Isis Theater
3102 Troost Avenue,
Kansas City,
MO
64109
3102 Troost Avenue,
Kansas City,
MO
64109
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Appears to have departed with a Steve McQueen triple feature with “The Thomas Crown Affair,” “Nevada Smith,” and “The Blob.“
And very technically, it was never an adult film house in the way that phrase is commonly used.
Courtesy Jane Bartholomew:
“The Isis Theatre was where young Walt Disney showed his first animated cartoons in the early 1920s, known as Laugh-O-grams. Accompanying the picture on the theatre organ was KC native Carl Stalling, who later became known at Warner Bros. for his musical accompaniments to their Merrie Melodies and Looney Toons. Disney’s first animation studio was just down the street from the Isis at 31st and Forest in the McConahey Building. A local group, Thank You Walt Disney, bought the building and is raising money to restore it as a museum.”
I was a freshman at Rockhurst College in September of 1963. I went to the Isis to see some guy by the name of James Bond in the film Dr.No. And so it began. I have fond memories of Rockhurst College and the many friends that I made there. Also loved the Saturday night steak night in the schools dining facility. It was the best steak I had ever eaten, and in a school cafeteria yet.
East coast guy from Mass
When I was working in the theater business, in the 1950’s, the ISIS was a 28 day sub-run house, meaning that like the Plaza, the Oak Park and the Waldo, the played a double feature of films 28 days after the left the 1st run, mainly downtown theaters. And it was part of the Fox Midwest chain.
Although we no longer lived in the neighborhood, my folks would take us to the movies at the ISIS. I remember in the 1940’s winter time, that that corner of 31st & Troost was the coldest place in all KC.
Held-up around 6:30pm on Sunday, November 30, 1969, while beginning its evening triple-feature with the Ray Harryhausen effects-film THE VALLEY OF GWANGI, followed later by TRUE GRIT and THE DEVIL’S BRIDE. [“Isis Theater is Robbed/Two Cashiers at Troost Movie Say Youth Armed,” Kansas City Times, Monday, December 1, 1969, pp. 4A]
My Grandfather, Kenton Zumbaugh was manager of the Isis sometime around 1929. He disappeared from Northern Indiana sometime around 1930 or 1931 leaving 3 children behind. I would appreciate it if anyone has any information regarding him that they contact me at .
This opened on August 21st, 1918. Grand opening ad in photo section.
My Mom worked in an Insurance Company office in the building and my Dentist – Dr. Honda was in there too. We went to a lot of movies there. What recall is the extremely large movie screen – it was considered the largest in KC. I wish someone could post some later interior pics of the Isis. I remember a lot of half moon blue lighting on the sides of the walls. When I was in 8th grage a few friends of mine used to take the bus down there and meet some girls that we first met at the El Toreon Roller Rink. The drugstore next door had fantastic sodas and malts.
The article says there was a fire in 1939, so I’m guessing it was closed for a while and reopened in 1940.
Here is some linkrot repair for the Kansas City Public Library images:
1918 photo, showing the original two-story Wirthman Building.
1937 photo, showing the five-story Wirthman Building.
A 1928 photo showing what the library presumes is the lobby of the Isis.
Another 1928 photo showing the theater by night.
A 1940 photo, with an inexplicable “Grand Opening Friday October 6” displayed on the marquee (perhaps the theater had been closed for a while for renovations.)
KCK all your links are not working.
Here is a 1945 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ltqvkq
Interesting link to the Isis Theater programming
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Another photo:
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Article about the tulips on troost where the Isis once stood:
http://chuck.mahost.org/weblog/?p=1341
The Wirthman Building and Isis Theater were originally constructed in 1918 as a two-story building. The additional stories were added later. It appears it was done sometime between 1918-27, since the additional stories appear in photos taken in 1927.
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Yet another: View link
I don’t know. You might want to check with the KCMO public library. They appear to have an impressive collection on local history. I know that in the past they had an exhibit on movie theaters. They probably have old issues of newspapers on microfilm too.
And again:
/theaters/1430/
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And even more:
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Photo: View link
Interior of Isis in 1928 View link
Information from KC Public Library View link
Photo here http://206.103.49.193/kcmo/htm/kc115.htm