Pictured is “Uncle” George Hayob who opened the theater with J. Leo Hayob. George was called “Uncle George” by the first generations of patrons at the Mary Lou.
William Meeker established the Lyric Theatre at 1307 Port Neches Avenue in Port Neches in 1922, transitioned it from silent to sound operation and after his death operated by his wife. In 1936, she sold it to Jefferson Amusement which modernized the theater giving it a new look. Operating it for decades, Jefferson was bought out by Gulf States Theatre circuit which absorbed the theater in the 1960s changing its name to the Neches Theatre with a new sign tower. It closed around 1970. The theater had a bit more life for some live theatrical events and was abandoned around 1971. On March 20, 1973, it was all over the Neches as fire gutted the abandoned theater.
Opened in 1940 and architected by Ben Schlanger was the Academy Theatre for the Cohen & Kutisker circuit. Seating capacity of the 50' by 112' theatre was 650 at opening and cost just $30,000 to build.
This Rose Theatre launched in October of 1939 with 608 seats. Originally part of the Blankenship Theatre Circuit which was renamed the Wallace Theaters Corporation Circuit. Wallace B. Blankenship and his wife Rose began with the Wallace Theatre in Levelland in 1928. They opened their second theatre, the Rose thereafter and then this Rose in 1939. Wallace Theaters would go on to prominence before becoming the Hollywood Theaters Circuit which had 43 theaters when acquired by Regal in 2013.
The Towers opened in 1912 by Newton Rodney and likely had a 20-year lease or two 10-year leases closes unsuccessfully in 1931 during the Depression. The Ellis Circuit wanted to open a new theater and — during a major period in theatre renovation in the late 1930s around the country, they decided to refurbish the Tower. It reopened on December 24, 1939 and was architected by David Supowitz of Philly. Varbalow Circuit took on the struggling theatre which finally closed as the TV era was underway in 1953. The theatre was razed in 1955.
Launched December 25, 1939 and architected by Thomas W. Lamb costing $100,000 and holding 800 patrons at its opening. First film was “The Roaring Twenties.”
Technically, it’s the Haven Theatre. Though the original owner was J.H. Havens according to the newspaper, in 1920, it became the Haven Theatre under new management which it remained until closure. It was advertised as Havens Theatre Haven’s Theatre, and Havens' Theatre only from 1914-1920.
In October of 1914, it did simulcasts of the World Series with live announcers using Western Union telegrams that were about 15 seconds behind real time and utilizing a giant scoreboard. Those proved popular in the pre-broadcasting era. Under Warner operation, however, the theater hit its high water mark during World War II with a massive city-wide parade to celebrate Warner’s wartime feature of “In the Army Now.” But animosity between the Warner circuit and the local Palace Theatre erupted into a long-running court battle launched in 1946, waged in the courts beginning in 1948, and finally decided in 1955 — after the Paramount consent decree found Warner relinquishing its theaters.
BTW: The aforementioned Style D Wurlitzer Opus 566 was salvaged at the last minute prior to a 1959 demolition shuffling off to Buffalo’s Klauder Hall.
Technically, this entry should be the State Theatre. The Modi family started with the Acme Theatre. The highlight of that theater’s existence was when Gloria Swanson appeared there briefly in 1925 promoting her film, “Manhandled.” As Swanson was shooting a film in the general area, she was able to make personal appearances to promote that film.
The Modi family added the Modi Theatre as part of the Modi Theatre Building encompassing mulitple businesses. This entry — for the original Modi Theatre at 137 W. Main — was an establishment showing movies, hosting Charleston contests, minstrel shows, and other local events. The Modi family leaves the area for a period and the Modi under new management becomes the State Theatre. (Therefore, the entry should be the State formerly Modi Theatre.) The Acme Theatre closes.
In November of 1936, the Modi family returns to Barnesville taking on the State Theatre. And the Modis decided to build a second theater as a near neighbor. To do so, they had to acquire a wood frame building next door and raze it. Then they created the new theater building at 145 W. Main all made to be within the expanded Modi Theatre Building. It was called the Ohio Theatre at opening in July 24, 1937 and was an almost-immediate failure closing in October 1937.
The Ohio was reopened on January 2, 1938 when crowds overran the State Theatre which was showing the Japanese bombing of the U.S.S. Panay in China. Hoping to ensure success for both theaters, the family secures better parking by taking over the M&K bakery in 1938, razing the building, and providing parking lots. The short-term success is evidenced by 3,200 patrons coming to see “Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs” at just 17 screenings. But the Ohio struggled post-Snow White and is only open two days a week beginning in January of 1940.
The family does appear to change the spelling of its name during World War II from Modi to Modie. They add heated sidewalks to their theaters to avoid patrons slipping on ice. Both theaters would close in the TV era with the State coming back full time in 1962 to try films with Wurlitzer organ music prior to the shows. That was short-lived appearing to last to 1964 when it mixed in a very heavy does of live stage presentations. This was followed by the library using the State for storage and the theater closing. The Ohio would become the Heritage Bank and then a thrift store.
Local paper covers the February 21, 1946 grand opening of the Malco Hot Springs Theatre costing $100,000 with those attending including Malco President M.A. Lightman and Malco Music Hall manager W. Clyde Smith. Some pictures of the Feb. 21, 1946 evening are posted in photos if interested.
“Days of ‘76” an entry in Warners’ “Sports Parade” series of shorts detailing an annual event in Deadwood —-one-time home to Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, —– where locals revive the past — had its world premiere here. The town celebrated accordingly.
Architected by Peacock and Belongia of Milwaukee for Harry Melcher’s M. & E. Amusement Company. A “theatre of tomorrow” concept imagined with stadium style seating. Plans were made in 1946 and construction began in 1947 according to two sources.
The Cameo was indeed constructed in 1945 but wartime shortages of materials led to the theatre’s delay finally opening on Christmas Day 1946 with the banner “Our Christmas gift to Eau Claire.” The MIndako Circuit is credited as the first operator of the theatre on that day.
On Labor Day 1946, the city of Paulding lost the Grand to a fire and went theaterless until March 10, 1949 when it celebrated the grand opening of the Paulding Theatre. Complete with parade and a benefit screening of “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.”
E.R. Mead
Opened in 1939 originally owned by the Meloy Brothers and architected by Maurice E. Thornton.
Pictured is “Uncle” George Hayob who opened the theater with J. Leo Hayob. George was called “Uncle George” by the first generations of patrons at the Mary Lou.
William Meeker established the Lyric Theatre at 1307 Port Neches Avenue in Port Neches in 1922, transitioned it from silent to sound operation and after his death operated by his wife. In 1936, she sold it to Jefferson Amusement which modernized the theater giving it a new look. Operating it for decades, Jefferson was bought out by Gulf States Theatre circuit which absorbed the theater in the 1960s changing its name to the Neches Theatre with a new sign tower. It closed around 1970. The theater had a bit more life for some live theatrical events and was abandoned around 1971. On March 20, 1973, it was all over the Neches as fire gutted the abandoned theater.
Opened in 1940 and architected by Ben Schlanger was the Academy Theatre for the Cohen & Kutisker circuit. Seating capacity of the 50' by 112' theatre was 650 at opening and cost just $30,000 to build.
Architected by Bruggeman, Swaim and Allen.
Architected by John B. Peterkin as the Airlines Newsreel Theatre – sketch in photos.
For the 1940 reboot of the theater in 1940 they’ll have “The Boys from Syracuse”
The theatre’s 1940 modernization was architected by Earle G. Stillwell.
This Rose Theatre launched in October of 1939 with 608 seats. Originally part of the Blankenship Theatre Circuit which was renamed the Wallace Theaters Corporation Circuit. Wallace B. Blankenship and his wife Rose began with the Wallace Theatre in Levelland in 1928. They opened their second theatre, the Rose thereafter and then this Rose in 1939. Wallace Theaters would go on to prominence before becoming the Hollywood Theaters Circuit which had 43 theaters when acquired by Regal in 2013.
The Towers opened in 1912 by Newton Rodney and likely had a 20-year lease or two 10-year leases closes unsuccessfully in 1931 during the Depression. The Ellis Circuit wanted to open a new theater and — during a major period in theatre renovation in the late 1930s around the country, they decided to refurbish the Tower. It reopened on December 24, 1939 and was architected by David Supowitz of Philly. Varbalow Circuit took on the struggling theatre which finally closed as the TV era was underway in 1953. The theatre was razed in 1955.
Launched December 25, 1939 and architected by Thomas W. Lamb costing $100,000 and holding 800 patrons at its opening. First film was “The Roaring Twenties.”
Opened with a matinee showing of “Roaring Twenties” on November 21, 1939. Opening picture in photos.
… or is is “This is the Army”? I believe it’s the latter after closer inspection.
Technically, it’s the Haven Theatre. Though the original owner was J.H. Havens according to the newspaper, in 1920, it became the Haven Theatre under new management which it remained until closure. It was advertised as Havens Theatre Haven’s Theatre, and Havens' Theatre only from 1914-1920.
In October of 1914, it did simulcasts of the World Series with live announcers using Western Union telegrams that were about 15 seconds behind real time and utilizing a giant scoreboard. Those proved popular in the pre-broadcasting era. Under Warner operation, however, the theater hit its high water mark during World War II with a massive city-wide parade to celebrate Warner’s wartime feature of “In the Army Now.” But animosity between the Warner circuit and the local Palace Theatre erupted into a long-running court battle launched in 1946, waged in the courts beginning in 1948, and finally decided in 1955 — after the Paramount consent decree found Warner relinquishing its theaters.
BTW: The aforementioned Style D Wurlitzer Opus 566 was salvaged at the last minute prior to a 1959 demolition shuffling off to Buffalo’s Klauder Hall.
Technically, this entry should be the State Theatre. The Modi family started with the Acme Theatre. The highlight of that theater’s existence was when Gloria Swanson appeared there briefly in 1925 promoting her film, “Manhandled.” As Swanson was shooting a film in the general area, she was able to make personal appearances to promote that film.
The Modi family added the Modi Theatre as part of the Modi Theatre Building encompassing mulitple businesses. This entry — for the original Modi Theatre at 137 W. Main — was an establishment showing movies, hosting Charleston contests, minstrel shows, and other local events. The Modi family leaves the area for a period and the Modi under new management becomes the State Theatre. (Therefore, the entry should be the State formerly Modi Theatre.) The Acme Theatre closes.
In November of 1936, the Modi family returns to Barnesville taking on the State Theatre. And the Modis decided to build a second theater as a near neighbor. To do so, they had to acquire a wood frame building next door and raze it. Then they created the new theater building at 145 W. Main all made to be within the expanded Modi Theatre Building. It was called the Ohio Theatre at opening in July 24, 1937 and was an almost-immediate failure closing in October 1937.
The Ohio was reopened on January 2, 1938 when crowds overran the State Theatre which was showing the Japanese bombing of the U.S.S. Panay in China. Hoping to ensure success for both theaters, the family secures better parking by taking over the M&K bakery in 1938, razing the building, and providing parking lots. The short-term success is evidenced by 3,200 patrons coming to see “Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs” at just 17 screenings. But the Ohio struggled post-Snow White and is only open two days a week beginning in January of 1940.
The family does appear to change the spelling of its name during World War II from Modi to Modie. They add heated sidewalks to their theaters to avoid patrons slipping on ice. Both theaters would close in the TV era with the State coming back full time in 1962 to try films with Wurlitzer organ music prior to the shows. That was short-lived appearing to last to 1964 when it mixed in a very heavy does of live stage presentations. This was followed by the library using the State for storage and the theater closing. The Ohio would become the Heritage Bank and then a thrift store.
Local paper covers the February 21, 1946 grand opening of the Malco Hot Springs Theatre costing $100,000 with those attending including Malco President M.A. Lightman and Malco Music Hall manager W. Clyde Smith. Some pictures of the Feb. 21, 1946 evening are posted in photos if interested.
“Days of ‘76” an entry in Warners’ “Sports Parade” series of shorts detailing an annual event in Deadwood —-one-time home to Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, —– where locals revive the past — had its world premiere here. The town celebrated accordingly.
Architected by Peacock and Belongia of Milwaukee for Harry Melcher’s M. & E. Amusement Company. A “theatre of tomorrow” concept imagined with stadium style seating. Plans were made in 1946 and construction began in 1947 according to two sources.
Opened Feb.12, 1947.
Opening date in error above. The theatre launched January 23, 1947 for the H.J Griffith Circuit with Mark Fuller as the manager.
The Cameo was indeed constructed in 1945 but wartime shortages of materials led to the theatre’s delay finally opening on Christmas Day 1946 with the banner “Our Christmas gift to Eau Claire.” The MIndako Circuit is credited as the first operator of the theatre on that day.
Completed in 1946 and first film was shown January 23,1947.
Opened in 1949 by Bert Rayburn.
On Labor Day 1946, the city of Paulding lost the Grand to a fire and went theaterless until March 10, 1949 when it celebrated the grand opening of the Paulding Theatre. Complete with parade and a benefit screening of “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.”