The last film to play at the Superba appears to be a Christmas show in December of 1955. The Legg family operated the theatre from 1921 until its closure as an independent theater.
The Arcade’s first advertisement is on February 1, 1908 playing Ehtel Reed in “The Gainesbrough Hat” and “Miser’s Nephew.” It was one of three downtown theaters in 1908 Dennison along with the Nickel Palace and the Empire. It appears to have closed in December of 1921. It was auctioned off in 1922 when the final operator declared bankruptcy.
The Northeast Shopping Center (aka Korvette Shopping Center, for a period) opened in October of 1959 theatre-less and anchored by E.J. Korvette’s Department Store. In 1964, an announced expansion brought both a public library a Philadelphia’s first twin-screen movie theater in 1964/65. The concept was to have a road show title on one screen and a continuously-running feature on the other. It opened as Cinema I & II on Christmas Day 1965 with Edna Knowles as the cashier and “Do Not Disturb” with Doris Day and “Pinocchio in Outer Space” starring Pinocchio.
The theatre hosted German films as a recurring series, became the General Cinema Northeast I, II, III (1973), and the GCC Northeast 4 (1976) all with Knowles as cashier. Korvette’s departed in 1980. A new Tower Records store came in and did some tie-ups with the theater. The GCC Northeast 4 closed on May 31, 1999 at the end of its leasing period. And yes, Edna Knowles made it all the way from opening in 1965 to its closing date of May 31, 1999. The business was so slow, however, that she had to work concessions as the theatre didn’t sell almost any tickets on weekdays so the box office was closed around 1997.
The last “feature” on the marquee by long-time employee Joe “Zuck” Zuckschwerdt - in charge of the GCC attractor for some 25 years - read, “Goodnight, Edna. Thanks for 35 Great Years.”
As noted elsewhere, Emma Cassidy and her sister Ms. G.H. Hammond opened the Lyric Theater in the summer of 1914. A.V. Wade of Wade-Tex Theatres took on the venue giving it a streamline moderne makeover and new name when it relaunched on March 18, 1936 with Wallace Ford in “Another Face.”
Kirkeby and Erickson opened the Scenic Drive-In in September of 1950. Wondering if this isn’t the same location as the Sky-Lite Drive-In that had opened on May 20, 1948 with Anthony Quinn in “Black Gold” and just updated by the pair with individual car speakers and other more modern amenities. I would guess so.
This location closed along with the other Alamo Drafthouse locations on March 16, 2020. I’d classify it as closed having not yet reopened. But we’ll call it a non-permanent closure as it still has both website and phone though has scrubbed Facebook posts - not too encouraging. When they reopen, we will let you know.
The Rogers Drive-In reportedly launched May 31, 1950 with “The Plunderers” by Calvin Council and the Griffith Circuit and named for the late actor Will Rogers.
Griffith Bros. Circuit launched its new Cadet Theatre on July 3, 1942 with “Torpedo Boat” supported by an Our Gang short. It appears to have closed on March 15, 1956 with “The Fighting Seabees.” Griffith Amusement sold the building to an operator who converted the space to a bowling alley.
The Palace Theatre opened November 14, 1909 with 2,000 feet of film. In 1923, it was downgraded to weekend-only operation. It was sold by L.W. Brophy’s Yale Entertainment along with the Yale also in Claremore, the Grand and Lyric in Vinta, and the Yale in Muskogee to Robb & Rowley (R&R) in March of 1925.
The Palace closed in 1929 for films and 1930 with events without converting to sound. The Griffith Bros. Amusement Circuit took on the boarded-up venue after a major refresh relaunching with Oakley Leachman in charge on July 6, 1934 with Ken Maynard in “Wheels of Destiny” supported by Evlyn Knapp in “The Perils of Pauline” serial.
The theatre was again downgraded to weekend operation only in the 1940s closing for films on October 25, 1947 with Bill Boyd in “Fool’s Gold” supported by the serial, “The Mysterious Mr. M” and a cartoon. The theater hung around with some trade screenings and church services over the next year or so. In 1952, the Palace marquee was removed and, in 1955, the Ranch and Home Store took over the neighboring building and converting it to retail.
Reading the local newspaper and trade press, the Elk Theatre was opened by Griffith Amusement Circuit on January 30, 1936. Its architecture was credited in the trade press to Jack M. Corgan and Bill J. Moore, Jr. The Rex was operated in the 1950s under operator Volney Hamm as well as Video Independent Circuit.
John Monroe was the final operator of the Elk Theater relaunching it in November of 1957 with “The Ten Commandments” but closing in 1958. It became a short-lived record store keeping the theater auditorium and then it was totally refurbished in 1960 with its contents sold off when it was converted to another retail store opening in 1961.
There were two locations for the Max Theatre. The first one opened to the public on March 18, 1931 and was likely originally opened as the Liberty Theatre - a silent venue that had launched on February 20, 1920 with “Revelations.” The venue’s safety protocols were no match for a nitrate film explosion that destroyed the building, the neighboring Armour Produce, and damaged the Ben Franklin store, and Velvin Barber Shop on March 31, 1935. Buck Jones, projectionist, was injured but manager Laura Means got all patrons out safely.
A new building housing a new Max Theatre was built on what is now South Sheb Wooley street that opened in September of 1935 and has a Cinema Treasures page under its new name when a new operator renamed the venue.
The Guthrie Brothers Circuit - Lee and Lamar - bought the Erick Theatre from Oakley Leachman and the Gay Theatre from Roy McAmis. They owned Rogue Theatres in Wheeler and Matador, Texas, and Tipton and Wetamka, Oklahoma so renamed one of their new acquisitions as the Rogue Theatre. Its location was 118 OK-30 (formerly 118 North Main) which appears to be a vacant lot.
The Bungalow opened July 2, 1915 and the owners were said to have skipped town with the creditors in the lurch. New operators reopened the theatre even remembering where the serial, “Lucille Love, Girl of Mystery” had left off at the relaunch. Under L.A. White, the theatre converted to sound on October 9, 1929 with “The Lady Lies.”
On April 2, 1941, the theatre was completely overhauled relaunching as the new Tech Theatre with Fred MacMurray in “Dive Bomber.” It converted to widescreen on March 17, 1954 to present CinemaScope films beginning with “The Robe.” It was still in operation in the 1970s.
This theatre was built in 1915 and appears to have had a very short period as the White Theatre according to the trade press. It operated as the Strand under new operators in 1916. The Strand switched to sound to remain relevant. It may be best remembered in the Studio Era for prolific house artist Donald Andorfer’s hand-painted posters and imaginative fronts that were created to promote current and forthcoming features.
The Strand received a shocking $110,000 makeover by operator James O'Connor gutting the building and created a streamlined moderne Towne Theatre in 1969. The Towne’s final owner Joe Reynolds kept the Towne alive from 1977 through its 80th anniversary and past his 85th birthday before selling out in 1996. The theatre was repurposed for an indoor activity center featuring rock climbing.
The Quannah Theatre appears to have opened in downtown Comanche, Oklahoma in 1920. On May 15, 1927, the Quannah Theatre was damaged by fire. Repairs were made by operator George Williams at its relaunch In August. 15, 1927. Showing class, Williams recalled what serial chapter they were on when they reopened.
William Lancaster and Mr. R.P. Lancaster took on the venue and updated it in 1928. It received Motiograph DeLuxe projectors, new screen and new signage at its reopening on February 18, 1928, as the Ritz Theatre with Clara Bow in “Rough House Rosie.” Lancaster would purchase Vitaphone and Movietone sound was installed for its first sound show on February 14, 1930 for sound with “The Mighty” starring George Bancroft.
The Lancasters would upgrade the sound system in 1933 along with a new air conditioning system. The operator of the theatre in 1940s and 1950s was V.A. “Spec” Lancaster. The theatre burned in 1959.
Look Cinemas says it’s renovating this venue for an opening later in 2022.
Theater website info: https://www.lookcinemas.com/our-locations/x0tfk-colleyville-tx-look-dine-in-cinema
The last film to play at the Superba appears to be a Christmas show in December of 1955. The Legg family operated the theatre from 1921 until its closure as an independent theater.
The Arcade’s first advertisement is on February 1, 1908 playing Ehtel Reed in “The Gainesbrough Hat” and “Miser’s Nephew.” It was one of three downtown theaters in 1908 Dennison along with the Nickel Palace and the Empire. It appears to have closed in December of 1921. It was auctioned off in 1922 when the final operator declared bankruptcy.
City Lights Weatherford opened on November 16, 2012 with ten films including “Skyfall,” “Wreck it Ralph” in 2D and 3D and “Twilight: Breaking Dawn.”
The Northeast Shopping Center (aka Korvette Shopping Center, for a period) opened in October of 1959 theatre-less and anchored by E.J. Korvette’s Department Store. In 1964, an announced expansion brought both a public library a Philadelphia’s first twin-screen movie theater in 1964/65. The concept was to have a road show title on one screen and a continuously-running feature on the other. It opened as Cinema I & II on Christmas Day 1965 with Edna Knowles as the cashier and “Do Not Disturb” with Doris Day and “Pinocchio in Outer Space” starring Pinocchio.
The theatre hosted German films as a recurring series, became the General Cinema Northeast I, II, III (1973), and the GCC Northeast 4 (1976) all with Knowles as cashier. Korvette’s departed in 1980. A new Tower Records store came in and did some tie-ups with the theater. The GCC Northeast 4 closed on May 31, 1999 at the end of its leasing period. And yes, Edna Knowles made it all the way from opening in 1965 to its closing date of May 31, 1999. The business was so slow, however, that she had to work concessions as the theatre didn’t sell almost any tickets on weekdays so the box office was closed around 1997.
The last “feature” on the marquee by long-time employee Joe “Zuck” Zuckschwerdt - in charge of the GCC attractor for some 25 years - read, “Goodnight, Edna. Thanks for 35 Great Years.”
Ad for June 19, 1936 reboot as the Texan Theatre with Tom Tyler in “Silent Valley.”
June 19, 1936 reboot as the Texan Theatre with Tom Tyler in “Silent Valley.”
As noted elsewhere, Emma Cassidy and her sister Ms. G.H. Hammond opened the Lyric Theater in the summer of 1914. A.V. Wade of Wade-Tex Theatres took on the venue giving it a streamline moderne makeover and new name when it relaunched on March 18, 1936 with Wallace Ford in “Another Face.”
Final day of operation was January 17, 2022
Kirkeby and Erickson opened the Scenic Drive-In in September of 1950. Wondering if this isn’t the same location as the Sky-Lite Drive-In that had opened on May 20, 1948 with Anthony Quinn in “Black Gold” and just updated by the pair with individual car speakers and other more modern amenities. I would guess so.
This location closed along with the other Alamo Drafthouse locations on March 16, 2020. I’d classify it as closed having not yet reopened. But we’ll call it a non-permanent closure as it still has both website and phone though has scrubbed Facebook posts - not too encouraging. When they reopen, we will let you know.
Trade ad spotlights Jack Corgan and Bill J. Moore architectural work on the Elk Theatre in Elk City.
The Rogers Drive-In reportedly launched May 31, 1950 with “The Plunderers” by Calvin Council and the Griffith Circuit and named for the late actor Will Rogers.
Griffith Bros. Circuit launched its new Cadet Theatre on July 3, 1942 with “Torpedo Boat” supported by an Our Gang short. It appears to have closed on March 15, 1956 with “The Fighting Seabees.” Griffith Amusement sold the building to an operator who converted the space to a bowling alley.
Opened in November of 1917
The Palace Theatre opened November 14, 1909 with 2,000 feet of film. In 1923, it was downgraded to weekend-only operation. It was sold by L.W. Brophy’s Yale Entertainment along with the Yale also in Claremore, the Grand and Lyric in Vinta, and the Yale in Muskogee to Robb & Rowley (R&R) in March of 1925.
The Palace closed in 1929 for films and 1930 with events without converting to sound. The Griffith Bros. Amusement Circuit took on the boarded-up venue after a major refresh relaunching with Oakley Leachman in charge on July 6, 1934 with Ken Maynard in “Wheels of Destiny” supported by Evlyn Knapp in “The Perils of Pauline” serial.
The theatre was again downgraded to weekend operation only in the 1940s closing for films on October 25, 1947 with Bill Boyd in “Fool’s Gold” supported by the serial, “The Mysterious Mr. M” and a cartoon. The theater hung around with some trade screenings and church services over the next year or so. In 1952, the Palace marquee was removed and, in 1955, the Ranch and Home Store took over the neighboring building and converting it to retail.
Opened March 30, 1932
Reading the local newspaper and trade press, the Elk Theatre was opened by Griffith Amusement Circuit on January 30, 1936. Its architecture was credited in the trade press to Jack M. Corgan and Bill J. Moore, Jr. The Rex was operated in the 1950s under operator Volney Hamm as well as Video Independent Circuit.
John Monroe was the final operator of the Elk Theater relaunching it in November of 1957 with “The Ten Commandments” but closing in 1958. It became a short-lived record store keeping the theater auditorium and then it was totally refurbished in 1960 with its contents sold off when it was converted to another retail store opening in 1961.
The above info is in error.
The above dates are in error.
There were two locations for the Max Theatre. The first one opened to the public on March 18, 1931 and was likely originally opened as the Liberty Theatre - a silent venue that had launched on February 20, 1920 with “Revelations.” The venue’s safety protocols were no match for a nitrate film explosion that destroyed the building, the neighboring Armour Produce, and damaged the Ben Franklin store, and Velvin Barber Shop on March 31, 1935. Buck Jones, projectionist, was injured but manager Laura Means got all patrons out safely.
A new building housing a new Max Theatre was built on what is now South Sheb Wooley street that opened in September of 1935 and has a Cinema Treasures page under its new name when a new operator renamed the venue.
The Guthrie Brothers Circuit - Lee and Lamar - bought the Erick Theatre from Oakley Leachman and the Gay Theatre from Roy McAmis. They owned Rogue Theatres in Wheeler and Matador, Texas, and Tipton and Wetamka, Oklahoma so renamed one of their new acquisitions as the Rogue Theatre. Its location was 118 OK-30 (formerly 118 North Main) which appears to be a vacant lot.
The State Theatre was taken over by C.G. Waters of Stroud and relaunched as the Bulldog Theatre on February 28, 1936 with “Stormy.”
The Bungalow opened July 2, 1915 and the owners were said to have skipped town with the creditors in the lurch. New operators reopened the theatre even remembering where the serial, “Lucille Love, Girl of Mystery” had left off at the relaunch. Under L.A. White, the theatre converted to sound on October 9, 1929 with “The Lady Lies.”
On April 2, 1941, the theatre was completely overhauled relaunching as the new Tech Theatre with Fred MacMurray in “Dive Bomber.” It converted to widescreen on March 17, 1954 to present CinemaScope films beginning with “The Robe.” It was still in operation in the 1970s.
This theatre was built in 1915 and appears to have had a very short period as the White Theatre according to the trade press. It operated as the Strand under new operators in 1916. The Strand switched to sound to remain relevant. It may be best remembered in the Studio Era for prolific house artist Donald Andorfer’s hand-painted posters and imaginative fronts that were created to promote current and forthcoming features.
The Strand received a shocking $110,000 makeover by operator James O'Connor gutting the building and created a streamlined moderne Towne Theatre in 1969. The Towne’s final owner Joe Reynolds kept the Towne alive from 1977 through its 80th anniversary and past his 85th birthday before selling out in 1996. The theatre was repurposed for an indoor activity center featuring rock climbing.
The Quannah Theatre appears to have opened in downtown Comanche, Oklahoma in 1920. On May 15, 1927, the Quannah Theatre was damaged by fire. Repairs were made by operator George Williams at its relaunch In August. 15, 1927. Showing class, Williams recalled what serial chapter they were on when they reopened.
William Lancaster and Mr. R.P. Lancaster took on the venue and updated it in 1928. It received Motiograph DeLuxe projectors, new screen and new signage at its reopening on February 18, 1928, as the Ritz Theatre with Clara Bow in “Rough House Rosie.” Lancaster would purchase Vitaphone and Movietone sound was installed for its first sound show on February 14, 1930 for sound with “The Mighty” starring George Bancroft.
The Lancasters would upgrade the sound system in 1933 along with a new air conditioning system. The operator of the theatre in 1940s and 1950s was V.A. “Spec” Lancaster. The theatre burned in 1959.