Cumberland Mall opened theatre-less on October 30, 1973. But months earlier, General Cinema Corp. (GCC) signed on to be the Mall’s theatre with a twin. It launched there on February 8, 1974 with Sleeper and Robin Hood. Each auditorium seated 352 at opening of 704 total. It featured an art gallery in its lobby for local artists. On November 21, 1983, it became the Budco Cumberland Mall Cinema 1 & 2. In December of 1986, AMC acquired Budco operating until the end of a 20-year lease in 1994 as AMC Cumberland Mall 2.
Name after 2022 refresh is - Malco Fort Smith Cinema (no #). A summer 2025 refresh converted all auditoriums to luxury recliner seating and added Malco’s premium largescreen format, MXT “Extreme” Theatre, and both expanded food and arcade options.
The Royal Theatre opened on February 9, 1940 with “The Amazing Mr. Williams” and “In Old Caliente.” Robert L Lippert of Lippert Theatres and Action Pictures Inc. took on the venue in 1943. A deal that would have demolished the theater in favor of a car lot in 1948 wasn’t consummated with the theater carrying onward for another 30 plus years. The final film appears to have been “The Wilderness Family 2” on February 3, 1980 - undoubtedly at the end of a second 20-year leasing cycle. It had a brief run as the Cine Mexican showing Spanish language films and a brief run back as the Royal Theatre hosting religious themed events. The project was then supposed to be demolished for the Mexican Plaza project which also appears to have stalled. But the venue was finally demolished.
The Royal Theatre opened on February 9, 1940 with “The Amazing Mr. Williams” and “In Old Caliente.” The final film appears to have been “The Wilderness Family 2” on February 3, 1980 - undoubtedly at the end of a second 20-year leasing cycle.
There were three Sanger Theatres in three different buildings. The first operated by M.C. Armstrong until 1928. Then Mr. and Mrs. William R. Gustine and Frank Kummeth opened in his existing Kummeth Building as the New Sanger Theatre on June 2, 1928 with Buster Keaton in “Steamboat Bill.” They added sound on February 28, 1929. Meanwhile, the 13-year old Bell Theatre closed on May 5, 1929.
Realizing they needed a better facility, Kummeth wenteth as the trio teamed on a new, new Sanger Theatre here. Going for a Spanish Colonial look, the pair dumped the disc-based sound system for a new Western Electric sound on film technology. They opened new, new Sanger Theatre on January 17, 1930 with “Untamed.” Grand opening ad and theater picture in photos. George Hendrix operated the confectaurant that served as the venue’s de facto concessionnaire.
The theater closed after Lippert Theatres took over for a refresh relaunching with a new look on May 6, 1949 with “The Four Dudes” and new rocking chair seats in the loge. It had its own snack bar. New operator William Meyers took over at the end of the building’s 30-year leasing contract in 1959. He operated it to end of a 10-year lease hoping to renew. But in early 1969, building inspectors saw cracks that indicated that the building was unsafe and, after a salvage auction, it was demolished in May and June of 1969.
The Bell Theatre opened in 1916 by Mr. and Mrs. M.S. Owings. But 13 years later the bells tolled for the venue when the competing New Sanger got sound in 1929 and a new Sanger was under construction. Mrs. Owings and M.C. Armstrong operated to closure on May 5, 1929 under competition from the sound film era’s New Sanger Theatre and an even better theater under construction.
The Pussycat Theatre and moniker was discontinued following the June 22, 1989 showings. It briefly became el Teatro Mexicana on July 7, 1989 showing third-run, 99 cent double feature, Spanish language films. It switched back to Hollywood sub-run films as the New Mayfair Theatre on October 27, 1989 with “Honey I Shrunk the Kids.” That lasted until Christmas Eve closing with “Sea of Love. ”
Second City refreshed it for live events in 1990 followed by its run as a repertory house - the Mayfair Theatre - beginning on October 19, 1990 with “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” It lasted for a short time closing. It reopened October 4, 1991 by Starplex Entertainment of Hollywood with “Regarding Henry” and “Soapdish” as a sub-run house working into 1992. It went to live events . It went dark in November of 1993 and was offered for sale for $750k. It was demolished in 2004 as the Mayfair Theatre.
The original Isis Theate was opened by druggist Delacy Clarke on September 4, 1911 on Main Street. A local historian says the Isis debuted August 19, 1914 with “The Valley of the Moon.” The Isis was rebooted 15 years after the original reopening as the Ojai Theatre on May 10, 1926.
The theater basically survived to the end of a second 20-year leasing agreement closing with mainstream films in 1965. William Glasgow took on the venue after a refresh relaunching as an art film venue as the Glasgow Playhouse on June 15, 1966 with the Merchant Ivory film, “Shakespeare Wallah.” That policy runs for a year and a note about unpaid taxes. Ted Morris' B&B Amusements took on the venue relaunching with “The Mad Woman of Chaillot” “Rachel Rachel” on January 29, 1970. It appears to have closed August 5, 1982 with “Chariots of Fire.”
Khaled Al-Awar took on the venue in 1983 renaming it as the Ojai Playhouse with Roy Scheider in “Blue Thunder” on August 5, 1983. It ran with mainstream movies to March 2, 2008 with “No Country for Old Men.” The Hartleys took it over from there as a film society and art house venue. After a $10 million renovation David Berger reopened it with repertory films on November 22, 2024 with “Heat.”
George Sparks wanted Fort Smith to have a first class opera house and created the New Theatre. He created interest by having the theater’s Boller Bros. design on display at the Boston Store months prior to its September 29, 1911. It started with a live play by a traveling company of “The Third Degree.” But live stage was not as profitable as films by the end of the War and the New’s policy went over to full time film in 1919 likely on a 30-year leasing agreement. 30 years later it became the “new” Malco Theatre as noted above.
The Majestic Theatre opened on April 2, 1906 for Interstate Theatres. On May 12, 1919 it became the Victory Theatre. Dr. Hoyt Fitzpatrick changed it to a name he trusted - Hoyt’s Theatre on Feb. 25, 1925
Opened namelessly on April 14, 1909 with the film, “The Inauguration of Taft” that had taken place the previous month. $10 in gold went to the person with the name… Joie
Opened December 19, 1941 as a second/third run double-feature house with 625 seats and a balcony for African American patrons. Playing opening night was “Blue Montana Sky” and “Flying Deuces”
W.C. Fields was on hand to greet the opening day Strand Theatre with six acts of vaudeville and Fields' “So’s Your Old Man” with Hons Wagner playing the three manual Austin Grand Pipe organ on November 11, 1926.
East Hampton Theatre #1 was purportedly the former Siebert’s Opera House from the late 19th Century that had switched to films as the Majestic Theatre. The 300-seat venue was run by Paul Blanchard and purchased in late December 1929 by Deputy Sheriff Roy Young who wired it for sound and changed its name to East Hampton Theatre. On January 3, 1934 under operator Nathan Lampert, the interior was ruined by a fire.
According to reports, Lampert built the East Hampton Theatre #2 in 1935 opening in 1936. Lampert’s granddaughter Mary Markoff along with Ted and Joe Markoff (T&J Theatres) took on the venue during the War. They were also running the Colchester Theatre and would open the Portland (CT.) Drive-In while later taking over Norwich’s Midtown Theatre. The East Hampton closed, In 1970, the Knights of Columbus took on the venue converting it to a fraternal hall.
How depressed was everyone with the Wilton Cinema closed on May 30, 1994? So bad that when Loews shuttered following the last showtimes that it showed “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues.” Loews was working month-to-month leasing unable to get a favorable renewal. So they were booted and the space demolished for a T.J. Maxx retail clothing store.
In late 1991, Lake Zurich-based Tom and Jeff Rhyan’s Rhyan Management Corporation (RMC) got permission to build a 2,200 seat 8-plex. The Lake Zurich Theatres opened for RMC here on January 1, 1993 with 8 screens expanding to 10 open screens. A potential expansion fell through due to traffic concerns with Rhyan extending to 12 screens and holding tight. Regal took over the Crystal Lake Showcase and here on May 21, 1999 committed to adding up to 12 more screens to double screen count in Lake Z. With the traffic issues unresolved, Regal left it at a dozen-plex.
The venue closed March 16, 2020 for the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened briefly in August of 2020 only to close again on October 8, 2020. It then reopened on May 21, 2021. Regal closed here August 14, 2025. A plan earlier in the year proposed demolishing the theater for an apartment complex.
I’m no expert but you appear to be conflating two different venues. And please don’t change the entry above because you may be correct. My research reflects that the Gates Building was a post-Civil War era structure built in 1867. It was known for “Tip Top Hall” - a second floor venue at 13-17 South Main. It had a stage and 250 seats. On May 3, 1913, it became the Tip Top Theatre showing motion pictures run by Abe and Harry Lazinsk who additionally ran the Tip Top dry goods store at street level. The Lazinsks sold out both top and bottom. From 1924 to December 1963, the lower floor housed the local Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) Grocer. (Photos show the Tip Top Store signage on the side and the Great Atlantic & Pacific signage on the front.) In 1924, Paul Blanchard took over the top floor Tip Top Theater showing silent films.
In 1929, the Lazinsks bought the silent house back from Blanchard and they programmed a combination of events and silent movies into 1931. They tested sound, switched back to silent films, but soon discontinued all film programming there later in 1931. The venue was returned to its original Tip Top Hall moniker whose use was discontinued during World War II. Following A&P’s departure, the nearly 100-year old building was demolished in January of 1964.
I believe the Colchester Theatre was a 350-seat street level movie house at 236 South Main on November 24, 1934. (A total guess here but the structure might have been a former livery - not an unusual transition even in the 1930s. But not at all sure about that.) Nathan Lampert who was building the new-build East Hampton Theatre came into run it in 1935.
Lampert’s granddaughter Mary Markoff along with Ted and Joe Markoff (T&J Theatres) took on the venue during the War. The Colchester Theatre operated regularly to August 20, 1960 - likely closing at the end of 25-year leasing agreement with “From the Terrace.” The Markoffs would operate the Midtown in Norwich and Portland (Ct.) Drive-In in addition to the East Hampton and Colchester.
Used sporadically with events and screenings throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, the Colchester Theatre comes back one more time on August 30, 1974 after a refresh now with 280 seats and playing “For Pete’s Sake.” This doesn’t work out long-term and the building is sold and used as a fraternal hall in 1979.
I’ve posted some visual evidence from the historical societies in that area perhaps to give some additional evidence if that’s helpful. But again, don’t attribute this research to others (the 1930s is a bit of challenge to figure out and the historical society identifies the earlier building differently) so I may be totally off base here. Perhaps the original contributor can clarify the entry so that it can be properly attributed to him; or a local expert can get this over the goal line.
Cumberland Mall opened theatre-less on October 30, 1973. But months earlier, General Cinema Corp. (GCC) signed on to be the Mall’s theatre with a twin. It launched there on February 8, 1974 with Sleeper and Robin Hood. Each auditorium seated 352 at opening of 704 total. It featured an art gallery in its lobby for local artists. On November 21, 1983, it became the Budco Cumberland Mall Cinema 1 & 2. In December of 1986, AMC acquired Budco operating until the end of a 20-year lease in 1994 as AMC Cumberland Mall 2.
Name after 2022 refresh is - Malco Fort Smith Cinema (no #). A summer 2025 refresh converted all auditoriums to luxury recliner seating and added Malco’s premium largescreen format, MXT “Extreme” Theatre, and both expanded food and arcade options.
Closed permanently on August 24, 2025 to become Airtopia Adventure Park.
The Royal Theatre opened on February 9, 1940 with “The Amazing Mr. Williams” and “In Old Caliente.” Robert L Lippert of Lippert Theatres and Action Pictures Inc. took on the venue in 1943. A deal that would have demolished the theater in favor of a car lot in 1948 wasn’t consummated with the theater carrying onward for another 30 plus years. The final film appears to have been “The Wilderness Family 2” on February 3, 1980 - undoubtedly at the end of a second 20-year leasing cycle. It had a brief run as the Cine Mexican showing Spanish language films and a brief run back as the Royal Theatre hosting religious themed events. The project was then supposed to be demolished for the Mexican Plaza project which also appears to have stalled. But the venue was finally demolished.
The Royal Theatre opened on February 9, 1940 with “The Amazing Mr. Williams” and “In Old Caliente.” The final film appears to have been “The Wilderness Family 2” on February 3, 1980 - undoubtedly at the end of a second 20-year leasing cycle.
There were three Sanger Theatres in three different buildings. The first operated by M.C. Armstrong until 1928. Then Mr. and Mrs. William R. Gustine and Frank Kummeth opened in his existing Kummeth Building as the New Sanger Theatre on June 2, 1928 with Buster Keaton in “Steamboat Bill.” They added sound on February 28, 1929. Meanwhile, the 13-year old Bell Theatre closed on May 5, 1929.
Realizing they needed a better facility, Kummeth wenteth as the trio teamed on a new, new Sanger Theatre here. Going for a Spanish Colonial look, the pair dumped the disc-based sound system for a new Western Electric sound on film technology. They opened new, new Sanger Theatre on January 17, 1930 with “Untamed.” Grand opening ad and theater picture in photos. George Hendrix operated the confectaurant that served as the venue’s de facto concessionnaire.
The theater closed after Lippert Theatres took over for a refresh relaunching with a new look on May 6, 1949 with “The Four Dudes” and new rocking chair seats in the loge. It had its own snack bar. New operator William Meyers took over at the end of the building’s 30-year leasing contract in 1959. He operated it to end of a 10-year lease hoping to renew. But in early 1969, building inspectors saw cracks that indicated that the building was unsafe and, after a salvage auction, it was demolished in May and June of 1969.
The Bell Theatre opened in 1916 by Mr. and Mrs. M.S. Owings. But 13 years later the bells tolled for the venue when the competing New Sanger got sound in 1929 and a new Sanger was under construction. Mrs. Owings and M.C. Armstrong operated to closure on May 5, 1929 under competition from the sound film era’s New Sanger Theatre and an even better theater under construction.
The Pussycat Theatre and moniker was discontinued following the June 22, 1989 showings. It briefly became el Teatro Mexicana on July 7, 1989 showing third-run, 99 cent double feature, Spanish language films. It switched back to Hollywood sub-run films as the New Mayfair Theatre on October 27, 1989 with “Honey I Shrunk the Kids.” That lasted until Christmas Eve closing with “Sea of Love. ”
Second City refreshed it for live events in 1990 followed by its run as a repertory house - the Mayfair Theatre - beginning on October 19, 1990 with “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” It lasted for a short time closing. It reopened October 4, 1991 by Starplex Entertainment of Hollywood with “Regarding Henry” and “Soapdish” as a sub-run house working into 1992. It went to live events . It went dark in November of 1993 and was offered for sale for $750k. It was demolished in 2004 as the Mayfair Theatre.
The original Isis Theate was opened by druggist Delacy Clarke on September 4, 1911 on Main Street. A local historian says the Isis debuted August 19, 1914 with “The Valley of the Moon.” The Isis was rebooted 15 years after the original reopening as the Ojai Theatre on May 10, 1926.
The theater basically survived to the end of a second 20-year leasing agreement closing with mainstream films in 1965. William Glasgow took on the venue after a refresh relaunching as an art film venue as the Glasgow Playhouse on June 15, 1966 with the Merchant Ivory film, “Shakespeare Wallah.” That policy runs for a year and a note about unpaid taxes. Ted Morris' B&B Amusements took on the venue relaunching with “The Mad Woman of Chaillot” “Rachel Rachel” on January 29, 1970. It appears to have closed August 5, 1982 with “Chariots of Fire.”
Khaled Al-Awar took on the venue in 1983 renaming it as the Ojai Playhouse with Roy Scheider in “Blue Thunder” on August 5, 1983. It ran with mainstream movies to March 2, 2008 with “No Country for Old Men.” The Hartleys took it over from there as a film society and art house venue. After a $10 million renovation David Berger reopened it with repertory films on November 22, 2024 with “Heat.”
Set for demolition for senior citizen housing (2025)
Opened with “Smash Up” supported by two cartoons on December 16, 1948
Opening film was “It’s Love Again” on Nov. 20, 1936.
George Sparks wanted Fort Smith to have a first class opera house and created the New Theatre. He created interest by having the theater’s Boller Bros. design on display at the Boston Store months prior to its September 29, 1911. It started with a live play by a traveling company of “The Third Degree.” But live stage was not as profitable as films by the end of the War and the New’s policy went over to full time film in 1919 likely on a 30-year leasing agreement. 30 years later it became the “new” Malco Theatre as noted above.
The Majestic Theatre opened on April 2, 1906 for Interstate Theatres. On May 12, 1919 it became the Victory Theatre. Dr. Hoyt Fitzpatrick changed it to a name he trusted - Hoyt’s Theatre on Feb. 25, 1925
Transformed to the Spartan Adventure Park after its 2017 demise
Van Buren’s Rex opened July 20, 1928
Opened namelessly on April 14, 1909 with the film, “The Inauguration of Taft” that had taken place the previous month. $10 in gold went to the person with the name… Joie
Opened December 19, 1941 as a second/third run double-feature house with 625 seats and a balcony for African American patrons. Playing opening night was “Blue Montana Sky” and “Flying Deuces”
May 4, 1948 grand opening for Bill Spicer’s 71 Drive-In with “Buck Privates Come Home” in photos.
Grand opening was June 4, 1948 with “Daisy Kenyon” (ad in photos).
W.C. Fields was on hand to greet the opening day Strand Theatre with six acts of vaudeville and Fields' “So’s Your Old Man” with Hons Wagner playing the three manual Austin Grand Pipe organ on November 11, 1926.
East Hampton Theatre #1 was purportedly the former Siebert’s Opera House from the late 19th Century that had switched to films as the Majestic Theatre. The 300-seat venue was run by Paul Blanchard and purchased in late December 1929 by Deputy Sheriff Roy Young who wired it for sound and changed its name to East Hampton Theatre. On January 3, 1934 under operator Nathan Lampert, the interior was ruined by a fire.
According to reports, Lampert built the East Hampton Theatre #2 in 1935 opening in 1936. Lampert’s granddaughter Mary Markoff along with Ted and Joe Markoff (T&J Theatres) took on the venue during the War. They were also running the Colchester Theatre and would open the Portland (CT.) Drive-In while later taking over Norwich’s Midtown Theatre. The East Hampton closed, In 1970, the Knights of Columbus took on the venue converting it to a fraternal hall.
How depressed was everyone with the Wilton Cinema closed on May 30, 1994? So bad that when Loews shuttered following the last showtimes that it showed “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues.” Loews was working month-to-month leasing unable to get a favorable renewal. So they were booted and the space demolished for a T.J. Maxx retail clothing store.
In late 1991, Lake Zurich-based Tom and Jeff Rhyan’s Rhyan Management Corporation (RMC) got permission to build a 2,200 seat 8-plex. The Lake Zurich Theatres opened for RMC here on January 1, 1993 with 8 screens expanding to 10 open screens. A potential expansion fell through due to traffic concerns with Rhyan extending to 12 screens and holding tight. Regal took over the Crystal Lake Showcase and here on May 21, 1999 committed to adding up to 12 more screens to double screen count in Lake Z. With the traffic issues unresolved, Regal left it at a dozen-plex.
The venue closed March 16, 2020 for the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened briefly in August of 2020 only to close again on October 8, 2020. It then reopened on May 21, 2021. Regal closed here August 14, 2025. A plan earlier in the year proposed demolishing the theater for an apartment complex.
I’m no expert but you appear to be conflating two different venues. And please don’t change the entry above because you may be correct. My research reflects that the Gates Building was a post-Civil War era structure built in 1867. It was known for “Tip Top Hall” - a second floor venue at 13-17 South Main. It had a stage and 250 seats. On May 3, 1913, it became the Tip Top Theatre showing motion pictures run by Abe and Harry Lazinsk who additionally ran the Tip Top dry goods store at street level. The Lazinsks sold out both top and bottom. From 1924 to December 1963, the lower floor housed the local Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) Grocer. (Photos show the Tip Top Store signage on the side and the Great Atlantic & Pacific signage on the front.) In 1924, Paul Blanchard took over the top floor Tip Top Theater showing silent films.
In 1929, the Lazinsks bought the silent house back from Blanchard and they programmed a combination of events and silent movies into 1931. They tested sound, switched back to silent films, but soon discontinued all film programming there later in 1931. The venue was returned to its original Tip Top Hall moniker whose use was discontinued during World War II. Following A&P’s departure, the nearly 100-year old building was demolished in January of 1964.
I believe the Colchester Theatre was a 350-seat street level movie house at 236 South Main on November 24, 1934. (A total guess here but the structure might have been a former livery - not an unusual transition even in the 1930s. But not at all sure about that.) Nathan Lampert who was building the new-build East Hampton Theatre came into run it in 1935.
Lampert’s granddaughter Mary Markoff along with Ted and Joe Markoff (T&J Theatres) took on the venue during the War. The Colchester Theatre operated regularly to August 20, 1960 - likely closing at the end of 25-year leasing agreement with “From the Terrace.” The Markoffs would operate the Midtown in Norwich and Portland (Ct.) Drive-In in addition to the East Hampton and Colchester.
Used sporadically with events and screenings throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, the Colchester Theatre comes back one more time on August 30, 1974 after a refresh now with 280 seats and playing “For Pete’s Sake.” This doesn’t work out long-term and the building is sold and used as a fraternal hall in 1979.
I’ve posted some visual evidence from the historical societies in that area perhaps to give some additional evidence if that’s helpful. But again, don’t attribute this research to others (the 1930s is a bit of challenge to figure out and the historical society identifies the earlier building differently) so I may be totally off base here. Perhaps the original contributor can clarify the entry so that it can be properly attributed to him; or a local expert can get this over the goal line.