, the Comet Theatre became an African-American theatre.
The theatre survived until 1972. It stood closed for many years, but had a huge hole in the side of the building. You could look in and still see the seats and the torn screen. It was later demolished.
Contributed by
Charles Van Bibber
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
The Comet was located at 4106 Finney. It opened in August 1940 with a Negro-audience policy.
(The Douglass was one block west at 4201 Finney.)
The Comet had 900 seats. It was built and operated by Tommy James.
The information I submitted was given me by Jimmy James, the son of Tommy James…including a Xerox of the opening program.
I just found out that my mother and her siblings used to go to this theatre every Sunday after church when they were younger. How neat!
This is from Boxoffice magazine in January 1960:
ST. LOUIS-The Strand at 2000 Market Street, a 470-seater, has been closed by Tommy James, who also owns the New Comet and Douglas theaters.
Sad looking 1985 photo Chuck.The marquee looks good though.
Apologies all! I had confused the Criterion with the Comet. It was the Comet that had a gaping hole in the side wall that was easily seen from the street, not the Criterion. My memory of the Comet was that it had a vertical sign that had flashing lights with a (Comet) lights flashing upward. I don’t think it was neon, but I may be wrong. The 1985 picture is really sad. I can seem to think that this was the same theatre and reminded me a little of the Regal. Patrick.