Franklin Art Works

Joe Vogel on March 17, 2026 at 4:49 pm

The New Franklin Theatre was slated to open on May 22, 1916, according to this brief article in the May 6 issue of Moving Picture World that year:

“Minneapolis, Minn. May 22 will see the opening of the largest one-floor house west of Chicago, the New Franklin theater, 1021 Franklin avenue. The theater will seat 1,000. It is being erected by C. E. Marrs, real estate dealer, at a cost of $40,000. F. H. Coyle, a new figure in the moving picture business, will manage the house.

“Fourteen huge drop lights will be used in the theater proper and the lobby will blaze with ornamental side lights and 161 ceiling lamps. The entire interior will be decorated in a soft rose tint as a predominating color note. There will be four aisles. The building is so constructed that if desired a balcony may be put in later. The offices will be on the second floor. The lobby may be entered through five sets of revolving doors.

“Particular attention is being paid to the projection room, which will be one of the finest equipped and largest in the country. Two 6A machines have been purchased. The screen is 100 feet from the machine.

“Mr. Coyle has obtained advertising for the house in the shape of a neat folder bearing a picture of the theater on the front.”

Chris1982 on June 23, 2014 at 10:41 pm

There was another Franklin Theatre at 1037 East Franklin that was open in 1914. Any information on that Franklin?