Richfield Theater
65th Street and Nicollet Avenue,
Richfield,
MN
55423
65th Street and Nicollet Avenue,
Richfield,
MN
55423
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1959: “Ben-Hur”, then across 65th street to Nelson’s Restaurant for some strawberry pie.
Grand opening ad in the photo section.
To hear old recordings of Cedric Adams broadcasts on WCCO radio, go to www.radiotapes.com and click on the “WCCO” tab.
Last show Sun. ½/66 “The Ipcress File”; there had been a kiddie matinee that weekend of “Fluffy”. Of course Cedric Adams was a HUGE radio and newspaper personality here, why is this even being questioned? He did many personal appearances at theatres, including the Richfield – not just for its opening. Adams, who had a news and comment program on WCCO radio, was big enough to be on Murrow’s “Person to Person” show. You can see the whole show on You Tube.
I did some research at the Richfield Historical Society in January when visiting Minneapolis; Dick is absolutely right. The theatre was gutted and remodeled into the Summit Bank. (Another case of turning a truffle into a Twinkie!) Question answered. Thanks, Dick.
The architects name was George Becker.
Was the projectionist during the final years of operations. Ran the last show. Building was remolded into the Summit Bank.
I saw the Three Stooges in Orbit there on a Saturday afternoon in 1962. Ticket cost a quarter. I’ll never forget buying Green River soda for a dime in the lobby. Also heard some of the finest Minneapolis bands do a pre-movie show early in the Beatle era. Stillroven, Accents, Gregory Dee and the Avantis. Love to hear from others!
Any idea when it was demolished? I grew up 8 blocks from this theater (I was born in 1955) and have no memory of it. After looking at the Richfield, Minnesota, Historical Society website, I believe it was located on the southwest corner of Nicolet and 65th (which makes a dogleg across Nicollet at that point). I remember the Summit Bank building being constructed on that site back in the 1960s, behind The Hub shopping center. What a beautiful theater; what a waste. If only it had survived the 1960s, it would probably have been cherished today.
GailMarieL
The Richfield cost $175,545 for the building, $25,000 for the equipment and $8,500 for the land. George Beck was the Architect.
The Richfield theatre opened on the night October 15, 1947. The grand opening attraction was “Variety Girl” starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope and 40 other stars. On stage was local celeb Cedric Adams with his “Stariway to Stardom” winners. If stories are to be believed Adams was VERY popular columinists, and radio person in Minneapolis during the 40s thu the 50s.
Here is an interior photo from the same date:
http://tinyurl.com/3dhohq
Here is a 1948 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/yuqc2h