Roosevelt Theatre
1446 Broadway,
Gary,
IN
46408
1446 Broadway,
Gary,
IN
46408
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Bikos Bros.
Architects: Louis Harry Warriner
Styles: Mediterranean Revival
Previous Names: Soul Theatre
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This was a neighborhood movie palace on Broadway and W. 15th Avenue in Gary, IN. The Roosevelt Theatre was opened by January 1927.
Although I never entered the theatre, as it was considered an African-American neighborhood movie house. I do remember it had a big beautiful marquee as I was always intrigued by marquee signs. They did do stage shows in the early-1970’s when it was renamed Soul Theatre. It was demolished in the mid-1970’s
Contributed by
jase
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
Does anyone know if the building at 2224 Broadway, Gary, now housing the Safe and Sound Senior Citizen Social Club, was once a movie theater? The front looks to be about 1940s vintage, though it might have been the result of a remodeling.
The Roosevelt Theatre was operated by the Nick Bikos Theatre Company. Nick Bikos was involved in movie exhibition it Gary at least as early as 1919 and was operating the Roosevelt at least as early as 1932.
Designed by Gary architect Harry Warriner, the Roosevelt opened in 1927, a few months after showman Nick Bikos’s July 1926 announcement that he would build a $150,000 theater at 1436 Broadway. In August 1926 Warriner, who designed several outstanding buildings in northwest Indiana, was reported to be drawing up the plans. G. Chappas was contracted to erect the two-story brick theater-and-office building at 1436-50 Broadway in October 1926. The Roosevelt is first mentioned in the January 1927 issue of Variety: “The [Gary Roosevelt] will play vaudeville and tabs through [Billy] Diamond.” The theater had main-floor and balcony seating for 1000. In the early 1970’s, flush with urban-redevelopment funds, Soul, Inc. re-decorated the beautiful marquee and reopened the theater. For a brief time it was called the Soul Theater. The building was demolished in the mid-1970’s.
By June 1928 Western Electric sound was installed at the Roosevelt.