This is a 1951 ad from the Deming Headlight. Perhaps the Cinema 3 opened in the 80s, but the building was used as a theater years before: http://tinyurl.com/2glraz
In 1963 the Tropic was part of the MCM Theater Co, based in the Tropic building in Leesburg. The IMPA for that year states that the Tropic Florida in Leesburg was for “colored patronage”, so apparently the theater was segregated at that time.
The Quaker was operated by Shea Enterprises in the early sixties. Gerald Shea was president and GM. This company ran theaters in New Hampshire, Ohio and Pennsylvania at the time.
I had to drive to Lone Pine once back when I was delivering packages. I remember a theater on Main Street, which was the only real business avenue in the town, but that might have been in Bishop. I think the two towns are pretty close.
Here is a January 1980 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/3cq2or
Here is a January 1980 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/2nr66u
Here is a January 1980 ad from the LA Times:
http://tinyurl.com/2j89ae
It looks like the El Rancho and the Luna may have been part of the same chain at that time.
This whole block is now office buildings, I think.
The photo posted on 12/1/06 states that the Cinema 3 was formerly the El Rancho Theater.
Here is a May 1949 ad from the Press-Telegram:
http://tinyurl.com/3y363e
That must be the one. Thanks.
Here is a June 1969 ad from the Lima News:
http://tinyurl.com/yvyy4o
This is a 1951 ad from the Deming Headlight. Perhaps the Cinema 3 opened in the 80s, but the building was used as a theater years before:
http://tinyurl.com/2glraz
This ad was in the Press-Telegram in May 1949. I can’t place the location:
http://tinyurl.com/3y363e
Here is an August 1952 ad from the Valley Morning News:
http://tinyurl.com/2g6prz
Here is a grand opening ad from July 1955:
http://tinyurl.com/2edgwh
Here is a March 1958 ad from the Valley News:
http://tinyurl.com/yqbndk
Here is a September 1960 ad from the Valley News:
http://tinyurl.com/2zr23a
Here is a September 1960 ad from the Valley News:
http://tinyurl.com/27wkr6
Here is a September 1960 ad from the Valley News:
http://tinyurl.com/ywn2r9
In 1963 the Tropic was part of the MCM Theater Co, based in the Tropic building in Leesburg. The IMPA for that year states that the Tropic Florida in Leesburg was for “colored patronage”, so apparently the theater was segregated at that time.
In 1963 the Priest was part of MCM Theaters, headquartered in the Tropic Theater building in Leesburg, FL.
Listed as the Browny in the 1963 IMPA. Sconce Theaters was the operator at that time.
This was part of the Schwartz-Shulman circuit in the early sixties.
This was part of the Schwartz-Shulman circuit in the early sixties.
The Quaker was operated by Shea Enterprises in the early sixties. Gerald Shea was president and GM. This company ran theaters in New Hampshire, Ohio and Pennsylvania at the time.
In 1963 the Propst was part of the Stewart & Everett theater chain.
I had to drive to Lone Pine once back when I was delivering packages. I remember a theater on Main Street, which was the only real business avenue in the town, but that might have been in Bishop. I think the two towns are pretty close.