Here is an 11/19/49 item from the Alton Evening Telegraph:
The Roxana Theater will reopen Sundayâ€"and thereby will culminate a long, hard and successful fight against discouragement by Mr. and Mrs., Albert Critchlow, owners and operators of the motion-picture theater. Last May 21, when a tornado struck Wood River and a section of Roxana, the theater was badly damaged. The roof was blown off, and the theater was extensively damaged otherwise. Mr. and Mrs. Critchlow started as soon as possible on the job of rebuilding the theater. Delays now and then were discouraging, but they persevered. A new roof was constructed, other damage was repaired.
While the work was under way, Mr. and Mrs. Critchlow decided to add improvements to their popular theater. A new lounge has been added, and other alterations made. The theater has been completely redecorated. The result is that, the spacious Roxana is among the most beautiful and commoditious (sic) theaters in this section.
The reopening has been set for 1 p.m. Sunday. Programmed is a double featureâ€"Clark Gable and Alex Smith in “Any Number Can Play” and Loretta Young and Van Johnson in “Mother Is a Freshman.” Mr, and Mrs. Critchlow formerly operated the Temple Theater in Alton. They opened the Roxana Theater on Sept. 1, 1940, and operated continuously until last May, when the tornado struck.
Here is part of an article in the Southern Illinoisan, dated 11/12/71:
The Palace Theater, once dubbed the “outstanding showhouse of the area” during the peak era of indoor theaters, was transferred Thursday to the Johnston City Unit One School District. The theater will be used for echool and community cultural activities. The name has been changed to the Robert Cluster Memorial Theater.
Mrs. Robert Cluster of Hollywood, Fla,, and her sons, Stewart, a circuit judge in the First Judicial District, and Loren, a Florida stockbroker, presented the theater, in the 400 block of East Boulevard in Johnston City, to the school district Thursday afternoon. The theater was purchased by the late Robert Cluster in the 1920s. Cluster constructed the gingerbread exterior and wings inside the building, according to K. Neil Thurmond, former Johnston City mayor and now postmaster. Thurmond said Cluster “dressed it up and made a theater out of it.”
Thurmond said Cluster featured such figures as Tom Mix and Tex Ritter in stage shows. He called it the outstanding showhouse of the area. The Palace Theater was the site of the first showing of a talking picture in Southern Illinois in 1927. The movie, “The Jazz Singer” starring Al Jolson, ran for three weeks.
Before purchasing the Palace Theater and the Star Theater from Louis Moroni, Cluster had purchased the American Theater from Charles Jones in Johnston City. The American burned and the Star was closed. Moroni constructed the Palace Theater to the early 1900s, according to Thurmond.
In Cluster’s 47 years as motion picture exhibitor he owned or had an interest in theaters in Christopher, Johnston City, Sesser, West Frankfort, Benton, Pinckneyville, Sparta, Flora, Metropolis, Mt. Vernon, Belleville, Valier , New North, Fairfield, Collinsville and Salem.
Here is part of a June 3, 1958 article in the Edwardsville Intelligencer:
The Lux Theater, originally known in yesteryears as the Oh-Gee, will pass into Edwardsville history Saturday night at 11:15 when the concluding reel of the last performance reaches “finisâ€. Announcing Tuesday his decision to shut down the theater portion of the building as of Saturday night, owner Clyde Metcalf said he was doing so to devote more time to the real estate and insurance business.
In response to a question Metcalf indicated that he did not expect the theater space to remain dormant for any appreciable length of time. Metcalf came here in 1942 to assume management of the Lux, having at that time an interest also in theaters in Jerseyville and Girard in partnership with Ballard & Horn.
Originally the building here was a combination hardware and grocery store, operated by the late William Kriege. When Kriege retired from business, Olin Giese bought the property, remodeled and enlarged it for theater operations. Renamed the Giese building, the theater was christened the Oh-Gee. Years later it became the Lux.
An article in the San Mateo Times in November 1975 included a photo of the Serra. They were talking about turning the theater into a municipal auditorium. http://tinyurl.com/bh3bjl
Going back to the 3/11/09 comment, remember that Bruce Springsteen opened for Anne Murray once, and the audience didn’t want him to leave the stage. That was the last time he was an opening act.
The theater was razed in 1994, according to this excerpt from an article in the Beacon Journal dated 5/30/99:
FLICKERING HISTORY SUMMIT COUNTY’S MOVIE PALACES AND NEIGHBORHOOD THEATERS OF THE 20TH CENTURY
The 20th century is fading to black, but not without final credits. Here are memorable indoor theaters that entertained Summit County moviegoers over the past 10 decades. Original addresses, years of operation and current use are listed. (Note: Some streets no longer exist and some addresses were changed when buildings were renumbered during remodeling.) How many of these places do you remember visiting? Akron Square Cinema 6 — 1615 S. Arlington St., 1976-1994. Demolished 1994….
It was in Minnesota somewhere. It was a photo from Life magazine that was probably miscaptioned.
Here is an 11/19/49 item from the Alton Evening Telegraph:
The Roxana Theater will reopen Sundayâ€"and thereby will culminate a long, hard and successful fight against discouragement by Mr. and Mrs., Albert Critchlow, owners and operators of the motion-picture theater. Last May 21, when a tornado struck Wood River and a section of Roxana, the theater was badly damaged. The roof was blown off, and the theater was extensively damaged otherwise. Mr. and Mrs. Critchlow started as soon as possible on the job of rebuilding the theater. Delays now and then were discouraging, but they persevered. A new roof was constructed, other damage was repaired.
While the work was under way, Mr. and Mrs. Critchlow decided to add improvements to their popular theater. A new lounge has been added, and other alterations made. The theater has been completely redecorated. The result is that, the spacious Roxana is among the most beautiful and commoditious (sic) theaters in this section.
The reopening has been set for 1 p.m. Sunday. Programmed is a double featureâ€"Clark Gable and Alex Smith in “Any Number Can Play” and Loretta Young and Van Johnson in “Mother Is a Freshman.” Mr, and Mrs. Critchlow formerly operated the Temple Theater in Alton. They opened the Roxana Theater on Sept. 1, 1940, and operated continuously until last May, when the tornado struck.
Here is part of an article in the Southern Illinoisan, dated 11/12/71:
The Palace Theater, once dubbed the “outstanding showhouse of the area” during the peak era of indoor theaters, was transferred Thursday to the Johnston City Unit One School District. The theater will be used for echool and community cultural activities. The name has been changed to the Robert Cluster Memorial Theater.
Mrs. Robert Cluster of Hollywood, Fla,, and her sons, Stewart, a circuit judge in the First Judicial District, and Loren, a Florida stockbroker, presented the theater, in the 400 block of East Boulevard in Johnston City, to the school district Thursday afternoon. The theater was purchased by the late Robert Cluster in the 1920s. Cluster constructed the gingerbread exterior and wings inside the building, according to K. Neil Thurmond, former Johnston City mayor and now postmaster. Thurmond said Cluster “dressed it up and made a theater out of it.”
Thurmond said Cluster featured such figures as Tom Mix and Tex Ritter in stage shows. He called it the outstanding showhouse of the area. The Palace Theater was the site of the first showing of a talking picture in Southern Illinois in 1927. The movie, “The Jazz Singer” starring Al Jolson, ran for three weeks.
Before purchasing the Palace Theater and the Star Theater from Louis Moroni, Cluster had purchased the American Theater from Charles Jones in Johnston City. The American burned and the Star was closed. Moroni constructed the Palace Theater to the early 1900s, according to Thurmond.
In Cluster’s 47 years as motion picture exhibitor he owned or had an interest in theaters in Christopher, Johnston City, Sesser, West Frankfort, Benton, Pinckneyville, Sparta, Flora, Metropolis, Mt. Vernon, Belleville, Valier , New North, Fairfield, Collinsville and Salem.
Here is a June 1945 ad from the El Paso Herald-Post:
http://tinyurl.com/cauubd
There is an enormous office building at 1401 Elm that takes up the odd side of the block. No sign of any theater building.
It’s currently a church:
God’s Greater Holy Temple Church
4310 S 2nd Ave
Dallas, TX 75210
(214) 426-5656‎
Here is part of a June 3, 1958 article in the Edwardsville Intelligencer:
The Lux Theater, originally known in yesteryears as the Oh-Gee, will pass into Edwardsville history Saturday night at 11:15 when the concluding reel of the last performance reaches “finisâ€. Announcing Tuesday his decision to shut down the theater portion of the building as of Saturday night, owner Clyde Metcalf said he was doing so to devote more time to the real estate and insurance business.
In response to a question Metcalf indicated that he did not expect the theater space to remain dormant for any appreciable length of time. Metcalf came here in 1942 to assume management of the Lux, having at that time an interest also in theaters in Jerseyville and Girard in partnership with Ballard & Horn.
Originally the building here was a combination hardware and grocery store, operated by the late William Kriege. When Kriege retired from business, Olin Giese bought the property, remodeled and enlarged it for theater operations. Renamed the Giese building, the theater was christened the Oh-Gee. Years later it became the Lux.
Here is a December 1957 ad from the Harrisburg Daily Register. “Zero Hour” was the inspiration for the 1980 film “Airplane”.
http://tinyurl.com/cksz9j
This photo from wikipedia shows the location of the former Grand Theater on Main Street:
http://tinyurl.com/bdknof
Here is a November 1955 ad from the Suburbanite Economist:
http://tinyurl.com/bvmwnj
Here is a November 1949 ad from the Alton Evening Telegraph:
http://tinyurl.com/bqshox
An article in the San Mateo Times in November 1975 included a photo of the Serra. They were talking about turning the theater into a municipal auditorium.
http://tinyurl.com/bh3bjl
Here is an April 1966 ad from the Pasadena Independent:
http://tinyurl.com/bf73vf
Here is a November 1965 ad from the Fresno Bee Republican. It looks like they were showing adult films by that time.
http://tinyurl.com/dkhkwc
Going back to the 3/11/09 comment, remember that Bruce Springsteen opened for Anne Murray once, and the audience didn’t want him to leave the stage. That was the last time he was an opening act.
Here is an April 1964 ad from the Oakland Tribune:
http://tinyurl.com/arkn4u
Here is an October 1972 ad from the Oxnard Press-Courier:
http://tinyurl.com/cb8mwt
Here is a March 1977 ad from the Placerville Mountain Democrat:
http://tinyurl.com/cqqr4j
Here is a June 1949 ad from the Wisconsin State Journal:
http://tinyurl.com/cnbvlg
Here is an October 27, 1963 ad from the Appleton Post-Crescent:
http://tinyurl.com/admnmo
A photo of the theater accompanied a March 7, 1971 article in the Appleton Post-Crescent when the theater closed:
http://tinyurl.com/c4672j
The theater was razed in 1994, according to this excerpt from an article in the Beacon Journal dated 5/30/99:
FLICKERING HISTORY SUMMIT COUNTY’S MOVIE PALACES AND NEIGHBORHOOD THEATERS OF THE 20TH CENTURY
The 20th century is fading to black, but not without final credits. Here are memorable indoor theaters that entertained Summit County moviegoers over the past 10 decades. Original addresses, years of operation and current use are listed. (Note: Some streets no longer exist and some addresses were changed when buildings were renumbered during remodeling.) How many of these places do you remember visiting? Akron Square Cinema 6 — 1615 S. Arlington St., 1976-1994. Demolished 1994….
Enter 2882 Cashwell Drive on Google to see a view of the cinema.
Here is an article about the closing from the Goldsboro News-Argus in November 2007:
http://tinyurl.com/d9s7eb
You can see Coffee Dan’s in the photo posted on 4/1/08.