Berkley Theatre
1425 S. 13th Street,
Omaha,
NE
68102
1425 S. 13th Street,
Omaha,
NE
68102
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The building is occupied, apparently as office space, by a community service organization called Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance, which deals with housing related issues.
The Maryland Theatre opened in November of 1915. Following the terminus of its 25-year lease, Epstein’s Theatres took on the venue in 1940 renaming it as the Berkley Theatre (no “e” after the k). The Berkley Theatre is closed permanently after the November 13, 1953 showing of “Prulom” starring Ella Nollová. The theater had showed a heavy dose of Czech films along with standard Hollywood fare from the 1930s until closure.
The venue was offered for sale to no avail until 1957 when the floors were flattened and the theater’s interior was remodeled out of existence. A dance club moved in in 1957/1958 using the Berkley Theatre marquee and nameplate. The Dick Clark Fan Club held regular meet-up events there. But after a minor fire, the theater name was retired and a merry go round of retailers including a food store and an auto parts store came in during the 1960s. The theatre became home to a non-profit. And the theater is definitely closed… for more than 65 years.
Currently occupied by a non-profit group providing social services to the community.
The Maryland Theatre opened in November of 1915.
Currently some kind of public entertainment venue, possibly local theater.
1948 & 2017 photos added via Jill Benz. The latter shows the marquee illuminated at night, as part of a redevelopment that as of yet is unannounced.
Here’s an item from The Film Daily of September 23, 1936: “Sam Marino has reopened the Maryland, a neighborhood Omaha house. He bought 500 new seats and erected a new canopy.”
The building was not demolished; it is used as a storage warehouse for the bumper business located next door to the North. The building was also home to the Maryland Theatre.