The Plaza was built in 1910 as a movie/vaudeville house with a seating capacity of 735. Theatre closed after the advent of talkies and for many years was the facility of Bais Yaakov Shul (The House of Jacob Synagogue). In 1947, structure returned to cinematic use and operated until 1956. After than, structure returned to religious use.
I took a shot the “opening night”. Would be glad to forward to you, but I need an e-mail address. The lighting, incidentally, is red neon. As well, flood lighting of facade is functioning again. In other words, the theatre glows…quite a sight.
The the 70s time frame you talk about I was relocated up in Michigan (Butterfield territory). None of my family was involved in exhibition. As for my knowledge of St. Louis theatres, that’s from living here and continuing to do research.
Theatre has just installed a new vertical…observed last night and, if not a reproduction of the original 1929 design, it sure comes close. Sign is yet to be lamped, so don’t know if it will feature neon or led/incandescent.
Arthur/SLAC opened the theatre in June 1965 and operated until its financial difficulties in the Fall of 1977. Mid-America picked up the theatre and operated from July 1978 until the theatre’s closing in August 1980.
After the Arthur “downsizing” the Wehrenberg Circuit took over the operation. The theatre was closed in 1980 after the City of St. Ann bought the structure for a civic center.
The first of the six opened on December 15th with “Oliver’s Story”; the second of the six opened on December 22nd with “The Wiz.” Wehrenberg opened this complex like they did the later 20 screens—in stages with no big single opening.
The “Brooklyn Eagle” had better do better “research” concerning the Wurlitzer organ. Calling it second in size to the Radio City Music Hall instrument is nonsense.
The Plaza was built in 1910 as a movie/vaudeville house with a seating capacity of 735. Theatre closed after the advent of talkies and for many years was the facility of Bais Yaakov Shul (The House of Jacob Synagogue). In 1947, structure returned to cinematic use and operated until 1956. After than, structure returned to religious use.
former resident:
I took a shot the “opening night”. Would be glad to forward to you, but I need an e-mail address. The lighting, incidentally, is red neon. As well, flood lighting of facade is functioning again. In other words, the theatre glows…quite a sight.
cerjda:
The the 70s time frame you talk about I was relocated up in Michigan (Butterfield territory). None of my family was involved in exhibition. As for my knowledge of St. Louis theatres, that’s from living here and continuing to do research.
Theatre has just installed a new vertical…observed last night and, if not a reproduction of the original 1929 design, it sure comes close. Sign is yet to be lamped, so don’t know if it will feature neon or led/incandescent.
Became a two-screen house December 1981.
And, for Kerry M: No, the Melba was the farthest south theatre on Grand.
The Cherokee was not “directly across the street” from the Cinderella, but was in the next block east.
Theatre opened late in 1916. Theatre was not one of the St. Louis Amusement houses. Longest operator was Clarence Kaimann, from 1938 to 1953.
This was the last exhibition operation of Arthur Enterprises with Wehrenberg taking over in 1981.
Closing date was Labor Day (September 1), 1980.
The expansion to three auditoriums took place in October 1980. According to Variety the additions seated 600 and 400 respectively.
As the Excello theatre was in operation as early as 1912. Theatre, as the Salisbury, closed the end of 1956.
I don’t have the exact opening date, but theatre was in operation as early as 1921. At one time also had an airdome.
Theater closed in January 1953.
Arthur/SLAC opened the theatre in June 1965 and operated until its financial difficulties in the Fall of 1977. Mid-America picked up the theatre and operated from July 1978 until the theatre’s closing in August 1980.
Checked yesterday…the current tenant is Checkered Flag.
The twinning (usual wall down the middle) occurred in June 1980.
Addition of the third auditorium followed that December.
For the sake of accuracy it was the Westport (one word).
Operation closed October 30, 1977.
The address of 818 North Kingshighway is correct. At least it was, as the theatre was demolished in 1935.
Theatre operated from 1924 to 1957.
Structure was demolished and site is now parking lot for tavern.
Theatres were in the plaza now containing Babies R Us…in other words the north side of the street.
According to the Mid-America ads in the paper the address was 4491 Lemay Ferry Road.
After the Arthur “downsizing” the Wehrenberg Circuit took over the operation. The theatre was closed in 1980 after the City of St. Ann bought the structure for a civic center.
The St. Louis Fox claimed a 70' wide screen; the St. Louis up the street claimed a 65".
The first of the six opened on December 15th with “Oliver’s Story”; the second of the six opened on December 22nd with “The Wiz.” Wehrenberg opened this complex like they did the later 20 screens—in stages with no big single opening.
From newspaper ads, theatre operated from 1948 to 1950.
The “Brooklyn Eagle” had better do better “research” concerning the Wurlitzer organ. Calling it second in size to the Radio City Music Hall instrument is nonsense.