The University Square 4 Opened On May 23, 1975. Carmike Took Over The Theater In 1992 And Operated Until Its Closure For The Final Time On April 7, 2000.
Although They Showed A Variety Of Disney Films There At The Hi-M, The Fox Theatre Is Springfield’s Dominant Theater For Disney Films Throughout Portions Of The 1960s And 1970s.
The Palace Theatre Opened On October 1, 1937 With Shirley Temple In “Wee Willie Winkie”. The Palace Once Remodeled On August 26, 1948. The Palace Closed Its Doors In Late September 1956, And Was Converted Into A Bar Named “Palace Bar” On July 27, 1961.
On that radio station across the road, WJAN signed on the air on June 26, 1959, and then went off the air from 1964 until the following year when it relaunched as WCKD. There are a number of call-letter changes throughout the years. Today it was known as WZAM, an ESPN Radio affiliate sports format station.
The Chapel Hills 13 Replaced A Demolished Kmart Which Operated From 1982 Until 2009. The Kmart Was Then Demolished In 2012 And The Chapel Hills 13 Is Built On Its Site.
The theatre name is named after Howard Morin who was the main opponent to the theatre. He closed the nearby American Theatre later that February 1938 which the American Theatre is part of the city’s Town Hall.
The actual opening date is September 3, 1937 with the Marx Brothers in “A Day At The Races”, originally listed as a Saturday Matinee but it apparently listed as a Friday Matinee as well since it made its grand opening on a Friday.
On February 17, 1943, the Star Theatre was severely damaged by a fire which also suffered damage from Emery’s Five and Ten Cent Store, Carl’s Neal Barber Shop, and the city’s Beauty Shop, which first spawned at the rear of the theater. No cause was reported. According to an article, it says that the theater opened on December 5, 1942. It late reopened on April 5, 1943 with Paul Muni in “Commandos Strike At Dawn”. It was closed in 1951 after C. C. Freeman of Sanford, North Carolina from the Stewart & Everett Theater Incorporated chain bought the theater on November 24th of that year. He is married earlier that year and he and his wife had an apartment in the home of a postmaster and Mrs. G. R. Hogue. The theater’s stuff went on sale throughout 1952.
Yes it is originally named the Pa-Ra-Mo. The theater itself opened On December 12, 1940.
Some information about the theater goes as follows: This theater used to be a church prior to its reconstruction since 1901, and the theater name is named by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lamere’s children, Pa for Paul, Ra for Rachael, and Mo for Monica. The original brick building is a white stucco, 75x46 feet in size but 30 feet been added to the rear and 15 feet to the front for the entrance and lobby. There are 2 double french doors in front. The seats are brown leather with 14 seats to the row, every other end seat in each row being of a “love seat” type, which brings a total to 418 in capacity, are set in staggered form on a 4-foot/inch rise from the stage to the rear of the theatre. The aisle floor covering of deep pile velour in rich tans and browns. The side walls are of soft colored composition planking in shades of tan and brown, with chromium moulding. The lighting effect is mostly unusual as there being three vertical lights fixtures at equal distances apart on each side wall of the theatre. The lights may be regulated to cast many varicolored lighting effects. The original architecture of the interior is a Spanish Mission type been maintained and the rich deep brown of the beams overhead harmonize with the side walls and acoustic ceiling paneling. The stage is not large at all but commodities a sizable group of artists. The long, full folds of garnet colored velour curtains with gold trim open automatically by electricity. The drapes were crimson and golden satin underneath and the three tier satin fluting overhead presenting a charming rich appearance. Dressing rooms are located at the basement level, and at either side of the stage an exit door opens out from the main floor. There are 2 convenient lavatories on the main floor, and the projector booth is on the second floor. The booth is 18x16 feet and is fireproof and well ventilated. There is also a private lavatory and dressing room which adjourns the booth. The theater also equips with steam heated and cooling air conditioners. The building itself has an addition on the east side, 80x18, has been made to accommodate the printing office which Mr. Lamere has ben associated since 1904.
So It Opened The Following Day, With A Double Feature: “Look For The Silver Lining” And “Massacre River” Along With A Looney Tunes: Porky Pig In “Awful Orphan”.
On December 27, 1957, 2 14-year-olds have admitted that they set off a homemade bomb that was normally been planned 3 months prior as it was made out of firecrackers, BB pellets, and a cardboard. They were later arrested at a drive-in cafe. The two said that the placing of the bomb was set at front of the Esquire Theatre which were showing a Walt Disney film at that time filled with a crowd, mostly teenagers and children, but they did not want to injure anyone and put it where they did not believe anyone would be sitting. The bomb had a short firecracker fuse and several inches of slow burning string. It exploded about 20 minutes after it lit. The explosion described as a blinding orange and red flash, and threw one youth from his seat and blew a cushion 15 feet. This caused a bit of damage. The Interstate chain had offered a $1,000 reward right after the blast.
The reason why the theater was remodeled in 1939 is because on the morning of June 13, 1939, the theater was gutted by a fire, estimating a loss between $35K and $40K. The fire cause was unknown, but most likely the roof.
On the evening of April 21, 1942, the Capitol Theatre is destroyed by 2 fires and an explosion. The Delphos Daily Herald reported that the first fire was caused by the projector which were showing a trailer for Gary Cooper in “Ball of Fire” prior to a double showing of “Bombay Clipper” and “Mr. and Mrs. North”. Which at that time, the screen flashed out when the film suddenly broke and a portion of broken pieces became lodged in the aperture plate of the projector. The intense heat from lamps caused the film to ignite and the fire was immediately transmitted to a reel of films on the rewind table, and the heat from the burning celluloid almost immediately broke the fusible links causing the fireproof doors on the film vault and projection port holes to close automatically. The second blaze was also discovered at the projection room which is used to store 7,000 feet of reel, and was destroyed during the blaze. 6,000 feet of both movies, and 1,000 feet of trailers, advertisements, local merchants, and snipes. The projectors and sound systems were also damaged by the fire. The cause of the blast is unknown, but it blew open the fireproof doors.
The Avon Theatre actually opened on August 14, 1936 with Bing Crosby in “Rhythm On The Range” along with an unnamed Traveltalks, an unnamed Happy Harmonies, and a RKO/Pathé Newsreel.
Some information about the theater goes as follows: Lake N. Wilkins, who has been the manager of the nearby Ideal Theatre for many years took the standard role as manager for both theaters. Edwin Pelletier of Woodsville, New Hampshire, was the operator, and Mrs. Murial Burt who was formerly employed at Paramount is the cashier. The doorman will be held by Geni Aspeso of Brattleboro. Lastly, the ushers were Willia Coffee and Roland Abbott, and they will be garbed in coats of blue serge with the Avon name on the left lapel with white trousers and black bow ties. The curtains of the Avon were treated with panels of rock wool, over which are draped of scarlet and gold damask and the same color scheme holds where the other drapes were used. The remainder of the wall under the balcony is treated with Nuwood in a two tone effect. There are no ceiling lights, but the house lighting appears along the sides of the wall in the form of groups of shielded colored bulbs in subdued tones. Spanish balconies flank each side of the stage and red and gold damask drapes were added. The proscenium valance on both colors of the damask are with sateen and the draw curtains are red and gold Lexington brocade, sateen lined. The screen’s size is unnamed but was an extra large daylight silver and seamless. The seating ranges were widely enough, each fully upholstered and are reached along aisles covered with royal cashmere carpets in designs and tones. Seats of the same type were recently installed at the Metropolitan Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts. The capacity is a total of 546. Air conditioners are also installed and guaranteed (by Springfield’s Plumbing & Heating Company which also worked on the plumbers, heating specialists, sheet metal work, and oil burner installations) every 3½ minutes by 3 “Airate” ventilating fans of 22,000 cubic foot volume, which extends through the building, foyer, restrooms, office, and others. The foyer is in a design of 4 colors with mirrors and panels and leading off from it are the offices, cashier’s booth, and large ventilated restrooms for both genders. The electrical contractors were Geo H. Abbott and his son’s company of Springfield. The marquee, which was placed in name earlier 3 days prior to its grand opening carried the name of the theatre is large letters bounded by neon lights in 3 colors. The sound equipment is an RCA Protophone system, and there are 2 Simplex machines.
It became the Ellis Theatre on December 17, 1960 with Bing Crosby in “High Time” after the Avon Theatre closed its doors in May 1960 after finding new ownership.
Opened On August 4, 1989.
The University Square 4 Opened On May 23, 1975. Carmike Took Over The Theater In 1992 And Operated Until Its Closure For The Final Time On April 7, 2000.
Although They Showed A Variety Of Disney Films There At The Hi-M, The Fox Theatre Is Springfield’s Dominant Theater For Disney Films Throughout Portions Of The 1960s And 1970s.
The Grand Opening Announcement Snipe Is Also Discovered Online As Well. It Was First A Sony Theater Before Becoming A Loews Theater.
Closed On September 27, 1997.
Opened On April 20, 1951 With “The Kid From Texas” And “The Story Of Molly X”.
Opened With “Oklahoma”. Unlike Most Theatres, This Theater Also Has A Record Room.
The Warner Became A Stanley-Warner Operated Theater In The Spring Of 1954.
The front wall only survived the fire on November 4, 1951.
The Palace Theatre Opened On October 1, 1937 With Shirley Temple In “Wee Willie Winkie”. The Palace Once Remodeled On August 26, 1948. The Palace Closed Its Doors In Late September 1956, And Was Converted Into A Bar Named “Palace Bar” On July 27, 1961.
On that radio station across the road, WJAN signed on the air on June 26, 1959, and then went off the air from 1964 until the following year when it relaunched as WCKD. There are a number of call-letter changes throughout the years. Today it was known as WZAM, an ESPN Radio affiliate sports format station.
This Site Is Formerly A Kmart Which Operated From 1967 Until The Mid-1990s.
The Chapel Hills 13 Replaced A Demolished Kmart Which Operated From 1982 Until 2009. The Kmart Was Then Demolished In 2012 And The Chapel Hills 13 Is Built On Its Site.
The theatre name is named after Howard Morin who was the main opponent to the theatre. He closed the nearby American Theatre later that February 1938 which the American Theatre is part of the city’s Town Hall.
The actual opening date is September 3, 1937 with the Marx Brothers in “A Day At The Races”, originally listed as a Saturday Matinee but it apparently listed as a Friday Matinee as well since it made its grand opening on a Friday.
On February 17, 1943, the Star Theatre was severely damaged by a fire which also suffered damage from Emery’s Five and Ten Cent Store, Carl’s Neal Barber Shop, and the city’s Beauty Shop, which first spawned at the rear of the theater. No cause was reported. According to an article, it says that the theater opened on December 5, 1942. It late reopened on April 5, 1943 with Paul Muni in “Commandos Strike At Dawn”. It was closed in 1951 after C. C. Freeman of Sanford, North Carolina from the Stewart & Everett Theater Incorporated chain bought the theater on November 24th of that year. He is married earlier that year and he and his wife had an apartment in the home of a postmaster and Mrs. G. R. Hogue. The theater’s stuff went on sale throughout 1952.
The Original Screen Before CinemaScope Is 45x60 Ft.
Before Its CinemaScope Installation In 1954, The Original Screen That Was Used Since 1951 Is 52x70 Ft.
Yes it is originally named the Pa-Ra-Mo. The theater itself opened On December 12, 1940.
Some information about the theater goes as follows: This theater used to be a church prior to its reconstruction since 1901, and the theater name is named by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lamere’s children, Pa for Paul, Ra for Rachael, and Mo for Monica. The original brick building is a white stucco, 75x46 feet in size but 30 feet been added to the rear and 15 feet to the front for the entrance and lobby. There are 2 double french doors in front. The seats are brown leather with 14 seats to the row, every other end seat in each row being of a “love seat” type, which brings a total to 418 in capacity, are set in staggered form on a 4-foot/inch rise from the stage to the rear of the theatre. The aisle floor covering of deep pile velour in rich tans and browns. The side walls are of soft colored composition planking in shades of tan and brown, with chromium moulding. The lighting effect is mostly unusual as there being three vertical lights fixtures at equal distances apart on each side wall of the theatre. The lights may be regulated to cast many varicolored lighting effects. The original architecture of the interior is a Spanish Mission type been maintained and the rich deep brown of the beams overhead harmonize with the side walls and acoustic ceiling paneling. The stage is not large at all but commodities a sizable group of artists. The long, full folds of garnet colored velour curtains with gold trim open automatically by electricity. The drapes were crimson and golden satin underneath and the three tier satin fluting overhead presenting a charming rich appearance. Dressing rooms are located at the basement level, and at either side of the stage an exit door opens out from the main floor. There are 2 convenient lavatories on the main floor, and the projector booth is on the second floor. The booth is 18x16 feet and is fireproof and well ventilated. There is also a private lavatory and dressing room which adjourns the booth. The theater also equips with steam heated and cooling air conditioners. The building itself has an addition on the east side, 80x18, has been made to accommodate the printing office which Mr. Lamere has ben associated since 1904.
So It Opened The Following Day, With A Double Feature: “Look For The Silver Lining” And “Massacre River” Along With A Looney Tunes: Porky Pig In “Awful Orphan”.
It May Have Opened As Early As December 16, 1948. A Few Ads Survive A Few Days Earlier Than That.
On December 27, 1957, 2 14-year-olds have admitted that they set off a homemade bomb that was normally been planned 3 months prior as it was made out of firecrackers, BB pellets, and a cardboard. They were later arrested at a drive-in cafe. The two said that the placing of the bomb was set at front of the Esquire Theatre which were showing a Walt Disney film at that time filled with a crowd, mostly teenagers and children, but they did not want to injure anyone and put it where they did not believe anyone would be sitting. The bomb had a short firecracker fuse and several inches of slow burning string. It exploded about 20 minutes after it lit. The explosion described as a blinding orange and red flash, and threw one youth from his seat and blew a cushion 15 feet. This caused a bit of damage. The Interstate chain had offered a $1,000 reward right after the blast.
The reason why the theater was remodeled in 1939 is because on the morning of June 13, 1939, the theater was gutted by a fire, estimating a loss between $35K and $40K. The fire cause was unknown, but most likely the roof.
On the evening of April 21, 1942, the Capitol Theatre is destroyed by 2 fires and an explosion. The Delphos Daily Herald reported that the first fire was caused by the projector which were showing a trailer for Gary Cooper in “Ball of Fire” prior to a double showing of “Bombay Clipper” and “Mr. and Mrs. North”. Which at that time, the screen flashed out when the film suddenly broke and a portion of broken pieces became lodged in the aperture plate of the projector. The intense heat from lamps caused the film to ignite and the fire was immediately transmitted to a reel of films on the rewind table, and the heat from the burning celluloid almost immediately broke the fusible links causing the fireproof doors on the film vault and projection port holes to close automatically. The second blaze was also discovered at the projection room which is used to store 7,000 feet of reel, and was destroyed during the blaze. 6,000 feet of both movies, and 1,000 feet of trailers, advertisements, local merchants, and snipes. The projectors and sound systems were also damaged by the fire. The cause of the blast is unknown, but it blew open the fireproof doors.
The Avon Theatre actually opened on August 14, 1936 with Bing Crosby in “Rhythm On The Range” along with an unnamed Traveltalks, an unnamed Happy Harmonies, and a RKO/Pathé Newsreel.
Some information about the theater goes as follows: Lake N. Wilkins, who has been the manager of the nearby Ideal Theatre for many years took the standard role as manager for both theaters. Edwin Pelletier of Woodsville, New Hampshire, was the operator, and Mrs. Murial Burt who was formerly employed at Paramount is the cashier. The doorman will be held by Geni Aspeso of Brattleboro. Lastly, the ushers were Willia Coffee and Roland Abbott, and they will be garbed in coats of blue serge with the Avon name on the left lapel with white trousers and black bow ties. The curtains of the Avon were treated with panels of rock wool, over which are draped of scarlet and gold damask and the same color scheme holds where the other drapes were used. The remainder of the wall under the balcony is treated with Nuwood in a two tone effect. There are no ceiling lights, but the house lighting appears along the sides of the wall in the form of groups of shielded colored bulbs in subdued tones. Spanish balconies flank each side of the stage and red and gold damask drapes were added. The proscenium valance on both colors of the damask are with sateen and the draw curtains are red and gold Lexington brocade, sateen lined. The screen’s size is unnamed but was an extra large daylight silver and seamless. The seating ranges were widely enough, each fully upholstered and are reached along aisles covered with royal cashmere carpets in designs and tones. Seats of the same type were recently installed at the Metropolitan Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts. The capacity is a total of 546. Air conditioners are also installed and guaranteed (by Springfield’s Plumbing & Heating Company which also worked on the plumbers, heating specialists, sheet metal work, and oil burner installations) every 3½ minutes by 3 “Airate” ventilating fans of 22,000 cubic foot volume, which extends through the building, foyer, restrooms, office, and others. The foyer is in a design of 4 colors with mirrors and panels and leading off from it are the offices, cashier’s booth, and large ventilated restrooms for both genders. The electrical contractors were Geo H. Abbott and his son’s company of Springfield. The marquee, which was placed in name earlier 3 days prior to its grand opening carried the name of the theatre is large letters bounded by neon lights in 3 colors. The sound equipment is an RCA Protophone system, and there are 2 Simplex machines.
It became the Ellis Theatre on December 17, 1960 with Bing Crosby in “High Time” after the Avon Theatre closed its doors in May 1960 after finding new ownership.