World Theatre

The Lake Theatre was operated by the Blackmore Bros. (also ran the Granada and other early theatres) until it was sold in 1948 to John J. Rogus. In November 1949 the theatre was shut down for operating without a license. The crackdown came after complaints of showing “lewd and indecent pictures.” Manager Bert G. Langley and owner Ray Lumsden were arrested. The case didn’t stick, and in March 1950 Langley was awarded $1050 in damages for false arrest. The Duluth News Tribune defended the theatre operators and questioned the actions of the police. (Sources: Greater Amusements, 3-24-50; Variety 3-29-50; Motion Picture Herald 4-1-50). In July 1950 new ownership took over the theatre, renamed it the World. It had been closed a few months (since the November arrest?). The new operators were Minneapolis-based film bookers including Ralph Pielow and Abbott Swartz. It was put up for sale again in March 1955 (source: Greater Amusements advertisement 3-25-55). The ad said “For sale, lease and equipment: 300 seats, good downtown location. CinemaScope. Low Overhead. Plays first run, first run moveover and 2nd run. Has grossed as low as $400 per week and as high as almost $4,000 per week.” Late in ‘55 the theatre reopened with “new staggered seating” and got two first runs, “Tennessee’s Partner” and “The Big Knife”. There would be a few more first runs, some of which were British films and other foreign product like “Monika”, but the theatre’s final closing came in June 1956.