The Mertropolitan Opera House has been independently operated since 2013. It is no longer operated by Fridley Theatres. They now go by The Metropolitan Opera House. Theyt show first run attractions. Website
Since its inception in 1986, the community-owned Center Theatre has been providing affordable, quality entertainment to patrons of all ages and from numerous communities. In 2003, a second auditorium was constructed to offer a broader variety of quality movies each week. Both auditoriums, totaling over 500 seats, are equipped with Dolby Digital Surround Sound for exceptional movie presentation. The 2003 expansion project also provided for new, enlarged handicapped accessible restrooms, lobby, and concession area. The concession stand offers a wide variety of refreshment selections at reasonable prices.
The Center Theatre prides itself on quality, modern movie sound presentation, digital projection with 3D capabilities in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere at discounted prices.
28 ft. wide x 12 ft. tall screen and Dolby digital sound.
Seating Capacity: 203 seats, with 4 additional spaces for persons with wheelchairs. Digital projection with 3D capabilities. $1.00 more on admission for 3D movies.
The Garden Theatre, at 615 Locust, was one of the more attractive showplaces downtown, and had a long run, surviving floods and the Depression, from 1917 through 1951. As with the RKO Orpheum’s later transformation into the Galaxy, it was thought that a modern name change might keep patrons away from their new televisions, but the new monicker Rocket must not have worked well—it lasted about a year until the theater closed forever in 1952.
I found this small article on the DeWit Opera House:
The DeWitt Opera House built in 1876. This large building had a sizable stage, orchestra pit, dressing rooms, a long balcony above the main floor audience and a lobby as the front entrance. This large theater is called a “stand-alone” opera house because the entire building was devoted to the theater and did not include space for another business.
There is another on Hwy 2 before you get to 60th that also resembles the outline of a drive-in. The Motion Pictuer Yearbook listed the driv-in’s location as Hwy 2 & 65 which makes sense with the name of the drive-in being the 2 & 65
According to the Wayne County Historical Society’s December 2008 newsletter:
The Wayne Theatre in Corydon was built in 1936 of cinder block with an art deco design. It was the largest screen in Iowa and was considered to have the best sound system around. Two carbon arc projectors were purchased in 1939 especially to show the movie, “Gone with the Wind”.
There have been various owners over the years and for a few years no movies were shown. In 1990, WAYCO Arts and Corydon Community Betterment purchased the Wayne Theatre and began renovations. A new roof, paint, wiring and a new projector were added. The old screen was salvaged and reworked but later was replaced with a new screen. The theatre was once again part of the community. Movies are shown 3 nights a week and the theatre is manned by volunteers. There have been community plays, special performances, and musical groups. In other words, this theatre is used much the way those early opera houses were.
The old carbon arc projector and original popcorn machine from Wayne Theatre are currently on display at the Prairie Trails Museum.
Address: 209 E. Main Street, Coggon, IA 52218. Built in 1915, the Coggon Opera House continues to be a gathering place for community events. For many years it was the Comet movie theater. It was refurbished and reopened in 1993. Known for its great acoustics, it has hosted many productions, including plays produced annually by the Opera House Community Theater Group. The building is owned and managed by the Coggon Old Opera House Community Arts Council.
When movie theaters became popular, a large screen and projection booth were added. A contest was held to name the movie house. The winning name “Comet” was chosen and a large sign erected over the marquee and ticket booth. In the 1940’s Bank Nights brought large crowds with the hope of winning a cash prize. Dishes were also awarded at times. Tickets cost 22¢ on Saturday and 28¢ on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The 28¢ included a special World War II tax. No movies were shown on Friday nights after football was added to the high school schedule.
The Coggon Improvement Company was formed in 1944 and became the building’s owner. They leased it to various movie theater operators through the years. These operators were: Joe C. Smay – 1944-47; Vic Williams – 1947-49; Fay & Mabel French – 1949-74; Russell Schmidt and Dennis Pflughaupt families – 1974-80; Ron & Linda LaPole – 1981-82. When television came, attendance declined. The Comet Theater was closed in 1982. Neglect and vandals took their toll on the structure
The Mertropolitan Opera House has been independently operated since 2013. It is no longer operated by Fridley Theatres. They now go by The Metropolitan Opera House. Theyt show first run attractions. Website
The Varsity opened as the Garden and was later known as the Astro before being known as the Varsity.
Highway 2 and Avenue O are one in the same.
Ken, how were you able to determine that was the location of the drive-in
Featuring digital sound & projection on all 4 screens and small-town prices.
Since its inception in 1986, the community-owned Center Theatre has been providing affordable, quality entertainment to patrons of all ages and from numerous communities. In 2003, a second auditorium was constructed to offer a broader variety of quality movies each week. Both auditoriums, totaling over 500 seats, are equipped with Dolby Digital Surround Sound for exceptional movie presentation. The 2003 expansion project also provided for new, enlarged handicapped accessible restrooms, lobby, and concession area. The concession stand offers a wide variety of refreshment selections at reasonable prices. The Center Theatre prides itself on quality, modern movie sound presentation, digital projection with 3D capabilities in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere at discounted prices.
Digital projection with 7.1 Dolby surround sound.
This drive-in is closed. The phone has been disconnected. Nothing current on their website.
28 ft. wide x 12 ft. tall screen and Dolby digital sound. Seating Capacity: 203 seats, with 4 additional spaces for persons with wheelchairs. Digital projection with 3D capabilities. $1.00 more on admission for 3D movies.
Looking at the photo of the current Forest Theatre I would say it was a rebuild after the fire in 1950.
The Forest Theatre is open showing current attractions. website
This should be listeed as closed as far as a theatre is concerned.
Side note: before being called the Moulin Rouge it was the Mistinguett Music Hall.
This theatre should be listed as closed.
The Garden Theatre, at 615 Locust, was one of the more attractive showplaces downtown, and had a long run, surviving floods and the Depression, from 1917 through 1951. As with the RKO Orpheum’s later transformation into the Galaxy, it was thought that a modern name change might keep patrons away from their new televisions, but the new monicker Rocket must not have worked well—it lasted about a year until the theater closed forever in 1952.
The Beaver started its career as the Gem in 1936, then took its neighborhood namesake in 1936, running as such until its closure in 1957
I found this small article on the DeWit Opera House: The DeWitt Opera House built in 1876. This large building had a sizable stage, orchestra pit, dressing rooms, a long balcony above the main floor audience and a lobby as the front entrance. This large theater is called a “stand-alone” opera house because the entire building was devoted to the theater and did not include space for another business.
Bel Vista Dr. runs between BUS 150 aand Rosary Road, the drive-in was located on US 150.
The King Theatre is still open showing current attractions according to the recording when you call the theatre.
There is another on Hwy 2 before you get to 60th that also resembles the outline of a drive-in. The Motion Pictuer Yearbook listed the driv-in’s location as Hwy 2 & 65 which makes sense with the name of the drive-in being the 2 & 65
According to the Wayne County Historical Society’s December 2008 newsletter: The Wayne Theatre in Corydon was built in 1936 of cinder block with an art deco design. It was the largest screen in Iowa and was considered to have the best sound system around. Two carbon arc projectors were purchased in 1939 especially to show the movie, “Gone with the Wind”. There have been various owners over the years and for a few years no movies were shown. In 1990, WAYCO Arts and Corydon Community Betterment purchased the Wayne Theatre and began renovations. A new roof, paint, wiring and a new projector were added. The old screen was salvaged and reworked but later was replaced with a new screen. The theatre was once again part of the community. Movies are shown 3 nights a week and the theatre is manned by volunteers. There have been community plays, special performances, and musical groups. In other words, this theatre is used much the way those early opera houses were. The old carbon arc projector and original popcorn machine from Wayne Theatre are currently on display at the Prairie Trails Museum.
Address: 209 E. Main Street, Coggon, IA 52218. Built in 1915, the Coggon Opera House continues to be a gathering place for community events. For many years it was the Comet movie theater. It was refurbished and reopened in 1993. Known for its great acoustics, it has hosted many productions, including plays produced annually by the Opera House Community Theater Group. The building is owned and managed by the Coggon Old Opera House Community Arts Council. When movie theaters became popular, a large screen and projection booth were added. A contest was held to name the movie house. The winning name “Comet” was chosen and a large sign erected over the marquee and ticket booth. In the 1940’s Bank Nights brought large crowds with the hope of winning a cash prize. Dishes were also awarded at times. Tickets cost 22¢ on Saturday and 28¢ on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The 28¢ included a special World War II tax. No movies were shown on Friday nights after football was added to the high school schedule. The Coggon Improvement Company was formed in 1944 and became the building’s owner. They leased it to various movie theater operators through the years. These operators were: Joe C. Smay – 1944-47; Vic Williams – 1947-49; Fay & Mabel French – 1949-74; Russell Schmidt and Dennis Pflughaupt families – 1974-80; Ron & Linda LaPole – 1981-82. When television came, attendance declined. The Comet Theater was closed in 1982. Neglect and vandals took their toll on the structure
The Clarion Theatre is now independently operated and fully digital. It is operated by an all volunteer staff. website
This Cinema is now operated by Marcus Theatres. website
The Carroll Drive-In was last operated by Fridley Theatres.