Ritz Theatre
3301 East 12th Street,
Kansas City,
MO
64127
3301 East 12th Street,
Kansas City,
MO
64127
1 person
favorited this theater
The Ritz Theatre was located on E. 12th Street and College Avenue. It was opened November 4, 1925 with Richard Barthelmess in “Shore Leave”. A beautifully designed exterior in a dark brick. Along the sides facing College Avenue the building was divided into sections that were arched in a darker brick and a plaster molding inside smaller arches depicting different characters of theatre.
The front came to a large “V” with a middle entrance. Red shale roofing one an angle lined the four sides of the roof of the building. The Ritz Theatre seated 902. The theatre closed in 1962 and has been a church called the Victory Temple since closing.
Contributed by
Chuck Van Bibber
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
A history of Kansas City’s neighborhood theaters published by the Jackson County Historical Society says that the Ritz Theatre was in operation by 1926 and operated until around 1962.
I remember when the Gladstone Theater closed – many of the interior things were moved to the Ritz – new screen, new Stage Curtain, Wall Light Fixtures and also seats only to be cut up within a very short time by area teen thugs. It was a very nice theater in the day and I went there with my family when I was young. There was a cry room for mother’s with little ones and it got used quite often. Fantastic Popcorn.
I have pics of the Ritz and will scan and post when I come across them.
This opened on November 4th, 1925. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
The Ritz Theatre closed at the end of lease on December 1, 1960 with a triple feature of Kirk Douglas in “Indian Fighter,” “When Comedy Was King,” and Van Johnson in “Enemy General.”