Edited from both January 22 and October 12, 2022 comments:
The Waco Drive-In opened its gates on May 1, 1953 with Edmond O'Brien in “Silver City” along with an unnamed Tom & Jerry cartoon and an unnamed Popeye cartoon, featuring an original capacity of 425 cars.
It was first operated by E.S. (Tommy) Tompkin who also operated the State and Fox Theatres nearby. Charles Doyle, Earl Hickford, and Jack Schneider are the original projectionists for the theater.
Tompkin operated the theater until he suffered a heart attack on September 16, 1964. Sadly he later died at a nearby hospital that same day.
The Waco Drive-In closed at the end of the 1978 season, and was demolished in the early-1980s.
Solved! The Ridge Drive-In opened its gates on May 17, 1953 with Jean Peters in “Anne Of The Indies” and Walter Brennan in “Along The Great Divine” with no extra short subjects. It was first operated by M.L. Dickson. The Ridge Drive-In closed at the end of the 1978 season.
The Humota Theatre opened its doors on October 2, 1928. This replaced the Strand Theatre after it was destroyed by a fire on January 28, 1928 (yes the town of Humboldt has a former movie house named the Strand Theatre, which has nothing to be confused with the Strand in nearby Fort Dodge).
Correction: The Winfield Theatre started as a 301-seat theater but the capacity downgraded to 173 by the end of its operation according to the Winfield Beacon.
The Winfield Theatre was later taken over by E.S. Tompkins who operated the theater after the retirement of the Pratt Brothers in late-August 1951. At the time, Mr. and Mrs. Dayle Allen owned the theater.
This didn’t last long, and the Winfield Theatre closed for the final time on July 5, 1952 with Joel McCrea in “Cattle Drive” along with a short entitled “Danger Under The Sea” and an unnamed cartoon.
The Cavalier judging by aerial is a very unique looking drive-in. The screen is located next to the exit ramps rather than the front-center of the traces like other drive-ins.
Its still open in 1963 but was already demolished by 1984.
On April 9, 1929, sound was installed at the Miller with the first talkie being Fred Waring’s “Syncopation” along with a newsreel and comedy reel.
John C. Miller operated the Miller Theatre until George O'Brien of Rochelle who operated the Chi Theater in Sandwich, the Fargo Theater in DeKalb, and the Hub Theater in Rochelle took over the operations on January 9, 1934. Several months later on June 30, 1934, John C. Miller died from a long battle with illness at the age of 55. Fred Anderson of Morris later took over operations a few years later.
On February 1, 1942, it was taken over by the Woodstock Amusement Company, and later in the 1940s, it was taken over by the Alliance Corporation chain who operated the Miller for more than a decade or two. At the time, the Miller had a then-capacity of 460 seats.
Willis is one smart, amazing, funny, and beloved man who made the Chicago Metropolitan Area shine the light with love, friendship, and entertainment town-by-town. He gave so much love to many downtowns across Northeast Illinois and shares the greatest spirit of them all!
All of our members and founders of Cinema Treasures will miss you dearly in our hearts Willis. -50sSNIPES
He’s an amazing man that made the Chicago Metropolitan Area and all of Illinois shine with love and entertainment, and I’m so sad and heartbroken on the news of his passing at age 86 today.
RIP Willis, you’ll be missed! God bless Willis and his great family.
Another fun fact is that the marquee that was installed in January 2000 is actually a restored/redesigned version of its original 1934 marquee. Also at that same time, the blue stadium-style seats that were installed at the time during the 2000 remodel were from the Irwin Signature Series. The Lyric’s last projection before digital is Christie Electric with JBL ScreenArray speakers as well as Dolby amplifiers.
There were two Lyric Theatres in Osceola throughout its history.
Free Vreeland was the first manager of the first Lyric Theatre, who opened Osceola’s playhouse located on the north side of the square on May 10, 1913 featuring an original capacity of 750 seats. The first Lyric opened with two vaudeville acts by the Downes Sisters and their Classy Kids and a special piano performance by Kate McDonald, although its first film screened at the Lyric has not yet to be found. It was first owned by William and Carl Shields.
On November 7, 1929, then-owner and manager John Waller (who also helped constructing the Idle Hour Theatre in Leon and install talkies in Shenandoah) announced that sound from both Vitaphone and Movietone systems will be installed in Osceola’s Lyric after contacting the DeForest Sound & Tone Company. After a whole month of wiring, the Lyric became an all-sound theater beginning with “The Return of Sherlock Holmes” along with a comedy reel “A Hollywood Star” on December 29, 1929.
Early-September 1934 comes an announcement led by Waller that a new Lyric Theatre will be built on its now-current site located in the west side of the square. The Lyric on the north side continued to operate until December 26, 1934 when it closed with John Lodge in “Menace” along with a musical subject of Cab Calloway’s “Hi-De-Ho” and a short entitled “Old Kentucky Hounds”. The first Lyric Theatre will have its own Cinema Treasures page soon.
The second and current Lyric Theatre opened its doors two days later on December 28, 1934 with William Powell in “Evelyn Prentice” along with the short “Fall Of The Vienna Woods” and a sportlight “Pro Football” plus a special performance by the Iowa Ladies Band led by Mayo Williams before showing, featuring an original capacity of 600 seats and original installations of heavy wine-colored velvet curtains that close by sliding along a track at the top of the stage, with an old gold color of the backdrops. Some of its equipment including the sound system were relocated from the old Lyric to the current Lyric. The projectionist during its heyday is Fred Ketcham.
Nearly a month later in early-February 1935, E.L. Bryant of Zearing announced that the former first Lyric Theatre will be rebuilt at that same site and reopen as the city of Osceola’s second movie house on the north side of the square called the Osceola Theatre. Osceola’s second movie house, known as the Osceola Theatre, would later open its doors on April 12, 1935 with Eddie Cantor in “Kid Millions” along with a Fox Movietone Newsreel and a Walt Disney’s Silly Symphony “Funny Little Bunnies”. The Osceola Theatre will also have its own Cinema Treasures page soon.
Both the Lyric and the Osceola theaters throughout the 1940s and early-1950s share an equal and fair amount of first-run features each week, but it wasn’t until the CinemaScope era when things started to rattle. In May 1954, it was announced that the Lyric Theatre at the west side of the square would be the main target of the city’s CinemaScope installation. At that same time, the Osceola Theatre at the north side was on its last legs after the building went under a sellout. The Lyric Theatre ran its first CinemaScope film, “Lucky Me”, on July 11, 1954. A few years later, the Lyric Theatre officially became the only movie house in Osceola after the closure of the Osceola Theatre in 1956.
Throughout portions of its history, there is one unique about the lighting inside the Lyric Theatre. In its May 1941 remodel featured a “black light” whenever the theater was darkened or whenever blackout drills during World War II were presented making it a very unusual decorative effect.
Gerald Clark operated the Lyric Theatre for 14 years beginning in 1974. This lasted until 1988 when it was taken over by Frank Munyon, and a short time later, its original marquee was removed and was replaced by a traditional blocky black-and-white marquee. This lasted until the Lyric closed for a time in January 2000 for remodeling. Neon lights return to the Lyric after a new marquee was installed, and reopened a couple of months later under the Fridley Theatres chain only for a short time.
As of today despite being independently operated, first-run films are still going strong at the Lyric.
Back as a twin, the original Showcase I & II housed a total of 450 seats, with 225 seats in each auditorium with installations of stereophonic sound. It was first operated by Rhyan Theatres led by H.C. Rhyan, who also operated theaters in Fox Lake, McHenry, Grayslake, Libertyville, and Antioch.
Some other installations the theater had as of 1973 include twin floor chandeliers amid a general motiff of dark walnut furnishings and deep red carpeting. Special art by David White were also added in each auditorium, and the theater building’s original landscape features evergreens, grass, and stone by Flowerwoods.
The Paramount closed for the final time in June 1983 with “An Officer And A Gentlemen” (which screened there for more than two months at the Paramount).
The Starlite South was twinned in the early-1970s, and was tripled a short time later.
The Starlite South closed for the final time on June 11, 1988. One of its last features according to the Star Tribune of Minneapolis is “The Karate Kid Part II” playing at one screen, but the final features on the other two screens were unknown at this time. It was last managed by Bob Toogood who also operated other theaters and cinemas in Rochester. At the time, the Starlite South housed a total capacity of 800 cars. On its final night of operation, only 150 cars attended its final showings.
The theater is located on 1308 Hadley View Ct NE, Rochester, MN 55906 where a U-Haul and Storage Rentals of America currently occupies the former drive-in site.
Twinned on September 7, 1979.
It was renamed the Elroy Theatre in 1934.
Edited from both January 22 and October 12, 2022 comments:
The Waco Drive-In opened its gates on May 1, 1953 with Edmond O'Brien in “Silver City” along with an unnamed Tom & Jerry cartoon and an unnamed Popeye cartoon, featuring an original capacity of 425 cars.
It was first operated by E.S. (Tommy) Tompkin who also operated the State and Fox Theatres nearby. Charles Doyle, Earl Hickford, and Jack Schneider are the original projectionists for the theater.
Tompkin operated the theater until he suffered a heart attack on September 16, 1964. Sadly he later died at a nearby hospital that same day.
The Waco Drive-In closed at the end of the 1978 season, and was demolished in the early-1980s.
Solved! The Ridge Drive-In opened its gates on May 17, 1953 with Jean Peters in “Anne Of The Indies” and Walter Brennan in “Along The Great Divine” with no extra short subjects. It was first operated by M.L. Dickson. The Ridge Drive-In closed at the end of the 1978 season.
Opened with “Submarine D-I” (unknown if any short subjects were included). It was first operated by Gerald G. Waller.
This replaced an older Elroy Theatre (formerly the Majestic Theatre) which closed three days prior (which will have its own page soon).
The Humota Theatre opened its doors on October 2, 1928. This replaced the Strand Theatre after it was destroyed by a fire on January 28, 1928 (yes the town of Humboldt has a former movie house named the Strand Theatre, which has nothing to be confused with the Strand in nearby Fort Dodge).
Another correction: It did not close on September 18, 1951. The theater continued operating until its July 5, 1952 closure.
Correction: The Winfield Theatre started as a 301-seat theater but the capacity downgraded to 173 by the end of its operation according to the Winfield Beacon.
The Winfield Theatre was later taken over by E.S. Tompkins who operated the theater after the retirement of the Pratt Brothers in late-August 1951. At the time, Mr. and Mrs. Dayle Allen owned the theater.
This didn’t last long, and the Winfield Theatre closed for the final time on July 5, 1952 with Joel McCrea in “Cattle Drive” along with a short entitled “Danger Under The Sea” and an unnamed cartoon.
Note: I accidentally added a duplicate page.
The Cavalier judging by aerial is a very unique looking drive-in. The screen is located next to the exit ramps rather than the front-center of the traces like other drive-ins.
Its still open in 1963 but was already demolished by 1984.
Grand Opening ad posted.
On April 9, 1929, sound was installed at the Miller with the first talkie being Fred Waring’s “Syncopation” along with a newsreel and comedy reel.
John C. Miller operated the Miller Theatre until George O'Brien of Rochelle who operated the Chi Theater in Sandwich, the Fargo Theater in DeKalb, and the Hub Theater in Rochelle took over the operations on January 9, 1934. Several months later on June 30, 1934, John C. Miller died from a long battle with illness at the age of 55. Fred Anderson of Morris later took over operations a few years later.
On February 1, 1942, it was taken over by the Woodstock Amusement Company, and later in the 1940s, it was taken over by the Alliance Corporation chain who operated the Miller for more than a decade or two. At the time, the Miller had a then-capacity of 460 seats.
December 8, 1933
December 6, 1927
Back as a twin in the 1980s, the Woodstock Theatre had an original twin capacity of 640 seats with 320 in each auditorium.
The Princess had an original capacity of 270 seats.
The picture demonstrated by Willis shown here were actual blueprints that was planned, which soon after comes the big expansion.
Willis is one smart, amazing, funny, and beloved man who made the Chicago Metropolitan Area shine the light with love, friendship, and entertainment town-by-town. He gave so much love to many downtowns across Northeast Illinois and shares the greatest spirit of them all!
All of our members and founders of Cinema Treasures will miss you dearly in our hearts Willis. -50sSNIPES
Closed on February 10, 2001. Last operated by Loews Cineplex.
He’s an amazing man that made the Chicago Metropolitan Area and all of Illinois shine with love and entertainment, and I’m so sad and heartbroken on the news of his passing at age 86 today.
RIP Willis, you’ll be missed! God bless Willis and his great family.
Opened on September 17, 1910 and closed in the mid-1970s.
Another fun fact is that the marquee that was installed in January 2000 is actually a restored/redesigned version of its original 1934 marquee. Also at that same time, the blue stadium-style seats that were installed at the time during the 2000 remodel were from the Irwin Signature Series. The Lyric’s last projection before digital is Christie Electric with JBL ScreenArray speakers as well as Dolby amplifiers.
There were two Lyric Theatres in Osceola throughout its history.
Free Vreeland was the first manager of the first Lyric Theatre, who opened Osceola’s playhouse located on the north side of the square on May 10, 1913 featuring an original capacity of 750 seats. The first Lyric opened with two vaudeville acts by the Downes Sisters and their Classy Kids and a special piano performance by Kate McDonald, although its first film screened at the Lyric has not yet to be found. It was first owned by William and Carl Shields.
On November 7, 1929, then-owner and manager John Waller (who also helped constructing the Idle Hour Theatre in Leon and install talkies in Shenandoah) announced that sound from both Vitaphone and Movietone systems will be installed in Osceola’s Lyric after contacting the DeForest Sound & Tone Company. After a whole month of wiring, the Lyric became an all-sound theater beginning with “The Return of Sherlock Holmes” along with a comedy reel “A Hollywood Star” on December 29, 1929.
Early-September 1934 comes an announcement led by Waller that a new Lyric Theatre will be built on its now-current site located in the west side of the square. The Lyric on the north side continued to operate until December 26, 1934 when it closed with John Lodge in “Menace” along with a musical subject of Cab Calloway’s “Hi-De-Ho” and a short entitled “Old Kentucky Hounds”. The first Lyric Theatre will have its own Cinema Treasures page soon.
The second and current Lyric Theatre opened its doors two days later on December 28, 1934 with William Powell in “Evelyn Prentice” along with the short “Fall Of The Vienna Woods” and a sportlight “Pro Football” plus a special performance by the Iowa Ladies Band led by Mayo Williams before showing, featuring an original capacity of 600 seats and original installations of heavy wine-colored velvet curtains that close by sliding along a track at the top of the stage, with an old gold color of the backdrops. Some of its equipment including the sound system were relocated from the old Lyric to the current Lyric. The projectionist during its heyday is Fred Ketcham.
Nearly a month later in early-February 1935, E.L. Bryant of Zearing announced that the former first Lyric Theatre will be rebuilt at that same site and reopen as the city of Osceola’s second movie house on the north side of the square called the Osceola Theatre. Osceola’s second movie house, known as the Osceola Theatre, would later open its doors on April 12, 1935 with Eddie Cantor in “Kid Millions” along with a Fox Movietone Newsreel and a Walt Disney’s Silly Symphony “Funny Little Bunnies”. The Osceola Theatre will also have its own Cinema Treasures page soon.
Both the Lyric and the Osceola theaters throughout the 1940s and early-1950s share an equal and fair amount of first-run features each week, but it wasn’t until the CinemaScope era when things started to rattle. In May 1954, it was announced that the Lyric Theatre at the west side of the square would be the main target of the city’s CinemaScope installation. At that same time, the Osceola Theatre at the north side was on its last legs after the building went under a sellout. The Lyric Theatre ran its first CinemaScope film, “Lucky Me”, on July 11, 1954. A few years later, the Lyric Theatre officially became the only movie house in Osceola after the closure of the Osceola Theatre in 1956.
Throughout portions of its history, there is one unique about the lighting inside the Lyric Theatre. In its May 1941 remodel featured a “black light” whenever the theater was darkened or whenever blackout drills during World War II were presented making it a very unusual decorative effect.
Gerald Clark operated the Lyric Theatre for 14 years beginning in 1974. This lasted until 1988 when it was taken over by Frank Munyon, and a short time later, its original marquee was removed and was replaced by a traditional blocky black-and-white marquee. This lasted until the Lyric closed for a time in January 2000 for remodeling. Neon lights return to the Lyric after a new marquee was installed, and reopened a couple of months later under the Fridley Theatres chain only for a short time.
As of today despite being independently operated, first-run films are still going strong at the Lyric.
Back as a twin, the original Showcase I & II housed a total of 450 seats, with 225 seats in each auditorium with installations of stereophonic sound. It was first operated by Rhyan Theatres led by H.C. Rhyan, who also operated theaters in Fox Lake, McHenry, Grayslake, Libertyville, and Antioch.
Some other installations the theater had as of 1973 include twin floor chandeliers amid a general motiff of dark walnut furnishings and deep red carpeting. Special art by David White were also added in each auditorium, and the theater building’s original landscape features evergreens, grass, and stone by Flowerwoods.
The actual opening date is May 5, 1966.
The Paramount closed for the final time in June 1983 with “An Officer And A Gentlemen” (which screened there for more than two months at the Paramount).
The Starlite South was twinned in the early-1970s, and was tripled a short time later.
The Starlite South closed for the final time on June 11, 1988. One of its last features according to the Star Tribune of Minneapolis is “The Karate Kid Part II” playing at one screen, but the final features on the other two screens were unknown at this time. It was last managed by Bob Toogood who also operated other theaters and cinemas in Rochester. At the time, the Starlite South housed a total capacity of 800 cars. On its final night of operation, only 150 cars attended its final showings.
The theater is located on 1308 Hadley View Ct NE, Rochester, MN 55906 where a U-Haul and Storage Rentals of America currently occupies the former drive-in site.