Fox Theatre
157 Park Central Square,
Springfield,
MO
65806
157 Park Central Square,
Springfield,
MO
65806
3 people
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Additional history credit Richard Crabtree. (Image added)
“The Electric was built on the spot where Heers burned on the NE corner of the square next to Reps in 1913. The theater was built by A.F. Baker of Kansas City for the Edward J and Frank Grubel also of KC at a cost of $75,000. The theater had a capacity of 1,800 and advertised as being fire proof ~ hope they go their money back đ Grand opening was on Oct 8th 1916. They charge 10 cents for adults and 5 for children. They had 12,000 customers in one day opened from 1:30 to 11pm.”
The Electric Theatre launched October 8, 1916 with Theda Bara in âHer Double Life.â Ten years later, the Electric Theatre received a major refresh including a mighty $25,000 Wurlitzer Orchestral Organ. Sydney B. Dawson was the organist at the opening. On February 9, 1930, the Electric became the Publix Electric Theatre when the circuit took on the location.
On September 24, 1930, the theatre became the Paramount Theatre with a dedication show screening of âThe Santa Fe Trailâ starring Richard Arlen. In 1933, Fox purchased the Paramount when Paramount Publix went into bankruptcy reorganization. It reverted reverted to the Electric Theatre with a November 30, 1933 showing of âManâs Town.â The Electric became the Fox Theatre with a major streamlined moderne facelift and a World Premiere showing of âKiller McCoyâ on December 4, 1947. Just five days later, the Fox was gutted by fire leaving its front and four walls intact.
The Fox moved its screenings to the inactive Jefferson Theatre while recreating the Fox. the Fox reopened on June 23, 1949 having a 35 year run. The architects for the new look Fox were Kent Cole and Sam Bihr, Jr. The Fox Theatre closed on December 2, 1984 with Clint Eastwood in âTightrope.â
When Abundant Life Church left the Fox, it was purchased by the Springfield History Museum, which plans to renovate the theater. It will be used for film screenings, live performances, etc. when renovation is complete. It is currently open and being used to house the museum’s exhibits.
The Fox may have been restored if I am reading this website correctly.
http://historymuseumonthesquare.org/
I transferred to Springfield, Mo from KCMO to manage the Fox Theatre in 1974. It was a Mann Theatre. I was 21 years old. Very fun times. Someone mentioned Tyndall Lewis. “Lewis” was manager of the Gillioz Theatre and a great friend of mine. When I managed the Fox, it showed mostly Disney type films. One film I remember was Herbie Rides Again (1974). We had a real Volkswagon with Herbie decals parked on the sidewalk in front of the theatre. It had a microphone and speaker so we (the car) could talk to people walking by. I was told that in the Fox basement, artists used to paint all the theatre posters for almost all Springfield theatres.
I worked at the old Fox all through high school , right up until it closed . We had such fun showing the midnight movies on weekends and the summer parks program movies matinees for kids . The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Pink Floyd The Wall were always a trip !
Other pictures of the Fox Theatre, when it was the Electric, can be found at:
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Other images of the Electric Theatre -
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Here is a 1949 photo of fire damage –
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Worked here too. God that hideously Green and White color scheme thruout the theatre??????? And — I don’t think there was a square wall in that lobby at all. I’ll never forget the day I threw out 20 years of press material that George Hunter had saved. OMG! Tyndall Lewis almost kicked my butt up between my ears LOL.
The theater was originally called the Electric Theater. It caught fire and was reopened as the Fox theater after repairs. It was owned by Mann theaters before it was Dickinson. I worked there from 1980 until 1982. One of the last first run movies we played was “The Fox and the Hound”. It was the only movie where we opened the balcony and actually filled the auditorium to over 1,000 customers. There was a large mural painted in the hallway leading into the auditorium that depicted the history of Springfield.
Again, a small correction. The Fox was still showing movies when I worked for Dickinson Theatres, the last theatre owners before it became a church, up til about 1982. It was last operated as a “Dollar” house by Dickinson. The last movie I went to there was “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at a midnite show in 1981.
The Fox Theater is now being used as a chuch.