Comments about Dickinson Theatre in Topeka, KS

rivest266 on March 26, 2024 at 1:47 pm

Final night of performances: March 27th, 1988. Article uploaded.

vimh53 on June 18, 2017 at 9:45 pm

I truly loved the Dickinson as I received my very first kiss there. And anyone interested, I do have only one of the Giant Mirrors that were in the lobby. And it is for sale. If interested contact .

JoelWeide on March 13, 2015 at 6:32 am

Sooo glad to hear you are working on this Gypsy. Thats an awesome project, I sincerely hope it goes well. Be sure to keep us posted on your progress.

TheGYPSY on March 13, 2015 at 5:10 am

The Dickinson Crest is stored in the Jayhawk and I will be restoring it sometime this year. Here is a link to a current photo of it: www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201557902544390&set=oa.771465282898637&type=3&theater

WTKFLHN on July 23, 2014 at 1:57 pm

I can remember a trip to the Dickinson to see a atrocious wide screen version of “Gone With The Wind”. I lived in the 900 block of Topeka blvd, and had 4 great theaters to pick from to go to the movies back then.

Joe Vogel on July 4, 2014 at 9:57 pm

This photo of the Novelty Theatre is dated September, 1926, which would be shortly after the remodeling by the Boller Brothers that year. The mid-1920s were a busy time for the Bollers in Topeka. Their new Jayhawk Theatre would open in August, 1926, and the Grand Theatre had been substantially rebuilt to their plans in 1925.

Mike Gallagher on June 26, 2012 at 11:50 am

The Dickenson Theater was a real beauty inside and out. Yes, the stage area was altered for a larger screen and surround sound etc. I do not live in Topeka, but went there as a kid with relatives when I visited. Why in the world would the arts community of Topeka ever had let this be demolished for a stupid surface parking lot. It would have been a wonderful smaller performing arts venue or playhouse. Stupid is Supid is Stupid is is is.

Joe Vogel on January 24, 2012 at 3:55 am

An advertisement for Boller Brothers in the July 10, 1926, issue of The Reel Journal listed the Novelty Theatre in Topeka as one of the firm’s works. David and Noelle’s list of known Boller theaters has 1926 and 1944 as the years when the Bollers worked on the Novelty, and also gives the house the aka Crystal Theatre.

JoelWeide on May 2, 2011 at 5:18 pm

This was the main house that Dickinson operated in Topeka for many many years. Their other theater was the Fairlawn Twin and the Chief and Cloverleaf Drive Ins before acquiring the Mann properties.

Mike Rogers on May 2, 2011 at 4:07 pm

1974,Leo Colvin was the manager and was written up for this promtion of “THE FORTUNE” Handing out Fortune cookies with prizes as high as $350.00.Not bad Leo.Boxoffice Sept.1974.

MikeParsons on February 22, 2006 at 2:21 pm

Okay I went to the Topeka Public Library today, and I got some new and more accurate info. The Dickinson, from the time of closing in 1988, seated 660. Also it had a rather large renovation in 1973, where the stage and proscenium was removed, and a larger screen was set on the wall where the stage used to be. Plus plush reclining seats were added into the balcony.
And as a final comment, the Dickinson started showing second-run dollar movies in 1987. It was also the place where the exorcist ran in Topeka, and got its premiere there. Its longest showing feature was American Graffiti.

MikeParsons on February 13, 2006 at 11:56 am

Here is an old pic of the outside of the Dickinson, its entrance and famous “crest” is on the upper lefthand corner

View link

Dickinson Theatre

120 SE 8th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603

120 SE 8th Avenue,
Topeka, KS 66603