America Stadium Theatre
119 S. Center Street,
Casper,
WY
82601
119 S. Center Street,
Casper,
WY
82601
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Commonwealth Theaters Corp., Gibraltar Enterprises Inc.
Firms: Crowther & Marshall
Previous Names: New America Theater, America Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The New America Theater opened October 15, 1920 with Barbara Castleton in “The Branding Iron”. In 1950 it was remodeled to the plans of architectural firm Crowther & Marshall and renamed America Theatre. It was renovated in the mid-2000’s with stadium seating (hence the change of name). Operated by Movie Palaces Inc. it also had the ultimate Digital sound system, and until March 2015 when they opened their Studio City Mesa + ARQ, it boasted the largest screen in Casper. It was closed in 2022 and was put up ‘For Sale’ with the proviso that the purchaser would not reopen it as a theatre.
Contributed by
Ross Melnick, Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 16 comments)
The America in 1994. I heard that three years later they held a special regional premiere screening of “Starship Troopers” here – parts of that film were shot in nearby Powder River.
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This is actually owned by Movie Palaces Inc. or at least that is name listed at the bottom of their website.
From July 2010 a photo of the America Theatre in Casper.
Good news and bad news. They’ve converted to digital projection so the option to ever see a 70mm showing there again seems impossible now. That said, 70mm prints are almost never struck so it’s probably not a huge loss. Just a couple of years ago one of the owners said they didn’t make a digital projector that could fill that massive screen. Well, they do now and I’m happy to say it looks spectacular. Still one of the best places to see a movie in the area, and I actually prefer it to the IMAX in Denver. We’re very lucky here.
This theater is in the process of installing leather reclining seats. Right now the top half of the auditorium has these seats, while the bottom portion is empty and awaiting these new seats. I am hoping that some else can report on how many seats there were be after all are installed.
This opened on October 15th, 1920. Grand opening ad below. I think that the America was rebuilt or torn down and a new one built around 1950. Awaiting further digitization of the Casper newspapers.
Found on Newspapers.com
1969 photo added via Mike Mase Mason. 1969 versus 2015 comparison shot added as well.
Images added, including 1950 with original facade and marquee.
The re-opening of the American Theatre (I don’t know if American was a mistake or if the theater was actually called that for a time) was noted in the September 23, 1950 issue of Boxoffice. The house had undergone a $75,000 remodeling. New seats, carpeting, lighting and stage drapes had been installed, along with a new foyer and new restrooms. Seating capacity had been increased from 808 to 822. Outside, a new marquee had been installed on the updated façade. The house was owned by the local Rialto Theatres company, but among the guests at the opening was Charles P. Skouras, president of the National Theatres company.
This theater is has been closed for over a year now and is listed for sale. The following is link to a story about his.
https://oilcity.news/community/city/2023/05/18/downtown-caspers-historic-rialto-and-america-theaters-listed-for-sale/
It is my understanding that any new owner must agree to not reopening this a a theater though.