Nora Cinema
1300 E. 86th Street,
Indianapolis,
IN
46240
1300 E. 86th Street,
Indianapolis,
IN
46240
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: United Theatres
Previous Names: Nora Theatre
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Opened as the Nora Theatre on February 6, 1966 with a seating capacity of 950. The theatre was located on E. 86th Street in the Nora/Far Northside district. It was opened by the Vogue Theatre Chain and was considered to be a Luxury “Living Room” theatre with the latest in design, equipment and decor. The theatre had a large marquee and canopy over the entrance for patron protection and featured a smoking section. The theatre was remodeled in 1973 and received the new name Nora Cinema on May 23, 1973. The theatre was closed on November 15, 1976 when it was destroyed by an arson attack following a screening of Mel Brooks in “Silent Movie”.
Contributed by
Chuck
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
This theatre sustained a fire that pretty much gutted it. Fire department reported it was a short in the Buttermat machine. The fire happened while United Cinema, its operator, was fueding with the local projectionist union. Theatre never reopened but is now a post office.
Does anyone know…is the post office just in that location or is the post office actually occupying the building that housed the theater?
The post office is in the original building. Theater was originally a rectangular box, with the screen at the west (far) end, and entrance, concession, and restrooms on the east. USPS added the loading dock extension on the south side— originally that was a straight wall running all the way back. Between the dock and the front of the building is an alcove that once held a fire exit.
The front canopy is much as it was. You entered the lobby through a center cutout (standard “shopping center” glass doors and windows) between two concrete block walls. Above the canopy was an “art” window made of colored glass chips embedded in mortar. That may still be there, but it’s been covered by what look like aluminum panels. The interior was thoroughly gutted; I’d guess the service windows sit about where the booth used to be.
February 5th, 1966 grand opening ad with picture in photo section.
The Nora Cinema closed for the final time on November 15, 1976 after an unidentified arsonist set the theater on fire exactly an hour after a showing of “Silent Movie” ended, destroying the theater with an estimated cost of $150,000. There was vandalism and a barricade beforehand which led to an arrest of two men.