Ivanhoe Theatre
3239 Ivanhoe Avenue,
St. Louis,
MO
63139
3239 Ivanhoe Avenue,
St. Louis,
MO
63139
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The Ivanhoe Theatre, which opened in 1925 for Fred Hof, was located in the southwest section of the city just south of a main east/west boulevard (Arsenal).
The Ivanhoe Theatre was a small theatre that started out as a neighborhood house then in 1959, the Arthur’s started running it as an art house. The name on the theatre was never changed but when you called the theatre during this time the phones was answered with Ivanhoe Art theatre.
The Ivanhoe Theatre was a small house but was a very well maintained and clean house. It never drew much of an audience as an art house mostly due to it’s location and the neighborhood. The Arthur chain didn’t try going back to sub run as a local neighborhood house they just closed the theatre in May 1960. Five years later, the Ivanhoe Theatre was demolished and replaced by a two-story apartment building.
Contributed by
Charles Van Bibber
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
Theatre located on the northwest corner of Ivanhoe & Bradley.
Theatre was built and owned by Fred Hof. Architect was C. N. Brietshuh. Seating capacity was 690.
Opened in late 1925, and for many years was managed by Isabella Tabler.
In 1942 theatre purchased from Fred Hof by Sam Komm.
In 1944 theatre purchased by Bess Schulter, adding it to her chain of theatres including the Avalon, Roxy, Columbia and Powhatan.
In a matter of months, Schulter sold the theatre to St. Louis Amusement Co., who had been operating it for her.
In time, theatre became an independent house.
Theatre demolished in 1965 for a two-story apartment house.
Theatre ceased operation in May 1960.
I’m wondering if anyone remembered an Indian bust located somewhere in the theater? I have an Indian bust that my dad said came from an old theater in St. Louis. After my dad aquired it, he had it displayed in Carson Pontiac’s showroom on Manchester Rd.
Here is a real estate suit filed against the Komms in 1955:
http://tinyurl.com/2fmjsq
I recall no Indian bust in the Ivanhoe. Perhaps it was from the Powhatan in Maplewood?
Theatre became an indie in 1950, long before the corporate existence of Arthur (Enterprises). Shift to an art house policy occurred in 1959; a short-lived one with the theatre closing in May 1960.
Amazing! As a young movielover, I couldn’t even guess how many times my sister and I watched the world of cinema explode on the Ivanhoe screen Friday night and/or Sunday afternoon. We also attended the Avalon and Columbia theaters but the IVANHOE was our favorite. In subsequent years I lived in New York City and have just this year relocated back to St. Louis. I am so sad that the Ivanhoe in a permanent form no longer exists. It defined my youth.
James Gordon Epiphany 1957