The Victory started out life as the Alexandra. Amalgamated Theatres took over in 1928, renovated the auditorium and added to the facade. The two second story windows in the picture I have uploaded are part of the addition.
At some point it became the Victory and closed in the late 90s.
The early history of this theatre depends upon where you look. The one dates the opening as the Tivoli in 1910. Then as the Star in 1913 and Alhambra in 1914.
Conversion to a ballroom was easy since the floor was always flat.
The Tudor opened in June 1929. Since the style was Tudor, which came first the name or the interior design? There were no Sunday night performances but Saturday was a special dressup night and seats could be reserved. At one time there were up to 300 permanently reserved seats.
With the advent of popular TV attendance dropped sharply so the stall portion of the theatre (main floor) was closed off and only the circle (balcony) open.
I have uploaded some photos from the Remuera Heritage including the original and later facade, the interior and the full exterior.
There is much more of the Tudor story and additional pictures on the site.
Original owner was George L. Trammell. At some point name changed to Joy. Presumably became the Gem after the rebuild from the fire in 1953. Final movie was Kiss of the Vampire in 1964. Added to the Directory of Historic Places in April 2025.
Uploaded a photo from before the recent transformation.
When I tried to check out the South Main address Google told me there was no such street. So that makes it even more difficult to resolve the burnt down versus converted question.
Theatre appears in the center background of the photo I’ve uploaded.
Address was 31 South Main Street. According to a Cuthbert site the theatre opened on September 27, 1941. It also indicated there was a fire in the early 80s but the fire department was ordered to let it burn.
This information is at odds with the photo showing the purported Lee Theatre which was in competition with the Gem and the comment by Jack Coursey indicating the Gem was formerly the Lee. Vertical in both pictures look the same to me.
It also is at odds with Jack’s indication that the building was converted to retail use rather than a rebuild after the fire.
robboehm
commented about
Voxon
Aug 5, 2026 at 5:21 pm
Renovated in 1956 and 1973.
In the 1950s and 1960s specialized in German Romantic films set in beautiful landscapes.
1970s a family theater. Mid 1980s porn.
Bought by the City of Mulhouse in 1994 for redevelopment. Eventually demolished and replaced by housing.
Opened in the Baker Village neighborhood of Columbus, GA by a partnership of Lucas, Jenkins and Martin Theaters on June 27, 1945. See photo. Solely managed by Martin in 1951. Closed 1959.
celboy-not uncommon for remnants of the past to still be present even though a venue is closed. Common for posters and, when there was no marquee, but rather a pylon at the road, movies live on for years.
I also saw a situation at the Whitman Theatre in Melville, NY where the theatre was about to close and had already removed the concession stand but the large sign on the front of the building displayed a previous movie rather than the one that was playing. I know that for a certainty because I wanted to see THAT movie and hoped to do it there.
The Victory started out life as the Alexandra. Amalgamated Theatres took over in 1928, renovated the auditorium and added to the facade. The two second story windows in the picture I have uploaded are part of the addition.
At some point it became the Victory and closed in the late 90s.
Located at 160-162 Symonds Street the Lyric opened in 1911. Of the 1,400 seats only those in the upper circle were upholstered.
The premiere of New Zealand’s first dramatic film, Hinemia, was here.
A provision in the sale of the theatre by Kerridge-Odeon was that it could not be used for commercial exhibition of films for 10 years.
As the Oriental Ballroom dances were presented twice each week featuring well know orchestras.
After serving as a skating rink, it was abandoned and demolished in 1983.
I have uploaded photos as the Lyric and the Chinese Hall.
Multiple venues in Auckland have been known as the State. There is currently one other on CT.
Uploaded photo of a roll of tickets to the Rialto being offered on EBay for $125.00.
The early history of this theatre depends upon where you look. The one dates the opening as the Tivoli in 1910. Then as the Star in 1913 and Alhambra in 1914.
Conversion to a ballroom was easy since the floor was always flat.
The Tudor opened in June 1929. Since the style was Tudor, which came first the name or the interior design? There were no Sunday night performances but Saturday was a special dressup night and seats could be reserved. At one time there were up to 300 permanently reserved seats.
With the advent of popular TV attendance dropped sharply so the stall portion of the theatre (main floor) was closed off and only the circle (balcony) open.
I have uploaded some photos from the Remuera Heritage including the original and later facade, the interior and the full exterior.
There is much more of the Tudor story and additional pictures on the site.
The Urban cost $36,000 and was air conditioned. Whether a/c in 1936 as is does now is questionable.
Uploaded a 1966 picture as the Plaza and a 1915 as the Princess.
Original owner was George L. Trammell. At some point name changed to Joy. Presumably became the Gem after the rebuild from the fire in 1953. Final movie was Kiss of the Vampire in 1964. Added to the Directory of Historic Places in April 2025.
Uploaded a photo from before the recent transformation.
New operator was Pinet.
New operator was Pinet.
New operator was Pinet.
The only source that doesn’t agree with the 1929 build date is the Tax Division which only carries it from 1940.
According to one long time resident only half the theatre had seats. Many patrons brought cushions and sat on the floor.
When I tried to check out the South Main address Google told me there was no such street. So that makes it even more difficult to resolve the burnt down versus converted question.
Theatre appears in the center background of the photo I’ve uploaded.
Address was 31 South Main Street. According to a Cuthbert site the theatre opened on September 27, 1941. It also indicated there was a fire in the early 80s but the fire department was ordered to let it burn.
This information is at odds with the photo showing the purported Lee Theatre which was in competition with the Gem and the comment by Jack Coursey indicating the Gem was formerly the Lee. Vertical in both pictures look the same to me.
It also is at odds with Jack’s indication that the building was converted to retail use rather than a rebuild after the fire.
Renovated in 1956 and 1973. In the 1950s and 1960s specialized in German Romantic films set in beautiful landscapes. 1970s a family theater. Mid 1980s porn. Bought by the City of Mulhouse in 1994 for redevelopment. Eventually demolished and replaced by housing.
Opened in the Baker Village neighborhood of Columbus, GA by a partnership of Lucas, Jenkins and Martin Theaters on June 27, 1945. See photo. Solely managed by Martin in 1951. Closed 1959.
celboy-not uncommon for remnants of the past to still be present even though a venue is closed. Common for posters and, when there was no marquee, but rather a pylon at the road, movies live on for years.
I also saw a situation at the Whitman Theatre in Melville, NY where the theatre was about to close and had already removed the concession stand but the large sign on the front of the building displayed a previous movie rather than the one that was playing. I know that for a certainty because I wanted to see THAT movie and hoped to do it there.
Closed for a period in the 1950s because of sanitary conditions and ringworm in the community.
I would have thought that this theatre was part of the Prudential circuit. Brandt was more NYC oriented.
Uploaded a photo of the entrance which appeared in the San Saba High School yearbook in 1959.
Uploaded a photo of the Saturday Evening Post cover mentioned in the overview.
Neither the Isis or the Colosseum are on CT.
I also found a reference to a Gem Theatre on South Ninth Street.
A segregated theatre. “Coloreds” used a separate entrance to the balcony.
Now the home of Smith’s Jewelers. Address is 344 Broad Street. Photo uploaded before street was renamed.