Gem Theatre

125 W. Main Street,
Blytheville, AR 72315

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Additional Info

Architects: Uzzell S. Branson

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The Gem Theatre was opened in 1930. In 1941, it was listed as (Closed) with 300 seats. It was reopened September 12, 1942 and continued through to at least 1950.

Contributed by Ken Roe

Recent comments (view all 5 comments)

James R. Honecutt
James R. Honecutt on May 13, 2010 at 2:20 pm

I remember it was operated as a Spanish language theater in the 1960s by Warren Moxley.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 18, 2012 at 7:22 am

This web page with a history of the Ritz Theatre also has a bit about the Gem. The house that became the Ritz was apparently called the Gem from about 1914 until 1924, when it suffered a fire. When it was rebuilt it was called the Ritz, and in the meantime this new Gem Theatre had been built at 125 West Main Street.

The 1930 opening date currently cited in the description must have been a re-opening. The Gem apparently closed and reopened more than once during the depressed early 1930s.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 20, 2012 at 7:13 am

This theater’s site is now part of a parking lot.

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on October 19, 2014 at 12:14 am

The September 12, 1942, issue of the Blytheville Courier News said that the Gem Theatre had been reopened that day, after having been dark for several years:

“Although closed for an extended time, the Gem has been kept in readiness for imediate [sic] opening if such an emergency had arisen. The building, however, has been redecorated both inside and on the exterior with the marquee repainted, and new equipment has been installed in the projection booth. It seats 400 persons.”

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on April 24, 2017 at 11:00 pm

Gem Theatre #2 opened in November of 1925 and closed February 18, 1951 with the new Ritz Theatre replacing it.

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