Canby Theatre
109 Saint Olaf Avenue North,
Canby,
MN
56220
109 Saint Olaf Avenue North,
Canby,
MN
56220
2 people
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Canby Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Architects: Perry E. Crosier
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: New Canby Theatre
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
507.223.5873
Nearby Theaters
News About This Theater
- Mar 18, 2008 — Theatre Architect Perry E. Crosier
- Feb 1, 2008 — Vintage Canby Theatre Grand Opening announcement
The Canby Theatre is located in the downtown section of Canby. Opened in November 15, 1939 as the New Canby Theatre with 600 seats. The blond brick building not only houses the theatre but five retail spaces and five apartments on the second floor.
The originally single screen theatre had a second screen added around 1982. It remained in operation showing first-run films until closing in December 2012. Renovations were carried out and it reopened April 2, 2015 with “Fast and Furious 7”. Theatre 1 now has 210 seats and Theatre 2 has 75 seats. Fundraising continues to install digital equipment in Theatre 2.
Contributed by
Chuck Van Bibber
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 42 comments)
Does anyone have any info on the original silent movie theatre that was located on the northern end of main street in Canby. I believe we own the piano that was used during the silent movies.
this is Barb V. thanks Vikeologist for name and former place of Broadway Theater. About the piano I own that I believe was played in that theater to silent movies, does anyone have any info on this. thanks
barbv, I can confirm the old theater was called the Broadway; my Dad and his brother went to Canby in 1929 to take it over. Sound was installed shortly after that and Dad ran the projectors for many years. And my understanding is the lady who my uncle married in Canby played the theater piano. How did you come to have it?
flied001, is this Willa Kay Flieder?. I am Barb the daughter of Vernon and Erdine Blaine. A year ago we put a new house across the driveway from mom’s old house on the same farm I was born on February 10, 1944. My mom always told me her piano was played in the first theater by her aunt or cousin.
Nope, not Willa; I’m Gene, son of Emil. Bill was her dad so we are cousins.
My family Fox was a long time resident of Canby, and George Fox owned and ran the Billard Hall just down the street. Grandfather Ben Fox ran his farm just outside of down but lived down off Olaf Street Why don’t you have special movie screenings of older movies that were shown there at the Canby, and have home made baked goods to sell for snacks to raise money to reopen the theater. Of course this would only supplement larger tax free donations. People who provide food can watch free. I used to pick and sell my grandfathers corn in my mothers 1920 wooden wagon, by going door to door to get money to see a movie there in the 50’s and have a coke at George’s Billard Hall. So going to this theater had specil meaning and hard work for a young Canby boy.
flied001 – thanks for your info. What was the name of the lady your uncle married who played the theater piano?
wkpledger – Hi Willa Kay, I remember your name so well but can’t remember if you were ahead or behind me in school, I graduated 1962. I didn’t know this site had been going for a few years as I just got internet almost a year ago. Did you read my comment to flied001 asking if that was you? and my other comments on the theater piano? Barbv
barbv – Uncle Bill married Edna Peterson; I think the year was 1937
hi Willa Kay, this is Barb Blaine Vanstrom. I just typed you a long comment and am not computer savy so I pressed enter to send it instead of the below box that says add comment. We moved to mom and dad’s farm 3 years ago and mom always told me her piano which is still in her house was played by her cousin or aunt. we are having a huge auction this Sat., Sept. 13 and the piano is on the auction. It would be nice to know if that is true so it could be stated by the auctioneer but I can’t do that if I don’t know for sure. Please email me with what you know about that at: thanks, I would love to hear from you