This theatre was expected to open on April 26th, 1973 but the weather refused to co-operate and opened on May 24th instead. Article posted. The theatre was built in front of the Marbro Drive-In theatre.
The Litchfield Hickory Hills Cinemas, a once-vibrant hub of cinematic entertainment, first illuminated its screens on March 10th, 1978. With an initial trio of screens, it beckoned moviegoers to immerse themselves in the magic of film.
As time unfolded, the cinema expanded its repertoire. Screen 4 joined the ensemble on March 2nd, 1979, enhancing the variety of cinematic experiences available to patrons. The anticipation of new releases and the thrill of shared laughter or tears filled the air.
But the story didn’t end there. On a warm summer day, specifically July 19th, 1985, screens 5 and 6 made their grand debut. The theater complex now boasted six screens, each a canvas for storytelling, adventure, and emotion.
However, the winds of change swept through the theater industry. On December 4th, 1987, the baton passed to United Artists, a new steward for the cinematic legacy. The curtains continued to rise, and the flicker of projectors danced across the screens.
In the mid-1990s, the theater found a new home within the Carmike Cinemas family. The familiar aroma of popcorn, the hushed whispers of anticipation, and the glow of the silver screen remained constants, even as ownership shifted.
Yet, like all tales, this one had its twists. By 2004, the Litchfield Hickory Hills Cinemas transformed into a discount cinema, welcoming budget-conscious movie enthusiasts. The allure of affordable tickets and the promise of cinematic escape drew crowds once more.
Alas, every reel has its final frame. In January 2008, the lights dimmed for the last time. The Litchfield Hickory Hills Cinemas, once a beacon of entertainment, closed its doors. Memories lingered—the echoes of laughter, the gasps of suspense, and the shared moments etched into the fabric of time. (AI rewritten).
Grand Opening- Roxy Theatre -Thursday September 15, 1949
Ground was broken in September of 1948 for the building of the Roxy Theatre on Jackson Street in downtown Russellville, Alabama with an estimated cost of $200,000. The Rockwood Amusement Company of Nashville commissioned Daniel Construction Company to start the project. Local union laborers were employed for the many construction jobs needed to complete the Roxy. The theatre was planned to seat 825 people. A block veneer finish was planned for the outside with a streamlined front and inside. The lobby held a concession area for a popcorn machine and candy. A soundproof “Crying Room” was built to the left of the inner lobby for mothers to take their babies while still being able to view the movie screen. The inside of the theatre had a modern tone to the architecture with a tinge of Egyptian design. Soft rose, neon lighting was placed along the walls. The color scheme was rose and beige with a touch of gold and blue pattern on a rose background. Four sets of draperies with a mingled color scheme hung from the stage. The theatre was heated with a hot water heating system in the winter and cooled with air conditioning in the summer. The theatre sat on Jackson Street facing the Baptist Church and Hayes Auto Parts.
first Movies Shown at Roxy
The September 15, 1949 opening movie was a comedy called “My Dear Secretary” starring Laraine Day, Kirk Douglas, Keenan Wynn, and Helen Walker with appearances by Rudy Vallee. This movie was to run on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, September 17, “Strawberry Roan” starring Gene Autry and Jack Holt was shown. A new serial called Batman and Robin was to play as as a Three Stooges comedy. On Sunday and Monday, September 18 and 19, “Edward ,My Son” starring Spencer Tracy and Deborah Kerr was shown. Walt Disney’s “Pluto Purchase” was also shown.
Other Theatres in Russellville History
The Roxy was not the first theatre in Russellville. The first theatre appeared in Russellville in 1892. It was formed by a cooperative group called the Farmers Alliance. The theatre or hall was between Lawrence and Franklin Street on the east side of Carroll Street. In 1906, an Opera House opened for traveling vaudeville acts and movies. A movie was shown each weekday night until a theatre was opened on the east side of Jackson Street in downtown Russellville. The Lyric Theatre was built and owned by the same company as the Roxy, The Rockwood Amusement Company. At one time, Russellville had three movie theatres operating. Near-by Phil Campbell and Red Bay also have had movie theatres in operation in Franklin County. Russellville has the King Drive- In operating today as a local movie venue.
The theater, initially known as Cinema 3, opened on December 21st, 1979. Martin Theatres operated it and later renamed it to the Four Square Triple in early 1980. Subsequently, it became a Carmike Cinema in 1985 and unfortunately closed its doors in 1999
Judging by the new 3D model of the theatre they seem to have combined two cinemas to create the GSX screen.
Grand opening ad posted.
Park-Vue Drive-In Theater: Opening Date: May 11th, 1950. Closure Date: March 5th, 1961.
Marbro Drive-In Theater: Reopening Date (under Martin Theatres): May 26th, 1961. Closure Date: December 2nd, 1979.
Aerials and grand opening ad posted.
Between 1961 and 1973 before the Cinema Twin was built in front of it.
This theatre was expected to open on April 26th, 1973 but the weather refused to co-operate and opened on May 24th instead. Article posted. The theatre was built in front of the Marbro Drive-In theatre.
Closed as a regular cinema in 1977 and auctioned off in 1978.
The Litchfield Hickory Hills Cinemas, a once-vibrant hub of cinematic entertainment, first illuminated its screens on March 10th, 1978. With an initial trio of screens, it beckoned moviegoers to immerse themselves in the magic of film.
As time unfolded, the cinema expanded its repertoire. Screen 4 joined the ensemble on March 2nd, 1979, enhancing the variety of cinematic experiences available to patrons. The anticipation of new releases and the thrill of shared laughter or tears filled the air.
But the story didn’t end there. On a warm summer day, specifically July 19th, 1985, screens 5 and 6 made their grand debut. The theater complex now boasted six screens, each a canvas for storytelling, adventure, and emotion.
However, the winds of change swept through the theater industry. On December 4th, 1987, the baton passed to United Artists, a new steward for the cinematic legacy. The curtains continued to rise, and the flicker of projectors danced across the screens.
In the mid-1990s, the theater found a new home within the Carmike Cinemas family. The familiar aroma of popcorn, the hushed whispers of anticipation, and the glow of the silver screen remained constants, even as ownership shifted.
Yet, like all tales, this one had its twists. By 2004, the Litchfield Hickory Hills Cinemas transformed into a discount cinema, welcoming budget-conscious movie enthusiasts. The allure of affordable tickets and the promise of cinematic escape drew crowds once more.
Alas, every reel has its final frame. In January 2008, the lights dimmed for the last time. The Litchfield Hickory Hills Cinemas, once a beacon of entertainment, closed its doors. Memories lingered—the echoes of laughter, the gasps of suspense, and the shared moments etched into the fabric of time. (AI rewritten).
Grand opening ad posted.
Grand opening ad has now been posted.
Grand opening ad posted.
Higher quality grand opening ad posted.
Opened on August 25th, 1947. Grand opening ad posted.
Opened on October 21st, 1948. Grand opening ad posted.
The Cobert theatre opened on January 22nd, 1942. Grand opening ad posted.
Grand opening ad posted. It was built by the Muscle Shoals Theatres, Inc.
Grand opening ad posted.
Arrangements for colored patrons:
Colored spaces at the King Drive-In 11 Aug 1949, Thu Franklin County Times (Russellville, Alabama) Newspapers.com
Opened on June 6th, 1949.
02 Jun 1949, Thu Franklin County Times (Russellville, Alabama) Newspapers.com
Website is sadly now hijacked by scammers as this video below:
From the Archive.org website:
Grand Opening- Roxy Theatre -Thursday September 15, 1949 Ground was broken in September of 1948 for the building of the Roxy Theatre on Jackson Street in downtown Russellville, Alabama with an estimated cost of $200,000. The Rockwood Amusement Company of Nashville commissioned Daniel Construction Company to start the project. Local union laborers were employed for the many construction jobs needed to complete the Roxy. The theatre was planned to seat 825 people. A block veneer finish was planned for the outside with a streamlined front and inside. The lobby held a concession area for a popcorn machine and candy. A soundproof “Crying Room” was built to the left of the inner lobby for mothers to take their babies while still being able to view the movie screen. The inside of the theatre had a modern tone to the architecture with a tinge of Egyptian design. Soft rose, neon lighting was placed along the walls. The color scheme was rose and beige with a touch of gold and blue pattern on a rose background. Four sets of draperies with a mingled color scheme hung from the stage. The theatre was heated with a hot water heating system in the winter and cooled with air conditioning in the summer. The theatre sat on Jackson Street facing the Baptist Church and Hayes Auto Parts.
first Movies Shown at Roxy
The September 15, 1949 opening movie was a comedy called “My Dear Secretary” starring Laraine Day, Kirk Douglas, Keenan Wynn, and Helen Walker with appearances by Rudy Vallee. This movie was to run on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday, September 17, “Strawberry Roan” starring Gene Autry and Jack Holt was shown. A new serial called Batman and Robin was to play as as a Three Stooges comedy. On Sunday and Monday, September 18 and 19, “Edward ,My Son” starring Spencer Tracy and Deborah Kerr was shown. Walt Disney’s “Pluto Purchase” was also shown.
Other Theatres in Russellville History
The Roxy was not the first theatre in Russellville. The first theatre appeared in Russellville in 1892. It was formed by a cooperative group called the Farmers Alliance. The theatre or hall was between Lawrence and Franklin Street on the east side of Carroll Street. In 1906, an Opera House opened for traveling vaudeville acts and movies. A movie was shown each weekday night until a theatre was opened on the east side of Jackson Street in downtown Russellville. The Lyric Theatre was built and owned by the same company as the Roxy, The Rockwood Amusement Company. At one time, Russellville had three movie theatres operating. Near-by Phil Campbell and Red Bay also have had movie theatres in operation in Franklin County. Russellville has the King Drive- In operating today as a local movie venue.
Opened on August 3rd, 1949. Grand opening ad posted.
July 7th, 1973: Another transformation! The theater reemerged as Rivervue, now showcasing adult movies.
1976: Yet another name shift, this time to Riverveiw.
1983: The final curtain fell, and the theater closed its doors for good.
The theater, initially known as Cinema 3, opened on December 21st, 1979. Martin Theatres operated it and later renamed it to the Four Square Triple in early 1980. Subsequently, it became a Carmike Cinema in 1985 and unfortunately closed its doors in 1999
Grand opening ad posted.
Grand opening ad posted.
Ad posted.