Atlantic Theatres Inc. circuit launched the Grove Theatre on August 16, 1940 as a streamline moderne alternative to its existing Broad Theatre. The Broad was closed that night for a major streamline moderne refresh.
The theatre completed two 20-year leasing agreements. But the venue scuffled in the 1970s. It first became the FunHouse, a “Hooray Cinema” concept tried out in several local and aging movie houses. That started June 27, 1973 with “Scorpio” playing a discount run. That ended nine months later on March 12, 1974 with a discount double feature chopsocky/blaxploitation pairing “That Man Bolt” and “Trick Baby.” Hooray.
On September 11, 1974, the Grove reopened as the Earle Theatre playing repertory shows here with “Sound of Music.” When that failed to draw customers, they went X-rated fare which met with local displeasure. The Earle made it just two months closing November 17, 1974 with “Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat” and “Heavy Traffic.” Its entry certainly should remain the Grove Theatre.
The Dukedun Theatre was built in 1925 at a cost of $18,000 and architects were Stebbins & Walters of Weslaco, Texas. The theater scuffled in its transition to sound. Its first attempt was in 1931 and the $7,500 job doesn’t appear to have been a resounding success. Robert L. Vogler was the architect for that remodel for sound. In 1933, it was wired with Western Electric sound by new operator E.F. Stein under its new Bijou Theatre nameplate. That led to a lawsuit with the landlords of the building who placed a lien on the sound equipment for failure to pay rent toward that leasing agreement.
Percy Bond build the new Lorex Theatre “#2” opening in October of 1946. The post-war structure replaced the original Lorex Theatre which was converted into a retail location of an Allen Brown Variety Store.
Note: According to the trade press, the open air drive-in concept was only used for three seasons. The venue was then enclosed becoming a 250-seat hardtop. (For the curious.)
This project was announced by Robert “Bob” N. Smith in 1935 and was optimistically created with 600 seats. That got reduced to 440 at its July 6, 1936 opening with “Dancing Pirate.” It would get a makeover reducing seat count to 400.
Add in that the original Alamo Theatre was destroyed February 12, 1939 by fire. Just months later, an all new Alamo Theatre was built. The theatre with its equipment was offered for sale in 1974 for $13,500. It was definitely in business in the 1960s and likely into the early 1970s.
Also operated by Benitez Theater Circuit for a brief period. End of the line for the Benitez Thunderbird Drive-In Theatre was on Labor Day weekend following the September 6, 1982 showing of Cantinflas in “El Barrendero.” The venue continued as the Benitez Thunderbird Drive-In Flea Market until December of 1984.
George Holdridge opened the Pharr Theatre in 1925 in downtown Pharr. The venue scuffled in the transition to sound. In 1930, the town offered a year of free rent if the accepting operator would reopen the dormant theater with sound. Traxiana Jack took that challenge and she wired it for sound using X-Cell audio equipment in a complete refresh of the theatre. It re-emerged under her watch in 1931 as the Texas Theatre. Harry N. Britten took on the Texas Theatre and operated Teatro Espana in Pharr. He and his partner, R.O. Brewer, sold off the Texas in 1947 to M. Linn and William A Smith of Texas Theatres, Inc.
The Bayou Drive-In launched on July 26, 1949 with “Northwest Stampede” as its opening film. It reopened as the January 22, 1970 as the Bayou Twin Drive-In with two screen towers.
The Capitan was discharged dishonorably via demolition after its 75th birthday in February of 2025. Its sister, the Granada Theatre / Teatro Granada that had opened three weeks later in 1949, said una última despedida being demolished just after its 75th birthday in November of 2025. Though there’s no preservationism, at least there’s symmetry.
Atlantic Theatres Inc. circuit launched the Grove Theatre on August 16, 1940 as a streamline moderne alternative to its existing Broad Theatre. The Broad was closed that night for a major streamline moderne refresh.
The theatre completed two 20-year leasing agreements. But the venue scuffled in the 1970s. It first became the FunHouse, a “Hooray Cinema” concept tried out in several local and aging movie houses. That started June 27, 1973 with “Scorpio” playing a discount run. That ended nine months later on March 12, 1974 with a discount double feature chopsocky/blaxploitation pairing “That Man Bolt” and “Trick Baby.” Hooray.
On September 11, 1974, the Grove reopened as the Earle Theatre playing repertory shows here with “Sound of Music.” When that failed to draw customers, they went X-rated fare which met with local displeasure. The Earle made it just two months closing November 17, 1974 with “Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat” and “Heavy Traffic.” Its entry certainly should remain the Grove Theatre.
The Dukedun Theatre was built in 1925 at a cost of $18,000 and architects were Stebbins & Walters of Weslaco, Texas. The theater scuffled in its transition to sound. Its first attempt was in 1931 and the $7,500 job doesn’t appear to have been a resounding success. Robert L. Vogler was the architect for that remodel for sound. In 1933, it was wired with Western Electric sound by new operator E.F. Stein under its new Bijou Theatre nameplate. That led to a lawsuit with the landlords of the building who placed a lien on the sound equipment for failure to pay rent toward that leasing agreement.
Percy Bond build the new Lorex Theatre “#2” opening in October of 1946. The post-war structure replaced the original Lorex Theatre which was converted into a retail location of an Allen Brown Variety Store.
Opening date was October 1, 1953 with “The Arrowhead.” The Bonds also operated the hardtop Lorex throughout the 1940s and into the 1950s.
Note: According to the trade press, the open air drive-in concept was only used for three seasons. The venue was then enclosed becoming a 250-seat hardtop. (For the curious.)
The Varsity Theatre closed on January 15, 2026 with Primate, Avatar: Fire and Ash, and Marty Supreme.
Still going in 1979
This project was announced by Robert “Bob” N. Smith in 1935 and was optimistically created with 600 seats. That got reduced to 440 at its July 6, 1936 opening with “Dancing Pirate.” It would get a makeover reducing seat count to 400.
Announced its closure on January 8, 2026.
The Eagle has crash landed - all 3 locations closed permanently January 4, 2026 including this locale
The Eagle has crash landed - all 3 locations closed permanently January 4, 2026 including this locale
The Eagle has crash landed - all 3 locations closed permanently January 4, 2026 including the Streator 6
Final day January 8, 2026 as Regal runs out the 25-year lease
Add in that the original Alamo Theatre was destroyed February 12, 1939 by fire. Just months later, an all new Alamo Theatre was built. The theatre with its equipment was offered for sale in 1974 for $13,500. It was definitely in business in the 1960s and likely into the early 1970s.
Also operated by Benitez Theater Circuit for a brief period. End of the line for the Benitez Thunderbird Drive-In Theatre was on Labor Day weekend following the September 6, 1982 showing of Cantinflas in “El Barrendero.” The venue continued as the Benitez Thunderbird Drive-In Flea Market until December of 1984.
Also known as the Benitez Drive-In
Operated at the latter stages by the Benitez Theatre Circuit
Operated by the Benitez Theatre Circuit
Teatro Juarez was operated by the Benitez Theatre Circuit
Once operated by the Benitez Theatre Circuit
George Holdridge opened the Pharr Theatre in 1925 in downtown Pharr. The venue scuffled in the transition to sound. In 1930, the town offered a year of free rent if the accepting operator would reopen the dormant theater with sound. Traxiana Jack took that challenge and she wired it for sound using X-Cell audio equipment in a complete refresh of the theatre. It re-emerged under her watch in 1931 as the Texas Theatre. Harry N. Britten took on the Texas Theatre and operated Teatro Espana in Pharr. He and his partner, R.O. Brewer, sold off the Texas in 1947 to M. Linn and William A Smith of Texas Theatres, Inc.
Once operated by the Benitez Theatre Circuit
Once operated by the Benitez Theatre Circuit
The Bayou Drive-In launched on July 26, 1949 with “Northwest Stampede” as its opening film. It reopened as the January 22, 1970 as the Bayou Twin Drive-In with two screen towers.
The Capitan was discharged dishonorably via demolition after its 75th birthday in February of 2025. Its sister, the Granada Theatre / Teatro Granada that had opened three weeks later in 1949, said una última despedida being demolished just after its 75th birthday in November of 2025. Though there’s no preservationism, at least there’s symmetry.