Yes, but unfortunately I cannot confirm if this was first independently operated since the Crofton Cinema 4’s opening on October 14, 1977 or the theater being a JF theater in the 1980s. However, I can confirm that it was taken over by Loews in the late-1980s, later operated by Sony Theatres, and finally Loews Cineplex.
Correction: This actually opened with “That Certain Age”, and not “The Wizard Of Oz”. This was all according to a September 2012 article by Christopher Cugini.
The Juliar Theatre opened its doors on February 10, 1939 with John Barrymore in “The Great Man Votes” along with Disney’s Mickey Mouse (and Pluto) in “Society Dog Show”, the musical short “Swing You Swingers”, the Floyd Gibbons short “Treacherous Waters”, and the Vitaphone Pictorial Revue “The Immortal Brush”.
The Juliar Theatre closed on October 18, 1959 after failing to compete against the widely-popular Al Ringling. The theater did attempt to reopen again on February 3, 1960 but this didn’t last long at all, closing around one month later. After closure, the Baraboo Amusement Company took over the building in October 1965 but its future of the building remained undecided.
The Gem Theatre opened its doors on April 7, 1909 by manager C.A. Booth featuring Edison Kinetoscope installations. Although I cannot find its opening attractions, singer Earl Morse performed on stage on opening day.
Lastly known as “Keith’s Gem Theatre” during its final months, the Gem Theatre closed on June 5, 1923 with Lewis Stone in “A Fool There Was” and the Sunshine Comedy “Step Lively Please”. It originally closed its doors for repairs but management at the nearby Al Ringling Theatre purchased the old Gem the following month, and the entire equipment was transferred to the Al Ringling afterward.
Opened with “Where Love Has Gone” (with a kiddie matinee the following day). It was closed on January 17, 1991 with “Kindergarten Cop” in Screen 1 and “Edward Scissorhands” in Screen 2.
Closed on Christmas Eve 2000 with two double features in each auditorium. Screen 1 closed with “Little Nicky” and “Space Cowboys”, while Screen 2 closed with “Remember The Titans” and “The 6th Day”.
The Regal Huntingdon Valley 14 first opened softly on June 10, 1993 with a special afternoon sneak peak of “Jurassic Park” in one auditorium only. All 14 screens opened on June 11, 1993, with Jurassic opening in four auditoriums (Screens 1, 2, 3, and 4). It was closed on July 5, 2001.
The Gem Theatre most likely opened its doors on October 9, 1935 with Jimmy Cagney in “The Irish In Us” (unknown if extras added), and closed on October 27, 1963 with Walt Disney’s “Moon Pilot”. The theater building was converted into a laundromat the following year.
What’s very strange is that local merchants didn’t congratulate the theater until nine days AFTER its opening. This happened at the same time the Gem became an affiliate with “March Of Time” (beginning with Volume 1 Issue 7), which screened just before the showings of the following: Pat O'Brien’s “In Caliente” along with the Merrie Melodies cartoon “Along Flirtation Walk” and the comedy short “Husband’s Holiday” on October 18 of that same day.
Opened as the Aristo Theatre during the 1910s, renamed the Winnett Theatre in 1921, damaged by an early morning fire on February 10, 1923, reopened the following month, renamed the Rimrock Theatre in 1945, closed in 1958, converted into both a barber shop and a beauty shop in June 1961.
C.R. Goyins opened the Stanford Theatre on May 30, 1942 with Jack Benny in “Charley’s Aunt” along with an unnamed travelogue, unnamed cartoon, and a newsreel. It was still open in 1977.
The Yucca Theatre opened its doors on June 16, 1931 with Wheeler & Wooley in “Cracked Nuts” (unknown if extras added) featuring installations of Masterphone sound.
Opened on November 1, 1913 with the films “The Octoroon”, “Rule Thyself” and “The Trapper’s Mistake” along with a live performance by Lolo Morton and a few vaudeville acts.
The Montrose Drive-In actually closed on July 31, 1986 with “The Karate Kid Part II” and “Iron Eagle”, but the mini golf continued to operate until September of that year.
During its early days as a single-screener, the Village was notable for its 91-week run of “The Sound Of Music” from June 23, 1965 until March 23, 1967.
Opened on November 10, 1935 with Claudette Colbert in “She Married Her Boss” along with a Fox Movietone Newsreel and a few unnamed shorts (unlisted on grand opening advertisement, but mentioned on article).
The State Theatre opened its doors on August 29, 1937 with Alice Faye in “You Can’t Have Everything” along with a few unnamed comedies.
As of 1937, the building measures 42x114ft and originally housed 500 Haywood-Wakefield seats. The State Theatre also features original installations of RCA projection, RCA sound, Karagushin red carpeting laid over ¾ inch ozite padding, a ladies room featuring an enameled ceiling, Royal Chrome furniture, iron and chrome stair rail, and soft pastel shades, and red-luster velour curtains with curtain rings and a silver applique for the stage.
Yes, but unfortunately I cannot confirm if this was first independently operated since the Crofton Cinema 4’s opening on October 14, 1977 or the theater being a JF theater in the 1980s. However, I can confirm that it was taken over by Loews in the late-1980s, later operated by Sony Theatres, and finally Loews Cineplex.
Correction: This actually opened with “That Certain Age”, and not “The Wizard Of Oz”. This was all according to a September 2012 article by Christopher Cugini.
The Juliar Theatre opened its doors on February 10, 1939 with John Barrymore in “The Great Man Votes” along with Disney’s Mickey Mouse (and Pluto) in “Society Dog Show”, the musical short “Swing You Swingers”, the Floyd Gibbons short “Treacherous Waters”, and the Vitaphone Pictorial Revue “The Immortal Brush”.
The Juliar Theatre closed on October 18, 1959 after failing to compete against the widely-popular Al Ringling. The theater did attempt to reopen again on February 3, 1960 but this didn’t last long at all, closing around one month later. After closure, the Baraboo Amusement Company took over the building in October 1965 but its future of the building remained undecided.
The Gem Theatre opened its doors on April 7, 1909 by manager C.A. Booth featuring Edison Kinetoscope installations. Although I cannot find its opening attractions, singer Earl Morse performed on stage on opening day.
Lastly known as “Keith’s Gem Theatre” during its final months, the Gem Theatre closed on June 5, 1923 with Lewis Stone in “A Fool There Was” and the Sunshine Comedy “Step Lively Please”. It originally closed its doors for repairs but management at the nearby Al Ringling Theatre purchased the old Gem the following month, and the entire equipment was transferred to the Al Ringling afterward.
Opened with “Where Love Has Gone” (with a kiddie matinee the following day). It was closed on January 17, 1991 with “Kindergarten Cop” in Screen 1 and “Edward Scissorhands” in Screen 2.
Closed on Christmas Eve 2000 with two double features in each auditorium. Screen 1 closed with “Little Nicky” and “Space Cowboys”, while Screen 2 closed with “Remember The Titans” and “The 6th Day”.
The Regal Huntingdon Valley 14 first opened softly on June 10, 1993 with a special afternoon sneak peak of “Jurassic Park” in one auditorium only. All 14 screens opened on June 11, 1993, with Jurassic opening in four auditoriums (Screens 1, 2, 3, and 4). It was closed on July 5, 2001.
Closed in late-June 1948.
Opened with Fred MacMurray in “Suddenly Its Spring” along with a few unnamed shorts and a newsreel.
The Gem Theatre most likely opened its doors on October 9, 1935 with Jimmy Cagney in “The Irish In Us” (unknown if extras added), and closed on October 27, 1963 with Walt Disney’s “Moon Pilot”. The theater building was converted into a laundromat the following year.
Opened as the Aristo Theatre during the 1910s, renamed the Winnett Theatre in 1921, damaged by an early morning fire on February 10, 1923, reopened the following month, renamed the Rimrock Theatre in 1945, closed in 1958, converted into both a barber shop and a beauty shop in June 1961.
Still open in 1973.
This was originally an opera house although I cannot find any information about it. It was already renamed the Gaiety Theatre by 1917.
C.R. Goyins opened the Stanford Theatre on May 30, 1942 with Jack Benny in “Charley’s Aunt” along with an unnamed travelogue, unnamed cartoon, and a newsreel. It was still open in 1977.
Most likely closed on May 21, 1942 with “Arise, My Love” (unknown if extras added) when the Teton Theatre opened nearby three days later.
Opened with Shirley Temple in “Miss Annie Rooney” along with a few unnamed shorts.
Closed in either late-April or early-May 1967.
The Yucca Theatre opened its doors on June 16, 1931 with Wheeler & Wooley in “Cracked Nuts” (unknown if extras added) featuring installations of Masterphone sound.
Opened on November 1, 1913 with the films “The Octoroon”, “Rule Thyself” and “The Trapper’s Mistake” along with a live performance by Lolo Morton and a few vaudeville acts.
The Montrose Drive-In actually closed on July 31, 1986 with “The Karate Kid Part II” and “Iron Eagle”, but the mini golf continued to operate until September of that year.
During its early days as a single-screener, the Village was notable for its 91-week run of “The Sound Of Music” from June 23, 1965 until March 23, 1967.
Opened on November 10, 1935 with Claudette Colbert in “She Married Her Boss” along with a Fox Movietone Newsreel and a few unnamed shorts (unlisted on grand opening advertisement, but mentioned on article).
Opened on July 12, 1956 with Charlton Heston in “The Private War Of Major Benson” and Jeff Morrow in “This Island Earth” (unknown if extras added).
Opened on May 26, 1950 with John Wayne in “Red River” along with an unnamed cartoon and a newsreel.
The State Theatre opened its doors on August 29, 1937 with Alice Faye in “You Can’t Have Everything” along with a few unnamed comedies.
As of 1937, the building measures 42x114ft and originally housed 500 Haywood-Wakefield seats. The State Theatre also features original installations of RCA projection, RCA sound, Karagushin red carpeting laid over ¾ inch ozite padding, a ladies room featuring an enameled ceiling, Royal Chrome furniture, iron and chrome stair rail, and soft pastel shades, and red-luster velour curtains with curtain rings and a silver applique for the stage.