Star Theatre
215 S. Main Street,
Hannibal,
MO
63401
215 S. Main Street,
Hannibal,
MO
63401
2 people
favorited this theater
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Star Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Frisina Amusement Company
Architects: Cletis R. Foley
Functions: Banquet Hall, Movies (Classic)
Nearby Theaters
This 1906 vaudeville theatre was owned by John B. Price, who also owned the Park Theater in Hannibal. Sold to Frisina Theaters in 1946, it was destructively and dreadfully remodeled in 1948 to the plans of architect Cletis R. Foley. The theatre only survived 11 more years. After its closing, it remained vacant for several more years before becoming a bar. It stayed this way for approximately 30 years. Several floods contributed to its deterioration. It remained vacant until 2000.
After being condemned, the movie theatre was purchased one day before demolition. Over four years have been spent renovating this theatre back to its previous beauty. It is used to show classic movies with full restaurant and bar service available, with B & B style rooms upstairs. Before and after photos are amazing. Restoration was completed in September 2005.
Features beautiful columns on exterior with plaster moldings. Interior contains original tin ceilings, large wood trim with details and fluted columns.
Contributed by
michele cernea
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
Nice web photo here.
The outside has been hastily redone, and the original marquee has not been relit… the paint is all over the place and in some places there are runs… they need to hire professionals and have taken out the original seating… so sad.
I payed a visit about three weeks ago and might I say what a rare treat and treasure…even the bathrooms have been redone magnificently. The owner was very friendly as was the service and the food there was just divine. Another plus was that the movie was free. We all had a glorious time…and if I lived in the hannibal area I would be paying a visit nearly every weekend.
The seating was removed in 1959, when the theatre closed, and yes, the marquee is lit every night. Please visit the website @ http://1906startheatre.bravehost.com
Nice rehab work on Hannibal’s Star Theater. It was certainly a derelict venue (couldn’t tell if the c&w music club was even open) when this shot was taken in 1995:
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Boxoffice of April 26, 1952, says “The Frisina Amusement Co.’s Star Theatre in Hannibal is being used as a third-run house. The Tom Sawyer is the city’s first run and Eddie Rosecan’s Rialto is the second run theatre and occasionally obtains first runs.”
The Hannibal Community Theatre will be performing at the Star this summer. The show is “Southern Comfort,” a laugh-out-loud riot! We will perform the show on Friday,July 23rd, Sat, July 24th, Friday, July 30, and Sat. July 31st. Other dates may be added to accommodate tour groups. Dinner starts at 6:30, with the show starting at 7:30.
A November 25, 2023 article in the Hannibal Courier Post lists five movie theaters operating in Hannibal in 1912. The Star is the only one on that list currently listed at Cinema Treasures. The others were the Gem Theatre, 1204 Broadway; the Majestic Theatre, 217 Broadway; the Park Theatre, 119-123 N. Main; and the Rex Theatre, 111-113 N. Main. The Star and the Gem were also listed in the 1914-1915 American Motion Picture Directory, but the other three had closed by then, and of the five only the Star survived the silent era.