Minnesota Theater

36-40 Ninth Street South,
Minneapolis, MN 55403

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Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on September 3, 2021 at 1:42 am

The July 2, 1938 issue of Film Daily had this item:

“4,024-Seat Minneapolis Theater Closed by Para.

“Paramount has closed the 4,024-seat Minnesota Theater, Minneapolis, and will not reopen it, John Friedl, president of the Minnesota Amusement Co., Paramount affiliate, stated yesterday in New York. House closed Thursday night. Lease on the theater does not expire until next February but under the terms of the agreement, Paramount was not obliged to operate it more than six months of any calendar year.

“It is not likely that any other company will take the Minnesota over because of the high overhead; house was built before Minneapolis was ready for such a theater, it was said.”

If Paramount’s lease was ending until February, 1939 and the house opened in March of 1928, it seems unlikely that they were the original operators of the Minnesota. I’ve never heard of anyone taking an eleven year lease on a theater.

rivest266
rivest266 on January 15, 2017 at 1:09 pm

March 8th, 1944 grand opening ad in the photo section as Radio City.

rivest266
rivest266 on January 15, 2017 at 1:07 pm

Poking around the Radio City theatre

Found on Newspapers.com

rivest266
rivest266 on January 15, 2017 at 11:25 am

Full page grand opening ad at

Found on Newspapers.com

and the photo section.

atmos
atmos on September 14, 2016 at 3:26 am

Opened 24 March 1928 and closed 14 October 1958.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on November 8, 2015 at 12:29 am

Post card added courtesy of The Last Seats Remaining Facebook page. Likely the same as the 2005 dead link. Below Minnesota Theater history link also via their Facebook page.

http://spytwincities.com/twin_cities_history_minnesota_theater-600/

Brad Smith
Brad Smith on May 4, 2012 at 7:15 pm

Click here for an exterior view of the Minnesota Theatre in 1930.

GailMarie
GailMarie on January 15, 2012 at 10:18 pm

Supr8, you’re right—I stand corrected.

Supr8
Supr8 on January 14, 2012 at 3:39 am

The remaining portion of the theater was the home of WCCO-TV/4 until the station moved to 11th & Nicollet in 1983, after which the structure was converted to office space. KSTP-TV was never located here.

GailMarie
GailMarie on August 18, 2011 at 9:46 pm

WilliamMcQuade, the remaining part of the building that was the lobby is now KSTP Television; none of the original interior is intact. However, if you go to the following link and scroll through to the end, you can see the remnant of the theater exterior visible through the larger (third?) story window, at www.lileks.com/mpls/mntheat/index.html.

WilliamMcQuade
WilliamMcQuade on February 27, 2011 at 2:17 am

Is the lobby still here & intact? If so, what is it used for?

GailMarie
GailMarie on June 18, 2010 at 3:14 am

According to some, it was a victim of its own size; it would’ve had to nearly sell out every performance to turn a profit. But oh, what a magnificant theatre! Part of the arched window (in the former lobby area?) is still visible in the existing structure, if you look carefully.

rvarani
rvarani on April 6, 2010 at 1:03 pm

“Damn Yankees” was the last film.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on April 30, 2009 at 8:29 pm

Here is an item from the Fergus Falls (MN) Daily Journal dated 8/27/58:

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) â€" Radio City Theater has been sold to WCCO-TV and radio and will close as a loop movie showhouse Oct. 15. It is the largest theater in Minnesota with 4,000 seating capacity. The sale was announced Tuesday night by Minnesota Amusement Co., the owner of the building, and Midwest Radio-Television, operator of WCCO. Price was not disclosed.

docdoowop
docdoowop on November 26, 2008 at 2:37 pm

Martin & Lewis…by far the most successful live act at the time…played the house in the early 50s and were a sensation.

Life's Too Short
Life's Too Short on August 16, 2006 at 8:06 pm

http://www.cinematour.com/tour.php?db=us&id=12385

These are a little better. It was certainly a magnificent building.

crystallover
crystallover on August 16, 2006 at 7:53 pm

Thank you for the additional pics!

If anyone has a pic of the chandalier(s) inside the building, in more detail, I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you!

crystallover
crystallover on January 30, 2006 at 5:27 pm

Are there any books that have pictures of the inside of the building, or of the elaborate chandalier? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

teecee
teecee on June 1, 2005 at 3:14 pm

Print for sale at this link:
View link

teecee
teecee on March 10, 2005 at 2:53 pm

Old postcard here (note different address):
View link

StephenJohansen
StephenJohansen on February 27, 2005 at 5:31 pm

I saw “The Bridge on the River Kwai” there in April 1958 shortly before it’s October demise with “Damn Yankees”.. Coming from NYC, it reminded me more of the Roxy than RCMH, even though my cousins from Mpls. said it was designed after Radio City in NY.. Wrong.. Radio City in NY was built three years later… And God Bless, it is still standing.. Any comments?? It appears that Minneapolis currently has a paucity of movie theaters.
P.S. “Bridge” played the Palace in New York which is still running and showing “All Shook Up” , the new Elvis musical.

sdoerr
sdoerr on February 9, 2004 at 10:36 pm

Good perspectives here also:

sdoerr
sdoerr on February 9, 2004 at 10:33 pm

http://www.cinematour.com/tour_us.php?id=12385 <<< here are some pictures of the magnificent. Such a shame