The Rosedale Opera House opened with a live performance of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on November 13, 1888.At the end of its ten-year lease, new operators changed its name to the Rosedale Theatre in December of 1898. It operated on the second floor of the Rosedale Block building.
The new Orpheum Theatre launched March 16, 1914 on West King Street. It took a toll on the aging Rosedale. But when the Orpheum burned on May 23, 1920, it gave the Rosedale Theatre new life. The theatre was remodeled and moved to the ground floor due to city restrictions. It launched on February 4th, 1921 on the ground floor likely on a 20-year lease and would convert to sound.
At the end of its second 20-year lease, it closed in 1961. Although regular film screenings ended on July 14, 1956, the theatre continued that year with live performances and events. The Rosedale’s final performance was a live play of “The Pajama Game” on May 25, 1961. It was demolished a month later in 1961 for a parking lot.
The Car-Breeze Drive-In launched April 30, 1953 with “Babes in Bagdad.” The theatre was located between Carlyle and Beckemeyer and Breese getting the name the Car-Breeze. In 1955, the theatre had a gala re-grand opening when the theatre converted to widescreen playing the CinemaScope “Chief Crazy Horse” on Easter Sunday.
In 1968, the venue would become the Carlyle Lake Drive-In. In 1976, the Carlyle Lake Drive-In ran into both labor issues and local indecency claims – the latter for showing R rated movies without blocking views to U.S. Highway 50. It appears to have closed at the end of the season. The Open Air Flea Market at the Carlyle Lake Drive-In, however, did use the facility for each of the next four seasons.
When J.W. Thompson closed the Strand Theatre in nearby Pochahontas for a remodel, he launched his Air-Park Auto Theatre in 1947 near the Highland Airport. The concept was that you could fly in or drive-in. When the venue had its seasonal opening in 1950, it changed its name to the Highland Airpark Drive-In Theatre. In 1954, the theatre was simply called the Air-Park Drive-In Theatre. It closed after the 1955 season and does not appear to have reopened.
The Avon Drive-In launched Aril 30, 1953 with space for 400 cars. It opened with “The Duel at Silver Creek” and “Outpost in Malaya.” It closed October 6, 1996 with “Kingpin.”
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Jerry Lewis Cinema were held on July 8, 1970. After a dedication on January 26, 1971, the new cinema launched to the public the next night on January 27, 1971 with “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.”
Jack F. Goldman operated the Regal from 1937 until his death in 1967 along with other major African American theaters in the city including the Roosevelt , Lincoln and Beecher. The theatre closed in his honor on February 23, 1967.
The Regal hit its stride in the mid 1950s with major acts appearing live including Lionel Hampton, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington and The Ink Spots. It was then run by his son, Bert Goldberg. He was followed by Gary Goldman who refurbished the aged facility relaunching it as the Regal Cinema on February 27, 1970 with “A Long Ride From Hell” and “Sweet Body of Deborah.”
The Regal found its audience in the 1970s with Blaxploitation and Chop Socky films. But as the multiplexes and home video started to take their toll, Goldman had one more trick up his sleeve. The theatre underwent a $130,000 renovation in October 1991 an re-emerged as a triplex with the balcony cut into halves for screens II and III under the name, the Regal Cinema I-II-III. It closed under that name on January 3, 1994 with “Beverly Hillbillies,” “Robocop 3,” and “Jurrassic Park” sharing a screen with “Ernest Goes to Camp.”
The theatre was sold in 1996 with a plan that would have returned the Regal to a single-screened live theater. That plan did not materialize.
The Brattleboro Jerry Lewis Cinema franchised location was announced in March of 1971 as part of what would be called Fairfield Plaza shopping center anchored by a Grand Union store and a Giant store. The architect for the project was Zane Yost of Yost Architects. The groundbreaking was on November 10, 1972.
This Jerry Lewis Cinema launched the automated 350-seat theater on June 22, 1973 with a preview screening of “Brother Sun, Sister Moon.” The grand opening to the public was with the same film a day later. However, in the two years it took to launch, the Lewis Cinema concept had already filed for bankruptcy earlier in 1973 and was in free fall. Four months later on October 24, 1973, the operators changed the venue’s name to 1st Cinema (aka First Cinema) with “Night Witch.”
Under new management in 1995, the theater had a renaming contest. Kipling Cinema was chosen within the 50 entries in honor of former resident, author Rudyard Kipling. It relaunched under that name after renovating to the three screens on Nov. 6, 1995 with “Enchanted April,” “The Fugitive,” and “Pochahontas.” Another expansion the next year brought the screen count to six.
Spinelli Cinema circuit took on the location on December 12, 1998. It was closed forty years after its launch by its final operator, the Boston Culinary Group on March 24, 2011 which likely was the end of a leasing period. It was demolished two years later and replaced by an Aldi grocery store.
Stewart & Stewart were the architects of the new-build Madison Theatre which was built in 1922/3. The theater was said to have had a June 1, 1923 opening. It went out of business on January 27, 1952 likely at the end of a 30 year leasing agreement with “Tanks are Coming” and “Let’s Make it Legal.”
The Empire launched as a motion picture theatre on March 18, 1911 in the existing Collins Building which had recently housed a plumbing and heating store. It closed and was gutted for a refresh on May 15, 1919. It relaunched as the Sigma in 1920.
The Victoria Theater launched in 1910 catering to an African American audience. The Victoria likely brokered a 20-year lease closing as a silent theater. The Victoria joined the Pekin Theater, the Roosevelt and the Lincoln Theater in the West End as the city’s most popular African American movie houses.
The Dixie Theater Circuit took on the location – along with two other area theater locations – equipping the theater for sound and changing the Victoria’s name to the Dixie. This leasing cycle which was likely 30 years. The Pekin, Roosevelt, and the Lincoln would be targeted as the old west end of Cincinnati was largely obliterated by the construction of the massive interchange of Interstate Highways 71 and 75. That fundamentally wiped out a core of African American nightlife and retail history.
The Dixie, however, soldiered on with its next operator as the Associated Theatres of Cincinnati. In 1962, a rumor that a proposed Convention Center would decimate the African American retail block – including the taking out the 50-year old Dixie Theater – gained traction. By 1964, it had become reality and the block along with the Dixie would be razed.
In 1968, the city’s Convention Center opened and was still there under a new name in the 2020s.
According to the local paper, the Lubin Theatre took over a clothing retailer’s location and carved out the Lubin Theatre location and opening in January of 1909 on a 15 year lease. That lease was renewed until 1930.
The RKO International-70 Theater closed at a whopping seat count of 3,037 on April 27, 1976 with the film, “Sparkle.” The RKO International signage was removed in a $1 million makeover in 1978. It reopened as a live venue with an October 23, 1978 concert with Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald. The last show at the Palace Theater was the Cincinnati Ballet Company’s “Jubilee” on March 7, 1982 after efforts to save the theatre fell short. It was demolished that December in favor of the new Cincinnati Center Building.
The Avenue Theatre opened in January of 1920 and closed on June 18, 1949 likely at the end of a 30-year lease with a burlesque show paired with the exploitation film, “I Hate Coppers.” The theatre was first turned into a furniture store. It then was used as a warehouse for a office supplies retailer.
(Despite what sources say) The Americus Theater was demolished in 1961 – not in the early 1950s or 1950. That also times out with 50 years of leasing cycles which seems about right for the new-build theater.
All 700 seats were sold in a salvage sale early in 1961 along with the air conditioning unit and a variety of other items. The final films shown was a double-feature of “Kansas Pacific” and “Too Many Girls” on June 28, 1953. Also, the theatre was used as the site of revival shows and sermons by the Evangelistic Temple in 1956 to July of 1960.
Architects John Garner and Frederick W. Garber of Cincinnati dramatically changed the course of the Grand from its previous incarnation at 525 Vine in downtown. Thick carpeting and no-frills streamlined approach though complimented with murals by local artist Andrew Helwig led to a less than memorable look. RKO promoted the Grand’s low price point for its theater’s launch on August 22, 1940 with “I Love You Again” following an invitational preview that had occurred two days prior.
The theatre went widescreen and stereo transforming to a first-run, road show picture house. Probably the most hyped event was the playing of Cleopatra opening on June 26, 1963. 25-year lease completed, RKO left the building in 1965. Cincinnati Theater took on the fading Grand followed by the Mid-States Theatre Circuit in 1971.
Mid-States wrang some money from the theater by switching to martial arts films including, “Kung Fu Christmas.” However, reports suggested that the theater’s condition worsened as patrons practiced their martial arts moves on doors and walls. The theater switched its policy to discount, double-feature sub-runs. The Grand went out quietly with a double feature of “Conrack” and “Claudine” on March 25, 1975. The property was rebranded as the Gateway Federal Building though retaining the theater marquee and many elements.
The marquee flashed one last attractor in 1980 used as an election ad by the George Bush for President campaign that ultimately failed that year. The location conducted a salvage sale in March of 1983 prior to demolition that year to be replaced by the 525 Vine Building.
The Lyric Theatre opened November 12, 1906 with a live stage play. The Lyric closed for the final time on November 30, 1952 with Alan Ladd in “Iron Mistress.” It spacious lobby was converted to a retail store for about two years. The theatre was then demolished in January of 1953. The Cleveland Wrecking Company offered everything from the building including theatre seats for $1.50, the mirrors, the air conditioner and even the elevator.
The Mid-Valley Drive-In Theatre launched May 20, 1950 with “Silver River.”
Launched September 10, 1949 with “Ali Baba & the Forty Thieves.”
The Ideal Drive-In Theatre launched September 18, 1948 with the film, “Come and Get It.”
Dominic Firsina adds the Grand Theatre to his portfolio and upgrades it as the Ritz Theatre on April 14, 1941 with “Cheers for Miss Bishop.”
The Rosedale Opera House opened with a live performance of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on November 13, 1888.At the end of its ten-year lease, new operators changed its name to the Rosedale Theatre in December of 1898. It operated on the second floor of the Rosedale Block building.
The new Orpheum Theatre launched March 16, 1914 on West King Street. It took a toll on the aging Rosedale. But when the Orpheum burned on May 23, 1920, it gave the Rosedale Theatre new life. The theatre was remodeled and moved to the ground floor due to city restrictions. It launched on February 4th, 1921 on the ground floor likely on a 20-year lease and would convert to sound.
At the end of its second 20-year lease, it closed in 1961. Although regular film screenings ended on July 14, 1956, the theatre continued that year with live performances and events. The Rosedale’s final performance was a live play of “The Pajama Game” on May 25, 1961. It was demolished a month later in 1961 for a parking lot.
The State had a brief rebirth as the C.V. Theatre launching here on May 12, 1955 with “Tonight’s the Night”
When it converted to two screens, it was also known as the Lory Cinema. Under the present operators, it reverted to the Lory Theatre.
The Car-Breeze Drive-In launched April 30, 1953 with “Babes in Bagdad.” The theatre was located between Carlyle and Beckemeyer and Breese getting the name the Car-Breeze. In 1955, the theatre had a gala re-grand opening when the theatre converted to widescreen playing the CinemaScope “Chief Crazy Horse” on Easter Sunday.
In 1968, the venue would become the Carlyle Lake Drive-In. In 1976, the Carlyle Lake Drive-In ran into both labor issues and local indecency claims – the latter for showing R rated movies without blocking views to U.S. Highway 50. It appears to have closed at the end of the season. The Open Air Flea Market at the Carlyle Lake Drive-In, however, did use the facility for each of the next four seasons.
When J.W. Thompson closed the Strand Theatre in nearby Pochahontas for a remodel, he launched his Air-Park Auto Theatre in 1947 near the Highland Airport. The concept was that you could fly in or drive-in. When the venue had its seasonal opening in 1950, it changed its name to the Highland Airpark Drive-In Theatre. In 1954, the theatre was simply called the Air-Park Drive-In Theatre. It closed after the 1955 season and does not appear to have reopened.
The relaunch of the Grand as the Avon Theatre was commemorated on August 8, 1941 with “The Shepherd of the Hills.”
The Avon Drive-In launched Aril 30, 1953 with space for 400 cars. It opened with “The Duel at Silver Creek” and “Outpost in Malaya.” It closed October 6, 1996 with “Kingpin.”
Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Jerry Lewis Cinema were held on July 8, 1970. After a dedication on January 26, 1971, the new cinema launched to the public the next night on January 27, 1971 with “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.”
Jack F. Goldman operated the Regal from 1937 until his death in 1967 along with other major African American theaters in the city including the Roosevelt , Lincoln and Beecher. The theatre closed in his honor on February 23, 1967.
The Regal hit its stride in the mid 1950s with major acts appearing live including Lionel Hampton, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington and The Ink Spots. It was then run by his son, Bert Goldberg. He was followed by Gary Goldman who refurbished the aged facility relaunching it as the Regal Cinema on February 27, 1970 with “A Long Ride From Hell” and “Sweet Body of Deborah.”
The Regal found its audience in the 1970s with Blaxploitation and Chop Socky films. But as the multiplexes and home video started to take their toll, Goldman had one more trick up his sleeve. The theatre underwent a $130,000 renovation in October 1991 an re-emerged as a triplex with the balcony cut into halves for screens II and III under the name, the Regal Cinema I-II-III. It closed under that name on January 3, 1994 with “Beverly Hillbillies,” “Robocop 3,” and “Jurrassic Park” sharing a screen with “Ernest Goes to Camp.”
The theatre was sold in 1996 with a plan that would have returned the Regal to a single-screened live theater. That plan did not materialize.
The Brattleboro Jerry Lewis Cinema franchised location was announced in March of 1971 as part of what would be called Fairfield Plaza shopping center anchored by a Grand Union store and a Giant store. The architect for the project was Zane Yost of Yost Architects. The groundbreaking was on November 10, 1972.
This Jerry Lewis Cinema launched the automated 350-seat theater on June 22, 1973 with a preview screening of “Brother Sun, Sister Moon.” The grand opening to the public was with the same film a day later. However, in the two years it took to launch, the Lewis Cinema concept had already filed for bankruptcy earlier in 1973 and was in free fall. Four months later on October 24, 1973, the operators changed the venue’s name to 1st Cinema (aka First Cinema) with “Night Witch.”
Under new management in 1995, the theater had a renaming contest. Kipling Cinema was chosen within the 50 entries in honor of former resident, author Rudyard Kipling. It relaunched under that name after renovating to the three screens on Nov. 6, 1995 with “Enchanted April,” “The Fugitive,” and “Pochahontas.” Another expansion the next year brought the screen count to six.
Spinelli Cinema circuit took on the location on December 12, 1998. It was closed forty years after its launch by its final operator, the Boston Culinary Group on March 24, 2011 which likely was the end of a leasing period. It was demolished two years later and replaced by an Aldi grocery store.
Stewart & Stewart were the architects of the new-build Madison Theatre which was built in 1922/3. The theater was said to have had a June 1, 1923 opening. It went out of business on January 27, 1952 likely at the end of a 30 year leasing agreement with “Tanks are Coming” and “Let’s Make it Legal.”
The Empire launched as a motion picture theatre on March 18, 1911 in the existing Collins Building which had recently housed a plumbing and heating store. It closed and was gutted for a refresh on May 15, 1919. It relaunched as the Sigma in 1920.
The Victoria Theater launched in 1910 catering to an African American audience. The Victoria likely brokered a 20-year lease closing as a silent theater. The Victoria joined the Pekin Theater, the Roosevelt and the Lincoln Theater in the West End as the city’s most popular African American movie houses.
The Dixie Theater Circuit took on the location – along with two other area theater locations – equipping the theater for sound and changing the Victoria’s name to the Dixie. This leasing cycle which was likely 30 years. The Pekin, Roosevelt, and the Lincoln would be targeted as the old west end of Cincinnati was largely obliterated by the construction of the massive interchange of Interstate Highways 71 and 75. That fundamentally wiped out a core of African American nightlife and retail history.
The Dixie, however, soldiered on with its next operator as the Associated Theatres of Cincinnati. In 1962, a rumor that a proposed Convention Center would decimate the African American retail block – including the taking out the 50-year old Dixie Theater – gained traction. By 1964, it had become reality and the block along with the Dixie would be razed.
In 1968, the city’s Convention Center opened and was still there under a new name in the 2020s.
According to the local paper, the Lubin Theatre took over a clothing retailer’s location and carved out the Lubin Theatre location and opening in January of 1909 on a 15 year lease. That lease was renewed until 1930.
The RKO International-70 Theater closed at a whopping seat count of 3,037 on April 27, 1976 with the film, “Sparkle.” The RKO International signage was removed in a $1 million makeover in 1978. It reopened as a live venue with an October 23, 1978 concert with Count Basie and Ella Fitzgerald. The last show at the Palace Theater was the Cincinnati Ballet Company’s “Jubilee” on March 7, 1982 after efforts to save the theatre fell short. It was demolished that December in favor of the new Cincinnati Center Building.
The Avenue Theatre opened in January of 1920 and closed on June 18, 1949 likely at the end of a 30-year lease with a burlesque show paired with the exploitation film, “I Hate Coppers.” The theatre was first turned into a furniture store. It then was used as a warehouse for a office supplies retailer.
(Despite what sources say) The Americus Theater was demolished in 1961 – not in the early 1950s or 1950. That also times out with 50 years of leasing cycles which seems about right for the new-build theater.
All 700 seats were sold in a salvage sale early in 1961 along with the air conditioning unit and a variety of other items. The final films shown was a double-feature of “Kansas Pacific” and “Too Many Girls” on June 28, 1953. Also, the theatre was used as the site of revival shows and sermons by the Evangelistic Temple in 1956 to July of 1960.
Opened with a live play, “The Passing Show,” on Sept. 25, 1921.
Architects John Garner and Frederick W. Garber of Cincinnati dramatically changed the course of the Grand from its previous incarnation at 525 Vine in downtown. Thick carpeting and no-frills streamlined approach though complimented with murals by local artist Andrew Helwig led to a less than memorable look. RKO promoted the Grand’s low price point for its theater’s launch on August 22, 1940 with “I Love You Again” following an invitational preview that had occurred two days prior.
The theatre went widescreen and stereo transforming to a first-run, road show picture house. Probably the most hyped event was the playing of Cleopatra opening on June 26, 1963. 25-year lease completed, RKO left the building in 1965. Cincinnati Theater took on the fading Grand followed by the Mid-States Theatre Circuit in 1971.
Mid-States wrang some money from the theater by switching to martial arts films including, “Kung Fu Christmas.” However, reports suggested that the theater’s condition worsened as patrons practiced their martial arts moves on doors and walls. The theater switched its policy to discount, double-feature sub-runs. The Grand went out quietly with a double feature of “Conrack” and “Claudine” on March 25, 1975. The property was rebranded as the Gateway Federal Building though retaining the theater marquee and many elements.
The marquee flashed one last attractor in 1980 used as an election ad by the George Bush for President campaign that ultimately failed that year. The location conducted a salvage sale in March of 1983 prior to demolition that year to be replaced by the 525 Vine Building.
The Lyric Theatre opened November 12, 1906 with a live stage play. The Lyric closed for the final time on November 30, 1952 with Alan Ladd in “Iron Mistress.” It spacious lobby was converted to a retail store for about two years. The theatre was then demolished in January of 1953. The Cleveland Wrecking Company offered everything from the building including theatre seats for $1.50, the mirrors, the air conditioner and even the elevator.
The Shubert closed after a March 23, 1975 magic stage show. The Shubert and its sister theater, the Cox, were demolished a year later.