Rebel Art Theatre
213 W. Pine Street,
Hattiesburg,
MS
39401
213 W. Pine Street,
Hattiesburg,
MS
39401
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Gulf States Theatres, Paramount-Gulf States, Paramount-Richards Theatres Inc., Royal Theatres
Previous Names: Anderson Theatre, Majestic Theatre, Prim's Rio Theatre, Rose Theatre, New Rose Theatre, Ritz Theatre, Rebel Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Anderson Theatre was opened on November 14, 1925 with Monte Blue in “Red Hot Tires”. On August 30, 1929 it was renamed Majestic Theatre screening Eddie Leonard in “Melody Lane. That closed on October 29, 1929. Another operator Prim S, Brodus took over and it had a refresh to the plans of architect Juan G. Landry, and it reopened as Prim’s Rio Theatre on July 4, 1932 with Elliott Nugent in "Wise Girls”. That was a short opening as it was closed in September 1932. Another operator reopened it as the Rose Theatre on October 3, 1932 with Jack Holt in “The Sporting Age”. Seating was listed at 500. Taken over by Paramount-Richards Theatres they remodeled the theatre and reopened as the New Rose Theatre. Paramount-Richards closed the Rose Theatre on September 10, 1949. Another operator and another name, The Ritz Theatre opened on March 1, 1950 with Claudette Colbert in “Family Honeymoon” & Sonja Henie in “The Countess of Monte Cristo”.
On February 28, 1959 it was taken over by Royal Theatres and renamed Rebel Theatre (not to be confused with the Loma/Rebel Theatre which has its own page on Cinema Treasures). Gulf States Theatres took over on September 1 1967 and it was renamed Rebel Art Theatre, screening Continental European adult themed movies, the first being “I, A Woman”. This program policy began to cause problems and it reverted back to regular movies. It was closed on March 1, 1968 with Jose Ferrer in “Enter Laughing”. It was demolished and there is a parking lot where the theatre once stood.
Contributed by
Chuck
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
Reopened as Ritz on March 1st, 1950
Found on Newspapers.com
February 28th, 1950 grand opening ad as Ritz in the photo section.
I may be incorrect is stating that the Rebel Theater was next to Sackler’s Furniture Store.Newspaper archives report that it was the Ritz at the site pictured.
I will go the library archives and correct any misinformation.
The Anderson Theatre was opened by former Sanger Theatre manager, C.B. Anderson, with Monte Blue in “Red Hot Tires” on November 14, 1925. supported by the Fox comedy short “Sweet Marie” and a Fox newsreel. Anderson headed to Texas four years later and the lease transferred to the Majestic Theatre Company which renamed it as the Majestic Theatre on August 30, 1929. It opened with talking pictures featuring Leonard and Dunn in “Melody Lane” supported by the short, “The Medicine Man.” Actor Jack Hoxie made a personal appearance there on October 16, 1929. The Majestic closed on October 29, 1929.
Prim S. Broadus took on the venue and, after a $10,000 refresh to the plans of architect Juan G. Landry, he relaunched it as Prim’s Rio Theater on July 4, 1932 with “Wise Girls.” Broadus closed two months later. A.H. Yeomans was next changing its name to the Rose Theatre on October 3, 1932 with Jack Holt in “The Sporting Age.” The Rose Theatre got new operators in Paramount-Richards Theatres Circuit briefly rebranding as the New Rose Theater after a makeover in 1940.
Paramount-Richards closed both the Rose and the Buck theaters on September 10, 1949. After a refresh and under new ownership, the theatre became the Ritz Theatre on March 1, 1950 with a double feature of “The Family Honeymoon” and “The Countess of Monte Cristo.”
Lloyd Royal of the Royal Circuit was bought out of his location a block away where he was operating the Rebel Theatre in December of 1958. So he moved the Rebel Theatre to the Ritz Theatre and reopened there after a refresh on Feb. 28, 1959 with the religious film, “I’ll Give My Life.”
The former Anderson turned Majestic turned Rio turned Rose turned New Rose turned back to Rose turned Ritz turned Rebel was purchased by Gulf States operating briefly as the Rebel Art Theatre showing adult/overseas titles. That rebranding occurred on September 1, 1967 with “I, A Woman.” Mayor Paul Grady instructed Police Chief Hugh Herring to either arrest or shut down the Rebel Art for obscenity. Gulf States bowed to the pressure reducing “adult” fare. They then opened the new-build Cinema Theatre elsewhere in town in early 1968. Within weeks, they subsequently closed the Rebel which closed March 1, 1968 permanently with “Enter Laughing.” The Rebel Art Theatre was later demolished. The Rebel’s former home at the Lomo was also demolished.