Corby Theatre

The Moorish Revival-styled Corby Theatre initially closed at the end of its second 20-year lease on July 29, 1956 with “I Am Camera.” A new operator gave it another shot in February 3, 1957. But the competition from television was too great and the theater closed permanently on June 16, 1957 following a double-feature of “Mister Cory” with Tony Curtis" and Ida Lupino in “Strange Intruder.” The space was converted into a retail department store and is currently used for storage.

This house must be the project mentioned in the December 12, 1925 issue of Exhibitors Trade Review:

“OMAHA, NEBR.

“Archt : James T. Allen, Brandeis Theatre bldg. Drawing plans on a theatre at 16th & Corby. Owners, Sam & Lewis Epstein, 4932 S. 24th, South Omaha, Nebr.”

The January 7, 1926, issue of The Film Daily said that a new theater was to be built at 16th and Corby Streets in Omaha. The November 19, 1926, issue of the same publication said that Sam and Louis Epstein had purchased the recently-completed Corby Theatre from its builder, Alexander Beck. This item gave the location as 15th and Corby Streets. From Street View, it looks like the theater building occupies the entire block along Corby Street from 15th Avenue to 16th Street.

This PDF from the fall, 2008, issue of newsletter Landmark News has a small photo of the Corby Theatre which appears to have been taken in the 1930s. The building is little changed in appearance since then, but the satellite view shows that the roof is in poor condition. This building might still be saved, but if the roof has not yet been repaired it will have to be done soon.

The building was not demolished; for years, until recently, it was a salvage bursiness – Norton and Sons. Remnants of the lobby were still in existence as was the stage and the sloping floor. The manager’s office, on the north end of the west (street) side has the original paneling and chandelier.