Spencer 3 Theater
504 Grand Avenue,
Spencer,
IA
51301
504 Grand Avenue,
Spencer,
IA
51301
No one has favorited this theater yet
Showing 13 comments
The original facade, before the nasty remodel, was that of the old Solon. Although most of this block was destroyed by the fire in June 1931, there was enough of the Solon left that the Spencer was one of the first buildings completed. When I passed through in Nov. 2009, there was also an entrance lobby in the Moore building to the south. I assume the other two screens were there.
Most of the pictures are wrong, including the main one. They show the Fraser, which is somewhere else. It’s very obvious from looking at the neighboring buildings.
Opened on September 3, 1931 with Walter Huston with “The Star Witness” along with the Wheeler & Woolsey short “Oh, Oh, Cleopatra”.
Now a fitness center.
The theatre is for sale. For only $59,900 you too can own a movie theatre. I was through this town yesterday for work and came across this theatre. Good to see some postings about it. The building on the right is sold. I didnt even notice that it was part of the theatre at some point. Here is the link to the listing: http://www.spencerhomes.biz/houses/500_2/photos.htm
Iagree Scott when ever i can, I get photos. I do.Hope someone up there will read your post.
“HOPE SOMEONE CAN TAKE PHOTOS INSIDE AND OUT BEFORE THE THEATER CLOSES!”
Seriously — does nobody realize there’s a website that devotes itself to photographing as many theatres as possible as in depth as possible?
http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/1281.html
The Spencer theatre with the local Chamber of Commerce would sponsor Kid Shows on saturdays,like so many theatres would in that time.They Played the Disney movie “CASTAWAYS” Jan 1962 and raised Children ticket prices to fifty cents!Good Old Disney.Never give a parent a break.
Closed.
I HOPE SOMEONE CAN TAKE PHOTOS INSIDE AND OUT BEFORE THE THEATER CLOSES!
Anyone have more info or old photos?
Early 1930’s opened by Finkelstein Theaters?
Late 1930’s taken over by Pioneer Theater?
Late 1960’s sold?
Early 1979’s taken over by Fridley Theaters?
Early 1980’s expanded to 3 screens?
I THINK the theater was expanded into the former Walgreen Drug Store right next door. The entrance to the theater is in a sorta “modern” building which could be the drug store. If you click on the map, go to the satellite and go to the street photo, you see 2 older buildings on either side of the entrance either one (especially the one to the right) could be a theater. That’s the best I can do from Manteno Illinois, can you add anything?
August 1,2010 last paid for admission movies:
GROWN UPS
TOY STORY 3 IN 2D
TWILIGHT SAGA: ECLIPSE
August 3 & 4, 2010, Free Summer Mechant Movie:
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID
“THE END”
Fridley Theatres will be closing the Spencer 3 in August of 2010; according to this article about the closing, it became a triplex in 1979: View link
Here is the Fridley site for this theater:
http://www.fridleytheatres.com/spencer3.html
now thats an odd marquee