Years of operation were 1921 to 1953.
Architects the firm of Wedemeyer & Nelson.
Seating capacity of 929.
The first Vitaphone film, “Don Juan”, was exhibited here on first-run in 1926.
Theatre was bought by Famous & Barr to expand its parking facilities.
Theatre demolished in 1956.
Since the question was raised about the number of Rockettes, it may be of interest that when the troupe started, in 1925 at the Missouri Theatre in St. Louis as the Rockets, it numbered 16.
Theatre is currently closed as the original brick facade is slated to reappear. Also promised is a rehabbing of the concession area and the seats. The theatre is slated to reopen September 11th. While the original theatre is closed, the Backlot venue remains open.
The stained-glass doors and the openings to Peacock Alley show this is a shot of Detroit, not St. Louis. Contrary to some belief, there are a number of subtle differences between the so-called “twin” theatres.
The theatre opened as the O'FALLON PARK in 1910. The building permit lists the architect as G. Becker. The theatre’s name became the O'FALLON around 1923.
A few months ago I was walking by the theatre and noted one of the exit doors on St. Charles was open. Of course I looked in and saw the house lights on so I entered. I found the stage and the orchestra section being used for storage for the adjacent high-rise apartment which the Roberts brothers began and never completed before their financial troubles began.
Since the Roberts brothers no longer own the theatre, the old-Mayfair Hotel and the high-rise it would be appropriate to remove their name and catalogue the theatre as the ORPHEUM.
It has been announced that a second screen is to be added to the operation. To be called the Hi-Pointe Backlot, this 50-seat venue is not being carved from the original theatre but is in a separate building across the alley to the west.
When opened in January 1912 the Kings was one of the theatres of O. T. Crawford. After Crawford’s holdings were auctioned off for non-payment of debts in 1915, the theatre had a series of operators including William Goldman, Cella and Tate, Famous Players-Missouri, Loew’s, and the Skouras Brothers. Policies included stock companies, films and vaudeville. The last day the theatre was open in in May 1929, with the structure demolished in 1935.
Photographs of the Paramount lobby murals appear in the 2014-Third Quarter issue of the THS journal, Marquee. This issue devoted to muralist Louis F. Grell.
As a typical neighborhood house the theatre closed July 5, 1956 with “Carousel.” However, the theatre reopened in May of 1957 with a policy of German-language films. The last noting of this policy was in March 1960.
The films in the newspaper ad date from 1968 and 1969.
Years of operation were 1921 to 1953. Architects the firm of Wedemeyer & Nelson. Seating capacity of 929. The first Vitaphone film, “Don Juan”, was exhibited here on first-run in 1926. Theatre was bought by Famous & Barr to expand its parking facilities. Theatre demolished in 1956.
The Princess on Grand changed its name to Players in 1916. The Pestalozzi did not change to the Princess until almost 15 years later.
Since the question was raised about the number of Rockettes, it may be of interest that when the troupe started, in 1925 at the Missouri Theatre in St. Louis as the Rockets, it numbered 16.
Simply put: the chandelier was an addition by the church.
Theatre is currently closed as the original brick facade is slated to reappear. Also promised is a rehabbing of the concession area and the seats. The theatre is slated to reopen September 11th. While the original theatre is closed, the Backlot venue remains open.
When the theatre opened in 1929 the lobby was carpeted. So the carpet today is not unprecedented.
The stained-glass doors and the openings to Peacock Alley show this is a shot of Detroit, not St. Louis. Contrary to some belief, there are a number of subtle differences between the so-called “twin” theatres.
Note the original carpet pattern in the lobby.
Note the dual ticket windows and the clocks which gave the current time and the time the complete show would be over. Photo dates from March 1951.
Photo taken March 1951.
The theatre opened as the O'FALLON PARK in 1910. The building permit lists the architect as G. Becker. The theatre’s name became the O'FALLON around 1923.
A few months ago I was walking by the theatre and noted one of the exit doors on St. Charles was open. Of course I looked in and saw the house lights on so I entered. I found the stage and the orchestra section being used for storage for the adjacent high-rise apartment which the Roberts brothers began and never completed before their financial troubles began.
Since the Roberts brothers no longer own the theatre, the old-Mayfair Hotel and the high-rise it would be appropriate to remove their name and catalogue the theatre as the ORPHEUM.
Looks like a tribute to Mr. Hankey of “South Park”.
To answer the question of “bigrose” of two years ago: a double bill of “Junior Miss” and “East to Look At.”
It has been announced that a second screen is to be added to the operation. To be called the Hi-Pointe Backlot, this 50-seat venue is not being carved from the original theatre but is in a separate building across the alley to the west.
Original opening date was 4/4/1997.
When opened in January 1912 the Kings was one of the theatres of O. T. Crawford. After Crawford’s holdings were auctioned off for non-payment of debts in 1915, the theatre had a series of operators including William Goldman, Cella and Tate, Famous Players-Missouri, Loew’s, and the Skouras Brothers. Policies included stock companies, films and vaudeville. The last day the theatre was open in in May 1929, with the structure demolished in 1935.
Somewhat misidentified. It actually is Milton Slosser at the Missouri Theatre Wurlitzer console.
Demolition began in August 1999.
Photographs of the Paramount lobby murals appear in the 2014-Third Quarter issue of the THS journal, Marquee. This issue devoted to muralist Louis F. Grell.
Venue changed its name to the CAPRI Drive-In in 1961 when Mid-America took over operation. To my knowledge, operation ceased in October 1978.
Theatre reopens today, 10/17. http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog/2014/10/take-a-look-at-the-75-year-old-esquire-theatre-s.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2014-10-16&u=vUaEtrOpEYSs2NMWZXEu7pe8I7r&t=1413561805
As AMC’s website says: “We’re putting the final touches on construction of this theatre to make sure everything is AMC amazing when we open Oct. 17.”
As a typical neighborhood house the theatre closed July 5, 1956 with “Carousel.” However, the theatre reopened in May of 1957 with a policy of German-language films. The last noting of this policy was in March 1960.