Princess Theatre

dallasmovietheaters on January 16, 2018 at 5:58 pm

The Zakoor Brothers (Richard and George) opened the Princess playing Edison films in the early Nickelodeon era. Chatham residents appreciated slapstick comedies and the Zakoors had to modernize fairly quickly to accommodate the patrons. They transformed the Princess in 1911 to a 520-seat modern theatre with mirrored screen. It was a success.

Canadian Paramount Circuit took on the Princess Theatre still managed by the Zakoors creating a new Princess Theatre at the same site and reusing the same signage launching in December of 1920. Canadian Paramount operation then transformed to Famous Players Circuit.

Under Famous Players, the theater had a major fire in 1926. The Princess was rebuilt in 1926 with William Dineen of Famous Players handling the new interior. Famous Players also operated the Griffin Theatre in Chatham in the silent era. The Capitol replaced the Griffin while the Princess gravitated to sound with both theaters now managed by A.P. Drohan. The Princess likely closed in 1939 under the Hanson Theatre Corporation Circuit.