This is also the first ever movie theater to operate in Frisco since the 1956 Rio Theatre fire, back when Frisco was a normal small town before becoming an economic warzone decades later.
Daniel “Danny” Heilbrunn previously served as vice president of the Mid-States Theatres chain in November 1980 after serving as the appointed special assistant for former Mid-States president Roy White. When USA Cinemas took over the Mid-States chain in December 1985, Heilbrunn became a local booker. It’s most likely that Heilbrunn left USA around the same time Loews took over the USA Cinemas branch.
Please read ForgttenDayton. First of all, calm the hell down! I know it’s a mistake, and now I know it’s not the first DanBarry theater. Besides, I was so damn confused on a newspaper article (see below) that the original owner “wanted a common trademark name” and cannot find the DanBarry name before that happen. And second, I didn’t know the DanBarry chain was introduced earlier than that until now. It doesn’t mean that I’m stupid and dumb, it’s just that I’m still learning. I even have to correct some of comments from Dallasmovietheaters without even a single argument like what you’re doing to me a few hours ago. Everybody still needs to learn and made mistakes sometimes. As I demanded your request, I deleted my older posts from last year and I can officially correct it now.
The Chillicothe Gazette had an article released on September 17, 1992, called “Chillicothe Cinemas To Become Danbarry Cinemas”. In that article, then-owner Daniel Heilbrunn replied back on September 16, 1992, that he wanted to create a common trade name for his theaters. The name DanBarry came from Heilbrunn’s first name with a name of a partner for his business. I was like, “Does it mean that this is the first DanBarry?” I looked through various newspapers from 1989 to 1991, and I cannot find the “DanBarry” name anywhere! Recently, just now, I’ve found the earliest info on DanBarry, though it’s very small, dates back to a “theater manager wanted” box from June 1992.
And yes, you’re right ForgttenDayton about the founding year being in 1989, even though the BBB website confirms that the DanBarry chain was founded on April 17, 1990, with, as of 2026, Ms. Cora Willett, being its president and CEO. I can still confirm 1989 as its launch year.
The posters are also removed in the March 2026 street view as well, except for one or two. The reason of closure is former employees and reports suggest the theater was sold, but promised renovations did not occur. Contracts to receive films were cancelled, and the new ownership failed to obtain necessary licensing.
Also opened with an International Newsreel, though it was mentioned in article and not on the grand opening advertisement.
Fun Fact: Its opening did frustrate a lot of local moviegoers, even they squinted at the screen while the picture was brought into focus during the newsreel on opening night. This was because of the whir and click of the original projector was fighting its way through a haze of cigarette smoke from smokers, that also distract from the Vitaphone soundtrack. During the movie, moviegoers received impatient waiting for the reels to be changed, grumbling at the interruption.
If you look very closely, you can see Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and the cat-and-mouse duo Tom and Jerry pinned on the walls, which is a very unique thing to see.
Edited from my September 22, 2019 (7:50 AM) comment:
This is taken between August 20 and 21, 1953, and alongside its main feature contains a short comedy (listed as “Thirteenth”) and a Fox Movietone Newsreel.
The Dorsey Theatre, named after Marion Dorsey and his father, opened its doors on June 22, 1926 with Raymond Navarro in “The Midshipman” along with an unnamed Aesop Fables cartoon and an unnamed Pathe comedy. Some original installations include a John Manville roof, two 750-watt lights on the marquee, and a 500-watt light beneath it that greets the patrons.
It was still open in 1974 as the Johnstown Cinema, although I cannot confirm its closing date at this time.
The Dennisport Cinema opened during the first week of January 1970 as a single-screener, and was twinned during the mid-1970s. It was closed on September 25, 1986 with “Legal Eagles” in Screen 1 and “The Karate Kid Part II” in Screen 2. This was truly known as “Dennisport Cinema” (not “Dennis Port”), as well as the city name.
This was actually first opened by the Interstate Theatres Corporation as the Airport Cinemas with three screens in late-September 1977. It expanded to four screens by the end of the decade before four additional screens were added in 1982. Hoyts took it over during the late-1980s.
Opened with three screens on April 4, 1986, with “The Color Purple” in Screen 1, “Hannah And Her Sisters” in Screen 2, and “Pretty In Pink” in Screen 3.
Opened on August 18, 1942 as the third Portland area theater operated by Harry Moyer Sr.
Opened on July 1, 1994.
Same address, 6983 Main Street, Frisco, TX 75034.
This is also the first ever movie theater to operate in Frisco since the 1956 Rio Theatre fire, back when Frisco was a normal small town before becoming an economic warzone decades later.
Daniel “Danny” Heilbrunn previously served as vice president of the Mid-States Theatres chain in November 1980 after serving as the appointed special assistant for former Mid-States president Roy White. When USA Cinemas took over the Mid-States chain in December 1985, Heilbrunn became a local booker. It’s most likely that Heilbrunn left USA around the same time Loews took over the USA Cinemas branch.
What’s really strange is that neighboring Frisco also had a Rio Theatre that also got destroyed by a fire that same exact year.
Correction: The Chillicothe Cinema 6 is not the first DanBarry, though it did use this policy trailer at the time!
Correction: The Chillicothe Cinema 6 is not the first DanBarry, though it did use this policy trailer at the time!
Please read ForgttenDayton. First of all, calm the hell down! I know it’s a mistake, and now I know it’s not the first DanBarry theater. Besides, I was so damn confused on a newspaper article (see below) that the original owner “wanted a common trademark name” and cannot find the DanBarry name before that happen. And second, I didn’t know the DanBarry chain was introduced earlier than that until now. It doesn’t mean that I’m stupid and dumb, it’s just that I’m still learning. I even have to correct some of comments from Dallasmovietheaters without even a single argument like what you’re doing to me a few hours ago. Everybody still needs to learn and made mistakes sometimes. As I demanded your request, I deleted my older posts from last year and I can officially correct it now.
The Chillicothe Gazette had an article released on September 17, 1992, called “Chillicothe Cinemas To Become Danbarry Cinemas”. In that article, then-owner Daniel Heilbrunn replied back on September 16, 1992, that he wanted to create a common trade name for his theaters. The name DanBarry came from Heilbrunn’s first name with a name of a partner for his business. I was like, “Does it mean that this is the first DanBarry?” I looked through various newspapers from 1989 to 1991, and I cannot find the “DanBarry” name anywhere! Recently, just now, I’ve found the earliest info on DanBarry, though it’s very small, dates back to a “theater manager wanted” box from June 1992.
And yes, you’re right ForgttenDayton about the founding year being in 1989, even though the BBB website confirms that the DanBarry chain was founded on April 17, 1990, with, as of 2026, Ms. Cora Willett, being its president and CEO. I can still confirm 1989 as its launch year.
The posters are also removed in the March 2026 street view as well, except for one or two. The reason of closure is former employees and reports suggest the theater was sold, but promised renovations did not occur. Contracts to receive films were cancelled, and the new ownership failed to obtain necessary licensing.
Closed on October 26, 2025. Now vacant.
Actual opening date is July 25, 1987, and was located on the 3rd to 6th floors of the Fujita Building in Morioka City Vegetable Garden.
Also opened with an International Newsreel, though it was mentioned in article and not on the grand opening advertisement.
If you look very closely, you can see Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and the cat-and-mouse duo Tom and Jerry pinned on the walls, which is a very unique thing to see.
Edited from my September 22, 2019 (7:50 AM) comment:
This is taken between August 20 and 21, 1953, and alongside its main feature contains a short comedy (listed as “Thirteenth”) and a Fox Movietone Newsreel.
There are two Frisco Theatres in Frisco, with the other one operating for a short time during World War I.
Actual opening date is September 2, 1977.
The Dorsey Theatre, named after Marion Dorsey and his father, opened its doors on June 22, 1926 with Raymond Navarro in “The Midshipman” along with an unnamed Aesop Fables cartoon and an unnamed Pathe comedy. Some original installations include a John Manville roof, two 750-watt lights on the marquee, and a 500-watt light beneath it that greets the patrons.
It was still open in 1974 as the Johnstown Cinema, although I cannot confirm its closing date at this time.
The Dennisport Cinema opened during the first week of January 1970 as a single-screener, and was twinned during the mid-1970s. It was closed on September 25, 1986 with “Legal Eagles” in Screen 1 and “The Karate Kid Part II” in Screen 2. This was truly known as “Dennisport Cinema” (not “Dennis Port”), as well as the city name.
This was actually first opened by the Interstate Theatres Corporation as the Airport Cinemas with three screens in late-September 1977. It expanded to four screens by the end of the decade before four additional screens were added in 1982. Hoyts took it over during the late-1980s.
Opened with three screens on April 4, 1986, with “The Color Purple” in Screen 1, “Hannah And Her Sisters” in Screen 2, and “Pretty In Pink” in Screen 3.
Taken over by Harkins on May 21, 1993. It was closed on August 19, 1999.
Taken over by Harkins on May 21, 1993.
Taken over by Harkins on May 21, 1993.
Taken over by Harkins on May 21, 1993.