This film was playing at the Paramount on 2/21/43:
STARTS TOMORROW – ADULTS ONLY!
NO GREATER SIN
Sin Dens Exposed as Under-Age Girls' Menace
Thrill Seeking MEN!
Other theaters advertised in the Hammond Times were the Calumet, Parthenon, Hohman, Orpheum, American, Midway, Ace, Rio, Vic, Forsythe Capitol, Indiana, Voge, Hoosier and Broadway.
Some heavyweights were invited to the opening of the theater on
June 10, 1930:
Adolph Zukor and Jesse L. Lasky, masterminds of the Paramount-Publix corporation, have been invited to attend the Thursday evening opening of the Middletown Paramount theater. It was announced today by Harry C. Stowell, manager. It is not known definitely whether they will be able to appear but other executives of the company, including Martin Mullen, director of the Northwest territory, have signified an intention to participate.
Charles “Buddy” Rogers will greet the first Middletown audience through a specially made talkie film.
The Oakland Tribune had a story on the theater’s re-opening in June 1933:
PARAMOUNT THEATER WILL OPEN TOMORROW
Paramount to Open Doors at 11:30 Friday
Tomorrow, at noon, Oakland’s Paramount Theater once again throws open its doors to offer this city motion picture entertainment
ot the finest type in a surrounding of luxury. The Paramount’s policy will present one feature picture each week. In addition each program will be enhanced by the highest grade comedies, scenics, cartoons and other short subjects plus Paramount news items.
The first feature picture on the Paramount screen for the week
starting tomorrow will be the Paramount “International House,"
comedy featuring 14 stars, 140 girls and offering enough comedy to provoke 1400 laughs. Second in importance on the program will be a 30 minute subject "Isle of Desire,” said to be something new in screen entertainment enacted by a South Sea native cast and resembling in story a Jack London fabled journey into this picturesque clime. A “Popeye” cartoon will add to the laughs of the new show, coupled with other short subjects and news reviews.
The doors of the Paramount will open at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow to
afford visitors opportunity to wander through the foyers, lounge
rooms, mezzanine and the mural rooms before seeking their seat for
the first show. Under the direction of Fox West Coast Theaters, the Paramount will be operated on the new low price schedule of 25 cents matinee until 1 p.m., 30 cents from 1 until 5 p.m. and 40 cents at night. Change of program will be made every Friday.
The Paramount Theater is regarded as the finest in terms of architecture, fittings, and comfort on the Pacific Coast. Its opening
definitely places Oakland first on the Coast in possession of superior theater edifices, and under the operation of Fox West Coast Theaters the Paramount is assured of the finest feature pictures produced by the leading Hollywood studios. The management of the theater will be under the veteran direction of A. M. Bowles, head of Fox West Coast Theaters in Northern California, aided by Richard Spier, district manager, and Frank Burhans, resident manager. A large staff of employees have been secured, which will add to the yearly payroll of Oakland.
Here is a 1950 article on the demise of the Fox architect:
LARRY P. LARSEN OF WEBB CITY DIES
Owner of Civic Theater and Designer of More Than 100 Playhouses
Succumbs Unexpectedly.
Larry P. Larsen, 57 years old, 119 North Ball street, died at 12:40 o'clock this afternoon in St. John’s hospital in Joplin. He had been ill three years,, but was not hospitalized recently until about 11 o'clock this morning.
He was an architect and contractor, having built more than 100 theaters in all parts of the country. He designed and built the Fox theater in Joplin and the Civic Theater and Civic Drive-In restaurant in Webb City. He also remodeled the Junior theater, which he owned, and the sanctuary of the Presbyterian church.
The Garfieldian announced the appointment of Ed O'Donnell as Marbro manager in August 1940. Can you imagine any paper making that announcement today?
Emmet “Ed” O'Donnell was recently appointed manager of the Marbro theater. Mr. O'Donnell was born and raised on the west side and lives at 4810 Washington Blvd. He has had many years of experience in managing theaters, and was in charge of the McVickers theater when the first vitaphone movie was snown in Chicago in 1927.
Mr. O'Donnell started as an usher at the Central Park showhouse on Roosevelt road in 1919, was promoted to assistant manager, and then transferred to the Chicago theater as assistant manager.
He then managed the Oriental, McVickers and Roosevelt theaters downtown, and was manager of the Paradise theater when it opened in 1928, and again when it reopened in 1934.
DES PLAINES THEATRE
FREE PARKING
Comfortably Cool
VA 4-5253
* FREE PARKING *
Last Time Tonight
ICE PALACE
LOST WORLD
Friday for 7 days, Sept. 16-22
At Popular Prices …
52 Best Picture Awards and World-Wide Honors
MICHAEL TODD'S
Around the World in 80 days
Weekdays 9:00, Saturday 3:30, 8:30, Sunday 3:00, 8:00
Plus
“MY FAIR LADY” OF FILM DOM!
The NEW musical in COLOR by the “My FairLady” composer
Weekdays 7:00, Saturday 1:30, 6:30, 11:20, Sunday 1:00, 6:00, 11:00
PLEASE NOTE FEATURE TIMES
Due to the length of the program, on weekdays each
film will be shown only once.
ELM THEATRE
Mill Street and Route 176
WAUCONDA, ILLINOIS
LAST DAY THURS. SEPT. 15TH
FROM THE TERRACE
starring
Joanne Woodward & Paul Newman
FRI SAT. SUN. MON TUES.
SEPT. 16-17-18-19-20
THE APARTMENT
starring
Shirley MacLaineâ€"Jack Lemmonâ€"Fred MacMurray
Weekday Features 7:00 & 9:18 Sunday 5,7:18 ft 9:35
STARTS WEDNESDAY SEPT. 21ST
For One Big Week â€" Direct From The Loop
ELMER GANTRY
starring
Jean Simmonsâ€"Burt Lancaster
Here is an advertisement from the Atlanta Constitution in February 1916:
PATHE’S “IRON CLAW” BOOKED AT ALPHA
Pearl White Has Leading Part in New Serial Shown Tuesday
Manager Alpha Fowler of the Alpha theater announces the third, big week of Billy Beard, The Party from the South and in addition the securing of the latest and greatest Pathe serial story. The Iron Claw for every Tuesday beginning next Tuesday and continuing-
for fifteen weeks. The “Iron Claw” promises to be a story of thrllls
upon thrills one that is creating an unprecedented interest throughout the United States. The principal parts are taken by Pearl White, Creighton Hale and Sheldon Lewis known to all as the Elaine Trio as it was these three sterling players who made “The Exploits of Elaine”, a picture long to be remembered.
FLUID SITUATION: Flood waters which flowed into the lobby of the
State Theater, 213 Central NW, last night created all sorts of problems. Here, an employee sweeps water out the lobby entrance. Flood waters, brought by the first heavy rain of the season,
flowed into several downtown business establishments.
This 1948 article may account for the discrepancy:
Early Action Due On Branch Bank And New Theater
Construction of a new theater on the Mesa Theater site at 213 West Central and a new branch bank at Candelaria Road and North Fourth moved a step nearer Wednesday. George Tucker of Albuquerque Theaters Inc., said the Mesa Theater has been closed in preparation to demolish the building and the adjoining location, formerly occupied
by Butts Drug, so a new theater can be erected. He said permit for the new theater has not been received, but is expected soon. He estimated the new, larger theater would seat from 900 to 3000 patrons.
On October 29, 1952, the Sunshine was featuring Mario Lanza in “Because You’re Mine”. The Albuquerque Journal on that day also advertised these area theaters:
The owner of the El Paseo in 1971 was Commonwealth Theaters, according to this newspaper article:
Two new movie theaters will open here in Santa Fe Wednesday night at 8. Known as the Coronado Twin Theaters, the Commonwealth Theaters will operate them. The Coronado Twin is located in the east end of the Coronado Shopping Center. Commonwealth also runs the Lensic, El Paseo and the Pueblo Drive-In.
The drive-in was owned by All-State Theaters in the 1950s, according to this 1955 article:
All-State Theaters, Inc., will open its third theater here Saturday night when the first movie will be shown at the Esquire Theater, 134 Isleta Blvd. SW. The 800-seat theater, formerly the old Isleta theater before remodeling, will present “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” as its first picture. Manuel Alarid will be manager
of the theater.
George Fossell, representative of All-State Theaters, said the theater, remodelled at a cost of $25,000, has the largest indoor
(36 by 15 ½ foot) Cinemascope screen in New Mexico and has the latest projection and sound equipment. A well – illuminated, fenced parking area can accommodate 300 cars, Mr. Gossell said. All-State Theaters also own the Terrace and Duke City Drive-In theaters here.
Here is a 1952 article on the sale of the theater:
Film Firm Here Acquires Sandia, El Key Theaters
Albuquerque Exhibitors, Inc., has acquired two movie theaters
here, through purchase of leases, Frank Peloso, general manager
of the firm, announced Thursday. Sandia Theaters has sold leases
of the Sandia Theater, 1816 Central Ave. SW, and El Rey Theater,
624 W. Central, to the film firm. The Yucca Theater, 2609 Fourth
St. NW, and the Chief Theater, 206 W. Central will also be closed,
Peloso said in addition to the Rio Theater, 118 W. Central, announced
earlier.
“The two small downtown theaters have been closed,” said Peloso, “ in accordance with the firm’s modernization program. We are substituting the two modern theaters just leased for these smaller theaters which are being closed and leased for commercial purposes other than that of exhibiting films."
"In Albuquerque, there is a great demand for Spanish languages
pictures,” Peloso added,“and the Sandia Theater is planned to take care of that demand in a modern, more suitable environment."
He added that the policy of presenting occasional stage shows will be continued at the Sandia.
Former owner of the Sandia and El Rey theaters, Sandia Theaters Inc. still leases the Ernie Pyle and Sunset Drive-In Theaters, under the direction of Marlin Butler, manager. After having been closed this
week for installation of new projection and sound equipment, the Sandia Theater will open today. Peloso said that the policy of showing second-run double features at the El Rey will be continued.
President and substantial owner of Albuquerque Exhibitors is Joe Barnett, one of Albuquerque’s pioneer businessmen. Barnett
and the Bachechi family have operated theaters in Albuquerque
for more than 40 years. Mario Bachechi is secretary of the company
and part owner and other part owners are Carlo Bachechi and the estate of the late Arthur Bachechi.
It was a downtown phenomenon. The throng of people â€" almost 3,000 of them â€" came to hear Harry Chapin sing. They also came to save Loew’s State Theater. The line for tickets began forming before 6 p.m. A little after 7 p.m. the line of people stretched three and four
deep along S. Salina and W. Fayette streets. By 7:30 p.m. the line curved around the block, past the corner of W. Fayette and Clinton streets and almost over to Jefferson Street. By 8 p.m. ushers were hunting inside the theater for empty seats to accommodate the people streaming into the sold out house.
The people in the audience paid $6, $7 and $8 dollars apiece to hear Chapin. The benefit concert was organized by Syracuse Area Landmark
Theater (SALT), a group that is trying to raise $100,000 to restore and revive Loew’s State.
SALT is attempting to raise the money by Nov. 12 in order to buy the
theater. The cost for the theater section of the building is $65,000. Another $35,000 is sought for roof and other repairs. The building is owned by Button Real Estate Co. If it is not bought by
the November deadline, it is expected to be torn down, probably to make way for a parking lot.
Inside the theater, people gazed in awe at the ornately carved columns, filigree railings and brocade walls. Before Chapin’s erformance, a band played in the foyer â€" like in the good old days when live music was heard in the theater. Loew’s was one of the great movie houses. Built with a blend of Oriental, Arabic and other exotic motifs, Loew’s opened in February, 1928. Its architect, Thomas W. Lamb, built more than 300 movie theaters in the United States after completing Loew’s.
According to Peter Baum, vice president of SALT’S Board of Directors,
Loew’s was the first of the great Oriental-style movie theaters. Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood,Calif., and two huge Loew’s “Oriental palaces” in New York City followed. An octagonal design covers the expanse of the ceiling in Loew’s. The walls of the theater itself are decorated with huge arches, depicting lion-like animals, graceful designs and arabesques. An immense proscenium arch
frames the stage. Curving columns and a pool that was used as a fish pond decorate the balcony level. The fourstory tall Grand Foyer, with a painting straight out of “The Arabian Nights,” greets people as they enter.
I went to college in Philly in the late 70s, but the frat brothers and I never made it to the Troc. Perhaps it was closed for remodeling around that time. Is the Trailways bus station and the Hardee’s still on the northwest corner of 13th and Arch?
Feature No.1 – Laugh with L'il Abner, your favorite cartoon
character… in person on the screen!
With
DAISY MAE AND ALL THE DOGPATCHERS IN
in “L'il Abner”
Hit No. 2- “Cheers for Miss Bishop” with Martha Scott
Plus Cartoon “Sourpuss"
Serial – Drums of Fu Manchu No. 13
Prices – Adults 17 cents, including tax
Children 9 cents
STRAND: Paul Muni and Miriam Hopkins In “The Woman I Love."
with Louis Hayward. (Opens today, ends Monday).
PEOPLES: "Big House for Girls” with Maureen O'Sullivan, Betty
Compton and Montague Love. (Ends Monday).
TEXAN: Bing Crosby, Bob Burns and Martha Raye In “Waikiki
Wedding” (Opens today, ends Monday).
PEARCE: “Poor Little Rich Girl,” with Shirley Temple and Alice
Faye. (Opens today, ends Monday).
MAJESTIC: “Two Against the World” and “The Unknown Ranger."
(Opens today, ends Monday).
BEAUMONT – A $6.5 million antitrust suit was filed in federal court
Friday charging that a New Orleans man and his employers have prevented competition among movie theaters in Port Arthur and stymied development of a shopping center by Hayes Inc. of Port
Arthur. Named as defendants in the suit were T G. Solomon of New Orleans. Gulf States Theatres Inc.. Gulf States Theatres of Texas and Piqua Industries, Inc.
Lloyd L Hayes, Hayes Inc, Park Plaza Twin Theatres Inc. and Mid-County Enterprises Inc. are the plaintiffs.
Hayes and Hayes Inc are saying they suffered over 5 million in damages as a result of Solomon’s “maneuvering”, while Park Plaza claims it lost over $500,000 in revenues from what they call his “anticompetitive and unfair tactics ”.
Mid-County Enterprises say the defendants overt threats prevented
them from building a planned drive-in theater and lost them over $1 million. They are asking the court restrain defendants from further alleged violations of anti-trust laws and for recovery of damages in triplicate.
Also during this same period of time, the suit says that Hayes contacted investors with the idea of building a drive-in
theater on the northwest side of Port Arthur. Mid County Enterprises Inc. was organized June 19, 1972 and they leased a tract of and along U.S. Hwy 69 planning to build a drive-in theater there.
But this plan was halted, they say, when Solomon told them if they build the drive-in, he would retaliate by building one directly across the road from them. Since defendants already owned the
Don Drive-In, and the newly-formed corporation would not have been able to undergo a sustained period of loss, the drive-in idea was aborted, the complaint states.
On 1/18/43, “Rise and Shine” with Jack Oakie and Linda Darnell was playing at the LaRoy. The other theaters in the Portsmouth area at the time were the Eastland, Westland, Strand, Lyric, Warner’s Columbia, Garden and Stanley.
Old Esquire Theater Razed; Drive-In Will Occupy Site
One of Oakland’s historic landmarks, known since 1939 as the
Esquire Theater and since early motion picture days as the American Theater was being razed today. Joseph Blumenfeld, president
of Blumenfeld Theaters, Inc., said the theater at Seventeenth Street
and San Pablo Avenue which was closed more than a year ago is being torn down to make way for construction of a $200,000 drive-in restaurant and cocktail lounge.
The new structure, Blumenfeld said, will include a restaurant
and drive-in area on the ground floor with a cocktail lounge and snack bar on the second floor. he said it will be leased to the operator of a Berkeley drive-in.
Earlier this year, a permit was granted for weekly “name-band"
dances in the building. However, after a storm of protests which
reached the City Council, James McCoy, a San Francisco dance
hall operator, withdrew his application for the permit.
The theater site was occupied in early days by Bice’s Academy,
an early day dance hall. It was also headquarters for the Reliance
Athletic Club and for a time of Acme Athletic Club.
The theater, after being known for many years as the American,
was renamed the Esquire in 1939. It was damaged by a fire the following year.
Here is an August 29, 1940 article describing the re-opening:
ESQUIRE THEATER OPENS TOMORROW
Film Stars To Attend Fete Here
Searchlights will sweep the sky in Oakland tomorrow night, just as
they will in London, Berlin and other great cities in Europe â€" but
the reason fnr the illumination will be quite different. Instead of ferreting out enemy members the searchlights will be merely functioning as signposts to the new Esquire Theater, which is throwing open its doors at 17th and San Pablo to greet the season with a page of American history called “When the Daltons Rode.”
It was just a year ago today that the Esquire, remodeled from
the old American, celebrated its rebirth as a Warner product theater
ndcr the joint management of Joseph Blumenfeld and Clarence Laws.
Since then Europe has been tossed into a war and the Esquire has had a disastrous fire.
The Esquire is part of the chain of Blumenfeld theaters which include
in the Eastbay the Roxie and Franklin in Oakland, and the Berkeley
and Oaks in Berkeley. Opening night festivities will be under direction of Laws who is general manager for the Oakland group. The pictures for the future will be drawn from the budgets of Warners, Columbia, Universal and United Artists.
So much for that link. Here is the text of a 1925 ad for some films that were playing at the Peoples. I’ll bet you didn’t know that there was another Harrison Ford in the twenties:
Peoples, Cameo and Liberty Theaters Announce Wealth of
Entertainment for Movie Fans
Not in recent months have Port Arthur movie theaters gathered together such an offering of pictures that are calculated to stretch the imagination of movie fans and stir the emotions of romance, pathos and mystery as those to be shown during the coming week.
“The Lost World” a picturization of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel
of prehistoric monsters and modern lovers, is to be shown at the Peoples theatre next Sunday.
Sunday through Wednesdayâ€"-Corinne Griffith in “The Marriage Whirl"
with Kenneth Harlan and Harrison Ford; also Pathe comedy, "Hard
Boiled” and Newsreel.
Thursday through Saturdayâ€"“The Trouble With Wives” with Florence
Vidor, Tom Moore, Esther Ralston and Ford Sterling: also
Pathe comedy. “Royal Four Flusher.” and Newsreel.
Next Sundayâ€"“The Lost World,” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “ stupendous
story with Bessie Love. Lewis Stone, Wallace Beery and Lloyd Hughes.
Here is a 1968 newspaper article from better times:
After an extremely successful summer Interstate Theaters in
Galveston, The State and The Broadway, are planning bigger
and better fall and winter seasons.
Both the State Theater downtown and the Broadway Theater, 5121 Broadway, offer top entertainment. John Browning, Interstate manager in Galveston has announced that in the planning of bringing excellent motion pictures to Galveston, several films have already been booked and can be expected on the local screens soon.
Both the State and Broadway are healthfully air conditioned
and modern snack bars in both theaters are for your added
pleasure. So now is the time to save and take advantage of Interstate’s money saving offer on books and discount cards.
Here is a list of drive-ins in this area in April 1978:
ANDALUSIA DRIVE IN (Andalusia) â€" “Tne Pack” “Rattlers” “Mansion of the Doomed"
BUCKS COUNTY DRIVE IN (Route 611 North
Of Willow Grove) — “The Pack” “Rattlers” “Mansion Of The Doomed"
LINCOLN DRIVE IN (U.S. Route 1 at Phila.
City Line) — “Melting Man” “Journey Beyond” “Raw Meat"
MORRISVILLE DRIVE-IN (Morrisville) â€"
"Annie Hall” “Love And Death” “Monty Python And The Holy Grail"
ROOSEVELT DRIVE IN (Fairless Hills) —“The Pack” “Rattlers”
“Meat Cleaver Massacre"
U.S. No. 1 NORTH DRIVE-IN (Fairless Hills)— “Melting Man” “Journey To The Beyond”
This film was playing at the Paramount on 2/21/43:
STARTS TOMORROW – ADULTS ONLY!
NO GREATER SIN
Sin Dens Exposed as Under-Age Girls' Menace
Thrill Seeking MEN!
Other theaters advertised in the Hammond Times were the Calumet, Parthenon, Hohman, Orpheum, American, Midway, Ace, Rio, Vic, Forsythe Capitol, Indiana, Voge, Hoosier and Broadway.
Some heavyweights were invited to the opening of the theater on
June 10, 1930:
Adolph Zukor and Jesse L. Lasky, masterminds of the Paramount-Publix corporation, have been invited to attend the Thursday evening opening of the Middletown Paramount theater. It was announced today by Harry C. Stowell, manager. It is not known definitely whether they will be able to appear but other executives of the company, including Martin Mullen, director of the Northwest territory, have signified an intention to participate.
Charles “Buddy” Rogers will greet the first Middletown audience through a specially made talkie film.
The Oakland Tribune had a story on the theater’s re-opening in June 1933:
PARAMOUNT THEATER WILL OPEN TOMORROW
Paramount to Open Doors at 11:30 Friday
Tomorrow, at noon, Oakland’s Paramount Theater once again throws open its doors to offer this city motion picture entertainment
ot the finest type in a surrounding of luxury. The Paramount’s policy will present one feature picture each week. In addition each program will be enhanced by the highest grade comedies, scenics, cartoons and other short subjects plus Paramount news items.
The first feature picture on the Paramount screen for the week
starting tomorrow will be the Paramount “International House,"
comedy featuring 14 stars, 140 girls and offering enough comedy to provoke 1400 laughs. Second in importance on the program will be a 30 minute subject "Isle of Desire,” said to be something new in screen entertainment enacted by a South Sea native cast and resembling in story a Jack London fabled journey into this picturesque clime. A “Popeye” cartoon will add to the laughs of the new show, coupled with other short subjects and news reviews.
The doors of the Paramount will open at 11:30 a.m. tomorrow to
afford visitors opportunity to wander through the foyers, lounge
rooms, mezzanine and the mural rooms before seeking their seat for
the first show. Under the direction of Fox West Coast Theaters, the Paramount will be operated on the new low price schedule of 25 cents matinee until 1 p.m., 30 cents from 1 until 5 p.m. and 40 cents at night. Change of program will be made every Friday.
The Paramount Theater is regarded as the finest in terms of architecture, fittings, and comfort on the Pacific Coast. Its opening
definitely places Oakland first on the Coast in possession of superior theater edifices, and under the operation of Fox West Coast Theaters the Paramount is assured of the finest feature pictures produced by the leading Hollywood studios. The management of the theater will be under the veteran direction of A. M. Bowles, head of Fox West Coast Theaters in Northern California, aided by Richard Spier, district manager, and Frank Burhans, resident manager. A large staff of employees have been secured, which will add to the yearly payroll of Oakland.
Here is a 1950 article on the demise of the Fox architect:
LARRY P. LARSEN OF WEBB CITY DIES
Owner of Civic Theater and Designer of More Than 100 Playhouses
Succumbs Unexpectedly.
Larry P. Larsen, 57 years old, 119 North Ball street, died at 12:40 o'clock this afternoon in St. John’s hospital in Joplin. He had been ill three years,, but was not hospitalized recently until about 11 o'clock this morning.
He was an architect and contractor, having built more than 100 theaters in all parts of the country. He designed and built the Fox theater in Joplin and the Civic Theater and Civic Drive-In restaurant in Webb City. He also remodeled the Junior theater, which he owned, and the sanctuary of the Presbyterian church.
It’s a website that has copies of old newspaper pages. Unfortunately I can’t post the actual pages as the link fails in less than a day.
The Garfieldian announced the appointment of Ed O'Donnell as Marbro manager in August 1940. Can you imagine any paper making that announcement today?
Emmet “Ed” O'Donnell was recently appointed manager of the Marbro theater. Mr. O'Donnell was born and raised on the west side and lives at 4810 Washington Blvd. He has had many years of experience in managing theaters, and was in charge of the McVickers theater when the first vitaphone movie was snown in Chicago in 1927.
Mr. O'Donnell started as an usher at the Central Park showhouse on Roosevelt road in 1919, was promoted to assistant manager, and then transferred to the Chicago theater as assistant manager.
He then managed the Oriental, McVickers and Roosevelt theaters downtown, and was manager of the Paradise theater when it opened in 1928, and again when it reopened in 1934.
Here is the lineup on 9/15/60:
DES PLAINES THEATRE
FREE PARKING
Comfortably Cool
VA 4-5253
* FREE PARKING *
Last Time Tonight
ICE PALACE
LOST WORLD
Friday for 7 days, Sept. 16-22
At Popular Prices …
52 Best Picture Awards and World-Wide Honors
MICHAEL TODD'S
Around the World in 80 days
Weekdays 9:00, Saturday 3:30, 8:30, Sunday 3:00, 8:00
Plus
“MY FAIR LADY” OF FILM DOM!
The NEW musical in COLOR by the “My FairLady” composer
Weekdays 7:00, Saturday 1:30, 6:30, 11:20, Sunday 1:00, 6:00, 11:00
PLEASE NOTE FEATURE TIMES
Due to the length of the program, on weekdays each
film will be shown only once.
Here was the lineup on 9/15/60:
ELM THEATRE
Mill Street and Route 176
WAUCONDA, ILLINOIS
LAST DAY THURS. SEPT. 15TH
FROM THE TERRACE
starring
Joanne Woodward & Paul Newman
FRI SAT. SUN. MON TUES.
SEPT. 16-17-18-19-20
THE APARTMENT
starring
Shirley MacLaineâ€"Jack Lemmonâ€"Fred MacMurray
Weekday Features 7:00 & 9:18 Sunday 5,7:18 ft 9:35
STARTS WEDNESDAY SEPT. 21ST
For One Big Week â€" Direct From The Loop
ELMER GANTRY
starring
Jean Simmonsâ€"Burt Lancaster
Here is an advertisement from the Atlanta Constitution in February 1916:
PATHE’S “IRON CLAW” BOOKED AT ALPHA
Pearl White Has Leading Part in New Serial Shown Tuesday
Manager Alpha Fowler of the Alpha theater announces the third, big week of Billy Beard, The Party from the South and in addition the securing of the latest and greatest Pathe serial story. The Iron Claw for every Tuesday beginning next Tuesday and continuing-
for fifteen weeks. The “Iron Claw” promises to be a story of thrllls
upon thrills one that is creating an unprecedented interest throughout the United States. The principal parts are taken by Pearl White, Creighton Hale and Sheldon Lewis known to all as the Elaine Trio as it was these three sterling players who made “The Exploits of Elaine”, a picture long to be remembered.
Note the different address in this 1956 article:
FLUID SITUATION: Flood waters which flowed into the lobby of the
State Theater, 213 Central NW, last night created all sorts of problems. Here, an employee sweeps water out the lobby entrance. Flood waters, brought by the first heavy rain of the season,
flowed into several downtown business establishments.
This 1948 article may account for the discrepancy:
Early Action Due On Branch Bank And New Theater
Construction of a new theater on the Mesa Theater site at 213 West Central and a new branch bank at Candelaria Road and North Fourth moved a step nearer Wednesday. George Tucker of Albuquerque Theaters Inc., said the Mesa Theater has been closed in preparation to demolish the building and the adjoining location, formerly occupied
by Butts Drug, so a new theater can be erected. He said permit for the new theater has not been received, but is expected soon. He estimated the new, larger theater would seat from 900 to 3000 patrons.
On October 29, 1952, the Sunshine was featuring Mario Lanza in “Because You’re Mine”. The Albuquerque Journal on that day also advertised these area theaters:
Sandia, Isleta – Spanish language films
Terrace Drive-In, 66 Drive-in, Sunset Drive-In, Tesuque Twin
Drive-In, Star Drive-In
Kimo, Cactus, State, El Rey, Hiland, Lobo, Ernie Pyle
The owner of the El Paseo in 1971 was Commonwealth Theaters, according to this newspaper article:
Two new movie theaters will open here in Santa Fe Wednesday night at 8. Known as the Coronado Twin Theaters, the Commonwealth Theaters will operate them. The Coronado Twin is located in the east end of the Coronado Shopping Center. Commonwealth also runs the Lensic, El Paseo and the Pueblo Drive-In.
The drive-in was owned by All-State Theaters in the 1950s, according to this 1955 article:
All-State Theaters, Inc., will open its third theater here Saturday night when the first movie will be shown at the Esquire Theater, 134 Isleta Blvd. SW. The 800-seat theater, formerly the old Isleta theater before remodeling, will present “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” as its first picture. Manuel Alarid will be manager
of the theater.
George Fossell, representative of All-State Theaters, said the theater, remodelled at a cost of $25,000, has the largest indoor
(36 by 15 ½ foot) Cinemascope screen in New Mexico and has the latest projection and sound equipment. A well – illuminated, fenced parking area can accommodate 300 cars, Mr. Gossell said. All-State Theaters also own the Terrace and Duke City Drive-In theaters here.
Here is a 1952 article on the sale of the theater:
Film Firm Here Acquires Sandia, El Key Theaters
Albuquerque Exhibitors, Inc., has acquired two movie theaters
here, through purchase of leases, Frank Peloso, general manager
of the firm, announced Thursday. Sandia Theaters has sold leases
of the Sandia Theater, 1816 Central Ave. SW, and El Rey Theater,
624 W. Central, to the film firm. The Yucca Theater, 2609 Fourth
St. NW, and the Chief Theater, 206 W. Central will also be closed,
Peloso said in addition to the Rio Theater, 118 W. Central, announced
earlier.
“The two small downtown theaters have been closed,” said Peloso, “ in accordance with the firm’s modernization program. We are substituting the two modern theaters just leased for these smaller theaters which are being closed and leased for commercial purposes other than that of exhibiting films."
"In Albuquerque, there is a great demand for Spanish languages
pictures,” Peloso added,“and the Sandia Theater is planned to take care of that demand in a modern, more suitable environment."
He added that the policy of presenting occasional stage shows will be continued at the Sandia.
Former owner of the Sandia and El Rey theaters, Sandia Theaters Inc. still leases the Ernie Pyle and Sunset Drive-In Theaters, under the direction of Marlin Butler, manager. After having been closed this
week for installation of new projection and sound equipment, the Sandia Theater will open today. Peloso said that the policy of showing second-run double features at the El Rey will be continued.
President and substantial owner of Albuquerque Exhibitors is Joe Barnett, one of Albuquerque’s pioneer businessmen. Barnett
and the Bachechi family have operated theaters in Albuquerque
for more than 40 years. Mario Bachechi is secretary of the company
and part owner and other part owners are Carlo Bachechi and the estate of the late Arthur Bachechi.
Since my link went kaput, here is the text:
CHAPIN ATTRACTS NEARLY 3,000
It was a downtown phenomenon. The throng of people â€" almost 3,000 of them â€" came to hear Harry Chapin sing. They also came to save Loew’s State Theater. The line for tickets began forming before 6 p.m. A little after 7 p.m. the line of people stretched three and four
deep along S. Salina and W. Fayette streets. By 7:30 p.m. the line curved around the block, past the corner of W. Fayette and Clinton streets and almost over to Jefferson Street. By 8 p.m. ushers were hunting inside the theater for empty seats to accommodate the people streaming into the sold out house.
The people in the audience paid $6, $7 and $8 dollars apiece to hear Chapin. The benefit concert was organized by Syracuse Area Landmark
Theater (SALT), a group that is trying to raise $100,000 to restore and revive Loew’s State.
SALT is attempting to raise the money by Nov. 12 in order to buy the
theater. The cost for the theater section of the building is $65,000. Another $35,000 is sought for roof and other repairs. The building is owned by Button Real Estate Co. If it is not bought by
the November deadline, it is expected to be torn down, probably to make way for a parking lot.
Inside the theater, people gazed in awe at the ornately carved columns, filigree railings and brocade walls. Before Chapin’s erformance, a band played in the foyer â€" like in the good old days when live music was heard in the theater. Loew’s was one of the great movie houses. Built with a blend of Oriental, Arabic and other exotic motifs, Loew’s opened in February, 1928. Its architect, Thomas W. Lamb, built more than 300 movie theaters in the United States after completing Loew’s.
According to Peter Baum, vice president of SALT’S Board of Directors,
Loew’s was the first of the great Oriental-style movie theaters. Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood,Calif., and two huge Loew’s “Oriental palaces” in New York City followed. An octagonal design covers the expanse of the ceiling in Loew’s. The walls of the theater itself are decorated with huge arches, depicting lion-like animals, graceful designs and arabesques. An immense proscenium arch
frames the stage. Curving columns and a pool that was used as a fish pond decorate the balcony level. The fourstory tall Grand Foyer, with a painting straight out of “The Arabian Nights,” greets people as they enter.
I went to college in Philly in the late 70s, but the frat brothers and I never made it to the Troc. Perhaps it was closed for remodeling around that time. Is the Trailways bus station and the Hardee’s still on the northwest corner of 13th and Arch?
Here was the line-up for a typical show in 1941:
MAJESTIC
2-MAMMOTH SHOWS-2
Feature No.1 – Laugh with L'il Abner, your favorite cartoon
character… in person on the screen!
With
DAISY MAE AND ALL THE DOGPATCHERS IN
in “L'il Abner”
Hit No. 2- “Cheers for Miss Bishop” with Martha Scott
Plus Cartoon “Sourpuss"
Serial – Drums of Fu Manchu No. 13
Prices – Adults 17 cents, including tax
Children 9 cents
This was the lineup in May 1937:
AT THE THEATERS
STRAND: Paul Muni and Miriam Hopkins In “The Woman I Love."
with Louis Hayward. (Opens today, ends Monday).
PEOPLES: "Big House for Girls” with Maureen O'Sullivan, Betty
Compton and Montague Love. (Ends Monday).
TEXAN: Bing Crosby, Bob Burns and Martha Raye In “Waikiki
Wedding” (Opens today, ends Monday).
PEARCE: “Poor Little Rich Girl,” with Shirley Temple and Alice
Faye. (Opens today, ends Monday).
MAJESTIC: “Two Against the World” and “The Unknown Ranger."
(Opens today, ends Monday).
Litigation was afoot in August 1975:
Hayes Inc. Files Anti-Trust Suit
BEAUMONT – A $6.5 million antitrust suit was filed in federal court
Friday charging that a New Orleans man and his employers have prevented competition among movie theaters in Port Arthur and stymied development of a shopping center by Hayes Inc. of Port
Arthur. Named as defendants in the suit were T G. Solomon of New Orleans. Gulf States Theatres Inc.. Gulf States Theatres of Texas and Piqua Industries, Inc.
Lloyd L Hayes, Hayes Inc, Park Plaza Twin Theatres Inc. and Mid-County Enterprises Inc. are the plaintiffs.
Hayes and Hayes Inc are saying they suffered over 5 million in damages as a result of Solomon’s “maneuvering”, while Park Plaza claims it lost over $500,000 in revenues from what they call his “anticompetitive and unfair tactics ”.
Mid-County Enterprises say the defendants overt threats prevented
them from building a planned drive-in theater and lost them over $1 million. They are asking the court restrain defendants from further alleged violations of anti-trust laws and for recovery of damages in triplicate.
Also during this same period of time, the suit says that Hayes contacted investors with the idea of building a drive-in
theater on the northwest side of Port Arthur. Mid County Enterprises Inc. was organized June 19, 1972 and they leased a tract of and along U.S. Hwy 69 planning to build a drive-in theater there.
But this plan was halted, they say, when Solomon told them if they build the drive-in, he would retaliate by building one directly across the road from them. Since defendants already owned the
Don Drive-In, and the newly-formed corporation would not have been able to undergo a sustained period of loss, the drive-in idea was aborted, the complaint states.
On 1/18/43, “Rise and Shine” with Jack Oakie and Linda Darnell was playing at the LaRoy. The other theaters in the Portsmouth area at the time were the Eastland, Westland, Strand, Lyric, Warner’s Columbia, Garden and Stanley.
Sic transit gloria mundi:
Oakland Tribune 11/13/53
Old Esquire Theater Razed; Drive-In Will Occupy Site
One of Oakland’s historic landmarks, known since 1939 as the
Esquire Theater and since early motion picture days as the American Theater was being razed today. Joseph Blumenfeld, president
of Blumenfeld Theaters, Inc., said the theater at Seventeenth Street
and San Pablo Avenue which was closed more than a year ago is being torn down to make way for construction of a $200,000 drive-in restaurant and cocktail lounge.
The new structure, Blumenfeld said, will include a restaurant
and drive-in area on the ground floor with a cocktail lounge and snack bar on the second floor. he said it will be leased to the operator of a Berkeley drive-in.
Earlier this year, a permit was granted for weekly “name-band"
dances in the building. However, after a storm of protests which
reached the City Council, James McCoy, a San Francisco dance
hall operator, withdrew his application for the permit.
The theater site was occupied in early days by Bice’s Academy,
an early day dance hall. It was also headquarters for the Reliance
Athletic Club and for a time of Acme Athletic Club.
The theater, after being known for many years as the American,
was renamed the Esquire in 1939. It was damaged by a fire the following year.
Here is an August 29, 1940 article describing the re-opening:
ESQUIRE THEATER OPENS TOMORROW
Film Stars To Attend Fete Here
Searchlights will sweep the sky in Oakland tomorrow night, just as
they will in London, Berlin and other great cities in Europe â€" but
the reason fnr the illumination will be quite different. Instead of ferreting out enemy members the searchlights will be merely functioning as signposts to the new Esquire Theater, which is throwing open its doors at 17th and San Pablo to greet the season with a page of American history called “When the Daltons Rode.”
It was just a year ago today that the Esquire, remodeled from
the old American, celebrated its rebirth as a Warner product theater
ndcr the joint management of Joseph Blumenfeld and Clarence Laws.
Since then Europe has been tossed into a war and the Esquire has had a disastrous fire.
The Esquire is part of the chain of Blumenfeld theaters which include
in the Eastbay the Roxie and Franklin in Oakland, and the Berkeley
and Oaks in Berkeley. Opening night festivities will be under direction of Laws who is general manager for the Oakland group. The pictures for the future will be drawn from the budgets of Warners, Columbia, Universal and United Artists.
So much for that link. Here is the text of a 1925 ad for some films that were playing at the Peoples. I’ll bet you didn’t know that there was another Harrison Ford in the twenties:
Peoples, Cameo and Liberty Theaters Announce Wealth of
Entertainment for Movie Fans
Not in recent months have Port Arthur movie theaters gathered together such an offering of pictures that are calculated to stretch the imagination of movie fans and stir the emotions of romance, pathos and mystery as those to be shown during the coming week.
“The Lost World” a picturization of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel
of prehistoric monsters and modern lovers, is to be shown at the Peoples theatre next Sunday.
Sunday through Wednesdayâ€"-Corinne Griffith in “The Marriage Whirl"
with Kenneth Harlan and Harrison Ford; also Pathe comedy, "Hard
Boiled” and Newsreel.
Thursday through Saturdayâ€"“The Trouble With Wives” with Florence
Vidor, Tom Moore, Esther Ralston and Ford Sterling: also
Pathe comedy. “Royal Four Flusher.” and Newsreel.
Next Sundayâ€"“The Lost World,” Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “ stupendous
story with Bessie Love. Lewis Stone, Wallace Beery and Lloyd Hughes.
Here is a 1968 newspaper article from better times:
After an extremely successful summer Interstate Theaters in
Galveston, The State and The Broadway, are planning bigger
and better fall and winter seasons.
Both the State Theater downtown and the Broadway Theater, 5121 Broadway, offer top entertainment. John Browning, Interstate manager in Galveston has announced that in the planning of bringing excellent motion pictures to Galveston, several films have already been booked and can be expected on the local screens soon.
Both the State and Broadway are healthfully air conditioned
and modern snack bars in both theaters are for your added
pleasure. So now is the time to save and take advantage of Interstate’s money saving offer on books and discount cards.
Here is a list of drive-ins in this area in April 1978:
ANDALUSIA DRIVE IN (Andalusia) â€" “Tne Pack” “Rattlers” “Mansion of the Doomed"
BUCKS COUNTY DRIVE IN (Route 611 North
Of Willow Grove) — “The Pack” “Rattlers” “Mansion Of The Doomed"
LINCOLN DRIVE IN (U.S. Route 1 at Phila.
City Line) — “Melting Man” “Journey Beyond” “Raw Meat"
MORRISVILLE DRIVE-IN (Morrisville) â€"
"Annie Hall” “Love And Death” “Monty Python And The Holy Grail"
ROOSEVELT DRIVE IN (Fairless Hills) —“The Pack” “Rattlers”
“Meat Cleaver Massacre"
U.S. No. 1 NORTH DRIVE-IN (Fairless Hills)— “Melting Man” “Journey To The Beyond”