I don’t know about the accuracy of the aerial, but the papers on the Dubinsky Brothers list it as opening a year after the Gordon Twin DI which opened in 1953. According to the MPY it didn’t open until 1954. There was also an earlier drive-in called the Capri DI located on Highway 75. Could the aerial your talking about have been the Capri?
History of the Roxy Theatre
April 8, 1937
Work on the new theatre which was scheduled to start April 1, has been delayed due to the abnormal weather. The theatre will go under the name of “The Roxy” and is to be one of the newest and finest in north Iowa. The owner has already purchased the complete sound and projection equipment, and states that it is the finest to be had. It will be equipped with the new syncrophonic sound, which is the latest and is superb in quality. The projectors and other booth equipment are likewise of the best grade. The machines will be equipped with the latest Super-Moralite-Low Intensity arc lamps which will assure the new theatre of having the finest in screen illumination. The screen itself will be 12 feet by 16 feet in size, large enough to make the pictures appear true to life.
June 17, 1937
Opening date for the new Roxy Theatre in St. Ansgar, was set tentatively for Wednesday, July 28, 1937. Equipment for the new, modern theatre will be installed within the next few weeks, and St. Ansgar is promised the newest and most beautiful theatre in northeastern Iowa, featuring comfort, convenience, and appearance. It will have the newest and latest synchrophonic sound and latest projection equipment. It will be furnished with comfortable upholstered chairs and interior fixtures and will feature the best pictures available.
June 24, 1937
The announcement last week that the theatre would have a crying room has caused considerable merriment the past few days, and has been referred to as the new theatre “Ball Room”. Mr. Anderson explains that it is an accommodation that has been added to theatres within the past year and a half. “The crying room is a place where mothers can take their children when they get fretty and see the picture from a glass window. The room is equipped with a special loud speaker attachment and mothers can sit in there and still get all the show.”
July 1, 1937
With the interior decorators scheduled to have the interior of the new Roxy theatre completed this week, the opening date of the theatre has been set for Wednesday, August 4. An unusually good comedy picture has been scheduled for the opening.
At the Roxy Friday and Saturday, August 13-14, 1937
An historic downtown Rock Rapids landmark has been saved from the wrecking ball.
Not too long ago, some in the town considered razing the entire half-block of buildings where the Rapids Theatre stands, and replacing it with brand new construction.
But now, The Rapids Theatre in Rock Rapids is breathing it’s first few breaths of new life. The building has been purchased by a group calling themselves the Rapids Theatre Preservation Society. And vice president of the group, Matt Dengler notes that the unique spelling isn’t an accident. Instead of theater ending in “er” and denoting a place where movies and dramatic productions are shown, the group opted for the “re” spelling of theatre — to emphasize the theatre craft and the performing arts.
The non-profit group was established to restore and reopen the historic Rapids Theatre.
In its infancy, the theater hosted dramatic acts and the ballroom on the third floor hosted big bands, including the famous Lawrence Welk and Myron Floren. In its golden age, movies were shown there. When the theater closed, it served as an interior decorating shop and a then a sewing shop for a while, with a community theatre stage in the back.
Eventually, in the mid 1990′s, it became a restaurant, called “The Intermission”. It went through several owners and even an extra name for a few months, but after it closed in December, 2008, it went back to the bank. Most of the fixtures were sold to make payments on the loan.
The roof has leaked for a long time, and was leaking during the time the building stood empty. That did some damage to the stage. However, an architectiual firm has deemed the building structurely sound. The group is presently waiting for a company to come in and remove some mold. The famous “RAPIDS” marquis is back and the roof is being repaired.
[The Rapids Theatre Preservation Society board of directors is comprised of President Jackie Telford, Vice President Matthew Dengler, Treasurer Norma Jansma, Secretary Kathy Van Berkum, and board members Jim Wells, Tom Menage, and Dorothy McCormack.]
Dengler says the idea is to make the theatre into a performing arts community events center. He says it could be used for dramatic productions, art shows, musical performances, weddings, or other events — especially those where a stage is needed.
Although they are removing the kitchen, they do plan to have a caterer’s kitchen, says Dengler, so the building would still be a great venue for events such as a dinner theatre.
He says they may even entertain the idea of a coffee house in front, but that remains to be seen.
In the mean time, Dengler says the group is looking for more funds to clean up and renovate the building, and volunteers to help with all the work.
Opened in 1935 and currently operated by a non-profit corporation, which purchased the theatre in 2011. In November 2013 the building next door (to the right) was purchased to make room for an additional screen.
The Wonderland Theater is a non-profit, volunteer-ran movie theater seating 186. The theater was built in 1910; owned by different individuals through the years; and opened under volunteer control in 1982.
The town has always supported the theater:
– Helped purchase a 35 mm projector in 1991,
– New seats in 1992,
– A new roof in 2000.
In 2013, the town and area communities rallied behind this theater by donating enough money to purchase a new digital projector.
This digital projection system was necessary to keep the theater open and a vital part of this area.
A total of forty volunteers work during the weekends from Labor Day to Memorial Day. The theater closes during the summer months.
Website
Name in header should be changed to Lyric Theatre with AKA Super Saver Cinema. It is no longer operated by Fridley Theatres. They don’t have a website but have a facebook page.
The original movie theater in Mount Vernon, called “The Strand” was on 1st Street where the Fire Station and City Hall are now located.
It was destroyed in April, 1975 by a fire that started in an adjoining building. Several buildings were destroyed in addition to The Strand.
Century Stadium 5 website The theatre is all digital with 3D capabilities.
Short youtube on the Burley Theatre
New Screen for digital presentation with 3D capabilities.
All digital projection with a slightly higher charge for 3D features. This is a discount theatre.
Seating is listed at 1870. Didn’t this theatre open in 2005? On the Regal website they list this theatre as the Edwards Boise Downtown Stadium 9.
This theatre is all digital and prices are slightly higher for 3D attractions.
Some photos & aerial added to photo page.
This theatre should be lised as closed. Website is defunct and the phone is no longer in service.
Architect: J.J. Gordineer
Featuring Digital Projection and 3D.
The Palace Theatre is fully digital with 3D capabilities. Website
This is now operated by Marcus Theatres website
The Wieting Theatre is now all digital with 3D capabilities.
I don’t know about the accuracy of the aerial, but the papers on the Dubinsky Brothers list it as opening a year after the Gordon Twin DI which opened in 1953. According to the MPY it didn’t open until 1954. There was also an earlier drive-in called the Capri DI located on Highway 75. Could the aerial your talking about have been the Capri?
All digital projection and sound.
History of the Roxy Theatre April 8, 1937 Work on the new theatre which was scheduled to start April 1, has been delayed due to the abnormal weather. The theatre will go under the name of “The Roxy” and is to be one of the newest and finest in north Iowa. The owner has already purchased the complete sound and projection equipment, and states that it is the finest to be had. It will be equipped with the new syncrophonic sound, which is the latest and is superb in quality. The projectors and other booth equipment are likewise of the best grade. The machines will be equipped with the latest Super-Moralite-Low Intensity arc lamps which will assure the new theatre of having the finest in screen illumination. The screen itself will be 12 feet by 16 feet in size, large enough to make the pictures appear true to life. June 17, 1937 Opening date for the new Roxy Theatre in St. Ansgar, was set tentatively for Wednesday, July 28, 1937. Equipment for the new, modern theatre will be installed within the next few weeks, and St. Ansgar is promised the newest and most beautiful theatre in northeastern Iowa, featuring comfort, convenience, and appearance. It will have the newest and latest synchrophonic sound and latest projection equipment. It will be furnished with comfortable upholstered chairs and interior fixtures and will feature the best pictures available. June 24, 1937 The announcement last week that the theatre would have a crying room has caused considerable merriment the past few days, and has been referred to as the new theatre “Ball Room”. Mr. Anderson explains that it is an accommodation that has been added to theatres within the past year and a half. “The crying room is a place where mothers can take their children when they get fretty and see the picture from a glass window. The room is equipped with a special loud speaker attachment and mothers can sit in there and still get all the show.” July 1, 1937 With the interior decorators scheduled to have the interior of the new Roxy theatre completed this week, the opening date of the theatre has been set for Wednesday, August 4. An unusually good comedy picture has been scheduled for the opening. At the Roxy Friday and Saturday, August 13-14, 1937
An historic downtown Rock Rapids landmark has been saved from the wrecking ball. Not too long ago, some in the town considered razing the entire half-block of buildings where the Rapids Theatre stands, and replacing it with brand new construction. But now, The Rapids Theatre in Rock Rapids is breathing it’s first few breaths of new life. The building has been purchased by a group calling themselves the Rapids Theatre Preservation Society. And vice president of the group, Matt Dengler notes that the unique spelling isn’t an accident. Instead of theater ending in “er” and denoting a place where movies and dramatic productions are shown, the group opted for the “re” spelling of theatre — to emphasize the theatre craft and the performing arts. The non-profit group was established to restore and reopen the historic Rapids Theatre. In its infancy, the theater hosted dramatic acts and the ballroom on the third floor hosted big bands, including the famous Lawrence Welk and Myron Floren. In its golden age, movies were shown there. When the theater closed, it served as an interior decorating shop and a then a sewing shop for a while, with a community theatre stage in the back. Eventually, in the mid 1990′s, it became a restaurant, called “The Intermission”. It went through several owners and even an extra name for a few months, but after it closed in December, 2008, it went back to the bank. Most of the fixtures were sold to make payments on the loan. The roof has leaked for a long time, and was leaking during the time the building stood empty. That did some damage to the stage. However, an architectiual firm has deemed the building structurely sound. The group is presently waiting for a company to come in and remove some mold. The famous “RAPIDS” marquis is back and the roof is being repaired. [The Rapids Theatre Preservation Society board of directors is comprised of President Jackie Telford, Vice President Matthew Dengler, Treasurer Norma Jansma, Secretary Kathy Van Berkum, and board members Jim Wells, Tom Menage, and Dorothy McCormack.] Dengler says the idea is to make the theatre into a performing arts community events center. He says it could be used for dramatic productions, art shows, musical performances, weddings, or other events — especially those where a stage is needed. Although they are removing the kitchen, they do plan to have a caterer’s kitchen, says Dengler, so the building would still be a great venue for events such as a dinner theatre. He says they may even entertain the idea of a coffee house in front, but that remains to be seen. In the mean time, Dengler says the group is looking for more funds to clean up and renovate the building, and volunteers to help with all the work.
Opened in 1935 and currently operated by a non-profit corporation, which purchased the theatre in 2011. In November 2013 the building next door (to the right) was purchased to make room for an additional screen.
The Grand Theaatre 3 is now operated by Spotlight Theatres. website
The Wonderland Theater is a non-profit, volunteer-ran movie theater seating 186. The theater was built in 1910; owned by different individuals through the years; and opened under volunteer control in 1982. The town has always supported the theater: – Helped purchase a 35 mm projector in 1991, – New seats in 1992, – A new roof in 2000. In 2013, the town and area communities rallied behind this theater by donating enough money to purchase a new digital projector. This digital projection system was necessary to keep the theater open and a vital part of this area.
A total of forty volunteers work during the weekends from Labor Day to Memorial Day. The theater closes during the summer months. Website
Name in header should be changed to Lyric Theatre with AKA Super Saver Cinema. It is no longer operated by Fridley Theatres. They don’t have a website but have a facebook page.
Now featuring digital projection and sound, website
website
The original movie theater in Mount Vernon, called “The Strand” was on 1st Street where the Fire Station and City Hall are now located. It was destroyed in April, 1975 by a fire that started in an adjoining building. Several buildings were destroyed in addition to The Strand.
According to their website the address is 123 Second Street SW not SE it is the red brick building on the corner of 2nd St. & 2nd Ave.