Shortly before midnight on October 24, 1988, a massive brawl sparked near the box office when a group involving 10 people got into an argument with a group of three men from Detroit after watching “Halloween 4”. One man in his 20s pulled out a pistol and shot two of the three men. A 19-year-old man was shot in the abdomen while a 27-year-old man was shot in the right ankle. The third man, also a 27-year-old man, broke his leg while scrambling from the gunfire.
On November 17, 1989, a 21-year-old Detroit man was shot in the chest inside one of the auditoriums after another man paraded up an aisle brandishing a gun during the opening weekend of Eddie Murphy’s “Harlem Nights” at approximately 9:55 PM ET. While everyone evacuated from the theater, a 22-year-old Detroit woman ran into traffic and was hit by a car, surviving the injury. Less than an hour after the shooting, a 24-year-old Detroit man shot at a police officer in the parking lot and was wounded when the officer returned fire. The 24-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital where he also faced charges of attempted murder and three weapon-related charges.
A witness reported that before “Harlem Nights” played in one of the auditoriums, AMC theater personnel appeared so overwhelmed by the immense crowd that they stopped checking for tickets, kept the theater lights on throughout the movie, and called police at the same time when a fight broke out. All the seats were filled, and people were jamming the aisles of the auditoriums, with nearly 3,000 moviegoers inside and out. Some were drinking open containers of alcohol, some minor skirmishes broke out, and others were dancing in front of the movie screen and aisles, even during the pre-show trailers, daters, and snipes. After the AMC logo comes the Paramount logo. Minutes after the start of the movie, a fistfight among a group of seven men erupted. A projectionist stopped the projector, and police were called to the theater. The movie resumed and was stopped again because of another fistfight, but this time it was group of girls. The movie continued, and ANOTHER group of young men began fighting. The movie stopped YET AGAIN but continued soon after the dispute was over. Minutes later, a young man walked down an aisle towards the screen, brandishing a pistol and shouting out a name. As the scene where Murphy started a shooting spree, the man started shooting inside the theater, wounding one man. Many moviegoers ducked for cover while others ran, jumped over seats, and pushed people in their path.
It was originally planned to open as a Jerry Lewis Cinema but instead opened by Brendt Theatres as the Post Cinema on July 11, 1973 with “Paper Moon” as a 350-seat single-screener. It was then briefly closed by the city, but then reopened again on July 26, 1973 with the same movie.
It was later operated by Nutmeg, then CinemaNational, then USA Cinemas, then Loews, then Sony Theatres, and finally Loews Cineplex before closing on July 25, 1999 with “The Wood”.
Twinned on November 18, 1984 after extensive remodeling. The original marquee was also taken down after twinning, but the theater continued to operate during the remodel.
As of 1955, the Minamimachi area had a total of three separate movie theaters including the Minamigai Theater. The other two theaters were the Namba Toho and the Minamigai La Scala.
The number was upgraded to five by 1959 when two more theaters named the Minamigai Cinema and the Minamigai News Theater (which opened on December 21, 1957) were added nearby. A sixth theater was added as well called the Minamigai Meigaza (but closed in August 1974), and the Minamigai News Theater was later renamed the Minamigai Cultural Theater.
On December 18, 1959, 70mm projection was installed at the Minamigai Theater after being renovated the previous month.
It also appears that the Walnut Theaters no longer shows movies, meaning that it most likely closed around 2014. It reopened later that same year as the banquet hall under the name Belleza Event but retaining the Walnut Theaters stuff.
Several photos confirmed that both auditoriums show all of its seats being removed and were replaced with dinner tables and chairs in one screen, and a dance floor in the other screen, but both screens are still there. The building was still in fair shape as of 2026, but the signage appears to be faded.
Opened in Spring 1915.
Became a triplex on March 20, 1992.
Shortly before midnight on October 24, 1988, a massive brawl sparked near the box office when a group involving 10 people got into an argument with a group of three men from Detroit after watching “Halloween 4”. One man in his 20s pulled out a pistol and shot two of the three men. A 19-year-old man was shot in the abdomen while a 27-year-old man was shot in the right ankle. The third man, also a 27-year-old man, broke his leg while scrambling from the gunfire.
On November 17, 1989, a 21-year-old Detroit man was shot in the chest inside one of the auditoriums after another man paraded up an aisle brandishing a gun during the opening weekend of Eddie Murphy’s “Harlem Nights” at approximately 9:55 PM ET. While everyone evacuated from the theater, a 22-year-old Detroit woman ran into traffic and was hit by a car, surviving the injury. Less than an hour after the shooting, a 24-year-old Detroit man shot at a police officer in the parking lot and was wounded when the officer returned fire. The 24-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital where he also faced charges of attempted murder and three weapon-related charges.
Closed on September 12, 1998 with “Your Friends & Neighbors”.
First owned by Chris Thodis, and first operated by Louis Weithe.
Actual opening date is January 29, 1942 with “When Ladies Meet” (unknown if extras added).
Last operated by GKC.
So does it mean that the theater is going to get demolished?
Very unique!
Once operated by Loews.
Once operated by Nutmeg.
Once operated by Nutmeg, later CinemaNational, later USA Cinemas, later Loews, later Sony Theatres, and finally Loews Cineplex.
Once operated by Nutmeg, later CinemaNational, later USA Cinemas, later Loews, later Sony Theatres, and finally Loews Cineplex.
Once operated by Nutmeg, later CinemaNational, later USA Cinemas, later Loews, later Sony Theatres, and finally Loews Cineplex.
It was originally planned to open as a Jerry Lewis Cinema but instead opened by Brendt Theatres as the Post Cinema on July 11, 1973 with “Paper Moon” as a 350-seat single-screener. It was then briefly closed by the city, but then reopened again on July 26, 1973 with the same movie.
It was later operated by Nutmeg, then CinemaNational, then USA Cinemas, then Loews, then Sony Theatres, and finally Loews Cineplex before closing on July 25, 1999 with “The Wood”.
Actual closing date is September 21, 1997.
Closed on September 7, 1987 with “The Untouchables” and “April Fool’s Day”.
Closed on September 7, 1981 with “Tarzan The Ape Man” and “Clash Of The Titans”.
Twinned on November 18, 1984 after extensive remodeling. The original marquee was also taken down after twinning, but the theater continued to operate during the remodel.
On one screen. Do you know what film closed on the other screen?
As of 1955, the Minamimachi area had a total of three separate movie theaters including the Minamigai Theater. The other two theaters were the Namba Toho and the Minamigai La Scala.
The number was upgraded to five by 1959 when two more theaters named the Minamigai Cinema and the Minamigai News Theater (which opened on December 21, 1957) were added nearby. A sixth theater was added as well called the Minamigai Meigaza (but closed in August 1974), and the Minamigai News Theater was later renamed the Minamigai Cultural Theater.
On December 18, 1959, 70mm projection was installed at the Minamigai Theater after being renovated the previous month.
Closed on December 13, 1990 with “Flatliners” in Screen 1 and “Death Warrant” in Screen 2.
A 1995 aerial view shows the theater building, meaning that this operated as early as that year.
It also appears that the Walnut Theaters no longer shows movies, meaning that it most likely closed around 2014. It reopened later that same year as the banquet hall under the name Belleza Event but retaining the Walnut Theaters stuff.
Several photos confirmed that both auditoriums show all of its seats being removed and were replaced with dinner tables and chairs in one screen, and a dance floor in the other screen, but both screens are still there. The building was still in fair shape as of 2026, but the signage appears to be faded.
A 1925 advertisement for the Ozark Battery & Electric store confirms that the Lyric is located between West Meadow Street and North Block Avenue.