Launched at 102 West Eden street on May 18, 1948, its first film was “The Return of Rin Tin Tin” in Vitacolor. The architect was Frank Whitaker Benton. In 1962, the building was offered for $15,750 and, not long after, the Colonial Furniture launched an annex store in the former Eden Theatre. Offered for sale in 2024, it was listed for $320,000.
Renamed as the Cinemark 14 Lewisville & XD when the Music City Mall concept failed. Under new operators, the struggling shopping center was renamed The Vista.
The E.M. MacDaniel Building was built to house multiple business in 1939 with a theater in the center at 941 Starling. The delayed project opened on September 11, 1941 as the Starling Theatre, a streamlined movie house playing sub-run discount films. F.W. Carper opened the Starling with “Here Comes Mr. Jordan.” It was managed by John L. Garst of Martinsville’s National and Roxy theaters also owned by Carper’s circuit. The building also had Reed’s Confectionery that served as the de facto concession stand and was the original home of Gilbert’s Beauty Salon.
The Starling booth was equipped with E7 Simplex projectors with 4-Star Simplex sound. The stage was installed by Novelty Scenic of New York and the seats were designed by Heywood-Wakefield. But Wartime worker shortages were cited as the end of the road as the Starling closed with “Lady, Let’s Dance” on December 10, 1944.
The theater came back to life after the War when Bernard Depkin opened the former Starling as the Bee Dee (Bernard Depkin’s nickname) Theatre. The Bee Dee launched on April 24, 1947 with “The Best Years Of Our Lives.” At that time, Depkin operated the Rives Theatre as as manager an co-owner.
In October of 1948, W. Pritchett took on the venue and renamed it as the Martin Theatre. Pritchett moved it to a double-feature, discount sub-run movie house. Opening titles as the Martin were on October 29, 1949 were June Allyson in “Good News” and Randolph Scott in “Trial Street.” Martinsville Theatre Management (MTM) Circuit closed the Martin some 35 years later on July 3, 1985 with “The Goonies” as the theatre needed major repairs.
The Rives Theatre opened in 1935. It was closed in 1984 to duplex the house. Martin Theatre Management (MTM) relaunched in time for the venue’s 50th Anniversary now as the Rives Cinema 1 & 2. The theatre rebranded to the Rives Theatre in the 21st Century playing movies until closing in 2009. It became a live theatre thereafter.
The Friendly Drive-In Theatre opened on June 22, 1950 with “Red Canyon.” It went widescreen in 1957 and did not advertise after that season. The lot is auctioned in 1970 likely at the end of its 20-year lease and is sold for other purposes.
L.L. Theimer’s South Drive-In Theaters Inc. opened its 23d location with the 220 Drive-In Theatre in 1968. It launched August 30, 1968 with Clint Eastwood in “Hang ‘em High” supported by three cartoons.
But the fame and legacy of the 220 Drive-In occurred when the drive-in hosted The Allman Brothers live during their third Rock Festival of the 1970 season on August 9, 1970. The last ad for the 220 was a November 27, 1977 double feature with Roger Corman’s “Moonshine County Express” and “Hustler Squad.” However, the ozoner likely opened for part of the 1978 season closing at the end of its 20-year lease.
The Roxy was getting ready to open for Frances W. Carper and, in 1930, just prior to the Roxy Theater opening, he was sued. It seems that Carper sold the silent Midway Theater in town to the Martinsville Theatre Corporation signing a non-compete clause. But then he created a sound movie theater asking his dad and wife to operate it. Martinsville Corp. said that he was still competing against their National and Midway theaters. The Roxy still opened on schedule in 1930.
The Roxy was converted to widescreen in the 1950s to present CinemaScope films. On September 9, 1963, the Roxy closed permanently with a double feature of Tony Curtis in “40 Pounds of Trouble” and Edward Judd in “Mystery Submarine.” Within 24 hours, the marquee was dismantled and soon after the building was converted by Frith Construction for other retail purposes.
This venue opened as the Metropolitan Airport Theater by Lawrence and Stella Micelli. The MAT opened on May 20, 1949 with Lucille Ball in “Personal Column” supported by “That Old Gang of Mine” with the East Side Kids. It was located less than two miles from Palmer Metropolitan Airport.
The theater’s name was changed three times. In 1951, it became the Metropolitan Airport Drive-In. “Airport” was dropped making it the Metropolitan Drive-In Theatre for the 1953 through early 1956 operational cycle. On July 25, 1956, it had a new widescreen tower to project CinemaScope titles staring with “Picnic” and was truncated to the Metro Drive-In. The Micelli family operated the Metro D-I to its 1986 closure. It final double-bill was on September 7, 1986 with “Maximum Overdrive” and “Friday the 13th, Part VI.”
May 7, 1969 grand opening with “The Wrecking Crew” and “The Big Gun Down” on the North Screen and “Swiss Family Robinson” and “Kimberly Jim” on the South Screen.
Franchisee Two is One, One is None, LLC closed all six franchised Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas that it operated, and have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy. June 5, 2024 was this location’s last day. The parent company said it was trying to identify new operators as soon as possible.
Alamo Drafthouse closed all of its locations for COVID-19 on March 16, 2020. The Cedars reopened briefly on August 24, 2020 before closing again following the October 6, 2020 showings. It then reopened almost one year later on September 3, 2021.
Two is One, One is None, LLC then closed all six franchised Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas that it (and its affiliates) operated, and have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy. June 5, 2024 was this location’s last day.
The Alamo Drafthouse Denton resumed operations on September 10, 2021 after an extended COVID-19 pandemic hiatus. The theatre had closed along with the rest of the locations on March 16, 2020. It briefly reopened in August of 2020 before closing for a year during the pandemic.
The venue reopened in October of 2021. Unfortunately, Two is One, One is None, LLC then closed all six franchised Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas that it (and its affiliates) operated, and have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy. June 5, 2024 was this location’s last day.
The Alamo Drafthouse closed March 16, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened for three weeks in late August and into September of 2020. It then closed for another year reopening in October of 2021. Unfortunately, Two is One, One is None, LLC then closed all six franchised Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas that it (and its affiliates) operated, and have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy. June 5, 2024 was this location’s last day.
The Alamo Drafthouse closed March 16, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened for three weeks in late August and into September of 2020. It then closed for another year reopening in October of 2021. Unfortunately, Two is One, One is None, LLC then closed all six franchised Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas that it (and its affiliates) operated, and have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy. June 5, 2024 was this location’s last day.
Two is One, One is None, LLC has closed all six franchised Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas that it (and its affiliates) operated, and have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy. June 5, 2024 was this location’s last day.
Launched at 102 West Eden street on May 18, 1948, its first film was “The Return of Rin Tin Tin” in Vitacolor. The architect was Frank Whitaker Benton. In 1962, the building was offered for $15,750 and, not long after, the Colonial Furniture launched an annex store in the former Eden Theatre. Offered for sale in 2024, it was listed for $320,000.
Grand reopening as the Ding Hao Drive-In Theatre in photos. For around ten seasons, it did business as the Ding Hao Drive-In and Ding-Hao Drive-In.
Renamed as the Cinemark 14 Lewisville & XD when the Music City Mall concept failed. Under new operators, the struggling shopping center was renamed The Vista.
The E.M. MacDaniel Building was built to house multiple business in 1939 with a theater in the center at 941 Starling. The delayed project opened on September 11, 1941 as the Starling Theatre, a streamlined movie house playing sub-run discount films. F.W. Carper opened the Starling with “Here Comes Mr. Jordan.” It was managed by John L. Garst of Martinsville’s National and Roxy theaters also owned by Carper’s circuit. The building also had Reed’s Confectionery that served as the de facto concession stand and was the original home of Gilbert’s Beauty Salon.
The Starling booth was equipped with E7 Simplex projectors with 4-Star Simplex sound. The stage was installed by Novelty Scenic of New York and the seats were designed by Heywood-Wakefield. But Wartime worker shortages were cited as the end of the road as the Starling closed with “Lady, Let’s Dance” on December 10, 1944.
The theater came back to life after the War when Bernard Depkin opened the former Starling as the Bee Dee (Bernard Depkin’s nickname) Theatre. The Bee Dee launched on April 24, 1947 with “The Best Years Of Our Lives.” At that time, Depkin operated the Rives Theatre as as manager an co-owner.
In October of 1948, W. Pritchett took on the venue and renamed it as the Martin Theatre. Pritchett moved it to a double-feature, discount sub-run movie house. Opening titles as the Martin were on October 29, 1949 were June Allyson in “Good News” and Randolph Scott in “Trial Street.” Martinsville Theatre Management (MTM) Circuit closed the Martin some 35 years later on July 3, 1985 with “The Goonies” as the theatre needed major repairs.
The Rives Theatre opened in 1935. It was closed in 1984 to duplex the house. Martin Theatre Management (MTM) relaunched in time for the venue’s 50th Anniversary now as the Rives Cinema 1 & 2. The theatre rebranded to the Rives Theatre in the 21st Century playing movies until closing in 2009. It became a live theatre thereafter.
Just kidding - famous hygiene commentator and non-doctor Elliot Forbes was live on the stage of the National Theatre in Martinsville.
First day: November 28, 1935.
The Castle Drive-In opened July 11, 1952 with “Sound Off” - ad in photos.
The Rives Theatre opened in 1935.
The Friendly Drive-In Theatre opened on June 22, 1950 with “Red Canyon.” It went widescreen in 1957 and did not advertise after that season. The lot is auctioned in 1970 likely at the end of its 20-year lease and is sold for other purposes.
L.L. Theimer’s South Drive-In Theaters Inc. opened its 23d location with the 220 Drive-In Theatre in 1968. It launched August 30, 1968 with Clint Eastwood in “Hang ‘em High” supported by three cartoons.
But the fame and legacy of the 220 Drive-In occurred when the drive-in hosted The Allman Brothers live during their third Rock Festival of the 1970 season on August 9, 1970. The last ad for the 220 was a November 27, 1977 double feature with Roger Corman’s “Moonshine County Express” and “Hustler Squad.” However, the ozoner likely opened for part of the 1978 season closing at the end of its 20-year lease.
August 9, 1970.
The Roxy was getting ready to open for Frances W. Carper and, in 1930, just prior to the Roxy Theater opening, he was sued. It seems that Carper sold the silent Midway Theater in town to the Martinsville Theatre Corporation signing a non-compete clause. But then he created a sound movie theater asking his dad and wife to operate it. Martinsville Corp. said that he was still competing against their National and Midway theaters. The Roxy still opened on schedule in 1930.
The Roxy was converted to widescreen in the 1950s to present CinemaScope films. On September 9, 1963, the Roxy closed permanently with a double feature of Tony Curtis in “40 Pounds of Trouble” and Edward Judd in “Mystery Submarine.” Within 24 hours, the marquee was dismantled and soon after the building was converted by Frith Construction for other retail purposes.
This venue opened as the Metropolitan Airport Theater by Lawrence and Stella Micelli. The MAT opened on May 20, 1949 with Lucille Ball in “Personal Column” supported by “That Old Gang of Mine” with the East Side Kids. It was located less than two miles from Palmer Metropolitan Airport.
The theater’s name was changed three times. In 1951, it became the Metropolitan Airport Drive-In. “Airport” was dropped making it the Metropolitan Drive-In Theatre for the 1953 through early 1956 operational cycle. On July 25, 1956, it had a new widescreen tower to project CinemaScope titles staring with “Picnic” and was truncated to the Metro Drive-In. The Micelli family operated the Metro D-I to its 1986 closure. It final double-bill was on September 7, 1986 with “Maximum Overdrive” and “Friday the 13th, Part VI.”
The Roxy replaced the silent Lincoln Theatre on September 6, 1930 with a grand opening film was Dolores Del Rio in “The Bad One.
HKS Architects is handling the 2024/5 redesign - some concept drawings are in photos.
May 25, 1949 grand opening ad in photos.
May 7, 1969 grand opening with “The Wrecking Crew” and “The Big Gun Down” on the North Screen and “Swiss Family Robinson” and “Kimberly Jim” on the South Screen.
Sorry - Theatre Center of Mississippi.
Franchisee Two is One, One is None, LLC closed all six franchised Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas that it operated, and have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy. June 5, 2024 was this location’s last day. The parent company said it was trying to identify new operators as soon as possible.
Alamo Drafthouse closed all of its locations for COVID-19 on March 16, 2020. The Cedars reopened briefly on August 24, 2020 before closing again following the October 6, 2020 showings. It then reopened almost one year later on September 3, 2021.
Two is One, One is None, LLC then closed all six franchised Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas that it (and its affiliates) operated, and have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy. June 5, 2024 was this location’s last day.
The Alamo Drafthouse Denton resumed operations on September 10, 2021 after an extended COVID-19 pandemic hiatus. The theatre had closed along with the rest of the locations on March 16, 2020. It briefly reopened in August of 2020 before closing for a year during the pandemic.
The venue reopened in October of 2021. Unfortunately, Two is One, One is None, LLC then closed all six franchised Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas that it (and its affiliates) operated, and have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy. June 5, 2024 was this location’s last day.
The Alamo Drafthouse closed March 16, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened for three weeks in late August and into September of 2020. It then closed for another year reopening in October of 2021. Unfortunately, Two is One, One is None, LLC then closed all six franchised Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas that it (and its affiliates) operated, and have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy. June 5, 2024 was this location’s last day.
The Alamo Drafthouse closed March 16, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It reopened for three weeks in late August and into September of 2020. It then closed for another year reopening in October of 2021. Unfortunately, Two is One, One is None, LLC then closed all six franchised Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas that it (and its affiliates) operated, and have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy. June 5, 2024 was this location’s last day.
Two is One, One is None, LLC has closed all six franchised Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas that it (and its affiliates) operated, and have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy. June 5, 2024 was this location’s last day.