Playhouse Cinema 4

1207 Sam Houston Drive,
Victoria, TX 77901

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Cinemark, Frels Theaters

Architects: Christopher DiStefano

Functions: Museum

Previous Names: Playhouse Cinema

Nearby Theaters

Playhouse Cinema 4

The Playhouse Cinema opened on May 31, 1966 at 6:00 p.m. Advertisements for the theater boasted "authentic Spanish decor." The premier feature was "Blindfold" with Rock Hudson and Claudia Cardinale. On November 9, 1971 it was expanded to 3-screens. From 1979 it had 4-screens.

Operated by Frels Theatres, then Cinemark, it was closed on May 10, 2001. In 2016 it was converted into a children’s museum.

Contributed by Bob Machann

Recent comments (view all 5 comments)

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois
Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois on July 30, 2010 at 7:30 am

SEATS:

620

ARCHITECT:

CHRISTOPHER DiSTEFANO

3 screens in 1971?

4 screens in 1979?

Owners:

1966-1989 Frels Theaters, Inc. of Victoria, Texas, Mrs Rubin Frels, President, Rubin S. Frels, Vice-President & General Manager. They owned 15 theaters in Texas in 1967.

1989-2001 Cinemark

Anyone have more info or photos?

sepiatone
sepiatone on February 23, 2013 at 1:22 pm

From the Victoria Advocate, February 16, 1972 – Several changes in management were announced Tuesday by Rubin S. Frels, president and general manager of Frels Theatres, Inc. Irving Cohn, who has been manager of the Playhouse since it opened in 1966, was named circuit supervisor of concessions for the 12 South Texas theaters in the Frels group. Cohn will work out of the general offices at 210 E. Constitution. He has 20 years experience in theater work. Mac Range, assistant manager at the Playhouse the past year, has been promoted to manager. He joined Frels three years ago, coming to Victoria from Gloucester, Mass., where he was employed by the C.B. Fisk Co. He is a native of Dallas.

FrankBCMiller
FrankBCMiller on May 28, 2016 at 10:13 pm

Interesting time for this old playhouse Tuesday will be the 50th anniversary of it’s opening, and the building is being brought back to life. The building is being remodeled by the Children’s Discovery Museum of the Golden Crescent and will be reopening ‘soon’.

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on February 27, 2019 at 4:40 am

Closed by Cinemark on May 10, 2001 when Cinemark launched its 12-screener. It closed as a discount house with What Men Want, The Mexican, Snatch, See Spot Run and Down to Earth

rivest266
rivest266 on November 29, 2020 at 2:02 pm

Expanded to 3 screens on November 9th, 1971. Another ad posted.

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