The Parrot Theatre in downtown Alma has been a landmark in our community for many years. In the early years, it was owned and operated by a local family, Paul and Thelma Haeker. Over the years, the Parrot Theatre has seen many changes. A major change was made in 1988 when the Parrot Theatre closed briefly before being bought by the Alma Chamber of Commerce. In March of 1988, a theatre board was created and met for the first time. This board consisting of several local families that had been selected by the Alma Chamber of Commerce were chosen to continue the running of this local business. These families volunteered to run the theatre on a rotating weekend basis, coming together to make decisions about how to handle the theatre business and what would need to be done to continue hosting a variety of movies for the enjoyment of Alma and the surrounding communities. The goal of this new theatre board and Chamber was to have an affordable source of entertainment and to have an opportunity to give back to the community. With hard work by the new theatre board, various volunteers and the Alma High School government class, the theatre was soon ready to open. On April 30, 1988, a premier party was held at the Alma City Auditorium prior to the showing of the first movie, Three Men and a Baby.
The Parrot Theatre has seen some updates inside and out including adding a brick front to the building, new roof resurfacing , installation of a new screen, new seating, aisle lighting installed, new heating and air conditioning system, updated concessions, bathrooms, and hallways with new flooring and wood trim, and new paint throughout the building, Today, the Parrot Theatre Board consists of twelve families who rotate weekends and meet once a month to discuss the Parrot Theatre’s financial business and set policies to guarantee a continued family entertainment venue in the community.
website
Out of curiosity was this theatre known as the Rex Theatre from the mid-1920’s through the 1980’s. There is a Rex Theatre listed for the same address as the Gateway through those years.
The Star Theatre opened as the Orpheum Theatre and was listed as open in the mid-1920’s. It became the Strand Theatre in 1933 and then in 1934 the Star Theatre. The Star was open into at least the late-1950’s. Should have aka’s of Orpheum and Strand.
The Parrot Theatre in downtown Alma has been a landmark in our community for many years. In the early years, it was owned and operated by a local family, Paul and Thelma Haeker. Over the years, the Parrot Theatre has seen many changes. A major change was made in 1988 when the Parrot Theatre closed briefly before being bought by the Alma Chamber of Commerce. In March of 1988, a theatre board was created and met for the first time. This board consisting of several local families that had been selected by the Alma Chamber of Commerce were chosen to continue the running of this local business. These families volunteered to run the theatre on a rotating weekend basis, coming together to make decisions about how to handle the theatre business and what would need to be done to continue hosting a variety of movies for the enjoyment of Alma and the surrounding communities. The goal of this new theatre board and Chamber was to have an affordable source of entertainment and to have an opportunity to give back to the community. With hard work by the new theatre board, various volunteers and the Alma High School government class, the theatre was soon ready to open. On April 30, 1988, a premier party was held at the Alma City Auditorium prior to the showing of the first movie, Three Men and a Baby. The Parrot Theatre has seen some updates inside and out including adding a brick front to the building, new roof resurfacing , installation of a new screen, new seating, aisle lighting installed, new heating and air conditioning system, updated concessions, bathrooms, and hallways with new flooring and wood trim, and new paint throughout the building, Today, the Parrot Theatre Board consists of twelve families who rotate weekends and meet once a month to discuss the Parrot Theatre’s financial business and set policies to guarantee a continued family entertainment venue in the community. website
The newspapers display ads list the address the same as in the header. 8015 Imperial Road.
Out of curiosity was this theatre known as the Rex Theatre from the mid-1920’s through the 1980’s. There is a Rex Theatre listed for the same address as the Gateway through those years.
The Albion Drive-In opened in 1966. Car capacity was 300 and the drive-in was still open in the late-1970’s.
The Royal is a Community Based Not for Profit theatre. The staff is all volunteer. The theatre dates back to the mid-1920’s. website
Lund, do you recall what the total seating was for the theatre?
The site is now a Walmart Super Center.
From what I found this theatre goes back to the 1920’s when it was known as the Blake Opera House.
This cinema closed in 2014 when B&B opened their new Patriot 12 Cinema.
The Garden Theatre was listed as open in 1939 and listed as closed in 1956.
This theatre goes back to 1931 when it was known as the Majestic Theatre. It became the Roxy Theatre in 1936.
websaite All digital and 3D
This theatre should have an aka Vita Theatre. It was originally known as the Vita and dates back to at least the mid-1920’s.
The Star Theatre goes back to at least the mid-1920’s and was still listed as open in 1958.
The Main Street Theatre was first listed as open in 1937. It was still listed as open in 1957 with 291 seats.
Display ads list the address at 1391 2nd Street, if you map it at this address you can still see the ramps next to the KOA Campground.
The Berwan was long gone by 1978.
The Star Theatre opened as the Orpheum Theatre and was listed as open in the mid-1920’s. It became the Strand Theatre in 1933 and then in 1934 the Star Theatre. The Star was open into at least the late-1950’s. Should have aka’s of Orpheum and Strand.
Joe your right, the theatre was located on W. Clark St., The E. Main was for another theatre completely that I was working on.
Loew’s was the theatre chain, Lowes is the home improvement chain.
All this makes me wish I never added this theatre.
Slater, MO was the childhood home of Steve McQueen.
The Royal Theatre closed in 1948 when the new Beck Theatre was opened.
The Beck Theatre was listed as open in 1948.
The Motion Picture Yearbook shows it open in 1936 but all the way through the late 1950’s it only listed it as seating 300.