State Theater
1316 Texas Avenue,
Lubbock,
TX
79401
1316 Texas Avenue,
Lubbock,
TX
79401
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If you go by there now, all that’s left is the lower half of the facade. The side windows have been stuccoed over, planters added where the entry doors were, the box office removed and a steel door added. There’s a courtyard behind it.
Grand opening ad in photo section.
I was the projectionist at the State in 1970 before moving on to the Arrnett Benson and none of the movies I showed while there were Spanish language.
I started as a projectionist at the State in 1970. All newly trained projectionist usuall started at the State. I believe the first movie I showed was Kelly’s Heros. Went on to work the Village and Arnett Benson.
By the way, this is the theatre where Buddy Holly saw “The Searchers” in 1956, the movie from which he borrowed John Wayne’s catchphrase “That’ll be the day!” to write his famous song of the same name.
The actual location of the State is next door to the building in the photo at the top of this page. Check the link to a google maps view of 1316 Texas Avenue on my flickr page, and compare it to lostmemory’s Photo 2 link above. http://www.flickr.com/photos/60498020@N05/5935303723/in/photostream
This is no longer just a brick building. It has been transformed. Read about it and see photos in the May/June 2011 issue of Lubbock Magazine. The issue will be on newsstands at the end of April, or you can call 806-766-8792.
This site has a 1976 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ctjcpg
A 1972 movie poster from the State Theater in Lubbock advertising a double feature with Bill Cosby and Robert Culp in “Hickey and Boggs” and Lee Van Cleef in “Return of Sabata” here. Poster submitted courtesy of Billy Smith.
A Great photo of the State is here:
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search “State”
Many Lubbock theaters shown. El Capitan; Plaza; Clifton; Lindsey; Cactus; Westerner Drive-In; Corral; Broadway; Midway; Plains Drive-In; Arnett-Benson; Arcadia.
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From the drop-down box choose: Buildings-Commercial-Movie Theaters
Search theatre and drive-in and there are other arial shots of other drive-ins, etc.
ENJOY!
GREAT NEWS! I found this photo in the Southwest Collection. It IS in Lubbock and in 1948 shows to be the “Clifton Theatre”. Different traffic lights, etc. but it is the building shown in the Palace photo.
You’ll find MANY of the Lubbock theaters here:
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enter “theatre” in the description box and then search
The Clifton shows up on the 2nd page I think. ENJOY!!!
I’ve looked at this and other photos. I’m almost certain this building did not exist in Lubbock. There are many reasons why. What I noticed though was that these photos and some of other theaters may have been taken to document an advertising campaign. I noticed several have the same message up about winning a $600 bank account. As a marketing guy I find that bit very interesting. $600 was a LOT of money at that time, I wonder what one had to do to win. It seems too high to have a guaranteed winner each night.
I do not see any evidence to dispute or confirm that this Palace was in Lubbock as per the Star Archives website. I hope someone can confirm that it was the Lubbock Palace as it would be the first photo I have ever seen of it.
I can confirm this was not the STATE, because it was not located on a corner lot.
I don’t think this is in Lubbock. It could be but the building seems wrong. There is no structure like this left. There were very few 3 story buidlings in downtown Lubbock, most are two story.
Please look at these 1936 images of the Palace Theater and let us know if it was the same cinema as the State Theater. Type in word “palace”, then hit search
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Hey Robert. Definitely not too bad!! ANY picture of an old theater is a good one!! Thanks for posting the ebay link. I am now the happy owner of that post card.
Don
Too bad. That’s the only pic I found.
Although the State Theater was located on Texas avenue in Lubbock, so was the Lyric which is actually the theater pictured on the post card on the above link and on my link on flickr.
www.flickr.com/photos/lastpictureshow/266569536
PHOTO:
Here is a photo of an old post card I say on eBay. It has the theater.
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That is the old Hilton in the background at Main & Texas. Torn down a long, long time ago.
I also worked as Projectionist at this STATE Theatre. It was operated by Video Theatres, same as the Lindsey at the time. It had a big beautiful 2 sided marquee, and a big neon sign that said “MOVIE TIME” right above the boxoffice. Played mostly 2nd run and junk films. nothing special about the theatre itself.
Ned Fairbairn
Would be nice if someone had a pic of the front.
Hello Sherry. Thanks for your comment. Lubbock was home for 27 years and I have lots of theater pictures, but not the State. If Charles VanBibber responds, he will be your best bet. He has an incredible amount of theater info. Do you have any history on the State and do you mind naming your father in law? You can click on my name in the above comment if you wish to e-mail.
My father-in-law used to own this theater in the 70’s.Do you know where I might be able to find a picture? He also owned the State Theater in Amarillo.
Thanks Charles, thought I had finally stumped you! Please share a little info on yourself. How have you gathered so many exact addresses etc, age, area, occupation???