Ritz Theater
401 South Main Street,
Big Spring,
TX
79720
401 South Main Street,
Big Spring,
TX
79720
1 person
favorited this theater
Opened prior to 1941, this was the showcase theater for Big Spring, back when that meant anything. It’s still open, but time has not been kind. The current owners have covered the ground floor facade with shiny gray tiles that look like they came from a bathroom. The lobby was more tastefully done, but there’s none of the original left.
There is no marquee left, indeed there is nothing at all either mounted or written on the theater except for three cheap poster boxes. The original facade is a little over three stories, and now at least is fairly plain, although there are lions mounted along the roof. All but one window has been bricked up. The rear of the theater still proclaims it ‘West Texas’ Finest Theatre', and advertizes the Vitaphone system.
Apparently some restoration work was carried out in 2008, but it was closed by early-2010.
Contributed by
Seth Gaines
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 26 comments)
I remember my parents taking me to see movies at this theater in the early 80s when I was a little boy and lived in the area. I remember seeing the re-release of Snow White and I think Superman 3 at this theater.
As a side note, the last time I was in Big Spring, about 1999, the theater was open and I think the marquee was still in place. I saw Carrie 2 there at a late night show. haha *If you want a more updated view of it, google street view as what looks to be a pretty recent shot of it.
Link to Google Street View – This might work…
Yes, it does, Thanks Vitonet. It looked much better in 1984.
My grandfather was the Robb who built the ritz, unforunitly I was never able to meet him, due to his untimely death. If you know anything about him or the theater please contact me
Here is apress release from 28, Feb. 2008. I haven’t found anything since this article though.
Back to the Ritz?
Saturday, 23 February 2008
Big Spring residents may not have to travel to metropolitan cities like Dallas and Austin to visit a drafthouse theater, as work is under way to restore the downtown Ritz Theater to its long-lost luster.
The Ritz Theater in downtown Big Spring is in the process of being restored. It has been purchased by the Settles Hotel Development Company and is being renovated under the R&R Ritz Theater.(HERALD photo/Ron Midkiff)
Kristopher Ryan, general manager of the Settles Hotel Development Company LLC, said the building has been purchased by the group and work to seal the building and prepare it for restoration is already under way.
“The building isn’t being restored under the SHDC name,†said Ryan. “It’s being restored under the R&R Ritz Theater LLC name, which was the original name of the theater many years ago.
“We’re in the preliminary stages right now. We’re sealing up the building and working on the electrical and plumbing systems situated so work can begin. The Historical Preservation Service will be the first to work on the building, so we’re getting everything in line right now.â€
Ryan said the theater, once restored, will resemble drafthouse theaters in some of Texas’ larger cities.
“What we’re looking at doing is similar to the Alamo drafthouse in Austin,†said Ryan. “There are similar drafthouses in Dallas and Denton. The one in Denton has done very well over the years, and we’re hoping the Ritz can enjoy that kind of success here in Big Spring,â€
The Alamo Drafthouse serves drinks and dinner â€" including appetizers, salads and entrees â€" in addition to showing movies.
As work begins on the Ritz Theater, Ryan said restoration work on the historic Settles Hotel is still in its initial phases.
Here is a copy of a post card of the Ritz from 1935.
View link
In a search there are no show times listed on any site for the Ritz, when calling the current phone number it has been disconnected, so I would say that the Ritz is closed.
That is what I am afraid of…… I am trying to contact Don Snyder right now. I think today I might go out to Big Spring and check out the old place. I would just really like to get into the place. I contacted the chamber of commerce to try and find out who the owner is.
Screen in header should list 2 screens.
From the 1980s a photo of the Ritz Theater in Big Spring.