HBO documentary in the works.
Description credit Stax Records.
News Flash! 🚨 HBO Documentary Films is currently in production on STAX, a multiple-part documentary series exploring Stax’s amazing history! Directed by award-winning filmmaker Jamila Wignot (“Ailey”), STAX is executive produced by Academy Award® winners Ezra Edelman and Caroline Waterlow (“OJ: Made In America”) of Laylow Pictures and Emmy® winners Nigel Sinclair and Nicholas Ferrall of White Horse Pictures.
The series is presented in association with Concord Originals, Polygram Entertainment and Warner Music Entertainment.
Was renamed the Ritz Theatre by circa 1940. Photo added credit Steve Rider courtesy Route 66 Postcards. Street view confirms it is the same theatre and nearby buildings.
1939 photo and description added credit Davenport Iowa History Facebook page.
The Columbia Theatre - 1939
This looks like an aftermath photo from World War II. It’s actually a picture of the demolition of the interior of the Columbia Theatre on the northwest corner of Third and Ripley streets. It was taken during the early stages of the remodeling and transformation into the new Esquire Theatre. It appears that someone has painted “Capitol” on the back wall, in reference to The Capitol Theatre, the Esquire’s competition across the street.
The Columbia Theatre and Hotel was built in 1913 as Davenport’s new Vaudeville House and 40-room hotel. The very first “talkie” picture was shown there. In 1916, the great magician “Hardeen” was strapped into the punishment suit (straight jacket) and handcuffed by the local deputies from the sheriff’s office to perform an amazing escape before an anxious and appreciative crowd. Hardeen was the younger brother of Harry Houdini. Sophie Tucker, “The Last of the Red Hot Mamas” appeared at the Columbia for four days beginning on February 20, 1921.
The Columbia Theater essentially closed in late November of 1931 with the opening of the new RKO Orpheum. On Monday, August 21, 1939, work began on transforming it into a new 800-seat modern theater. It was scheduled to open in November as a first-run motion picture house with all the seats on the first floor. The building was completely remodeled from the entrance to the rear, from the ceiling to the basement. The stage, on which virtually all Vaudeville acts of former years performed, was torn out. The balconies were torn down and all the seats removed. Even the outside of the building was refinished and remodeled, with the owner, the Walsh Construction Company, in charge of the work, and Arthur Ebeling as supervising architect.
The new Esquire Theater was opened on Wednesday night, November 22, 1939, at 8 p.m. with a dedication program followed by the showing of “First Love,” starring Deanna Durbin, and “20,000 Men a Year,” featuring Randolph Scott and Margaret Lindsay. Representing an investment of approximately $55,000 in the remodeling of the former Columbia Theater, the Esquire took its place among the ultra-modernistic amusement centers, accommodating 850 people. Richard Stoddard was the manager of the Esquire, a picture house operated by the Tri-States Theater Corp., of which A. H. Blank of Des Moines was president.
Twenty years later, on Wednesday night, January 7, 1959, the last motion picture was shown at the Esquire Theater. Its demise left only four movie houses in Davenport, the Capitol, Orpheum, State and Coronet theaters. Its closing closely followed the end of the Sunset Theater on Fourth and Cedar streets, which ceased to operate on October 29th, 1958. Lack of patronage and increasing operating costs were listed as the reasons for the closing of the theaters.
The business district of Davenport was once the home of the Casino, Garden, Family, Star, Crystal, Mirror and Liberty theaters. In West Davenport, the neighborhood movie houses included the Pariser Garden, Olympic, Davenport, Zenith and Home. Northwest Davenport had the Washington Theater and the Elite Theater was on the northwest corner of Fourteenth and Harrison streets. And finally, at one time, Davenport also had two open-air theaters, one at Seventh and Sturdevant streets and the other at Locust and Harrison.
Built and operated in 1924 by August Ilg, with a seating capacity of 692 by 1954, per an image I just added.
It was taken over by Selected Theatres in 1952 if the image is correct.
When it was extensively modernized with a wide screen for CinemaScope productions.
Additional history credit Jenny at the Musser Public Library. (accompanied circa 1910 photo added to gallery)
“The building was located on the corner of East Second and Walnut streets. It sat right next to Trinity Episcopal Church, which you can see in this photograph. Building of The Grand Opera House started in the spring of 1900 and finished in the fall of 1901. It had a seating capacity of 1,100 with eight private boxes and plush opera chairs. By 1945, the building was no longer used for lavish theater productions but instead was the home of two cafes, a barber shop, and several professional offices. The second floor had two apartment flats. The rest of the building was used for storage. On March 10, 1945 a fire of undetermined origin broke out and gutted the building. Two firefighters suffered burns but no one else was injured.”
From Little Known Stories of Muscatine, courtesy Musser Public Library:
The evening of December 26, 1900, was a big occasion in Muscatine, perhaps the most costly and best attended social event ever held in the Port City. On that evening more than 1,200 men, women, and children were present to witness the opening of Muscatine’s brand-new theatre, the Grand Opera House. The seats were ten dollars each, making the box office receipts for the night somewhere between $12,000 and $15,000. The show was a rather mediocre opus, somewhat typical of the late 1890 and 1900 stage offerings. Its name was “Shore Acres”…..There seemed to be a general feeling that at ten dollars per ticket, a more imposing theatrical offering might have been selected. However, the price of ten dollars per seat had not been fixed because of the quality of the show; it was just a method of financing the erection of the building.“ On March 10, 1945 the building was destroyed by fire.
There apparently was a second Fraser Theatre at this location, opened circa 1949 based on photos I just added, and one that already existed in the gallery. Intersection was the same in the description the photo had.
In 1921 what became the Aladdin Theater was built at 411 Main Street. It’s original name was Maute’s Grand Theater. Same people owned both The Lamp and The Aladdin.
Address is 222 Main Street.
Per the Downtown Irwin Facebook page:
HISTORY NUGGET: before the Lamp Theater ( b. 1937 ) there was The Grand Theater in the same location. This map is 1914 when they were called “Moving Pictures”. (map in gallery)
HBO documentary in the works. Description credit Stax Records.
News Flash! 🚨 HBO Documentary Films is currently in production on STAX, a multiple-part documentary series exploring Stax’s amazing history! Directed by award-winning filmmaker Jamila Wignot (“Ailey”), STAX is executive produced by Academy Award® winners Ezra Edelman and Caroline Waterlow (“OJ: Made In America”) of Laylow Pictures and Emmy® winners Nigel Sinclair and Nicholas Ferrall of White Horse Pictures. The series is presented in association with Concord Originals, Polygram Entertainment and Warner Music Entertainment.
Read more here:
https://staxmuseum.com/hbo-to-air-documentary-series-on-the-history-of-stax-records-the-audacious-group-of-outsiders-who-dared-to-make-their-own-music-on-their-own-terms/?fbclid=IwAR0nprHJcBZeLh-vrN1-iHO5n0l_wp3UD_zmazPZi2rsI95h1hskNW56aB8
Direct link to Stax Records Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/staxrecords
Was renamed the Ritz Theatre by circa 1940.
Photo added credit Steve Rider courtesy Route 66 Postcards.
Street view confirms it is the same theatre and nearby buildings.
2017 Urban Remain piece with photos.
https://www.urbanremainschicago.com/news-and-events/2017/04/24/uncovering-the-1920s-boot-of-a-theater-tradesman-in-the-congress-theater-attic?fbclid=IwAR3I3kfCw1Mp2yE4HY-_6X–Q2KpKKp-nhJgTgrm9JWVQhF5zVL99ab0VSA
Owner and operator was Clifford Orr. 1949 photo added.
Update: Circa 1907 photo credit John Chuckman Collection.
1939 photo and description added credit Davenport Iowa History Facebook page.
The Columbia Theatre - 1939
This looks like an aftermath photo from World War II. It’s actually a picture of the demolition of the interior of the Columbia Theatre on the northwest corner of Third and Ripley streets. It was taken during the early stages of the remodeling and transformation into the new Esquire Theatre. It appears that someone has painted “Capitol” on the back wall, in reference to The Capitol Theatre, the Esquire’s competition across the street.
The Columbia Theatre and Hotel was built in 1913 as Davenport’s new Vaudeville House and 40-room hotel. The very first “talkie” picture was shown there. In 1916, the great magician “Hardeen” was strapped into the punishment suit (straight jacket) and handcuffed by the local deputies from the sheriff’s office to perform an amazing escape before an anxious and appreciative crowd. Hardeen was the younger brother of Harry Houdini. Sophie Tucker, “The Last of the Red Hot Mamas” appeared at the Columbia for four days beginning on February 20, 1921.
The Columbia Theater essentially closed in late November of 1931 with the opening of the new RKO Orpheum. On Monday, August 21, 1939, work began on transforming it into a new 800-seat modern theater. It was scheduled to open in November as a first-run motion picture house with all the seats on the first floor. The building was completely remodeled from the entrance to the rear, from the ceiling to the basement. The stage, on which virtually all Vaudeville acts of former years performed, was torn out. The balconies were torn down and all the seats removed. Even the outside of the building was refinished and remodeled, with the owner, the Walsh Construction Company, in charge of the work, and Arthur Ebeling as supervising architect.
The new Esquire Theater was opened on Wednesday night, November 22, 1939, at 8 p.m. with a dedication program followed by the showing of “First Love,” starring Deanna Durbin, and “20,000 Men a Year,” featuring Randolph Scott and Margaret Lindsay. Representing an investment of approximately $55,000 in the remodeling of the former Columbia Theater, the Esquire took its place among the ultra-modernistic amusement centers, accommodating 850 people. Richard Stoddard was the manager of the Esquire, a picture house operated by the Tri-States Theater Corp., of which A. H. Blank of Des Moines was president.
Twenty years later, on Wednesday night, January 7, 1959, the last motion picture was shown at the Esquire Theater. Its demise left only four movie houses in Davenport, the Capitol, Orpheum, State and Coronet theaters. Its closing closely followed the end of the Sunset Theater on Fourth and Cedar streets, which ceased to operate on October 29th, 1958. Lack of patronage and increasing operating costs were listed as the reasons for the closing of the theaters.
The business district of Davenport was once the home of the Casino, Garden, Family, Star, Crystal, Mirror and Liberty theaters. In West Davenport, the neighborhood movie houses included the Pariser Garden, Olympic, Davenport, Zenith and Home. Northwest Davenport had the Washington Theater and the Elite Theater was on the northwest corner of Fourteenth and Harrison streets. And finally, at one time, Davenport also had two open-air theaters, one at Seventh and Sturdevant streets and the other at Locust and Harrison.
Built and operated in 1924 by August Ilg, with a seating capacity of 692 by 1954, per an image I just added. It was taken over by Selected Theatres in 1952 if the image is correct. When it was extensively modernized with a wide screen for CinemaScope productions.
Current article about the change to Rhapsody Theatre.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/04/15/rogers-parks-mayne-stage-to-become-rhapsody-theater-hosting-magic-shows-and-music-in-historical-venue/?fbclid=IwAR14mGApK4kL_Jx7XWEHACWVfszXL4P5GGDRbP-g9BKkNziTCMCehJBcjZ4
Los Angeles Times link with multiple photos of various stars placing hand prints in the forecourt.
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-chinese-theatre-handprints-celebrity-20170518-htmlstory.html
The Google street view from November 2021 shows that to be the case.
Auditorium and fire photos added, credit Paul H. Fey Jr.
1920
It does not appear on the AMC website link above. The Fandango website lists it as Temporarily Closed. So not sure if the opening has happened yet.
Here is the Library of Congress link to the 1940 Russell Lee photo. Enlargeable for greater detail within link.
https://www.loc.gov/item/2017741723/
Here is the Library of Congress link to the 1940 Russell Lee photo. Enlargeable for greater detail within link.
https://www.loc.gov/item/2017741723/
Additional history credit Jenny at the Musser Public Library. (accompanied circa 1910 photo added to gallery)
“The building was located on the corner of East Second and Walnut streets. It sat right next to Trinity Episcopal Church, which you can see in this photograph. Building of The Grand Opera House started in the spring of 1900 and finished in the fall of 1901. It had a seating capacity of 1,100 with eight private boxes and plush opera chairs. By 1945, the building was no longer used for lavish theater productions but instead was the home of two cafes, a barber shop, and several professional offices. The second floor had two apartment flats. The rest of the building was used for storage. On March 10, 1945 a fire of undetermined origin broke out and gutted the building. Two firefighters suffered burns but no one else was injured.”
From Little Known Stories of Muscatine, courtesy Musser Public Library:
The evening of December 26, 1900, was a big occasion in Muscatine, perhaps the most costly and best attended social event ever held in the Port City. On that evening more than 1,200 men, women, and children were present to witness the opening of Muscatine’s brand-new theatre, the Grand Opera House. The seats were ten dollars each, making the box office receipts for the night somewhere between $12,000 and $15,000. The show was a rather mediocre opus, somewhat typical of the late 1890 and 1900 stage offerings. Its name was “Shore Acres”…..There seemed to be a general feeling that at ten dollars per ticket, a more imposing theatrical offering might have been selected. However, the price of ten dollars per seat had not been fixed because of the quality of the show; it was just a method of financing the erection of the building.“ On March 10, 1945 the building was destroyed by fire.
1956 was the last listing found by the Musser Public Library.
1940s facade.
http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/digital/collection/muspl/id/1959?fbclid=IwAR2KidO7s8_rRPGi0g9kxYbfUaTc45_DlbjQWDVmxNi76TvYjfMNTqEB928
1950 photo credit Joe+Jeanette Archie, enlargeable within Flickr link.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/3998463514?fbclid=IwAR3YXT7VQglVYS2k4YffKKHkuMcncj8d7zw1h1cE7eV_6KRl5uUzqSKOZuA
1955 photo credit Joe+Jeanette Archie, enlargeable within Flickr link.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jarchie/3549327067/in/photostream/
Address was 4505 Victoria Quay, Port Alberni, BC V9Y 6G2, Canada. Capelli Hair Design is on that site today per locals.
There apparently was a second Fraser Theatre at this location, opened circa 1949 based on photos I just added, and one that already existed in the gallery. Intersection was the same in the description the photo had.
Additionally, the address is 417 Main Street, and the building still exists today as Shidle Masonic Lodge.
Via the Downtown Irwin Facebook page:
In 1921 what became the Aladdin Theater was built at 411 Main Street. It’s original name was Maute’s Grand Theater. Same people owned both The Lamp and The Aladdin.
So the two pages may need merging.
Address is 222 Main Street. Per the Downtown Irwin Facebook page: HISTORY NUGGET: before the Lamp Theater ( b. 1937 ) there was The Grand Theater in the same location. This map is 1914 when they were called “Moving Pictures”. (map in gallery)