Are there any surviving photos of the Rio’s interior? There were bas-reliefs in the lobby and auditorium when the Rio was new. Did these survive a 1967 interior remodel? Does anyone know?
The Rio opened at 6:00 p.m. on August 13, 1950. The premier feature was, fittingly enough, “Nancy Goes to Rio” with Ann Sothern and Jane Powell. The Rio’s general contractor was James Kershaw, and C. Russell Lewis of Dallas, Texas supervised the artistic decorations.
The Texas Theater’s first manager was Mr. Henry Hurr. The first talkie to show at the Texas was on December 19, 1929. “Married in Hollywood” (starring J. Harold Murray and Norma Terris) was among the first talkies at the Texas.
The Plaza opened at 7:15 p.m. on March 19, 1942. The premier feature was “The Vanishing Virginian” with Frank Morgan and Kathryn Grayson. The Plaza was operated by Long Theatres, and Ernest Shultz of Rosenberg, Texas was the Plaza’s architect.
The Queen’s first manager was Mr. Joe L. Santos. On August 26, 1929, “Drag” (starring Richard Barthelmess, Lucien Littlefield, and Alice Day) was the first talkie to show at the Queen.
The Uptown was the site of a Gene Autry stage show at noon on January 3, 1937. That afternoon, after the show, Gene Autry visited a young Victoria girl who had been injured at school and was unable to attend the show. In a Victoria Advocate interview, Autry commented, “It was a great pleasure to have seen her, and if my visit cheered her up then the happiness was all mine…I do hope that she continues rapidly in her recovery.”
New Theater At Edna Is Opened.
Edna, March 16â€"With true carnival spirit, some 3,000 or more citizens of Edna and the surrounding territory witnessed the opening of the new Edna Theatre here Tuesday night (March 14, 1950).
For eight years the people here have been attending the movies in a remodeled store building with a very limited seating capacity. The only theater burned down eight years ago and because of the war it was impossible to build another.
The new Edna Theatre, operated by J.G. Long Theatres, Inc., of Bay City, opens a new world for local movie-goers.
The theater is as modern as one can be built at this time.
Eighty tons of refrigeration will cool the theatre in summer and a large heating plant will make it equally as comfortable during the winter.
Previous to the opening a parade and band concert by the Edna Cowboy Band, conducted by R. J. Kluge, entertained the several thousand persons awaiting admittance. During a short dedicatory ceremony in the auditorium after the opening, L. O. Wallace of the Long organization acted as master of ceremonies and he introduced Glenn McClain of the Long chain, Mayor Harry Mauritz and Dr. R. E. Lee, president of the chamber of commerce of Edna, for short talks. Fred M. Smith was introduced as the manager of the new theatre.
In addition to the theatre, the Edna, the building also houses four business firms, including a modern grocery store. The theatre seats 1,000 and is reported to be one of the finest shows between San Antonio and Houston.
The premier feature was “Father Is a Bachelor†with William Holden and Coleen Gray.
This theater was previously the Electra Theatre. According to the July 18, 1924 Victoria Advocate, M.M. McNeese of Dallas purchased the Electra from Victoria resident Edwin Jecker. He renamed it the Victoria and reopened it on July 24, 1924. The opening feature was Gloria Swanson’s “Manhandled”, which opened to an overflow crowd.
The Electra had been open as early as 1912. An ad in the October 2, 1912 Advocate announced that Florence Lawrence’s “The Mill Buyers”, Edgar Keller’s “The Garrison Triangle”, and “Ferdie’s Family Feud” with John R. Cumpson and Vivian Prescott could be seen at the Electra.
The Princess was also once named the Paramount. An ad in the January 20, 1915 Victoria Advocate announced that the Paramount was opening at 7:00 p.m. that evening in the “Old Princess Theater Building”. The opening feature was “The Dancer and the King” with Cecil Spooner and Marquita Dwight.
The Princess was open as early as 1910. An ad in the December 6, 1910 Victoria Advocate listed three features at the Princess – “The Hustler Gets the Coin” (comedy) and “The Path of Duty” and “The Hand of Fate” (both dramas).
The Rita opened on May 5, 1934 at 1:00 p.m. It was operated by Jefferson Amusement Company. The premier features were Will Rogers' “David Harum” and Randolph Scott’s “The Last Round-Up”.
The Meyerland Plaza 8 lists William Riseman and William Riseman Associates as the respective architect and firm for that theater. Was that also true of the Northline? Can anyone confirm?
The Meyerland Plaza 8 lists William Riseman and William Riseman Associates as the respective architect and firm for that theater. Was that also true of the Gulfgate? Can anyone confirm?
May 20, 1977, to be exact. The premier features were “Silver Streak” (on two screens), “The Gumball Rally”, “Twilight’s Last Gleaming”, “Forever Young, Forever Free”, and “The Ritz”.
A “VIP Night” was held the previous evening, and Mayor Charles Carsner Jr. cut a filmstrip in lieu of a ribbon to formally open the Salem Six.
Above the ticket counter was a color-coded marquee to indicate which movie was showing on each of the six screens.
sepiatone
commented about
Cineon
Apr 27, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Try 1214 Sam Houston Avenue. This street was apparently renamed at some point, since the next street over is Avenue M.
There wasn’t much advertising for this theater when it was new. The Houston Chronicle made no mention of it. There were no grand opening announcements in the Post, only an ad on April 16, 1949 stating that the Bellaire was a new theater and that “Easter Parade” with Fred Astaire and Judy Garland was playing there.
Are there any surviving photos of the Rio’s interior? There were bas-reliefs in the lobby and auditorium when the Rio was new. Did these survive a 1967 interior remodel? Does anyone know?
The Rio opened at 6:00 p.m. on August 13, 1950. The premier feature was, fittingly enough, “Nancy Goes to Rio” with Ann Sothern and Jane Powell. The Rio’s general contractor was James Kershaw, and C. Russell Lewis of Dallas, Texas supervised the artistic decorations.
The Texas Theater’s first manager was Mr. Henry Hurr. The first talkie to show at the Texas was on December 19, 1929. “Married in Hollywood” (starring J. Harold Murray and Norma Terris) was among the first talkies at the Texas.
From the Victoria Advocate, January 8, 1941:
Four Buildings in Greenville Razed by Hungry Flames.
Greenville, Tex., Jan. 8â€"Hungry flames that ate through four buildings in downtown Greenville were brought under control in a five-hour fight early today after causing an estimated $75,000 damage.
Cause of the fire, which originated in the Southern Café about midnight, was not known, but several café patrons were knocked to the floor by an explosion in the rear of the two-story building, giving first warning of the blaze.
Spreading swiftly despite efforts of the Greenville fire department, the fire destroyed the first floor café and second story, and then licked through an adjoining dress shop, across an empty building and into the Rialto Theatre before weary firemen finally gained the upper hand.
The theater suffered heavy water and smoke damage while the two buildings between it and the café were burned badly.
For a time fire department officials considered calling for reinforcements from Sulphur Springs and Wolfe City, but the Greenville firemen were able to control the fire by themselves.
The Plaza opened at 7:15 p.m. on March 19, 1942. The premier feature was “The Vanishing Virginian” with Frank Morgan and Kathryn Grayson. The Plaza was operated by Long Theatres, and Ernest Shultz of Rosenberg, Texas was the Plaza’s architect.
The Queen’s first manager was Mr. Joe L. Santos. On August 26, 1929, “Drag” (starring Richard Barthelmess, Lucien Littlefield, and Alice Day) was the first talkie to show at the Queen.
The Uptown was the site of a Gene Autry stage show at noon on January 3, 1937. That afternoon, after the show, Gene Autry visited a young Victoria girl who had been injured at school and was unable to attend the show. In a Victoria Advocate interview, Autry commented, “It was a great pleasure to have seen her, and if my visit cheered her up then the happiness was all mine…I do hope that she continues rapidly in her recovery.”
The Highway 35 East location is where the Showboat was. Notice the stretch of road south of Highway 35 is named Show Boat Road.
Since we’re in the area, would the Horn Road location have been the Bay Drive-in mentioned above? Can anyone confirm this?
From the Victoria Advocate, March 16, 1950:
New Theater At Edna Is Opened.
Edna, March 16â€"With true carnival spirit, some 3,000 or more citizens of Edna and the surrounding territory witnessed the opening of the new Edna Theatre here Tuesday night (March 14, 1950).
For eight years the people here have been attending the movies in a remodeled store building with a very limited seating capacity. The only theater burned down eight years ago and because of the war it was impossible to build another.
The new Edna Theatre, operated by J.G. Long Theatres, Inc., of Bay City, opens a new world for local movie-goers.
The theater is as modern as one can be built at this time.
Eighty tons of refrigeration will cool the theatre in summer and a large heating plant will make it equally as comfortable during the winter.
Previous to the opening a parade and band concert by the Edna Cowboy Band, conducted by R. J. Kluge, entertained the several thousand persons awaiting admittance. During a short dedicatory ceremony in the auditorium after the opening, L. O. Wallace of the Long organization acted as master of ceremonies and he introduced Glenn McClain of the Long chain, Mayor Harry Mauritz and Dr. R. E. Lee, president of the chamber of commerce of Edna, for short talks. Fred M. Smith was introduced as the manager of the new theatre.
In addition to the theatre, the Edna, the building also houses four business firms, including a modern grocery store. The theatre seats 1,000 and is reported to be one of the finest shows between San Antonio and Houston.
The premier feature was “Father Is a Bachelor†with William Holden and Coleen Gray.
This theater was previously the Electra Theatre. According to the July 18, 1924 Victoria Advocate, M.M. McNeese of Dallas purchased the Electra from Victoria resident Edwin Jecker. He renamed it the Victoria and reopened it on July 24, 1924. The opening feature was Gloria Swanson’s “Manhandled”, which opened to an overflow crowd.
The Electra had been open as early as 1912. An ad in the October 2, 1912 Advocate announced that Florence Lawrence’s “The Mill Buyers”, Edgar Keller’s “The Garrison Triangle”, and “Ferdie’s Family Feud” with John R. Cumpson and Vivian Prescott could be seen at the Electra.
The Princess was also once named the Paramount. An ad in the January 20, 1915 Victoria Advocate announced that the Paramount was opening at 7:00 p.m. that evening in the “Old Princess Theater Building”. The opening feature was “The Dancer and the King” with Cecil Spooner and Marquita Dwight.
The Princess was open as early as 1910. An ad in the December 6, 1910 Victoria Advocate listed three features at the Princess – “The Hustler Gets the Coin” (comedy) and “The Path of Duty” and “The Hand of Fate” (both dramas).
The Uptown opened on February 19, 1931. The premier feature was “Stolen Heaven” with Nancy Carroll and Phillips Holmes.
The El Rancho opened on February 2, 1940 at 6:45 p.m. The premier feature was “Geronimo” with Preston Foster and Ellen Drew.
The Rita opened on May 5, 1934 at 1:00 p.m. It was operated by Jefferson Amusement Company. The premier features were Will Rogers' “David Harum” and Randolph Scott’s “The Last Round-Up”.
You have the right intersection, John. The building on the northwest corner (to the left of the silver Cadillac) is the Queen Theater.
The official address was 6366 Bellaire Boulevard. Yes, this was the northwest corner.
You’re welcome. Not all theaters go my way, but I do try.
The Meyerland Plaza 8 lists William Riseman and William Riseman Associates as the respective architect and firm for that theater. Was that also true of the Northline? Can anyone confirm?
The Meyerland Plaza 8 lists William Riseman and William Riseman Associates as the respective architect and firm for that theater. Was that also true of the Gulfgate? Can anyone confirm?
May 20, 1977, to be exact. The premier features were “Silver Streak” (on two screens), “The Gumball Rally”, “Twilight’s Last Gleaming”, “Forever Young, Forever Free”, and “The Ritz”.
A “VIP Night” was held the previous evening, and Mayor Charles Carsner Jr. cut a filmstrip in lieu of a ribbon to formally open the Salem Six.
Above the ticket counter was a color-coded marquee to indicate which movie was showing on each of the six screens.
Try 1214 Sam Houston Avenue. This street was apparently renamed at some point, since the next street over is Avenue M.
The street number for the Lamar Theater is 206 Morton Street.
According to opening day ads, “The Counter Jumper” with Larry Semon and Lucille Carlisle was the first film slated to play here.
There wasn’t much advertising for this theater when it was new. The Houston Chronicle made no mention of it. There were no grand opening announcements in the Post, only an ad on April 16, 1949 stating that the Bellaire was a new theater and that “Easter Parade” with Fred Astaire and Judy Garland was playing there.