I found the original ad for the Spectrum Cinema. It opened on June 24, 1988. The Spectrum was billed as “the return of the elegant theater.†According to the ad, the Spectrum’s popcorn was served with real butter. Each cinema featured Dolby Surround Sound, with Lucasfilm THX sound in three of them. The Spectrum had marble floors and artwork by John Noestheden, and it was originally a Cineplex Odeon Theater.
The Gables Augusta Apartments now stand on the Spectrum’s site.
The Tower opened at 7:30 p.m. on February 14, 1936. The premier feature was “Barbary Coast†with Miriam Hopkins, Edward G. Robinson, and Joel McCrea. Opening night festivities included a 30-piece symphony orchestra and Blackstone the Magician. The correct zip code for this theater is 77006.
The Eastwood opened at 7:30 p.m. on March 6, 1936. The premier feature was “Barbary Coast†with Miriam Hopkins, Edward G. Robinson, and Joel McCrea.
The premier feature for this State Theater was “Strawberry Blonde†with James Cagney and Rita Hayworth. The State was advertised as “Houston Owned – Houston Operatedâ€.
The August 15, 1941 opening date is correct. The premier feature at the Village was “Road to Zanzibar†with Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour.
The McLendon Triple’s grand opening was at 8:00 p.m. on May 7, 1971. George Peppard participated in the grand opening ceremonies. The Drive-in was slated to be named the McLendon Astro, but the Houston Sports Association filed an injunction citing trademark infringement. The premier features were “Big Doll House†(Screen 1), “Horror House†(Screen 2), and George Peppard’s film “One More Train to Rob†(Screen 3).
The Alabama Theatre’s grand opening was at 7:15 p.m. on November 2, 1939. The premier feature was “Man About Town†with Jack Benny and Dorothy Lamour. The building contractor was George P. O’Rourke Construction Co.
The Yale Theater’s grand opening was at 7:30 p.m. on May 20, 1938. The Yale was originally managed by John Arnold. The premier feature was “Navy Blue and Gold†with Robert Young and James Stewart. The Yale’s sound system was Western Electric wide range sound.
The Delman Theater’s grand opening was at 6:15 p.m. on November 28, 1934. According to the Houston Post for that day and the next, the Delman was built by I.B. Adelman, owner/operator, and managed by L.O. Daniel, Jr. W. Scott Dunne was the architect. The premier feature was “Baby, Take a Bow†with Shirley Temple and Jimmy Dunn. The Delman was Houston’s first theater to be built especially for sound pictures. The projection and sound equipment was “the newest and most expensive type, an exact duplicate of that of Radio City Music Hall”. The auditorium was finished with acoustical plaster to absorb echoes and permit best sound presentation. The Delman was heated and air-conditioned.
The premier feature at the North Main was “Page Miss Glory” with Dick Powell and Marion Davies. The North Main advertised “modest prices 15-25¢. Children anytime 5¢.”
Billed as “Texas' largest”, the Trail Drive-In’s grand opening was at 7:00 p.m. on April 21, 1950. A “giant fireworks show” was to be held in conjunction. Advertised capacity was 1000 cars. The premier feature was “Tulsa” with Susan Hayward and Robert Preston. Kids under 12 were admitted free with their parents.
Did some digging and found original ads and missing information about this theater.
The Telephone Road Twin Drive In Theatre (official name) opened on June 29, 1967, and was part of the Stanley-Warner Theatres chain. Advertising in both the Houston Post and Houston Chronicle announced that the drive-in featured “an ultra modern circular concession building â€" exterior of brick and glass â€" interior of stainless steel and Formica. Snack bar deluxe features fast, fast service, plus…a complete vending auxiliary, where you’ll meet the talking “Coke†machine! Completely paved parking area has a dust free, smooth, silent surface. True fidelity speakers give you a new depth of sound. Plenty of room…the Telephone Road Twin Drive In Theatre has a capacity of 1500 cars. Super high intensity projection lamps and an extra large prism screen provide a new brilliance, color and sharpness to outdoor movies. All tile restroom facilities are spacious and clean. Four lane entrance…no waiting. Come as you are! Everyone will be there… How about YOU?â€
The ads mention Thomas N. Pauken & Associates, Dallas, Texas, and Bruce Willis Corp., 5630 South Acres Drive, Houston, Texas. Those are believed to be the drive-in’s architect firm and building contractor, respectively.
The Texan Theater’s grand opening was at 2 p.m. on April 4, 1925. The first movie to play there was “Janice Meredith” by Cosmopolitan Pictures. According to that day’s Houston Post-Dispatch, the theater featured an orchestra pit, Texas history photos in the foyer, and a children’s nursery in the basement. Actor J. Warren Kerrigan was slated to be present at the opening.
Cole Theaters operated a Lamar Theater in Richmond, and ads in old Fort Bend County newspapers advertised movie schedules for the Lamar. Was this and the Queen one and the same?
According to “Historic Matagorda County” by the Matagorda County Historical Commission, the Queen was the original name for the Hollywood. The Queen was, at one time, one of three theaters in Palacios. The other two were the Capitol and the Grenada. The Hollywood was also said to have been used for town meetings. It was closed in the 1960s, and it was the last theater to close in Palacios.
I found the original ad for the Spectrum Cinema. It opened on June 24, 1988. The Spectrum was billed as “the return of the elegant theater.†According to the ad, the Spectrum’s popcorn was served with real butter. Each cinema featured Dolby Surround Sound, with Lucasfilm THX sound in three of them. The Spectrum had marble floors and artwork by John Noestheden, and it was originally a Cineplex Odeon Theater.
The Gables Augusta Apartments now stand on the Spectrum’s site.
The correct zip for 12920 Northwest Freeway is 77040.
The Tower opened at 7:30 p.m. on February 14, 1936. The premier feature was “Barbary Coast†with Miriam Hopkins, Edward G. Robinson, and Joel McCrea. Opening night festivities included a 30-piece symphony orchestra and Blackstone the Magician. The correct zip code for this theater is 77006.
The Eastwood opened at 7:30 p.m. on March 6, 1936. The premier feature was “Barbary Coast†with Miriam Hopkins, Edward G. Robinson, and Joel McCrea.
The Metropolitan’s premier feature was “Stranded in Paris†with Bebe Daniels and James Hall.
The premier feature for this State Theater was “Strawberry Blonde†with James Cagney and Rita Hayworth. The State was advertised as “Houston Owned – Houston Operatedâ€.
The August 15, 1941 opening date is correct. The premier feature at the Village was “Road to Zanzibar†with Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour.
The McLendon Triple’s grand opening was at 8:00 p.m. on May 7, 1971. George Peppard participated in the grand opening ceremonies. The Drive-in was slated to be named the McLendon Astro, but the Houston Sports Association filed an injunction citing trademark infringement. The premier features were “Big Doll House†(Screen 1), “Horror House†(Screen 2), and George Peppard’s film “One More Train to Rob†(Screen 3).
The Alabama Theatre’s grand opening was at 7:15 p.m. on November 2, 1939. The premier feature was “Man About Town†with Jack Benny and Dorothy Lamour. The building contractor was George P. O’Rourke Construction Co.
The Navaway Theatre’s premier feature was “Man of Conquest†with Richard Dix and Joan Fontaine.
The Yale Theater’s grand opening was at 7:30 p.m. on May 20, 1938. The Yale was originally managed by John Arnold. The premier feature was “Navy Blue and Gold†with Robert Young and James Stewart. The Yale’s sound system was Western Electric wide range sound.
The Delman Theater’s grand opening was at 6:15 p.m. on November 28, 1934. According to the Houston Post for that day and the next, the Delman was built by I.B. Adelman, owner/operator, and managed by L.O. Daniel, Jr. W. Scott Dunne was the architect. The premier feature was “Baby, Take a Bow†with Shirley Temple and Jimmy Dunn. The Delman was Houston’s first theater to be built especially for sound pictures. The projection and sound equipment was “the newest and most expensive type, an exact duplicate of that of Radio City Music Hall”. The auditorium was finished with acoustical plaster to absorb echoes and permit best sound presentation. The Delman was heated and air-conditioned.
The Kirby was a Publix Theater.
The premier feature at the North Main was “Page Miss Glory” with Dick Powell and Marion Davies. The North Main advertised “modest prices 15-25¢. Children anytime 5¢.”
Billed as “Texas' largest”, the Trail Drive-In’s grand opening was at 7:00 p.m. on April 21, 1950. A “giant fireworks show” was to be held in conjunction. Advertised capacity was 1000 cars. The premier feature was “Tulsa” with Susan Hayward and Robert Preston. Kids under 12 were admitted free with their parents.
The Windsor opened on December 20, 1962. According to that day’s Houston Post, the Jefferson Circuit was its chain.
Here’s a nighttime shot of the Palms from 1984.
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P.S. Thanks, Ken, for the opening day date. That’s how I was able to find this.
Did some digging and found original ads and missing information about this theater.
The Telephone Road Twin Drive In Theatre (official name) opened on June 29, 1967, and was part of the Stanley-Warner Theatres chain. Advertising in both the Houston Post and Houston Chronicle announced that the drive-in featured “an ultra modern circular concession building â€" exterior of brick and glass â€" interior of stainless steel and Formica. Snack bar deluxe features fast, fast service, plus…a complete vending auxiliary, where you’ll meet the talking “Coke†machine! Completely paved parking area has a dust free, smooth, silent surface. True fidelity speakers give you a new depth of sound. Plenty of room…the Telephone Road Twin Drive In Theatre has a capacity of 1500 cars. Super high intensity projection lamps and an extra large prism screen provide a new brilliance, color and sharpness to outdoor movies. All tile restroom facilities are spacious and clean. Four lane entrance…no waiting. Come as you are! Everyone will be there… How about YOU?â€
The ads mention Thomas N. Pauken & Associates, Dallas, Texas, and Bruce Willis Corp., 5630 South Acres Drive, Houston, Texas. Those are believed to be the drive-in’s architect firm and building contractor, respectively.
The architects for this theater were Henry F. Jonas and Tabor. The building contractor was J.B. Townsend.
The Texan Theater’s grand opening was at 2 p.m. on April 4, 1925. The first movie to play there was “Janice Meredith” by Cosmopolitan Pictures. According to that day’s Houston Post-Dispatch, the theater featured an orchestra pit, Texas history photos in the foyer, and a children’s nursery in the basement. Actor J. Warren Kerrigan was slated to be present at the opening.
The Texas Theatre was built in 1927, and it was originally named the Colonial Theater. Gary Cooper’s film “Betrayal†played here.
You’re welcome.
Cole Theaters operated a Lamar Theater in Richmond, and ads in old Fort Bend County newspapers advertised movie schedules for the Lamar. Was this and the Queen one and the same?
According to “Historic Matagorda County” by the Matagorda County Historical Commission, the Queen was the original name for the Hollywood. The Queen was, at one time, one of three theaters in Palacios. The other two were the Capitol and the Grenada. The Hollywood was also said to have been used for town meetings. It was closed in the 1960s, and it was the last theater to close in Palacios.