The Lyric Theatre at 301-303 Collinsville Avenue was opened by Harry G. Redmon who opened several East St. Louis movie houses. So popular was the Lyric Theatre that Redmon opened the much larger Majestic Theatre in 1915. Redmon took the film bookings and also his Lyric Orchestra led by John Livaudais. Joe Erber took on the Lyric. He was a veteran talent booker and showman Joe Erber whose career lasted decades. He then moved the Lyric to the Majestic Theatre building.
Erber hired as one of the Lyric’s managers one Laurence Richardson Jossenberger – aka Larry Richardson. Richardson would go from theatre manager in East St. Louis to Hollywood performer. He would appear in more than 50 Century Comedy shorts as Larry Rich. He appears to have failed at getting a starring role and would go on to the vaudeville circuit with his wife, a former Mack Sennett performer. Erber sold the theatre to Arco Amusement which converted the Lyric Theatre to Vitaphone sound in 1928.
But the conversion may have been too much as the theatre closed in February 1929 when creditors forced the closure of both the Lyric and the Avenue. The Lyric was purchased at the asset disposition of the Arco Amusement Company. It was reopened soon thereafter in 1929 as the New Orpheum Theatre which has another ten years of operation in which Erber was associated. It closed and has since been demolished.
Opening films w ere “Money from Home” and “10 Wanted Men” on March 16, 1956. Closed at the end of a 25-year lease with “Octagon,” “Street Fighters” and “Butch and Sundance.” The architects were Gerhardt Kramer and Joe G.Harms. Screen size was 70’ by 102’.
The Orson Welles Cinema concept began April 8, 1969 with We “The Immortal Story” and Luis Bunuel’s “Simon of the Desert.” The three-screen operation closed during May 25, 1986 showings of “Always,” Dreamchild,“ and "Water” as a fire broke out. After repairs for a 1986 fire, the Welles remained closed by CATE Enterprises Circuit due to insurance negotiations. The space was converted for other retail purposes.
CATE Enterprises Circuit announced this as an 8-screen complex in the summer of 1983. When it launched finally on September 19, 1986 for CATE, it was then ten screens with 2,960 seats (4-350, 4-300 and 2-180 seat audis).
Hoyts' Circuit took on the location in 1993 likely taking on a 15-year leasing agreement. It closed the theatre following Labor Day showings on September 3, 2001. In December of 2002, Holiday Cinemas took on the venue likely to finish out the leasing contract. Holiday closed the 10-plex on October 30, 2008 (though some unplayed, errant listings are published thereafter).
The GCC Meriden Mall Cinema I & II November 18, 1970 grand opening featured “Lovers and Other Strangers” and “WUSA.“ General Cinema vacated at the midpoint of a 20-year lease on November 17, 1980 as the Meriden Mall had devolved to greyfield status losing the vast majority of its retailers.
In March of 1981, the Meridien Mall moniker changed to the Meriden Hub under new operators. The venue had one more chance as it reopened in the Fall of 1981 as the Hub Cinema I & II before closing in December of 1982. It does not appear to have reopened. The entire vacant Hub was mercifully demolished in 2007.
o December 1921 fires in Connecticut theatres led officials to close Wallingford’s church turned theatre which suffered one of the State’s two fires. The officials also closed the George H. Wilkinson-headed Wallingford Opera House Which served as its other movie venue. Closed due to lack of fire escapes in the multi-leveled seating auditorium that was on the third and fourth floor of the structure, Wilkinson had this facility drawn up in 1922. The Wilkinson Theatre opened in 1923 and was transitioned to sound by decade’s end. Wilkinson died in 1939 leaving his son in charge which he did for nearly 30 more years.
Wallingford’s own Morton Downey appeared live on the Wilkinson stage as part of the “Camel Hour” in the 1940s. During the war, Wilkinson acquired the Strand Theatre temporarily renaming it the Victory. Wilkinson operated both theaters until closing the Strand/Victory in 1954. In 1955, Wilkinson transformed his remaining theater to widescreen for the purpose of displaying CinemaScope films.
The Wilkinson Theater was closed in May of 1967 after just over 45 years of operation as he retired selling the theater to the Dime Bank. The bank tore down the theater to expand its downtown operation.
The theatre opened as Ricci’s Theatre (aka Ricci Theatre) on Christmas Day, December 25, 1913 by Joseph M. Ricci. On August 15, 1915 and following a refresh it became a movie house called the Life Theatre. For the next 15 years, the Life Theatre played mostly silent films.
Ricci sold the venue but he and his son, A. Leo Ricci’s, reacquired the venue wiring it for sound and renaming it the Ricci Capitol Theatre on November 11, 1930. The outdoor sign read, Joseph M. Ricci’s Capitol Theatre. Leo Ricci arranged a ten year sub-lease with Connecticut Amusement to run it as an art house beginning April 1, 1964 as the Capitol Theatre.
The business trailed off at the start of the 1970s. So in January of 1971 to the end of sublease on March 30, 1974, the Capitol successfully showed X-rated fare during the height of the porno chic era. Films were advertised often with code names such as “Throat” instead of “Deep Throat” to offset community backlash. Leo Ricci returned to the Capitol on April 1, 1974 running it to closure as a sub-run family-oriented discount movie house. The theater closed and later was razed.
John Hennies and Herbert Clark opened the low-priced Merry Widow Theatre on May 22, 1908 managed by Paul F. Fagan with nickel movies. The theatre reopened as the Crystal on. April 12, 1909 with the films, “Return of Ulysses” and “Boots and Saddles.”
Lowe’s Poli opened with vaudeville on December 25, 1907 but the star of the show was a giant electric sign that flashed the name of the theatre on the building’s exterior that illuminated Main Street.
Built in 1921 as the new-build live venue known as the Community Playhouse, the operation failed and became the Meriden Palace Theatre on August 11, 1924 with the Gloria Swanson film, “Manhandled.” Next known as the Poli Palace Theatre, the theatre converted to sound, It then became a Loew’s property as The Loew-Poli Palace Theatre. Loews‘s closed the Loew-Poli Palace Theatre on June 5, 1960. The theatre had sporadic screenings and events under Loews returning briefly with a regular schedule in 1962 before giving up on the location altogether.
The Palace got one more chance at cinematic operation under the New Fine Arts management as the Fine Arts Theatre beginning December 4, 1963 with “8 ½.” The Fine Arts closed abruptly and unsuccessfully three months later on March 3, 1964 after a double feature of “Cry of Battle” and “Billy Budd” supported by shorts. The operators also stuck the city with a bad check for $200 and moved on to parts unknown. That was it for the former Palace which was demolished in 1967. The demolition led to a lawsuit and the proposed use of the site which led to the razing never transpired
Became the Royal Theatre on January 23, 1911 when Shrider Brothers Circuit took on the venue which had been operating as the Lyric. The Lyric nameplate would be used elsewhere.
he Crystal Theatre launched in February of 1910. The theatre appears to have been renamed the Lyric which then moved to a new location in 1916 by Empress owner M.M. Moore.
The silent venue closed in 1929 when Harry Day took on the venue launching it as the “New” Lyric Theatre on September 24, 1929 with Ruth Chatterton in “Madame X.” It was the wiring of the previous Lyric for sound.
Andrew Majek and H.J. Hartung, Jr., opened the Winter Garden Drive-In on April 19, 1950. The theatre’s moniker was derived from the city’s nickname as the"Winter Garden District" leading to its fame once known as the “Spinach Capital of the World.”
The Lyric Theatre at 301-303 Collinsville Avenue was opened by Harry G. Redmon who opened several East St. Louis movie houses. So popular was the Lyric Theatre that Redmon opened the much larger Majestic Theatre in 1915. Redmon took the film bookings and also his Lyric Orchestra led by John Livaudais. Joe Erber took on the Lyric. He was a veteran talent booker and showman Joe Erber whose career lasted decades. He then moved the Lyric to the Majestic Theatre building.
Erber hired as one of the Lyric’s managers one Laurence Richardson Jossenberger – aka Larry Richardson. Richardson would go from theatre manager in East St. Louis to Hollywood performer. He would appear in more than 50 Century Comedy shorts as Larry Rich. He appears to have failed at getting a starring role and would go on to the vaudeville circuit with his wife, a former Mack Sennett performer. Erber sold the theatre to Arco Amusement which converted the Lyric Theatre to Vitaphone sound in 1928.
But the conversion may have been too much as the theatre closed in February 1929 when creditors forced the closure of both the Lyric and the Avenue. The Lyric was purchased at the asset disposition of the Arco Amusement Company. It was reopened soon thereafter in 1929 as the New Orpheum Theatre which has another ten years of operation in which Erber was associated. It closed and has since been demolished.
Opening films w ere “Money from Home” and “10 Wanted Men” on March 16, 1956. Closed at the end of a 25-year lease with “Octagon,” “Street Fighters” and “Butch and Sundance.” The architects were Gerhardt Kramer and Joe G.Harms. Screen size was 70’ by 102’.
Once operated by CATE Enterprises Circuit. Final shows on September 9, 1990 were “The Freshman,” “Men at Work,” “Flatliners” and “My Blue Heaven.”
At one time operated by CATE Enterprises Circuit.
At one time operated by CATE Enterprises Circuit.
The Orson Welles Cinema concept began April 8, 1969 with We “The Immortal Story” and Luis Bunuel’s “Simon of the Desert.” The three-screen operation closed during May 25, 1986 showings of “Always,” Dreamchild,“ and "Water” as a fire broke out. After repairs for a 1986 fire, the Welles remained closed by CATE Enterprises Circuit due to insurance negotiations. The space was converted for other retail purposes.
CATE Enterprises Circuit announced this as an 8-screen complex in the summer of 1983. When it launched finally on September 19, 1986 for CATE, it was then ten screens with 2,960 seats (4-350, 4-300 and 2-180 seat audis).
Hoyts' Circuit took on the location in 1993 likely taking on a 15-year leasing agreement. It closed the theatre following Labor Day showings on September 3, 2001. In December of 2002, Holiday Cinemas took on the venue likely to finish out the leasing contract. Holiday closed the 10-plex on October 30, 2008 (though some unplayed, errant listings are published thereafter).
The GCC Meriden Mall Cinema I & II November 18, 1970 grand opening featured “Lovers and Other Strangers” and “WUSA.“ General Cinema vacated at the midpoint of a 20-year lease on November 17, 1980 as the Meriden Mall had devolved to greyfield status losing the vast majority of its retailers.
In March of 1981, the Meridien Mall moniker changed to the Meriden Hub under new operators. The venue had one more chance as it reopened in the Fall of 1981 as the Hub Cinema I & II before closing in December of 1982. It does not appear to have reopened. The entire vacant Hub was mercifully demolished in 2007.
The GCC Meriden Mall Cinema I & II November 18, 1970 grand opening ad with “Lovers and Other Strangers” and “Wusa”
o December 1921 fires in Connecticut theatres led officials to close Wallingford’s church turned theatre which suffered one of the State’s two fires. The officials also closed the George H. Wilkinson-headed Wallingford Opera House Which served as its other movie venue. Closed due to lack of fire escapes in the multi-leveled seating auditorium that was on the third and fourth floor of the structure, Wilkinson had this facility drawn up in 1922. The Wilkinson Theatre opened in 1923 and was transitioned to sound by decade’s end. Wilkinson died in 1939 leaving his son in charge which he did for nearly 30 more years.
Wallingford’s own Morton Downey appeared live on the Wilkinson stage as part of the “Camel Hour” in the 1940s. During the war, Wilkinson acquired the Strand Theatre temporarily renaming it the Victory. Wilkinson operated both theaters until closing the Strand/Victory in 1954. In 1955, Wilkinson transformed his remaining theater to widescreen for the purpose of displaying CinemaScope films.
The Wilkinson Theater was closed in May of 1967 after just over 45 years of operation as he retired selling the theater to the Dime Bank. The bank tore down the theater to expand its downtown operation.
The theatre opened as Ricci’s Theatre (aka Ricci Theatre) on Christmas Day, December 25, 1913 by Joseph M. Ricci. On August 15, 1915 and following a refresh it became a movie house called the Life Theatre. For the next 15 years, the Life Theatre played mostly silent films.
Ricci sold the venue but he and his son, A. Leo Ricci’s, reacquired the venue wiring it for sound and renaming it the Ricci Capitol Theatre on November 11, 1930. The outdoor sign read, Joseph M. Ricci’s Capitol Theatre. Leo Ricci arranged a ten year sub-lease with Connecticut Amusement to run it as an art house beginning April 1, 1964 as the Capitol Theatre.
The business trailed off at the start of the 1970s. So in January of 1971 to the end of sublease on March 30, 1974, the Capitol successfully showed X-rated fare during the height of the porno chic era. Films were advertised often with code names such as “Throat” instead of “Deep Throat” to offset community backlash. Leo Ricci returned to the Capitol on April 1, 1974 running it to closure as a sub-run family-oriented discount movie house. The theater closed and later was razed.
John Hennies and Herbert Clark opened the low-priced Merry Widow Theatre on May 22, 1908 managed by Paul F. Fagan with nickel movies. The theatre reopened as the Crystal on. April 12, 1909 with the films, “Return of Ulysses” and “Boots and Saddles.”
Lowe’s Poli opened with vaudeville on December 25, 1907 but the star of the show was a giant electric sign that flashed the name of the theatre on the building’s exterior that illuminated Main Street.
Built in 1921 as the new-build live venue known as the Community Playhouse, the operation failed and became the Meriden Palace Theatre on August 11, 1924 with the Gloria Swanson film, “Manhandled.” Next known as the Poli Palace Theatre, the theatre converted to sound, It then became a Loew’s property as The Loew-Poli Palace Theatre. Loews‘s closed the Loew-Poli Palace Theatre on June 5, 1960. The theatre had sporadic screenings and events under Loews returning briefly with a regular schedule in 1962 before giving up on the location altogether.
The Palace got one more chance at cinematic operation under the New Fine Arts management as the Fine Arts Theatre beginning December 4, 1963 with “8 ½.” The Fine Arts closed abruptly and unsuccessfully three months later on March 3, 1964 after a double feature of “Cry of Battle” and “Billy Budd” supported by shorts. The operators also stuck the city with a bad check for $200 and moved on to parts unknown. That was it for the former Palace which was demolished in 1967. The demolition led to a lawsuit and the proposed use of the site which led to the razing never transpired
Became the Royal Theatre on January 23, 1911 when Shrider Brothers Circuit took on the venue which had been operating as the Lyric. The Lyric nameplate would be used elsewhere.
The Rialto lasted more than 85 years from 1921 to 2008. It was converted to sound in 1929 and widescreen to play CinemaScope films in 1953.
A 1921 dance gives the Markle a chance to show off the capabilities of its Bartola organ and a six piece orchestra
The Zorn Theatre launched on February 8, 1928 with Mrs. Wallace Reid in “The Satin Woman.”
he Crystal Theatre launched in February of 1910. The theatre appears to have been renamed the Lyric which then moved to a new location in 1916 by Empress owner M.M. Moore.
The silent venue closed in 1929 when Harry Day took on the venue launching it as the “New” Lyric Theatre on September 24, 1929 with Ruth Chatterton in “Madame X.” It was the wiring of the previous Lyric for sound.
Launched April 14, 2017 with “Boss Baby” and the “F8: The Fate of the Furious.”
February 14, 1930 Grand Opening of the former Community Theatre now wired for sound as the City Theatre in David City playing “Hottentot.”
Had a brief run in 1920 as the Palm Theatre.
March 14, 1918 ad for Teatro Rex in El Paso
W.B. Guillaudeu launched the Guild following a naming contest on July 23, 1928. Miss Johnnie Peek won the naming contest.
Andrew Majek and H.J. Hartung, Jr., opened the Winter Garden Drive-In on April 19, 1950. The theatre’s moniker was derived from the city’s nickname as the"Winter Garden District" leading to its fame once known as the “Spinach Capital of the World.”