Grand Theatre
2917 N. Holton Street,
Milwaukee,
WI
53212
2917 N. Holton Street,
Milwaukee,
WI
53212
2 people
favorited this theater
The Grand Theatre, located on Holton Street between E. Locust Street and E. Chambers Street, originally opened in 1911.
It was given an Atmospheric style remodel in 1927. Called the Puerto Rico Theatre in its later years, the theater was closed in 1975. The former theater has most recently been home to a church.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 31 comments)
Here is a view of the church:
http://tinyurl.com/yj6cwl7
Patsy,
I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to know Jim before his passing. he had been suffering for a very long time but just kept on going. I don’t think there is a CT member that can describe in detail a theatre better than Jim Rankin. One of his hobbies was to collect the tassles from the theatre curtains. Boy did he have a collection. I was able to get a small tassle from one of the side cutains of the Ambassador Theatre in St. Louis from David Arthur and you would think that I sent him a piece of gold. I miss the chats that we shared both online and on the phone. He could just go on and on in detail about theatres. I was very fortunate he sent me a couple boxes of his research and I treasure that. I think of him often and miss his knowlege. He was a treasure in himself to know.
The theatre ran its last film in mid-1971 as near as I can tell. during the last year it was open, it was known as the Magik Grand, and showed old classics and experimental films, as well as a steady diet of adult features. At one point, its ads boasted that it was “Milwaukee’s Matinee Adult Theatre,” showing porn from noon until 6 or 7 pm. I didn’t find anything that ever refered to it as the Puerto Rico.
Jim Rankin. He was a treasure on Cinema Treasures and I wish we had more like members like him. I had no idea that you were that close to him and that you shared many phone calls along with emails and CT posts. I also didn’t know that he collected tassles from theatre curtains. I wonder where that collection is today? The THSA should acquire it. Are you a THSA member? I plan to join as their magazine, Marquee is a treasure!
Patsy, I believe that his tassle collection went to THSA, he said that he would donate it to them. Yes I am a member of THSA.
Chuck: Pleased to read that the tassle collection went to THSA.
This photo is from 1957 and includes the Grand Theatre’s Marquee https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/551403_4787670693294_130984069_n.jpg
If you are having trouble viewing this photo, highlight the entire address then right click and hit “open link in new window”
link
Thank you Chuck, I was unsure how to create a link. Hope you liked the photo. It was from a slide collection of Mr. Backes who owned the food store next to the drug store. His daughter Terri shared this photo with our River West Face Book group.