Rose Theatre

Hudson Trotter launched the first, full-time movie theatre in Indianola within the three-story Craig Hotel. The town had previously seen nascent moving pictures at the Sledge Building and liked what they saw. The Elite Theatre opened in a converted retail space on May 7, 1915 with Annette Kellerman in “Neptune’s Daughter”. Two operators later in 1918, the Elite Theatre got the more patriotic name, the American Theatre, still showing motion pictures. In 1920, under new ownership by the St. Clairs, it was renamed the Rose Theatre.

The St. Clairs returned to their plumbing store full time selling the Rose Theatre to Morris & Ellis of Cleveland. They would construct a new Rose Theatre nearby on Court Avenue and operated this location until the new venue was ready. The New Rose Theatre (which has its own page on Cinema Treasures) launched with Gloria Swanson in “The Humming Bird" on March 14, 1924 ending the old Elite / American / Rose Theatre’s run. The New Rose Theatre became the long running Regent Theatre. The Craig Hotel which formerly housed the original Rose Theatre was razed becoming a parking lot.

Get Movie Tickets & Showtimes

Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.