The Lyric Theatre opened in 1914 by Frank M. Smith, Jr. It was likely this building. H.L. Ardis who had opened the original Majestic in 1911 bought his competitor running both theatres. New operators take on the Majestic and appear to both change the theater’s name and close it. Then a grand opening as the Ritz Theatre by Mrs. Nadine W. Story on June 16, 1930 with “Under a Texas Moon.” She and her husband then opened the New Majestic elsewhere in August of 1936. Final show for the Ritz was “Last of the Mohicans on January 1, 1948. It was then used as a church and then a retail store.
A new-build theatre, the Fain Theatre launched in August of 1948. It replaced a 300-seat Fain Theatre that dated back to the silent era. The theatre appears to have gone out of business on April 30, 2015.
Opened by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Jungenman built this venue in 1926 launching as the New Theatre. They sold the New to John R. Forsyth who sold it to R.N. Smith. Smith rebranded the New on April 29, 1938 as the Cactus Theatre opening with “Fools for Scandal.” Smith would build the Pioneer Theatre.
After inactivity, the Best Theatre was reopened briefly in 1976 before closing with its contents untouched for ten years. In 1987, an auction house moved to the site and auctioned off the equipment and ephemera which included over 350 movie posters going back to Tom Mix and the silent era.
This venue launched January 6, 1923 as the Palace Theatre. Robb & Rowley closed the Nolen in November of 1950. The local Russell’s Department Store took on the property and extended its store incorporating the former Nolan Theatre relaunching its larger store on October 24, 1951.
The American Theatre was in the George E. Holland Building and 5th and Main according to the local paper. The former American Theatre became the No Name Theatre relaunching on October 31, 1934 with Rocky Rhodes and Tombstone Canyon. On December 7, 1934, after a contest, the No Name became the New Starland Theatre. The Starland closed in 1937. After being purchased by Jefferson Amusement, the circuit transformed the theatre to the Bengal Theatre relaunching December 25, 1940 with “The Hit Parade of 1941.”
The Gem Theatre launched December 1, 1934 with Barbara Stanwyck in “Gambling Lady” and Lane Chandler in “Gun for Hire.” The Jefferson Amusement Circuit transformed the existing Farwell Building into the Gem by adding 22' to its rear.
J.E. Martin purchased this retail building in 1910 and converted from retail to motion picture theatre on December 13, 1913. Two owners later, new operators East Texas Amusement changed the name of the theatre to the Titus Theatre, the name of Mt. Pleasant’s county. In 1935, the Lutzer Brothers changed the name back to the Martin. They would then demolish all but two walls of the theatre creating a new Martin Theatre relaunching
The new Martin Theatre launched September 10, 1937 with the film “Wild and Wooly.” The local newspaper had a 24-page special edition to commemorate the new Martin.
Opened August 1, 1917 during World War I, the Liberty purchased a Phototone disc system bringing talkies to town in March of 1929. It appears to have ceased operations at the end of 1960.
Launched April 28, 1949 with “A Connecticut Yankee.” Ad in photos. It closed after a 20-year lease expired. It re-opened again later in 1969 and appears to have closed shortly thereafter.
Opened in 1950, the Cuero Drive-In closed for the season in 1963 without reopening. The VFW lodge built its facility on the drive-in although it used the snack bar beginning in 1967 and turned it into a barbecue food center.
The Home Drive-In Theatre launched on April 13, 1950. According to the paper, it was closed following a ten-year lease not opening in 1961. However, it could have been reopened thereafter.
Nov. 17, 1948 was the opening date. Vincent Rainey of San Francisco was the architect of the $300,000 theatre built for owners Fred and Ethel Stamm. The theatre features six luminescent murals on its walls and ceiling
The Mid-City Shopping Center opened theatre-less in Menands in July of 1961 anchored by an F.W. Woolworth’s dime store, a Topps Variety Store and a Food Fair grocery. In October of 1972, Mayor John F. Faris joined the principles of a proposed Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema for a groundbreaking with the theatre set to open in 1973 in the plaza. But between planning and the actual opening in 1973, the theatre had dumped the Lewis nameplate and opted for the Star Twin Cinema. Its opening films on May 2, 1973 were “Cabaret” and “The Getaway.”
Only in development stage was this venue was called the West Theatre. Its opening name was the West Twins Theatre and not the West Theatre. The genesis of this name is from Wilfred Robert Frank and partner Oscar Woempner who had created the Rosebud Twins on the site of the former Royal Theatre in Minneapolis in 1924. They weren’t twin theaters but twin operations (the Rosebud was a combination of theatre and candy store/soda shop at opening).
The “twins” was an interesting concept well-placed in the Twin Cities. Frank and Woempner would operate the Boulevard, Franklin, Lyndale, Park, Rosebud turned Avalon and rebuilt Avalon, Chateau and Lasalle in Minneapolis among other theaters elsewhere.
Here, the West Twins consisted of the West Twins Theatre and an adjoining restaurant once known as the West Twins Inn both launching in 1939. The Perry E. Crosier design deftly blends the two operations together with a unifying style. Another Frank Twin operation was the Boulevard Twins which was a re-launching of the Boulevard Theatre in 1948. Frank paired the Boulevard Twins Theatre and adjoining deli / pastry shop, the Boulevard Twins Restaurant. They were advertised as the Boulevard Twins Theatre – Restaurants and had a period where you could do dinner and a show for one price.
The West Twins Theatre went out of business in 1967 with the entire facility up for sale in 1968 with the restaurant soldiering on. A request to the city for a license to reopen the theatre was denied unanimously in 1970. The space was used for other retail purposes
The Inwood hired Architexas, a historic preservation architectural specialist in Dallas in 1983, to bring the theatre its bar and multi-screen operation.
The Bellaire represents the spectrum of movie exhibition from Post-War to the Video Era as well as any Houston theatre. Built as a neighborhood house during the Post-War theatre boom, the theatre launched April 16, 1949 with “Easter Parade” the day prior to Easter.
The theatre struggled in the 1970s with the theatre experimented with martial arts films and Indian films and then live stage shows. In 1976, the theatre became an X-rated cinema on a ten-year lease by Tercar Theatres.
In 1986, Metro Cinema took on the property and hired Architexas, a historic preservation architectural specialist in Dallas who had done a similar job at the Inwood Theatre there, to create a five-screen theatre with car. The new art house launched November 26, 1986. But when that failed, the theatre went back to sub-run discount feature films. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” was a rare bright spot for the theatre. Its lease was ended at the terminus of a five-year period on December 1, 1991. A campaign brought the theatre back with no success closing for good August 2, 1992.
The theatre was repurposed for other retail ventures including a Discovery Zone party venue and grocery stores. Because of its conversion, it is in no danger of being razed.
Technically, the Royal Theatre – a one-story wood framed building – burned down and its remains removed after a January 25, 1924 fire. Brandt and Dutton rebuilt a brick structure (see photos). Their new theatre launched as the Rosebuds Twins on April 12, 1924 though quickly was known as the Rosebud Theatre as the “twin” appears to be an adjoining candy store and soda fountain. Its moniker derives from the 1920 novel by Sinclair Lewis, “Main Street" and its adaptation to a 1923 feature film. In the novel, the name of the theatre in Gopher Prairie, Minnesota – and on its first edition cover – is the Rosebud Movie Palace. The film version prominently features the setting as the Rosebud Theatre. This Rosebud theatre opened about a year after the film version.
That theatre became the Reno Theatre and, under new ownership with new sound system, became the original Avalon Theatre. The Rosebud(s)/Reno/Avalon was also knocked down replaced by a new build theater, the “new” Avalon Theatre which was a 1,000-seat venue built on the lot beginning at the corner of Lake and 15th Street or 1500 Lake.
A little late to the party but can confirm that Joe Vogel is correct (10 years ago). The Royal Theatre burned down on January 25, 1924. Brandt and Dutton rebuilt a brick structure as the Rosebuds / Rosebud Theatre and Candy/Soda Shop in 1924 that became the Reno and Avalon. If the trade press is correct (and the pictures seem to indicate), the Avalon is a completely new build beginning on the lot on the corner which was a 1,000-seat venue while the previous building was not incorporated into the new Avalon and was razed.
As for the name of the former Rosebud theatre, it derives from the 1920 novel by Sinclair Lewis, “Main Street" and its adaptation to a 1923 feature film. In the novel, the name of the theatre in Gopher Prairie, Minnesota and on its first edition cover is the Rosebud Movie Palace. The film version prominently features the setting as the Rosebud Theatre.
The Lyric Theatre opened in 1914 by Frank M. Smith, Jr. It was likely this building. H.L. Ardis who had opened the original Majestic in 1911 bought his competitor running both theatres. New operators take on the Majestic and appear to both change the theater’s name and close it. Then a grand opening as the Ritz Theatre by Mrs. Nadine W. Story on June 16, 1930 with “Under a Texas Moon.” She and her husband then opened the New Majestic elsewhere in August of 1936. Final show for the Ritz was “Last of the Mohicans on January 1, 1948. It was then used as a church and then a retail store.
A new-build theatre, the Fain Theatre launched in August of 1948. It replaced a 300-seat Fain Theatre that dated back to the silent era. The theatre appears to have gone out of business on April 30, 2015.
Vaudeville performer Thomas Jefferson “Stout” Jackson built his first indoor theatre in Falfurrias in 1948 and his Alameda opened in October.
Opened by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Jungenman built this venue in 1926 launching as the New Theatre. They sold the New to John R. Forsyth who sold it to R.N. Smith. Smith rebranded the New on April 29, 1938 as the Cactus Theatre opening with “Fools for Scandal.” Smith would build the Pioneer Theatre.
After inactivity, the Best Theatre was reopened briefly in 1976 before closing with its contents untouched for ten years. In 1987, an auction house moved to the site and auctioned off the equipment and ephemera which included over 350 movie posters going back to Tom Mix and the silent era.
The drive-in closed during the 1957 season. It was offered for salvage sale in March of 1958.
This venue launched January 6, 1923 as the Palace Theatre. Robb & Rowley closed the Nolen in November of 1950. The local Russell’s Department Store took on the property and extended its store incorporating the former Nolan Theatre relaunching its larger store on October 24, 1951.
The American Theatre was in the George E. Holland Building and 5th and Main according to the local paper. The former American Theatre became the No Name Theatre relaunching on October 31, 1934 with Rocky Rhodes and Tombstone Canyon. On December 7, 1934, after a contest, the No Name became the New Starland Theatre. The Starland closed in 1937. After being purchased by Jefferson Amusement, the circuit transformed the theatre to the Bengal Theatre relaunching December 25, 1940 with “The Hit Parade of 1941.”
The Gem Theatre launched December 1, 1934 with Barbara Stanwyck in “Gambling Lady” and Lane Chandler in “Gun for Hire.” The Jefferson Amusement Circuit transformed the existing Farwell Building into the Gem by adding 22' to its rear.
J.E. Martin purchased this retail building in 1910 and converted from retail to motion picture theatre on December 13, 1913. Two owners later, new operators East Texas Amusement changed the name of the theatre to the Titus Theatre, the name of Mt. Pleasant’s county. In 1935, the Lutzer Brothers changed the name back to the Martin. They would then demolish all but two walls of the theatre creating a new Martin Theatre relaunching
The new Martin Theatre launched September 10, 1937 with the film “Wild and Wooly.” The local newspaper had a 24-page special edition to commemorate the new Martin.
Closed for the season in 1960 and the management decided not to re-open for the 1961 season.
Opened August 1, 1917 during World War I, the Liberty purchased a Phototone disc system bringing talkies to town in March of 1929. It appears to have ceased operations at the end of 1960.
Launched April 28, 1949 with “A Connecticut Yankee.” Ad in photos. It closed after a 20-year lease expired. It re-opened again later in 1969 and appears to have closed shortly thereafter.
Opened November 1, 1951 with the film, “Dear Brat”. Closed on October 29, 1956 with “Dakota Incident.” It does not appear to have reopened.
Opened in 1950, the Cuero Drive-In closed for the season in 1963 without reopening. The VFW lodge built its facility on the drive-in although it used the snack bar beginning in 1967 and turned it into a barbecue food center.
Good job all. The newspaper says “west of the city” but it’s clearly to the East in the aerial view at 1010 FM 1579 at US 90 and near Humplik Lane.
The Home Drive-In Theatre launched on April 13, 1950. According to the paper, it was closed following a ten-year lease not opening in 1961. However, it could have been reopened thereafter.
Nov. 17, 1948 was the opening date. Vincent Rainey of San Francisco was the architect of the $300,000 theatre built for owners Fred and Ethel Stamm. The theatre features six luminescent murals on its walls and ceiling
The Mid-City Shopping Center opened theatre-less in Menands in July of 1961 anchored by an F.W. Woolworth’s dime store, a Topps Variety Store and a Food Fair grocery. In October of 1972, Mayor John F. Faris joined the principles of a proposed Jerry Lewis Twin Cinema for a groundbreaking with the theatre set to open in 1973 in the plaza. But between planning and the actual opening in 1973, the theatre had dumped the Lewis nameplate and opted for the Star Twin Cinema. Its opening films on May 2, 1973 were “Cabaret” and “The Getaway.”
Only in development stage was this venue was called the West Theatre. Its opening name was the West Twins Theatre and not the West Theatre. The genesis of this name is from Wilfred Robert Frank and partner Oscar Woempner who had created the Rosebud Twins on the site of the former Royal Theatre in Minneapolis in 1924. They weren’t twin theaters but twin operations (the Rosebud was a combination of theatre and candy store/soda shop at opening).
The “twins” was an interesting concept well-placed in the Twin Cities. Frank and Woempner would operate the Boulevard, Franklin, Lyndale, Park, Rosebud turned Avalon and rebuilt Avalon, Chateau and Lasalle in Minneapolis among other theaters elsewhere.
Here, the West Twins consisted of the West Twins Theatre and an adjoining restaurant once known as the West Twins Inn both launching in 1939. The Perry E. Crosier design deftly blends the two operations together with a unifying style. Another Frank Twin operation was the Boulevard Twins which was a re-launching of the Boulevard Theatre in 1948. Frank paired the Boulevard Twins Theatre and adjoining deli / pastry shop, the Boulevard Twins Restaurant. They were advertised as the Boulevard Twins Theatre – Restaurants and had a period where you could do dinner and a show for one price.
The West Twins Theatre went out of business in 1967 with the entire facility up for sale in 1968 with the restaurant soldiering on. A request to the city for a license to reopen the theatre was denied unanimously in 1970. The space was used for other retail purposes
The Inwood hired Architexas, a historic preservation architectural specialist in Dallas in 1983, to bring the theatre its bar and multi-screen operation.
The Bellaire represents the spectrum of movie exhibition from Post-War to the Video Era as well as any Houston theatre. Built as a neighborhood house during the Post-War theatre boom, the theatre launched April 16, 1949 with “Easter Parade” the day prior to Easter.
The theatre struggled in the 1970s with the theatre experimented with martial arts films and Indian films and then live stage shows. In 1976, the theatre became an X-rated cinema on a ten-year lease by Tercar Theatres.
In 1986, Metro Cinema took on the property and hired Architexas, a historic preservation architectural specialist in Dallas who had done a similar job at the Inwood Theatre there, to create a five-screen theatre with car. The new art house launched November 26, 1986. But when that failed, the theatre went back to sub-run discount feature films. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” was a rare bright spot for the theatre. Its lease was ended at the terminus of a five-year period on December 1, 1991. A campaign brought the theatre back with no success closing for good August 2, 1992.
The theatre was repurposed for other retail ventures including a Discovery Zone party venue and grocery stores. Because of its conversion, it is in no danger of being razed.
Technically, the Royal Theatre – a one-story wood framed building – burned down and its remains removed after a January 25, 1924 fire. Brandt and Dutton rebuilt a brick structure (see photos). Their new theatre launched as the Rosebuds Twins on April 12, 1924 though quickly was known as the Rosebud Theatre as the “twin” appears to be an adjoining candy store and soda fountain. Its moniker derives from the 1920 novel by Sinclair Lewis, “Main Street" and its adaptation to a 1923 feature film. In the novel, the name of the theatre in Gopher Prairie, Minnesota – and on its first edition cover – is the Rosebud Movie Palace. The film version prominently features the setting as the Rosebud Theatre. This Rosebud theatre opened about a year after the film version.
That theatre became the Reno Theatre and, under new ownership with new sound system, became the original Avalon Theatre. The Rosebud(s)/Reno/Avalon was also knocked down replaced by a new build theater, the “new” Avalon Theatre which was a 1,000-seat venue built on the lot beginning at the corner of Lake and 15th Street or 1500 Lake.
A little late to the party but can confirm that Joe Vogel is correct (10 years ago). The Royal Theatre burned down on January 25, 1924. Brandt and Dutton rebuilt a brick structure as the Rosebuds / Rosebud Theatre and Candy/Soda Shop in 1924 that became the Reno and Avalon. If the trade press is correct (and the pictures seem to indicate), the Avalon is a completely new build beginning on the lot on the corner which was a 1,000-seat venue while the previous building was not incorporated into the new Avalon and was razed.
As for the name of the former Rosebud theatre, it derives from the 1920 novel by Sinclair Lewis, “Main Street" and its adaptation to a 1923 feature film. In the novel, the name of the theatre in Gopher Prairie, Minnesota and on its first edition cover is the Rosebud Movie Palace. The film version prominently features the setting as the Rosebud Theatre.
Sorry -1922