There were many theaters named Orpheum, however, there were seven that were disigned and built in a very similar style. These were the live performance Orpheum’s bult prior to 1920. The Kansas City Orpheum was considered to be the most beautiful of the seven and took on a look similar to the Paris Opera House both inside and outside. The St. Louis Orpheum looks very Ksimilar inside to the KC Theater and it indeed still in operation but the main floor has been tiered. The paint color sceme is very similar to what was done to the KC Orpheum in 1951 to spruce it up for the showing of The Robe – the very first Cinimascope Picture. The theater was beautiful and in prestine condition. It was a pride of Kansas City along with The Loew’s Midland Theater a block away. Many Kansas Citians were horrifid to learn that the Tower and the Orpheum would be raised in the same year. We also saw the loss of the Esquire which had been recently renovated by a local owner. I think we are all still waiting for pics to be posted by bobster1985 – hope he does have some pics. At one time, I had an interior pic with the curtain open showing the cinimascope screen but have been unable to find it. The New Orleans Orpheum and the St. Louis Orpheum have very similar exteriors. The interiors are again similar but not quite as opulent as the KC Orpheum was. The Boston Orpheum is now gone and so is the Madison, WS. The Omaha Orpheum was built in a similar style and was larger – more similar to the Loew’s Midland – still very beautiful and in use for Live Stage Shows.
Tinseltoes – I have enjoyed seeing the different changes of the RKO Missouri (Mainstreet Theater). Do you have a ref of the changes that were made to the Liberty to the Roxy theater that also appeared in Box Office. The Roxy was a beautiful little Durwood Theater (actually their 2nd theater in KC)
Main Street between 11th and 12th Street was beutifully lit up with the Paramount and the Roxy Theater full of Neon Marquee’s. I watched as the Roxy Marquee was ripped down – broken neon everywhere. It was really sad. The replaced marquee was UGLY and I told that to Ralph Burhmaster – the Manager and also to Stan Durwood. Stan Durwood put money into the Roxy and also the redo of the Roxy into the Towne 4 Theaters knowing that they were going to be demolished a few eyars later. He set himself up to get top dollar for those two buildings. I still wish that the Roxy would have been saved and incorporated into the City Center. The CC was supposed to have a 6 screen movie theater in it. Never knew what happened.
The Dickenson Theater was a real beauty inside and out. Yes, the stage area was altered for a larger screen and surround sound etc. I do not live in Topeka, but went there as a kid with relatives when I visited. Why in the world would the arts community of Topeka ever had let this be demolished for a stupid surface parking lot. It would have been a wonderful smaller performing arts venue or playhouse. Stupid is Supid is Stupid is is is.
So what – the Marquee Lounge was pretty kool too. I do not remember any lounge called the Chesterfield unless it was the Lounge upstairs in the dome when the theater was called the RKO Missouri. The stairs going up to that lounge are gone. Also the 2nd floor ballroom that was also a dance studio. I worked there in 1965, 66 and early 67 and went thru every inch of that wonderful old theater. The lounge was pretty nice but had a lot of clutter in it just like all the store fronts became a catch all of old theater items like projectors speakers etc. I wish they would have left that 2nd floor ball room – it was beautiful and was one of a few areas of theater not destroyed by years of neglect. I wanted the old Academy and Studio marguee signs but they got thrown into the dumpster when the theater was beeing completely gutted. The old Empire signes with the crown was in there too.
OK maybe a different company but it was the same consept – look at both companies' websites. Again, it was a total bust. Why is it that the AMC Mainstreet sold more tickets for its downstairs 3 screening rooms that the upstairs? I had two bad experiences with the upstairs theaters and it is annoying. Also, with the Alamo operation, the prices will probably spike. I think that AMC was stupid for handing over the Mainstreet Theater. As for the Midland, when is Cordish going to start working on The Midland Tower and start repairing the problems in The Auditorium – cracks and paint chips and other plaster problems and burnt out light buibs?
I am pretty sure that the Alamo Drafthouse took over the closed Majestic Theater complex at Zona Rosa and added more screening rooms and it was a total flop and closed 7 weeks later. The thinking that everyone wants to watch movies with a lot of stinky food in the air is just wrong. It is not working like some people think it will. I am OK with adult beverages but I do not want to be interrupted during the movie like they presently do in the 3 upstairs theaters. Screening Room 3 down stairs is fantastic and they are going to ruin it. I think I am going to stick with The Fine Arts Theaters, The Tivoli and the Eastland Theaters. Mr. Williams when are you going to actually open the Englewood and keep it open? If not, please sell it to someone that will.
Does anyone know the current status of the restoration of the beautiful Uptown theater?. It would be great if the facde and maraquee could be restored and get the near by buildings occupied again.
Does anyone have any pictures towards the end – both interior and exterior? When I left the KC area it actually because a $1.00 house that started out at only $,50 and still had the very large movie screen that came out of the Tower Theater just before it was demolished. The drapes and screen were actually were brought forward in front of the original screen because the new screen was designed as a curved Todd-A-O wide screen. For years the Brookside was a First Run House. I still know many people that miss it and wish it were still in there beloved Brookside neighborhood. There were other spaces that the grocery strore could have been replaced but thanks to the suspicious fire, the grocery store was able to be rebuild as a twice as large modern store. More pics posted would be most appreciated.
The info is incorrect above. The beautiful theater was in operation on weekends up thru then end of 1969 or early 1970. It was a beauty in very nice condition. It was a Mom and Pop operation. They had even put in new lighting in the mid 60’s on the side walls. The screen was never changed to show wide screen movies but they did a matting trick. In the late 60’s there was an Independence Community Theater that tried to use the Granada and was willing to build out a stage coming forward that would have allowed for a larger movie screen to be installed. However, the City Council along with the owner of the local cab company had other plans. He wanted it demolished so he could park his cabs on that site. Everyone I talked to in Independence was sick over the covert action with the City Council to declare a “Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority” to become a Cap Parking Lot. If it would have remained standing, it would have still been in operation today as a Live Theater venue and also a specialty movie theater. This is a terrible loss for downtown Independence and the entire city. Very sad indeed. I watch it demolished in 1972 right after I was discharged from the Air Force. I tried my best to save it, but I could not compete with politics. It was in beautiful condition and not converted to any type of retail use when it was destroyed. Does anyone have any pics of this theater – I would live to have a copy. They are posted on OldKC.com but no one can copy pics from that site for personal use, nor can they buy them.
Are there any interior pics of the Empress. As a young boy, I can remember seeing it being demolished while riding in a 12th Street Streetcar on several occasions. It was a very large theater and maybe even larger than the Tower on 12th Street.
I reference to one of the above comment, I never did take any pictures and really regret it. I have a piece of Tera Cotta from the beautiful front of the building. There were rumors that Stan Durwood wanted to dismantle the front of the Roxy to have it redone in a multi-plex but that did not happen. It was sad to see it demolished especially when all the drapes were removed and you could see all the beautiful plaster work that was destroyed. It was truely a beautiful theater. When the theater was demolished all of the old theater organ pipes were also destroyed. The organ had been covered and it was also destroyed with no intention of saving it. Not even sure anyone knew it was there since it had been covered over for many years from the 1959 renovation. I do have a few interior display signs that were in the upstairs lounge. Wish we still had this wonderful theater.
Still hoping to find some quality interior auditorium pics of the Tower and Orpheum. However, I am not interested in interior pics of all the old downtown KC movie palaces.
Any assistance will be most appreciated.
Mike Gallagher
816 347-0487
I am trying to locate some different interior pics of the Tower and Orpheum Theaters. Mainly the Auditorium Pictures. Also, trying to find a serious of demolition pictures. They used to be avaialable with the Kansas City Star and the KC Public Library but I can no longer locate them.
Please call me at 816 347-0487 if you have any.
thanks,
Mike Gallagher
I love the new AMC Mainstreet – wish they would consider building on to it and add maybe another 6 screening rooms with about 150 seats each. The more people the relocate and move back downtown, the more business that the Mainstreet will get. I love the Power & Light District and hope for its success. Once we can secure a major league team at Sprint Center all will come together. Now hoping for the new 1000 room convention hotel to be built a block away from the Mainstreet Theater. I think that downtown KC is really looking up even if the economy is very bad right now.
I would agree with getting the Warren Theater Co. into the Palace and maybe even a few other theaters. They would fit right in with our wonderful local theater owners of the Eastland Theaters and the Fine Arts Theaters. The closest thing we have to a Warran Theater is the beautiful AMC Mainstreet which is a retored old movie palace. The outside of the building is one of the most beutiful in the entire city. Thanks AMC.
I was hoping that the Englewood Theater was going to re-open last Summer, but that did not happen. Rumor is that there were problems between the owner and Independence City Government. I was out in that are last week and several of the neighbors have heard sad news that the Englewood will be gutted in the near future with all the contents going to another Theater project outside of Independence, MO. I think it is going on more than 3 years since it was last opened, so the info must be true. I know that the Fine Arts Theater has never opened for the same reason – problems with permits and the Shawnee City Government. Maybe the Fine Arts Group or Mr. Williams should come to Lee’s Summit, MO where they will be greeted with opened arms and full assistance especially if they were to open a vintage style movie theater in the historic downtown district. When I think of all the movies that I would have loved to have seen at the Englewood – it just pains me to see this beautiful retro movie theater closed (guess I could say the same thing for two downtown theaters in Kansas City, KS – The Granada and the Avenue Theaters
To all the Kansas City theater lovers – wouldn’t it be wonderful if we still had the Orpheum, Tower, Paramount, Roxy, Empress, and Palace Thesters, not to forget some of our wonderful neighborhood theaters. I am still looking for a picture of the Aladdin Theater on Truman Road and Belmont when it was in operation. I am told that there are a lot of theater pictures at the UMKC Library, but I have never been there. Also would like the National Theater on Independence Ave.
Several years ago, someone posted pic of the Tower, Esquire and Orpheum Theater all being demolished withine 6 months apart in 1961. They
I wish someone had some good interior pictures of the Esquire and the Tower Theater. As for the “grind” house – I am not sure that was true of the Esquire (formerly 12th Street. I think someone is getting confused with the theater across the street facing McGee. It had a performing arts stage, back stage and dressing rooms. I think the Esquire theater was built strictly as a movie house with a theater organ installed. The stage was only big enough for the organ equipment, screen, curtain rigging and later the speakers.
I may be wrong, but I had been told this by my father.regular singer
I used to live in Manchester, NH in the early 80’s and was in the AF Reserve and went to Portsmouth, NH quite a bit. I loved the old Colonial Theater in the center of town. It was closed, but there was a video store in the lobby and the owner took me into the theater to see it after hours. It was a beauty and could have been a wonderful performing arts theater, or maybe modified and tiered for a banquet facility. I know about the old Music Hall – I saw movies in there. But, why would the City of Portsmouth have ever let that theater be demolished – that is just wrong. Can someone please post pics of the Colonial Theater?? What a sad loss for NH.
I worked at the Roxy Theater in the mid to late 60’s when it was owned by Durwood Theaters. It was always a classy 1st run house. We hated when the beautiful Neon Lit Marquee was ripped down and a very plan and boring marquee replaced. It was always maintained in very fine condition and was that way when it was demolished. I was in shock when I was dischared from the Air Forse after spending a year in Korea and driving thru downtown to see the Roxy and Paramount Theater (Towne lV Cinema) being readied for demolition. Much of the facade of both theaters should have been salvaged. Actually, the Roxy would have been the pefect “playhouse” for live theater if it would have been incorporated into the plans for that block renovation and a stage and back stage area built. Today, that would have happened for sure. Much of its interior beauty was hidden by drapes on the side walls and the ceiling painted black. If was a very beautiful and intimate movie theater. Some of the best films were shown there exclusively. I recall the Carpetbeggers having very long run with Carol Baker and that was Alan Ladd’s last film. It starred George Peppard in his best film role.
Wish we could have the Orpheum, Paramount, Roxy, Esquire, Tower, Palace, Empress and even the Regent back today. Kansas City with its live theater activity, opera, dance and art film interested could have found many uses for those once beautiful downtown venues.
Does anyone have any demolition pics of those theaters?
The Esquire Theater opened briefly in 1960 by the owner of the Waldo Theater and I think the name of the company was Commonwealth Theaters. They spend some money getting it all spruced up and then it was pretty much stolen from them and the lease broken inorder to just tear it down for a surface parking lot – the same fate of the beautiful Tower Theater that was in near perfect condition after begin renovated for several long runs of the movie Oklahoma and another long run exclusive film in Todd-A-O – Around the World in 80 Days. Recently installed seats at the Orpheum Theater when The Robe opened their were broght over to The Tower. Both theaters on 12th Street were beautiful and perfect! But, sadly demolished for a surface parking lot that is still in use today – nothing has been built on that site. Very Sad Indeed!
There were many theaters named Orpheum, however, there were seven that were disigned and built in a very similar style. These were the live performance Orpheum’s bult prior to 1920. The Kansas City Orpheum was considered to be the most beautiful of the seven and took on a look similar to the Paris Opera House both inside and outside. The St. Louis Orpheum looks very Ksimilar inside to the KC Theater and it indeed still in operation but the main floor has been tiered. The paint color sceme is very similar to what was done to the KC Orpheum in 1951 to spruce it up for the showing of The Robe – the very first Cinimascope Picture. The theater was beautiful and in prestine condition. It was a pride of Kansas City along with The Loew’s Midland Theater a block away. Many Kansas Citians were horrifid to learn that the Tower and the Orpheum would be raised in the same year. We also saw the loss of the Esquire which had been recently renovated by a local owner. I think we are all still waiting for pics to be posted by bobster1985 – hope he does have some pics. At one time, I had an interior pic with the curtain open showing the cinimascope screen but have been unable to find it. The New Orleans Orpheum and the St. Louis Orpheum have very similar exteriors. The interiors are again similar but not quite as opulent as the KC Orpheum was. The Boston Orpheum is now gone and so is the Madison, WS. The Omaha Orpheum was built in a similar style and was larger – more similar to the Loew’s Midland – still very beautiful and in use for Live Stage Shows.
Tinseltoes – I have enjoyed seeing the different changes of the RKO Missouri (Mainstreet Theater). Do you have a ref of the changes that were made to the Liberty to the Roxy theater that also appeared in Box Office. The Roxy was a beautiful little Durwood Theater (actually their 2nd theater in KC)
Main Street between 11th and 12th Street was beutifully lit up with the Paramount and the Roxy Theater full of Neon Marquee’s. I watched as the Roxy Marquee was ripped down – broken neon everywhere. It was really sad. The replaced marquee was UGLY and I told that to Ralph Burhmaster – the Manager and also to Stan Durwood. Stan Durwood put money into the Roxy and also the redo of the Roxy into the Towne 4 Theaters knowing that they were going to be demolished a few eyars later. He set himself up to get top dollar for those two buildings. I still wish that the Roxy would have been saved and incorporated into the City Center. The CC was supposed to have a 6 screen movie theater in it. Never knew what happened.
The Dickenson Theater was a real beauty inside and out. Yes, the stage area was altered for a larger screen and surround sound etc. I do not live in Topeka, but went there as a kid with relatives when I visited. Why in the world would the arts community of Topeka ever had let this be demolished for a stupid surface parking lot. It would have been a wonderful smaller performing arts venue or playhouse. Stupid is Supid is Stupid is is is.
So what – the Marquee Lounge was pretty kool too. I do not remember any lounge called the Chesterfield unless it was the Lounge upstairs in the dome when the theater was called the RKO Missouri. The stairs going up to that lounge are gone. Also the 2nd floor ballroom that was also a dance studio. I worked there in 1965, 66 and early 67 and went thru every inch of that wonderful old theater. The lounge was pretty nice but had a lot of clutter in it just like all the store fronts became a catch all of old theater items like projectors speakers etc. I wish they would have left that 2nd floor ball room – it was beautiful and was one of a few areas of theater not destroyed by years of neglect. I wanted the old Academy and Studio marguee signs but they got thrown into the dumpster when the theater was beeing completely gutted. The old Empire signes with the crown was in there too.
OK maybe a different company but it was the same consept – look at both companies' websites. Again, it was a total bust. Why is it that the AMC Mainstreet sold more tickets for its downstairs 3 screening rooms that the upstairs? I had two bad experiences with the upstairs theaters and it is annoying. Also, with the Alamo operation, the prices will probably spike. I think that AMC was stupid for handing over the Mainstreet Theater. As for the Midland, when is Cordish going to start working on The Midland Tower and start repairing the problems in The Auditorium – cracks and paint chips and other plaster problems and burnt out light buibs?
I am pretty sure that the Alamo Drafthouse took over the closed Majestic Theater complex at Zona Rosa and added more screening rooms and it was a total flop and closed 7 weeks later. The thinking that everyone wants to watch movies with a lot of stinky food in the air is just wrong. It is not working like some people think it will. I am OK with adult beverages but I do not want to be interrupted during the movie like they presently do in the 3 upstairs theaters. Screening Room 3 down stairs is fantastic and they are going to ruin it. I think I am going to stick with The Fine Arts Theaters, The Tivoli and the Eastland Theaters. Mr. Williams when are you going to actually open the Englewood and keep it open? If not, please sell it to someone that will.
Does anyone know the current status of the restoration of the beautiful Uptown theater?. It would be great if the facde and maraquee could be restored and get the near by buildings occupied again.
Wow, what a beauty that must be restored and saved. Much more beautiful than even the Chicago Theater. But, both are very important.
Does anyone have any pictures towards the end – both interior and exterior? When I left the KC area it actually because a $1.00 house that started out at only $,50 and still had the very large movie screen that came out of the Tower Theater just before it was demolished. The drapes and screen were actually were brought forward in front of the original screen because the new screen was designed as a curved Todd-A-O wide screen. For years the Brookside was a First Run House. I still know many people that miss it and wish it were still in there beloved Brookside neighborhood. There were other spaces that the grocery strore could have been replaced but thanks to the suspicious fire, the grocery store was able to be rebuild as a twice as large modern store. More pics posted would be most appreciated.
Sad loss to the US along with the Fabulous Fox in SF and the Roxy in NY. Terrible losses – there were others too, but these 3 were the most important.
The info is incorrect above. The beautiful theater was in operation on weekends up thru then end of 1969 or early 1970. It was a beauty in very nice condition. It was a Mom and Pop operation. They had even put in new lighting in the mid 60’s on the side walls. The screen was never changed to show wide screen movies but they did a matting trick. In the late 60’s there was an Independence Community Theater that tried to use the Granada and was willing to build out a stage coming forward that would have allowed for a larger movie screen to be installed. However, the City Council along with the owner of the local cab company had other plans. He wanted it demolished so he could park his cabs on that site. Everyone I talked to in Independence was sick over the covert action with the City Council to declare a “Land Clearance for Redevelopment Authority” to become a Cap Parking Lot. If it would have remained standing, it would have still been in operation today as a Live Theater venue and also a specialty movie theater. This is a terrible loss for downtown Independence and the entire city. Very sad indeed. I watch it demolished in 1972 right after I was discharged from the Air Force. I tried my best to save it, but I could not compete with politics. It was in beautiful condition and not converted to any type of retail use when it was destroyed. Does anyone have any pics of this theater – I would live to have a copy. They are posted on OldKC.com but no one can copy pics from that site for personal use, nor can they buy them.
Was this theater ever restored? Where was it located?
Are there any interior pics of the Empress. As a young boy, I can remember seeing it being demolished while riding in a 12th Street Streetcar on several occasions. It was a very large theater and maybe even larger than the Tower on 12th Street.
I reference to one of the above comment, I never did take any pictures and really regret it. I have a piece of Tera Cotta from the beautiful front of the building. There were rumors that Stan Durwood wanted to dismantle the front of the Roxy to have it redone in a multi-plex but that did not happen. It was sad to see it demolished especially when all the drapes were removed and you could see all the beautiful plaster work that was destroyed. It was truely a beautiful theater. When the theater was demolished all of the old theater organ pipes were also destroyed. The organ had been covered and it was also destroyed with no intention of saving it. Not even sure anyone knew it was there since it had been covered over for many years from the 1959 renovation. I do have a few interior display signs that were in the upstairs lounge. Wish we still had this wonderful theater.
Still hoping to find some quality interior auditorium pics of the Tower and Orpheum. However, I am not interested in interior pics of all the old downtown KC movie palaces.
Any assistance will be most appreciated.
Mike Gallagher
816 347-0487
I am trying to locate some different interior pics of the Tower and Orpheum Theaters. Mainly the Auditorium Pictures. Also, trying to find a serious of demolition pictures. They used to be avaialable with the Kansas City Star and the KC Public Library but I can no longer locate them.
Please call me at 816 347-0487 if you have any.
thanks,
Mike Gallagher
I love the new AMC Mainstreet – wish they would consider building on to it and add maybe another 6 screening rooms with about 150 seats each. The more people the relocate and move back downtown, the more business that the Mainstreet will get. I love the Power & Light District and hope for its success. Once we can secure a major league team at Sprint Center all will come together. Now hoping for the new 1000 room convention hotel to be built a block away from the Mainstreet Theater. I think that downtown KC is really looking up even if the economy is very bad right now.
I would agree with getting the Warren Theater Co. into the Palace and maybe even a few other theaters. They would fit right in with our wonderful local theater owners of the Eastland Theaters and the Fine Arts Theaters. The closest thing we have to a Warran Theater is the beautiful AMC Mainstreet which is a retored old movie palace. The outside of the building is one of the most beutiful in the entire city. Thanks AMC.
I was hoping that the Englewood Theater was going to re-open last Summer, but that did not happen. Rumor is that there were problems between the owner and Independence City Government. I was out in that are last week and several of the neighbors have heard sad news that the Englewood will be gutted in the near future with all the contents going to another Theater project outside of Independence, MO. I think it is going on more than 3 years since it was last opened, so the info must be true. I know that the Fine Arts Theater has never opened for the same reason – problems with permits and the Shawnee City Government. Maybe the Fine Arts Group or Mr. Williams should come to Lee’s Summit, MO where they will be greeted with opened arms and full assistance especially if they were to open a vintage style movie theater in the historic downtown district. When I think of all the movies that I would have loved to have seen at the Englewood – it just pains me to see this beautiful retro movie theater closed (guess I could say the same thing for two downtown theaters in Kansas City, KS – The Granada and the Avenue Theaters
To all the Kansas City theater lovers – wouldn’t it be wonderful if we still had the Orpheum, Tower, Paramount, Roxy, Empress, and Palace Thesters, not to forget some of our wonderful neighborhood theaters. I am still looking for a picture of the Aladdin Theater on Truman Road and Belmont when it was in operation. I am told that there are a lot of theater pictures at the UMKC Library, but I have never been there. Also would like the National Theater on Independence Ave.
Several years ago, someone posted pic of the Tower, Esquire and Orpheum Theater all being demolished withine 6 months apart in 1961. They
I wish someone had some good interior pictures of the Esquire and the Tower Theater. As for the “grind” house – I am not sure that was true of the Esquire (formerly 12th Street. I think someone is getting confused with the theater across the street facing McGee. It had a performing arts stage, back stage and dressing rooms. I think the Esquire theater was built strictly as a movie house with a theater organ installed. The stage was only big enough for the organ equipment, screen, curtain rigging and later the speakers.
I may be wrong, but I had been told this by my father.regular singer
I used to live in Manchester, NH in the early 80’s and was in the AF Reserve and went to Portsmouth, NH quite a bit. I loved the old Colonial Theater in the center of town. It was closed, but there was a video store in the lobby and the owner took me into the theater to see it after hours. It was a beauty and could have been a wonderful performing arts theater, or maybe modified and tiered for a banquet facility. I know about the old Music Hall – I saw movies in there. But, why would the City of Portsmouth have ever let that theater be demolished – that is just wrong. Can someone please post pics of the Colonial Theater?? What a sad loss for NH.
I worked at the Roxy Theater in the mid to late 60’s when it was owned by Durwood Theaters. It was always a classy 1st run house. We hated when the beautiful Neon Lit Marquee was ripped down and a very plan and boring marquee replaced. It was always maintained in very fine condition and was that way when it was demolished. I was in shock when I was dischared from the Air Forse after spending a year in Korea and driving thru downtown to see the Roxy and Paramount Theater (Towne lV Cinema) being readied for demolition. Much of the facade of both theaters should have been salvaged. Actually, the Roxy would have been the pefect “playhouse” for live theater if it would have been incorporated into the plans for that block renovation and a stage and back stage area built. Today, that would have happened for sure. Much of its interior beauty was hidden by drapes on the side walls and the ceiling painted black. If was a very beautiful and intimate movie theater. Some of the best films were shown there exclusively. I recall the Carpetbeggers having very long run with Carol Baker and that was Alan Ladd’s last film. It starred George Peppard in his best film role.
Wish we could have the Orpheum, Paramount, Roxy, Esquire, Tower, Palace, Empress and even the Regent back today. Kansas City with its live theater activity, opera, dance and art film interested could have found many uses for those once beautiful downtown venues.
Does anyone have any demolition pics of those theaters?
The Esquire Theater opened briefly in 1960 by the owner of the Waldo Theater and I think the name of the company was Commonwealth Theaters. They spend some money getting it all spruced up and then it was pretty much stolen from them and the lease broken inorder to just tear it down for a surface parking lot – the same fate of the beautiful Tower Theater that was in near perfect condition after begin renovated for several long runs of the movie Oklahoma and another long run exclusive film in Todd-A-O – Around the World in 80 Days. Recently installed seats at the Orpheum Theater when The Robe opened their were broght over to The Tower. Both theaters on 12th Street were beautiful and perfect! But, sadly demolished for a surface parking lot that is still in use today – nothing has been built on that site. Very Sad Indeed!