The New Grand Theatre in Paris, Texas, launched September 23, 1937 with “Toast of New York.”
In August 2018, the Paris City Council meeting unanimously voted to give the Paris Grand Theater Project a 30-year lease to revive the moribund theatre which would include the removal of asbestos among a number of other daunting challenges ahead.
The Sparks Theatre launched August 15, 1940 in downtown Cooper with Walter Brennan in “Maryland.” Sparks had opened his first theatre, the Lyric, in Cooper in 1916. He then opened a second Lyric which became the Delta, the Grand, and the Gem in Cooper. The Gem burned in 1933 and the Sparks competed successfully against the aging Gem and Palace.
Continuous operation of the theatre in the Sparks family ended in 1968. Mr. Sparks had died in 1963 and Mrs. Sparks ran until had 92 closing it with “A Fistful of Dollars” on May 30, 1967,
The Sparks reopened for one last short-lived fling in 1973. Its last showing was “Vanishing Wilderness” on January 19, 1974. An August 2, 1984 fire destroyed almost the entire structure. The remnants were demolished June 12, 1985. A newer structure exists in the theatre – which was on the North Square at the northeast corner.
This venue launched as the Airdrome on April 8, 1911. By the Fall, it had transitioned to the Question Theatre beginning October 26, 1911. Under a new operator, the venue became the Cozy Theatre on April 1, 1913. Still was operating into the television era.
The Mission Theatre launched March 1, 1916 as a replacement for a previous Mission Theatre that burned. It closed on Mary 14, 2001 with the film, “A Knight’s Tale.” It has since been demolished.
Launched under the name Cole’s Theatre on August 10, 1925 with Betty Compson in “The Female.” Operator Mart Cole switched the theater to sound full-time on February 1, 1930. Became part of the Jefferson Amusement Company Circuit when the Mart Cole Circuit was purchased in October of 1936.
J.E. Newman launched the Sunset Drive-In Theatre in Early, Texas – which was the first for the Brownwood/Early area opening in 1948, likely on a ten-year lease. In 1950, Newman added individual speakers to greatly improve the sound system for the patrons. The theatre’s sunset mural was a beacon to the area at night.
However, the theatre was outflanked by superior theatres including the Camp Bowie Drive-In and the Bluffvue Drive-In in nearby Brownwood. It would go out of business in 1957 likely at lease’s end. It possibly reopened without advertising. A fire in 1970 led to the demolition of the the theatre on November 1, 1971.
The Hi-Vue Drive-In was opened on June 19, 1952 with Tony Curtis in “No Room for the Groom” likely on a ten-year lease. The theatre stayed the Hi-Vue for ten years through the 1962 season.
The theatre then changed names to the Sky-Tel Drive-In Theatre in 1963 under a new operator and likely on a new lease.
On August 2, 1973, operators and Civil War buffs Linda and Danny Poor changed the theatre’s name to the Rebel Drive-In Theatre.
The Bluffvue Drive-In launched June 24, 1955 with “Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Waikiki.” It was never advertised as the “Bluff View” except by the church that used the grounds for services which was in error. All ads from 1955 to 1977 use Bluffvue. The Meagher Theatre Circuit took on the facility along with the Camp Bowie following 1965 season.
The Melba Theatre launched June 28, 1929 with “From Headquarters.” In 1937, it was closed briefly for a streamlined makeover. Mr. and Mrs. Philip Nickols bought the Melba in 1945 from Annie Coleman. They would launch the 84 Drive-In in Goldthwaite in 1952.
The Melba operated part-year with the Drive-In for almost 10 years. The Nickols closed the Melba on January 7, 1962 with the film, “Everything’s Ducky.” A classified ad offered items including its Star popcorn popper and the remainder of its theatre seats for sale. They would go on to operate the 84 Drive-In as the town’s sole theatre through the 1971 season.
Mr. Selman launched the Zana Theatre on August 19, 1915 with a three-reel Chaplin short. The theatre stayed silent until 1931 when it received a hand-me-down Photo-Talker system from the nearby Palace Theatre. In 1934, the theatre got improved sound on film technology. The Zana closed in 1940 and reopened with improved sound in September of 1942 though closing prior to War’s end. It had sporadic screenings into the 1950s. Last film appears to be March 26, 1950 with “Skid Row.”
This Simpson & Nelson theatre was credited as being run by H.B Leathers and built in 1928. Leathers ran the Palace Theatre in downtown Paducah which was them run by his wife Johnnie Jones-Leathers after his death. The theater launched as the New Theatre on November 7, 1928 with Dolores Del Rio in “Ramona.” It had 908 seats – 608 on the main floor. , Lillie McCain chose the Paducah Palace which was its official name until being called the Palace Theatre.
A better sound-on-film installation moved the old Photo-Talker disc equipment to the Zana as the town moved to two theaters capable of showing talkies. Johnnie Leathers ran the Palace until August 27, 1965. New operators relaunched on September 17, 1965 and the theatre ran into the home video age. After a long period of closure, the marquee was refurbished along with the building’s facade as part of a beautification effort in 2013. in the Palace was trans- ferred over to the Zana, operated as a second house by these men .
The Majestic Theatre was the second photoplay theatre of the town of Alto. The Empire Theatre had launched September 25, 1912 and had a run of just under two years. Berryman and Watters created the Majestic in a newly-built row of businesses in downtown Alto within the Berrryman building on Busy Bee Avenue launching in 1914. The theatre got new operator in Joe Stephano in 1931 and closed in 1932. It reopened with new sound on film technology in 1934 and closed for good that year. The Alto Theatre was built and became the town’s main theatre.
The Alto Theatre was launched by D.D. Pinkston and William McDonald on April 4, 1935 in the existing Rounsaville Building in Alto. The opener was “Successful Failures.” A 50-seat balcony was provided for non-white patrons. The theatre had a Walker screen and used Simplex projectors. Within a year, the whole operation was sold for $5,000 to new operators in 1936 likely beginning a new 30-year lease. The theatre closed October 30, 1966 with “The Chase” likely at end of lease. In May of 1978, the building was reportedly razed. The equipment was taken to a Kilgore, Texas museum.
In 1940, the Isley Circuit raced with the Johnny G. Long Theatre Circuit – which already had the Queen – to open a new theatre in Palacios as a new Army training camp was about to open. Isley opened the Granada Theatre on November 27, 1940 with “Newsboys' Home”starring Jackie Cooper. A day later, Long would launch the Capitol Theatre. Long took over the Granada and refurbished the Queen as the Hollywood to have a local monopoly in film exhibition.
In 1940, the Johnny G. Long Theatre Circuit – which already had the Queen – raced with the Isley Circuit to open a new theatre in Palacios as a new Army training camp was about to open. Isley opened the Granada Theatre on November 27, 1940 and Long would launch the Long / Capitol Theatre launched November 28, 1940 with the film, “Seven Sinners” starring Marlene Dietrich. Long took over the Granada and refurbished the Queen as the Hollywood to have a local monopoly in film exhibition.
It was free standing kind of like the Big Town Mall.
R&R | Robb & Rowley operated this theatre followed by Hall Industries Circuit.
The former Texan Theatre relaunched as the Morgan Theatre on October 11, 1945 on October 11, 1945.
The New Grand Theatre in Paris, Texas, launched September 23, 1937 with “Toast of New York.”
In August 2018, the Paris City Council meeting unanimously voted to give the Paris Grand Theater Project a 30-year lease to revive the moribund theatre which would include the removal of asbestos among a number of other daunting challenges ahead.
Sorry – August 30, 1919 was the opening date for Henry Sparks' launch of the Grand Theatre.
The Sparks Theatre launched August 15, 1940 in downtown Cooper with Walter Brennan in “Maryland.” Sparks had opened his first theatre, the Lyric, in Cooper in 1916. He then opened a second Lyric which became the Delta, the Grand, and the Gem in Cooper. The Gem burned in 1933 and the Sparks competed successfully against the aging Gem and Palace.
Continuous operation of the theatre in the Sparks family ended in 1968. Mr. Sparks had died in 1963 and Mrs. Sparks ran until had 92 closing it with “A Fistful of Dollars” on May 30, 1967,
The Sparks reopened for one last short-lived fling in 1973. Its last showing was “Vanishing Wilderness” on January 19, 1974. An August 2, 1984 fire destroyed almost the entire structure. The remnants were demolished June 12, 1985. A newer structure exists in the theatre – which was on the North Square at the northeast corner.
Reopened November 23, 2018 with “The Grinch.” Website: http://grandtheatrestamford.com
This venue launched as the Airdrome on April 8, 1911. By the Fall, it had transitioned to the Question Theatre beginning October 26, 1911. Under a new operator, the venue became the Cozy Theatre on April 1, 1913. Still was operating into the television era.
Still advertising in 1976.
The Mission Theatre launched March 1, 1916 as a replacement for a previous Mission Theatre that burned. It closed on Mary 14, 2001 with the film, “A Knight’s Tale.” It has since been demolished.
Launched under the name Cole’s Theatre on August 10, 1925 with Betty Compson in “The Female.” Operator Mart Cole switched the theater to sound full-time on February 1, 1930. Became part of the Jefferson Amusement Company Circuit when the Mart Cole Circuit was purchased in October of 1936.
The Skyway Drive-In launched July 9, 1970 with a double feature of True Grit and El Dorado.
Launched June 22, 1949. Architect – Raymond F. Smith.
J.E. Newman launched the Sunset Drive-In Theatre in Early, Texas – which was the first for the Brownwood/Early area opening in 1948, likely on a ten-year lease. In 1950, Newman added individual speakers to greatly improve the sound system for the patrons. The theatre’s sunset mural was a beacon to the area at night.
However, the theatre was outflanked by superior theatres including the Camp Bowie Drive-In and the Bluffvue Drive-In in nearby Brownwood. It would go out of business in 1957 likely at lease’s end. It possibly reopened without advertising. A fire in 1970 led to the demolition of the the theatre on November 1, 1971.
The Hi-Vue Drive-In was opened on June 19, 1952 with Tony Curtis in “No Room for the Groom” likely on a ten-year lease. The theatre stayed the Hi-Vue for ten years through the 1962 season.
The theatre then changed names to the Sky-Tel Drive-In Theatre in 1963 under a new operator and likely on a new lease.
On August 2, 1973, operators and Civil War buffs Linda and Danny Poor changed the theatre’s name to the Rebel Drive-In Theatre.
The Meagher Theatre Circuit took on the theatre along with the Bluffvue following the 1965 season.
The Bluffvue Drive-In launched June 24, 1955 with “Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Waikiki.” It was never advertised as the “Bluff View” except by the church that used the grounds for services which was in error. All ads from 1955 to 1977 use Bluffvue. The Meagher Theatre Circuit took on the facility along with the Camp Bowie following 1965 season.
The Melba Theatre launched June 28, 1929 with “From Headquarters.” In 1937, it was closed briefly for a streamlined makeover. Mr. and Mrs. Philip Nickols bought the Melba in 1945 from Annie Coleman. They would launch the 84 Drive-In in Goldthwaite in 1952.
The Melba operated part-year with the Drive-In for almost 10 years. The Nickols closed the Melba on January 7, 1962 with the film, “Everything’s Ducky.” A classified ad offered items including its Star popcorn popper and the remainder of its theatre seats for sale. They would go on to operate the 84 Drive-In as the town’s sole theatre through the 1971 season.
O and S were Owens and Smart, the original owners who built the theater on the west side of the square in Rocksprings in 1925.
Mr. Selman launched the Zana Theatre on August 19, 1915 with a three-reel Chaplin short. The theatre stayed silent until 1931 when it received a hand-me-down Photo-Talker system from the nearby Palace Theatre. In 1934, the theatre got improved sound on film technology. The Zana closed in 1940 and reopened with improved sound in September of 1942 though closing prior to War’s end. It had sporadic screenings into the 1950s. Last film appears to be March 26, 1950 with “Skid Row.”
This Simpson & Nelson theatre was credited as being run by H.B Leathers and built in 1928. Leathers ran the Palace Theatre in downtown Paducah which was them run by his wife Johnnie Jones-Leathers after his death. The theater launched as the New Theatre on November 7, 1928 with Dolores Del Rio in “Ramona.” It had 908 seats – 608 on the main floor. , Lillie McCain chose the Paducah Palace which was its official name until being called the Palace Theatre.
A better sound-on-film installation moved the old Photo-Talker disc equipment to the Zana as the town moved to two theaters capable of showing talkies. Johnnie Leathers ran the Palace until August 27, 1965. New operators relaunched on September 17, 1965 and the theatre ran into the home video age. After a long period of closure, the marquee was refurbished along with the building’s facade as part of a beautification effort in 2013. in the Palace was trans- ferred over to the Zana, operated as a second house by these men .
The Majestic Theatre was the second photoplay theatre of the town of Alto. The Empire Theatre had launched September 25, 1912 and had a run of just under two years. Berryman and Watters created the Majestic in a newly-built row of businesses in downtown Alto within the Berrryman building on Busy Bee Avenue launching in 1914. The theatre got new operator in Joe Stephano in 1931 and closed in 1932. It reopened with new sound on film technology in 1934 and closed for good that year. The Alto Theatre was built and became the town’s main theatre.
The Alto Theatre was launched by D.D. Pinkston and William McDonald on April 4, 1935 in the existing Rounsaville Building in Alto. The opener was “Successful Failures.” A 50-seat balcony was provided for non-white patrons. The theatre had a Walker screen and used Simplex projectors. Within a year, the whole operation was sold for $5,000 to new operators in 1936 likely beginning a new 30-year lease. The theatre closed October 30, 1966 with “The Chase” likely at end of lease. In May of 1978, the building was reportedly razed. The equipment was taken to a Kilgore, Texas museum.
In 1940, the Isley Circuit raced with the Johnny G. Long Theatre Circuit – which already had the Queen – to open a new theatre in Palacios as a new Army training camp was about to open. Isley opened the Granada Theatre on November 27, 1940 with “Newsboys' Home”starring Jackie Cooper. A day later, Long would launch the Capitol Theatre. Long took over the Granada and refurbished the Queen as the Hollywood to have a local monopoly in film exhibition.
In 1940, the Johnny G. Long Theatre Circuit – which already had the Queen – raced with the Isley Circuit to open a new theatre in Palacios as a new Army training camp was about to open. Isley opened the Granada Theatre on November 27, 1940 and Long would launch the Long / Capitol Theatre launched November 28, 1940 with the film, “Seven Sinners” starring Marlene Dietrich. Long took over the Granada and refurbished the Queen as the Hollywood to have a local monopoly in film exhibition.