Iris Theatre

The Iris Theatre was a downtown Weslaco, Texas silent movie house. It was operated by Miguel Benitez Sr., who founded the Benitez Theatre Circuit which largely played Spanish language films for smaller communities of the Rio Grande Valley. The theatre was a conversion of an existing building.

The Benitez Circuit was one of the two most important chains for Mexican cinema in the Valley with the majority of its theaters in smaller communities. The Iris Theatre opened in 1924 - just five years after the town of Weslaco was founded by the W.E. Stewart Land Company whose letters formed the town’s name. The Iris Theatre was replaced by larger, sound theatres. The Benitezes added Teatro Nacional / National Theatre across the street in 1926 - a longer lasting venue.

The Iris Theatre closed, it is believed, without converting to sound. The building housing it has been demolished. It appears to have been one of four silent movie houses for Spanish speakers in Weslaco.

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