Wayne Theatre
110 N. Franklin Street,
Corydon,
IA
50060
110 N. Franklin Street,
Corydon,
IA
50060
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According to the Wayne County Historical Society’s December 2008 newsletter: The Wayne Theatre in Corydon was built in 1936 of cinder block with an art deco design. It was the largest screen in Iowa and was considered to have the best sound system around. Two carbon arc projectors were purchased in 1939 especially to show the movie, “Gone with the Wind”. There have been various owners over the years and for a few years no movies were shown. In 1990, WAYCO Arts and Corydon Community Betterment purchased the Wayne Theatre and began renovations. A new roof, paint, wiring and a new projector were added. The old screen was salvaged and reworked but later was replaced with a new screen. The theatre was once again part of the community. Movies are shown 3 nights a week and the theatre is manned by volunteers. There have been community plays, special performances, and musical groups. In other words, this theatre is used much the way those early opera houses were. The old carbon arc projector and original popcorn machine from Wayne Theatre are currently on display at the Prairie Trails Museum.
Boxoffice of April 19, 1947, reported that Frank and Floyd Smith had sold a half interest in their Wayne Theatre at Corydon to the Iowa United Theatres circuit. The item said that the Smith brothers had arrived in Corydon and built the Wayne in 1936.
A September 19, 1977, Boxoffice item said that Bud Kelly had permanently closed the Wayne Theatre on August 1, so the house must have been dark for more than a decade after that.
Links to an update on the theatre and 2010 pictures:
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Can I come out of my bomb shelter now?
In 1963, the Wayne was part of Iowa United Theaters, a Des Moines-based chain. Chief officers were A.E. Thiele and E.M. Garbett. This chain ran houses in numerous Iowa cities at that time.