America Stadium Theatre
119 S. Center Street,
Casper,
WY
82601
119 S. Center Street,
Casper,
WY
82601
1 person
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This theater is has been closed for over a year now and is listed for sale. The following is link to a story about his.
https://oilcity.news/community/city/2023/05/18/downtown-caspers-historic-rialto-and-america-theaters-listed-for-sale/
It is my understanding that any new owner must agree to not reopening this a a theater though.
The re-opening of the American Theatre (I don’t know if American was a mistake or if the theater was actually called that for a time) was noted in the September 23, 1950 issue of Boxoffice. The house had undergone a $75,000 remodeling. New seats, carpeting, lighting and stage drapes had been installed, along with a new foyer and new restrooms. Seating capacity had been increased from 808 to 822. Outside, a new marquee had been installed on the updated façade. The house was owned by the local Rialto Theatres company, but among the guests at the opening was Charles P. Skouras, president of the National Theatres company.
Images added, including 1950 with original facade and marquee.
1969 photo added via Mike Mase Mason. 1969 versus 2015 comparison shot added as well.
This opened on October 15th, 1920. Grand opening ad below. I think that the America was rebuilt or torn down and a new one built around 1950. Awaiting further digitization of the Casper newspapers.
Found on Newspapers.com
This theater is in the process of installing leather reclining seats. Right now the top half of the auditorium has these seats, while the bottom portion is empty and awaiting these new seats. I am hoping that some else can report on how many seats there were be after all are installed.
Good news and bad news. They’ve converted to digital projection so the option to ever see a 70mm showing there again seems impossible now. That said, 70mm prints are almost never struck so it’s probably not a huge loss. Just a couple of years ago one of the owners said they didn’t make a digital projector that could fill that massive screen. Well, they do now and I’m happy to say it looks spectacular. Still one of the best places to see a movie in the area, and I actually prefer it to the IMAX in Denver. We’re very lucky here.
From July 2010 a photo of the America Theatre in Casper.
This is actually owned by Movie Palaces Inc. or at least that is name listed at the bottom of their website.
The America in 1994. I heard that three years later they held a special regional premiere screening of “Starship Troopers” here – parts of that film were shot in nearby Powder River.
View link
I had a part time job working for Commonwealth in the 70s and 80s. I spent a lot of time managing the America. It’s a great building…a real theater. I remember lots of hours spent freezing in the lobby and box office. The offices and projection are up stairs along with what used to be dressing rooms when the theater was used for live theater. Great memories of the place and esp the people.
This is THE PLACE to see a film in the Mountain States! The America was remodeled by its very fussy owners a few years ago and features the largest screen in the state of Wyoming and the largest sound system between New York and Hollywood. Indeed this theater is better equipped than the Cinerama Dome! The back half was stadiumed and the front half still retains its sloped floor all new concessions and restrooms. The screen measures close to 60 feet wide. The sound system utilizes JBL’s largest 5674 tri-amped stage speakers. 4 Dual JBL 18" subs anlong with 22 JBL 8340 surrounds are very impressive to hear. All amplification is by QSC and a Panastero sound processor coupled to a DTS XD-10 and Sony DFP-2000 provide analog and two formats of digital playback. The America is also 70mm capable and is equipped with a Phillips DP-70 projector and Christie SLH lamphouse. Screen brightness at this theater is well with in SMPTE spec.
All in all this theater is a big surprise located in such a remote place. Its a don’t miss theater!
Can’t tell you much about the history of this theater located at 1st and Center other than the fact that Commonwealth Theaters leased the theater in 80s. In the late 80s it was sold and then remodeled. I remember standing in line several times to watch a double feature for just $1.50. Also remember, as many did waiting to see movies there for a cheap price, as they had play at the theater in Eastridge Mall or Beverly Plaza before moving to the America or Rialto downtown. Last year the theater was remodeled once again and now has stadium style seating and shows first run features.
Here is a photo of the American Theatre in Casper (note the name change). The building appears to be similar to that as shown in the photo above.
http://tinyurl.com/h389b
Homepage (movie times only):
http://www.wyomovies.com/theatreinfo.php?id=3
The America Theatre seated 808 people.