The Mankato Free Press confirms that the State Theater opened in January 1937. Although its grand opening advertisement or the exact opening date is not found yet, Irene Dunne in “Theodora Goes Wild” is the opening attraction. Between its first few days, a total of 1,100 people attending the screenings.
A newspaper article dated October 14, 1976, indicates the State Theatre had been renamed the Stage Theatre, which the article also confirmed that it was scheduled to soon close, meaning that this may’ve closed around late-1976.
The Coliseum Theatre opened its doors on September 25, 1923 by the firm of L.E. Partridge & Morrison in the Beal Building, originally housing 750 seats. It was originally planned to open on August 15, but was postponed for unknown reasons. According to an article on its 100th anniversary, this was either the third or fourth movie theater to open in Tillamook.
During a 4th Of July performance on the evening of July 4, 1924, a fire broke out in the basement of the building next to the Coliseum. The fire was only noticed because owner Morrison was headed into the basement when the fire started at around 8:00 p.m. that evening, and he immediately notified the fire department about the disaster. The Coliseum was filled to capacity with all of the holiday visitors for the 4th of July, and panic began to fill the Coliseum as the audience saw smoke coming from below the stage. Mr. Morrison quickly mounted the stage and told the audience that “a blaze had started in an adjoining building, that there was no immediate danger, and warned the audience to leave without disorder.” At that same time, the organist, Merle Harrington, struck up a lively tune and continued to play while the audience left the Coliseum until it was completely empty. According to the fire department, the blaze was believed to have started in a pile of rubbish that was sparked in the basement of the building next door. The firemen came as quickly as they could, but the blaze had already burned through to the second floor, and extensive damage had been done. So extensive was the damage that the property loss of the theater was estimated at $35,000. Despite the extensive damage, however, the Coliseum was able to bounce back from the flames and continued to play films and hold special events for the community once the damage was repaired.
After Partridge’s reign over the Coliseum for nearly 10 years, he decided to lease the theater to Claude “Dude” Smith, and the Coliseum continued to prosper with Smith running and managing the theater.
It was once a twin during the late-1980s and 1990s (even surviving a bankruptcy in 1993), but some point later in its history, one of the two screens closed. However, I looked through its website recently, and the last film (or if not one of the last films) the Split Rock Resort Theatre played is “Arthur The King” in 2024. It most likely that the 87-seat single-screener itself closed in 2024, as a Facebook comment confirms that the entire resort was placed on sale the following year in early 2025.
During its final years as a quad, the Metropolitan Theatre became national headlines following a deadly mass shooting that left a 19-year-old man dead, and three others injured on October 15, 1993. According to the NYPD, the shooting happened inside Screen 3, nearly an hour into the late-night showing of “Judgment Night”.
A total of 56 people attended the late-night showing of the film when it started around 9:45 PM, with the shooting happening at 10:42 PM. The deceased victim, identified as 19-year-old Lakeem Sules of Brooklyn, entered the theater alone when some of the audiences knew about him. At some point afterward, he struggled with another person (appearing to be the suspect), and gunshots were fired, killing Sules and injuring two 26-year-old men and a 23-year-old woman, with all of the injured victims surviving the tragedy. The NYPD confirmed that a total of 10 gunshots were fired and a total of three revolvers and a semi-automatic pistol were recovered at the scene.
There’s not a lot of information about this theater, but I can confirm that this originally started life as the Wauchula Plaza Twins, operated by the Florida West Amusements Inc., who also operated theaters in Winter Haven, Bartow, Venice, Live Oak, Belleview, Bradenton, Palm Bay, and Melbourne in Florida, as well as San Juan and Fajardo in Puerto Rico. All of Florida West’s 37 theaters were purchased by Cobb Theatres in June 1978.
The Mankato Free Press confirms that the State Theater opened in January 1937. Although its grand opening advertisement or the exact opening date is not found yet, Irene Dunne in “Theodora Goes Wild” is the opening attraction. Between its first few days, a total of 1,100 people attending the screenings.
A newspaper article dated October 14, 1976, indicates the State Theatre had been renamed the Stage Theatre, which the article also confirmed that it was scheduled to soon close, meaning that this may’ve closed around late-1976.
Opened on November 26, 1997.
Opened in October 2009.
Edited from my October 5, 2025 (3:36 PM) comment:
Closed in May 1997.
This is the replacement of the nearby Moultrie Twin Cinema, which closed the previous day.
Last operated by Georgia Theater Company.
The exact address is 2443 S Main St, Moultrie, GA 31768. Belk now occupies the former space.
Still open in the mid-1960s.
Does that mean that the Auburn/Starlight/Marian is separate?
If it continued operating into the late-1980s and early-1990s, it would’ve been operated by Cinema World.
Most likely opened in 1953. That year’s aerial view shows the drive-in appearing to be halfway done through its construction.
The Coliseum Theatre opened its doors on September 25, 1923 by the firm of L.E. Partridge & Morrison in the Beal Building, originally housing 750 seats. It was originally planned to open on August 15, but was postponed for unknown reasons. According to an article on its 100th anniversary, this was either the third or fourth movie theater to open in Tillamook.
During a 4th Of July performance on the evening of July 4, 1924, a fire broke out in the basement of the building next to the Coliseum. The fire was only noticed because owner Morrison was headed into the basement when the fire started at around 8:00 p.m. that evening, and he immediately notified the fire department about the disaster. The Coliseum was filled to capacity with all of the holiday visitors for the 4th of July, and panic began to fill the Coliseum as the audience saw smoke coming from below the stage. Mr. Morrison quickly mounted the stage and told the audience that “a blaze had started in an adjoining building, that there was no immediate danger, and warned the audience to leave without disorder.” At that same time, the organist, Merle Harrington, struck up a lively tune and continued to play while the audience left the Coliseum until it was completely empty. According to the fire department, the blaze was believed to have started in a pile of rubbish that was sparked in the basement of the building next door. The firemen came as quickly as they could, but the blaze had already burned through to the second floor, and extensive damage had been done. So extensive was the damage that the property loss of the theater was estimated at $35,000. Despite the extensive damage, however, the Coliseum was able to bounce back from the flames and continued to play films and hold special events for the community once the damage was repaired.
After Partridge’s reign over the Coliseum for nearly 10 years, he decided to lease the theater to Claude “Dude” Smith, and the Coliseum continued to prosper with Smith running and managing the theater.
Actual opening date is February 8, 1985.
During its final years as a quad, the Metropolitan Theatre became national headlines following a deadly mass shooting that left a 19-year-old man dead, and three others injured on October 15, 1993. According to the NYPD, the shooting happened inside Screen 3, nearly an hour into the late-night showing of “Judgment Night”.
A total of 56 people attended the late-night showing of the film when it started around 9:45 PM, with the shooting happening at 10:42 PM. The deceased victim, identified as 19-year-old Lakeem Sules of Brooklyn, entered the theater alone when some of the audiences knew about him. At some point afterward, he struggled with another person (appearing to be the suspect), and gunshots were fired, killing Sules and injuring two 26-year-old men and a 23-year-old woman, with all of the injured victims surviving the tragedy. The NYPD confirmed that a total of 10 gunshots were fired and a total of three revolvers and a semi-automatic pistol were recovered at the scene.
Closed on April 27, 1978 with “Semi-Tough” and “The Longest Run”.
United Artists was its later operator.
First operated by Florida West Amusements Inc.
Once operated by Florida West Amusements Inc.
Taken over by Cobb Theatres in June 1978. This was once operated by Florida West Amusements beforehand.
Taken over by Cobb Theatres in June 1978. This last operated independently.
Taken over by Cobb Theatres in June 1978. Florida West Amusements was its original operator.
There’s not a lot of information about this theater, but I can confirm that this originally started life as the Wauchula Plaza Twins, operated by the Florida West Amusements Inc., who also operated theaters in Winter Haven, Bartow, Venice, Live Oak, Belleview, Bradenton, Palm Bay, and Melbourne in Florida, as well as San Juan and Fajardo in Puerto Rico. All of Florida West’s 37 theaters were purchased by Cobb Theatres in June 1978.
Opened by Gulf States Theatres.
Once operated by Sportservice.
Wehrenberg last operated the theater before closing on February 8, 1985 with “Heaven Help Us” and “Mischief”.