John L. Dorris was a co-founder of the Dorris and Dorris Electric Theatre / Airdome which launched in June of 1913 decided to build a new, all weather facility. The Dorris Theatre was built in the Northwest corner of the Hayti town square. The theatre launched May 27, 1914. Dorris sold the theatre in June of 1920 and the the new owners held a contest for a new name. H.P. Harbert chose Empress and that became the theater’s new name on June 24, 1920.
On March 23, 1929, new owners took over changing the name to the Maxy Theatre. The Maxy closed on July 11, 1932. New owners took on the Maxy renaming it the Missouri Theatre on August 28, 1932 launching with “Age for Love” with Billie Love. The theatre was destroyed by a fire in the projection on July 15, 1960.
John Mohrstadt launched the new-build Joy Theatre on December 19, 1946. The building had started on March 1, 1946. It was named in honor of the Mohrstadt’s baby daughter. The opening film was, “My Darling Clementine.” Western star Tim McCoy made an in-person appearance at the the theatre in October 21, 1965. The last film appears to be “The Restless Ones” on November 11, 1965. The Joy appears to have operated to the end of a 20-year lease with some special events but no films in 1966.
The Palace Theatre launched in downtown Little Rock on June 1, 1914. Mayor Charles E. Taylor helped open the theatre as the sold-out crowd was wowed by the $10,000 82-pipe organ recital by Laurent Chevaux followed by Marie Bernard starring in “Love Everlasting”. The theatre had no wood, a nod to fireproof design, built by Thalman & Reid contractors for Saul Gans and L. Storz.
Mayor Taylor and his successor, Mayor Frank B. Gregg, would play a more important role in the years ahead getting private screenings to select films to determine whether films could be played in their entirety, which audiences could screen films and what cuts needed to be made. Gregg had Palace Manager E.D. Brewer fined when he defied the banning of Theda Bara in “Cleopatra” in March of 1918.
The Palace Theatre was given a major remodeling with sound in 1930. It reopened December 12, 1931 with “Private Lives” starring Norma Shearer & Robert Montgomery. RKO held the world premiere of two Lum and Abner films, 1940’s “Dreaming Out Loud” and 1942’s “Bashful Bachelor.”
When the original Capitol Theatre closed, the Pulaski became the Capitol Theatre in 1954 under a new 20-year lease. The theatre was closed and demolished in 1974. It was replaced by the First National Bank Building / Regions Center Tower, a 30-story skyscraper.
Goodrich Quality Theatre Circuit will be closing up here on May 9, 2019. They posted:
“After many years of serving the community of Canton, we have made the decision to close our doors on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at GQT Canton 7 GDX. We thank everyone for your loyal business over the past 20 years, and we are happy to have had two decades of amazing moviegoers. *If you have gift cards or use FMG Rewards, these are accepted at GQT Quality 16 in Ann Arbor or any GQT theater. Thank you for the memories.”
The Streator Drive-In launched on June 10, 1949 with “Restless” starring Robert Young. The drive-in ended its operation on September 18, 1982 with a double-feature of “Slumber Party Massacre” and “Screamers.” The ozoner was demolished June 30, 1990 to make way for an industrial park.
Launched June 19, 1947 with “Salty O'Rourke” with Alan Ladd. Original not Ruthorne but Ruthorn combining owners Donald J. Ruth and R. M. Thorn’s last names.
The Colonial Theatre launched with live entertainment on September 2, 1903 on a 20-year lease. A classified ad in 1923 offering 1,000 seats for sale was the official end of the Colonial although it was only lightly used over its final five years. It became an auto repair shop.
Laurel Mall Cinema was launched by the Manos Circuit as a 350-seat mini-theatre in 1971 behind the Montgomery Ward anchor store. It opened February 26, 1974 with “There’s a Girl in My Soup.”
The Paramount Theatre launched in downtown Connellsville on July 18, 1916 with “Gloria’s Romance” and “The Heart of Nora Flynn.” R.L. Hannam was the architect. The theatre adjoined the Globe Theatre which had the Paramount film contract and ceased operations when the Paramount opened. The theatre switched to Vitaphone for talkies in 1929 which included a major interior overhaul.
On July 1, 1949, the Soisson Theatre Co. took on the Paramount and decided to change its name and held a re-naming contest. The winner was the Fayette Theatre upon relaunch on July 19, 1949 opening with “Song of Idaho” and “Highway 13.”. The theatre closed in 1952. It relaunched on January 30, 1953 as the Paramount with “My Outlaw Bride” and “It’s in the Bag.”
The Paramount closed on August 16, 1954 with “Massacre Canyon” and The Wild One.“ It was apparently padlocked. The theatre sold at a sheriff’s sale auction on January 10, 1955 for a scant $144.70. On June 29, 1956, the theatre was home to the Connellsville Revival Center which had the marquee removed in 1973.
The original Soisson Theatre was architected by C. Ender Urban launching on December 17, 1907 likely on a 20-year lease. Brick magnate Joseph Soisson opened the theatre in an apartment building and was located at 118-122 West Crawford Avenue in downtown Connellsville.
In 1927, new lessee C.A. Wagner took on the theatre likely on a 10-year lease. Wagner ceased operations on June 7, 1929 without converting to a true sound system. The theatre was dormant until 1937 when it was almost entirely removed for a new Soisson.
The New Soisson Theatre launched on November 24, 1937 with “Blonde Trouble.” Harry C. Altman was the architect of the, now, Art Deco theatre which used little of the original Soisson. The theatre plan had been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry in 1937.
Though used for sporadic events thereafter, the final films at the Soisson were on August 14, 1956 with a double-feature of “Crimson Pirate” and “Animal World.” The Gallatin Bank put an end to the Soisson altogether razing the structure on April 6, 1959 and building a bank onto the property in 1960.
Post-retail, the venue became Hans Fiedler’s Hall and, in 1891, Social Hall before conversion to the Richfield Opera House. After a 20-year run as the Opera House, new operators took on the new lease converting the venue on August 15, 1927 as the Lyric Theatre. The first film as the Lyric was “Sweet Rosie O’Grady.” On September 21, 1930, the theatre switched to sound with RCA Photophone. Newer theatres relegated the Lyric to subrun double-feature status. New operator J.E. Hostettler revamped the Lyric in July of 1931.
Under Sevier Amusement Circuit, the theatre was downgraded to partial year operation closing in the Summer of 1955. The theatre closed in early 1957 at end of lease. A 1977 damaged the roof and dooming the building. The theatre was bulldozed on October 24, 1983 after standing 102 years.
The Skyline Drive-In launched May 30, 1947. It was redone by new operator Van Anderson as the Rich Drive-In rebooting on April 17, 1955. It appears to have closed at the end of a 20-year lease on August 27, 1974 with “Sleuth.”
The Orpheum Theatre opened August 8, 1914 with 465 seats and Mutual Studio films. On April 13, 1929, the theatre transitioned to sound playing, “The Banker.”
Miner Theatres Circuit rebooted the Orpheum as the new Stout Theatre on November 3, 1949 with yellow acoustic tile and acoustic wall coverings to hide the Orpheum’s dated design. The theatre closed in 1956 and sold to the Menomonie Clinic which flattened the floor and remodeled the space.
This appears to have opened as the Elite Theatre in 1912 likely on a 20-year lease. Harry Wright bought the Elite in December of 1914 changing it to the Princess Theatre. It appears to have gotten a 20-year lease with different operators sometime operating as an African American theatre and other times as a segregated theatre operated by Fred C. Allen.
Demolished May 2019
The New State Theatre launched July 17, 1941 with “San Antonio Rose.” It replaced the old State Theatre which then became the New Texan Theatre.
John L. Dorris was a co-founder of the Dorris and Dorris Electric Theatre / Airdome which launched in June of 1913 decided to build a new, all weather facility. The Dorris Theatre was built in the Northwest corner of the Hayti town square. The theatre launched May 27, 1914. Dorris sold the theatre in June of 1920 and the the new owners held a contest for a new name. H.P. Harbert chose Empress and that became the theater’s new name on June 24, 1920.
On March 23, 1929, new owners took over changing the name to the Maxy Theatre. The Maxy closed on July 11, 1932. New owners took on the Maxy renaming it the Missouri Theatre on August 28, 1932 launching with “Age for Love” with Billie Love. The theatre was destroyed by a fire in the projection on July 15, 1960.
John Mohrstadt launched the new-build Joy Theatre on December 19, 1946. The building had started on March 1, 1946. It was named in honor of the Mohrstadt’s baby daughter. The opening film was, “My Darling Clementine.” Western star Tim McCoy made an in-person appearance at the the theatre in October 21, 1965. The last film appears to be “The Restless Ones” on November 11, 1965. The Joy appears to have operated to the end of a 20-year lease with some special events but no films in 1966.
Launched at the 61 Drive-In Theatre on June 10, 1949 by John Mohrstadt who also created an amusement park with mini-train there.
The Palace Theatre launched in downtown Little Rock on June 1, 1914. Mayor Charles E. Taylor helped open the theatre as the sold-out crowd was wowed by the $10,000 82-pipe organ recital by Laurent Chevaux followed by Marie Bernard starring in “Love Everlasting”. The theatre had no wood, a nod to fireproof design, built by Thalman & Reid contractors for Saul Gans and L. Storz.
Mayor Taylor and his successor, Mayor Frank B. Gregg, would play a more important role in the years ahead getting private screenings to select films to determine whether films could be played in their entirety, which audiences could screen films and what cuts needed to be made. Gregg had Palace Manager E.D. Brewer fined when he defied the banning of Theda Bara in “Cleopatra” in March of 1918.
The Palace Theatre was given a major remodeling with sound in 1930. It reopened December 12, 1931 with “Private Lives” starring Norma Shearer & Robert Montgomery. RKO held the world premiere of two Lum and Abner films, 1940’s “Dreaming Out Loud” and 1942’s “Bashful Bachelor.”
When the original Capitol Theatre closed, the Pulaski became the Capitol Theatre in 1954 under a new 20-year lease. The theatre was closed and demolished in 1974. It was replaced by the First National Bank Building / Regions Center Tower, a 30-story skyscraper.
Proximity to Mount Timpanogos, often referred to as Timp.
Western Amusement launched the $30,000 Cinemotor theatre June 28, 1950.
June 30, 1990 was the date of the razing.
Goodrich Quality Theatre Circuit will be closing up here on May 9, 2019. They posted:
“After many years of serving the community of Canton, we have made the decision to close our doors on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at GQT Canton 7 GDX. We thank everyone for your loyal business over the past 20 years, and we are happy to have had two decades of amazing moviegoers. *If you have gift cards or use FMG Rewards, these are accepted at GQT Quality 16 in Ann Arbor or any GQT theater. Thank you for the memories.”
The Streator Drive-In launched on June 10, 1949 with “Restless” starring Robert Young. The drive-in ended its operation on September 18, 1982 with a double-feature of “Slumber Party Massacre” and “Screamers.” The ozoner was demolished June 30, 1990 to make way for an industrial park.
Opened in 1908, the Lyric Theatre closed July 5, 1930 as a silent theatre. A new tenant was in place just a month later.
Closed January 19, 1973 with a reduced-cost screening of “Pete ‘n’ Tillie” for 50 cents admission.
Launched June 19, 1947 with “Salty O'Rourke” with Alan Ladd. Original not Ruthorne but Ruthorn combining owners Donald J. Ruth and R. M. Thorn’s last names.
1923
The Colonial Theatre launched with live entertainment on September 2, 1903 on a 20-year lease. A classified ad in 1923 offering 1,000 seats for sale was the official end of the Colonial although it was only lightly used over its final five years. It became an auto repair shop.
Laurel Mall Cinema was launched by the Manos Circuit as a 350-seat mini-theatre in 1971 behind the Montgomery Ward anchor store. It opened February 26, 1974 with “There’s a Girl in My Soup.”
The Paramount Theatre launched in downtown Connellsville on July 18, 1916 with “Gloria’s Romance” and “The Heart of Nora Flynn.” R.L. Hannam was the architect. The theatre adjoined the Globe Theatre which had the Paramount film contract and ceased operations when the Paramount opened. The theatre switched to Vitaphone for talkies in 1929 which included a major interior overhaul.
On July 1, 1949, the Soisson Theatre Co. took on the Paramount and decided to change its name and held a re-naming contest. The winner was the Fayette Theatre upon relaunch on July 19, 1949 opening with “Song of Idaho” and “Highway 13.”. The theatre closed in 1952. It relaunched on January 30, 1953 as the Paramount with “My Outlaw Bride” and “It’s in the Bag.”
The Paramount closed on August 16, 1954 with “Massacre Canyon” and The Wild One.“ It was apparently padlocked. The theatre sold at a sheriff’s sale auction on January 10, 1955 for a scant $144.70. On June 29, 1956, the theatre was home to the Connellsville Revival Center which had the marquee removed in 1973.
The original Soisson Theatre was architected by C. Ender Urban launching on December 17, 1907 likely on a 20-year lease. Brick magnate Joseph Soisson opened the theatre in an apartment building and was located at 118-122 West Crawford Avenue in downtown Connellsville.
In 1927, new lessee C.A. Wagner took on the theatre likely on a 10-year lease. Wagner ceased operations on June 7, 1929 without converting to a true sound system. The theatre was dormant until 1937 when it was almost entirely removed for a new Soisson.
The New Soisson Theatre launched on November 24, 1937 with “Blonde Trouble.” Harry C. Altman was the architect of the, now, Art Deco theatre which used little of the original Soisson. The theatre plan had been approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry in 1937.
Though used for sporadic events thereafter, the final films at the Soisson were on August 14, 1956 with a double-feature of “Crimson Pirate” and “Animal World.” The Gallatin Bank put an end to the Soisson altogether razing the structure on April 6, 1959 and building a bank onto the property in 1960.
The Kinema opened November 3, 1920 on a 20-year lease.
Post-retail, the venue became Hans Fiedler’s Hall and, in 1891, Social Hall before conversion to the Richfield Opera House. After a 20-year run as the Opera House, new operators took on the new lease converting the venue on August 15, 1927 as the Lyric Theatre. The first film as the Lyric was “Sweet Rosie O’Grady.” On September 21, 1930, the theatre switched to sound with RCA Photophone. Newer theatres relegated the Lyric to subrun double-feature status. New operator J.E. Hostettler revamped the Lyric in July of 1931.
Under Sevier Amusement Circuit, the theatre was downgraded to partial year operation closing in the Summer of 1955. The theatre closed in early 1957 at end of lease. A 1977 damaged the roof and dooming the building. The theatre was bulldozed on October 24, 1983 after standing 102 years.
The Skyline Drive-In launched May 30, 1947. It was redone by new operator Van Anderson as the Rich Drive-In rebooting on April 17, 1955. It appears to have closed at the end of a 20-year lease on August 27, 1974 with “Sleuth.”
The Orpheum Theatre opened August 8, 1914 with 465 seats and Mutual Studio films. On April 13, 1929, the theatre transitioned to sound playing, “The Banker.”
Miner Theatres Circuit rebooted the Orpheum as the new Stout Theatre on November 3, 1949 with yellow acoustic tile and acoustic wall coverings to hide the Orpheum’s dated design. The theatre closed in 1956 and sold to the Menomonie Clinic which flattened the floor and remodeled the space.
This appears to have opened as the Elite Theatre in 1912 likely on a 20-year lease. Harry Wright bought the Elite in December of 1914 changing it to the Princess Theatre. It appears to have gotten a 20-year lease with different operators sometime operating as an African American theatre and other times as a segregated theatre operated by Fred C. Allen.
Headland is known for peanut farms or goobers as well as other types of nuts.