Plaza Theatre
115 S. Madison Street,
Madisonville,
TX
77864
115 S. Madison Street,
Madisonville,
TX
77864
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Long Theaters
Functions: Restaurant
Styles: Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: Rex Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Rex Theatre was opened by Al Stoddard on May 28, 1928 with Janet Gaynor in “7th Heaven”. It was equipped with a Duplex organ. On November 23, 1937 it was renamed Plaza Theatre, following a remodel in a Streamline Moderne style. The reopening movie was Charles ‘Buddy’ Rogers in “This Way Please”. It was operated by Long Theaters and they closed it in 1952. It was later reopened by an independent operator until March 4, 1961 when it was partially destroyed by fire. The final movie had been “The Plunderers” starring Jeff Chandler.
The building was repairs and it became the Carousel Clothing Store. In recent years it has operated as the Mule Barn Boutique and Legend’s Steakhouse. Since around 2020 only the Legends steakhouse is open.
Contributed by
Ken McIntyre
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
A good friend grew up there and remembered in the mid 1960’s the manager was a blind man who had a German Shepard with him all the time.
Pawnshop, apparently that was related. Motion Picture Exhibitor, Nov. 7, 1962: “Lloyd Stone opened his new Pam, Madisonville, Tex., which was named after his seeing eye dog.”
Al Stoddard opened the 300-seat New Rex Theatre on May 28, 1928 with “7th Heaven” with a new Duplex organ and silent films. It was located on the East Side of the Madisonville town square. On January 1, 1930, Stoddard added sound showing talkies.
This venue appears to have become the Plaza Theatre launching November 23, 1937 now with a streamline moderne designed venue playing “This Way Please.” Long Theatres Circuit operated both the Plaza and the Mustang. A local resident appears to have then reopened the first Rex (not this venue) as the Madison Theatre briefly giving the town three simultaneously operating, hardtop movie houses in the late 1930s - a good number for a town with fewer than 2,000 residents.
The Plaza Theatre advertises for 15 years apparently closing in 1952. It reopens one more time as the Plaza Theater until fire strikes in March 4, 1961. Its final showing is “The Plunderers.” The building is repaired and converted for retail becoming home to the Carousel Clothing Store. The town is then long-served by the Pam / Madison (former Mustang) as well as the Mustang Drive-In Theatre.
Another entry handles the Mustang (hardtop) Theatre turned Pam Theatre and, finally, Madison Theatre. It was located on the Southeast Corner of the Madisonville town square.