Comet Theatre

dallasmovietheaters on November 27, 2020 at 5:45 pm

The Mary Lue fulfilled a 20-year lease under two different operators leaving December 9, 1951. But new operators reopened the venue the following weekend on December 15, 1951 as the Comet Theatre with Judy Canova in “Joan of the Ozarks” and Rex Allen in “Redwood Forest Trial.” By May of 1952, it was apparent that television was taking a toll on neighborhood theaters and the Comet disappeared from view.

But in Comet-like fashion, the theatre did reappear after its longer than anticipated vanishing act of 1952. When it re-emerged it now had widescreen projection to accommodate CinemaScope presentations. But it then vanished permanently with a double feature of Joel McCrae in “Wichita” and Tyrone Power in “Untamed” on March 11, 1956. The building then next served as a union meeting hall, a church, and, finally, the Crystal Palace Bar. On November 16, 1984, the tavern building burned down and what little remained was razed just days later.

OKCdoorman on January 16, 2016 at 10:47 pm

Whoever owned the Mary Lue before Tuesday, May 31, 1949 gave up ownership that day showing John Wayne in WAKE OF THE RED WITCH and Brian Donlevy & Maria Montez in 1941’s SOUTH OF TAHITI. Copy in next day’s space-saver ad: “Closed For Remodeling! Watch For Opening Date”. Re-opened under the same name (“Opens Tonite-6:30-Under New Management!”) on Friday, July 15, 1949, with a cartoon, newsreel, a 3 Stooges short, and double-feature of Esther Williams in TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME and Abbott & Costello in 1942’s PARDON MY SARONG. There were two closed but unannounced days on Saturday-Sunday December 15-16, 1951. On Monday, December 17, 1951 the new ad for the Comet simply states, “Formerly Mary Lue” while presenting William Holden in FORCE OF ARMS and Jeanne Crain in TAKE MY LITTLE GIRL. The final triple bill plus cartoons as the Comet on Sunday, May 4, 1952, was: Abbott & Costello in 1946’s LITTLE GIANT, the East Side Kids in 1944’s BLOCK BUSTERS, and 1949’s RED STALLION OF THE ROCKIES (sic). The next-day’s space-saver ad optimistically states, “Closed Temporarily!,” but the Beaufort/Mary Lue/Comet Theatre had shut down for good.

WTKFLHN on October 22, 2012 at 12:16 am

It was also renamed to the Comet Theatre, I think in the late 1940’s or early 50’s. After it closed, it was used as a union hall. It was a neighborhood theatre for me, and I spent many Friday nights there. I remember the child ticket price was 14 cents. The cashier had a big bowl of pennies to make change with.