The Novelty launched October 23, 1908 with vaudeville and motion pictures for a dime. The Novelty added sound to remain viable. On September 13th, 1963 it was rebranded as the Novelty Art Cinema playing “A Paradise and "Sun Goddess.” It was finally renamed as the New Casino Theatre beginning on October 20, 1966 with a double feature of “Tales of a Salesman” and “Not Tonight Henry.” A raid in the 1970s led to charges of corruption after the theater had concluded its business operations.
The Casino Theatre closed permanently on March 30, 1975 when it was essentially thrown out by the Urban Redevelopment Authority which came into ownership of the building. That action against “The Home of Total Girl Shows” was initiated in November of 1973 but the Casino management successfully fought that in court until 1975. The venue went out in style with a six-hour adult movie fest for just $3 admission. Listing should be the Casino Theatre.
The Hillcrest Drive-In’s screen tower was destroyed in a deadly tornado on May 20, 1957. The town pitched in to help rebuild the tower which relaunched on June 20, 1957 better than ever.
Launched September 14, 1927 with “The Ghost Train” supported by Alice Clemo Johnson at the mighty Wurlitzer organ. It became the State under new operators in August of 1936.
J.J. Gieg provided the architectural plans for the New Ariel Theatre for operator Joseph Welte. It launched on November 17, 1914 replacing the original Ariel Theatre a block away at 173 High Street.
In the planning stages, this was the Neighborhood Theatre for the East Genesee Holding Company with architectural plans by Henry L. Spann. It launched as Basil’s Genesee Theatre on October 12, 1927 with organist Dusty Rhodes at the Marr & Colton organ supporting the opening film of “Painting the Town” with Glenn Tryon.
The Great Lakes Theater launched with William Fox in the house. on May 30, 1927 opening with George O'Brien in “Is Zat So?” supported by a Fox newsreel and various Amalgamated Vaudeville acts. Opening ad in photos along with an ad for its Wurlitzer organ.
In the show store era, this address was home to the Dreamland Theatre opening September 15, 1909. In 1917, a Mr. Bloom took over the operation and created the Liberty Theatre which launched here September 28, 1917. The owners skipped town leaving financial liabilities behind in 1918. The next two names for the venue in the silent era were as the Diamond Theatre and, when Alice T. Hamly took on the venue as Hamly’s Theatre: The House of Comfort on August 27, 1925 with “Lure of the Yukon.” The venue transitioned to sound under its final name of the Rex Theatre. The final screening appears to be a four-wall presentation of “The Life of Christ” on October 16, 1935.
The Del Rio Theatre launched with George Bancroft in “Scandal Sheet” on February 4, 1931. The architectural sketch by E.M. Rich is in photos. The Del Rio closed with a double-feature of “Toughest Gun in Tombstone” and “Island Women.”
The El Reno Opera House opened April 1, 1893 with a live play. At its 15-year mark, the El Reno Opera House turned to a mixture of live events and motion pictures generally going by its new moniker of as the El Reno Theatre in 1907. The venue was destroyed by fire on December 26, 1918 and rebuilt following its final event which was a live play titled, “Freckles.” The “new” El Reno Theatre relaunched in its new building on May 12, 1919 with motion pictures and Harold Lockwood in “Shadows of Suspicion" and has its own Cinema Treasure page.
The Criterion, Empress and the Royal theaters operated simultaneously. The El Reno Opera House turned El Reno Theatre was destroyed by fire on December 26, 1918 and rebuilt. It relaunched here in its new building on May 12, 1919 with Harold Lockwood in “Shadows of Suspicion.“ Its final booking is Emory Johnson’s “The Mail Man” on March 22, 1924. New operator, Alice Hamly, took over the venue starting in August of 1924 marketed first as the Hamly’s Theatre at launch followed by the Hamly Theatre (and also advertised with the likely incorrect monikers of Hamlys' Theatre and Hamlys Theatre variably over its one year of operation).
Under new operator W.H. Wood, the former El Reno turned Hamly(s) then became the Woods Theatre on October 21, 1925 with Harry Carey in “Soft Shoes.” The silent Woods Theatre was re-equipped with sound films in 1930 formally opening as the Royal Theatre on February 17, 1930 with Vitaphone equipment and “The Devil May Care.” The Royal closed for the summer on “South of St. Louis” on April 30, 1951 but never reopened. The venue was retrofitted for other retail purposes.
Mr. and Mrs. Al Derry transformed three existing buildings that had comprised Fryberger’s Store into a new theatre that launched as the Derry Theatre on January 19, 1921. It opened with a live perf of The Mikado. On November 11, 1923, the venue became a movie house known as the Criterion Theatre with Harold Lloyd opening the theater with “Why Worry?”
The Criterion was gutted by a fire on January 13, 1933 that left virtually nothing from the original. After a major rehab, the venue had its relaunch as the New Criterion on May 24, 1934 with an expanded count of 934 seats and Zasu Pitts in “Sing and Like It.” When purchased by Griffith and Consolidated along with the Criterion in 1939, it was decided that the Criterion would receive a streamline moderne makeover patterned after the deco-themed Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Rock Island Rocket passenger trains built by the Budd Company during the 1930s. The venue’s August 29, 1940 grand reopening ad as the Rocket with “They Drive By Night” is in photos. It closed in 1958. The building was razed in 1965 for a parking lot.
The odd name of El Caro was chosen in a naming contest and mashes together El Reno and Canadian County - at least according to M.I. Owens who won the contest.
A.D. Fortner’s Airdome was constructed in 1913 at 114-116 West Woodson operating for three seasons. It launched June 1, 1913 with a live play “Sweet Clover.” In its third season in 1915, films were added to the programming mix. The venue was closed permanently at the end of the season in September of 1915 as Fortner built a new hardtop theater, Fortner’s & Newell’s Theatre across from the El Reno Opera House. The Airdome was converted for use by Farmers' Produce Company for retail use beginning in November of 1915. (This venue was only known by the name Airdome Theatre during its three season run… not the El Reno Airdome)
The El Reno Drive-In Theatre opened on September 11, 1948 with Fredric March in “There Goes My Heart”. It kept that name opening seasonally in each of its first four seasons of operation. Opal Gray took on the venue and, after a refresh, launched for the venue’s fifth season on April 11, 1952 with Gary Cooper in “Distant Drums” as the Squaw Drive-In. (The venue was never referred to as the El Reno Auto Theatre in any ad or article of the local paper.)
The Novelty launched October 23, 1908 with vaudeville and motion pictures for a dime. The Novelty added sound to remain viable. On September 13th, 1963 it was rebranded as the Novelty Art Cinema playing “A Paradise and "Sun Goddess.” It was finally renamed as the New Casino Theatre beginning on October 20, 1966 with a double feature of “Tales of a Salesman” and “Not Tonight Henry.” A raid in the 1970s led to charges of corruption after the theater had concluded its business operations.
The Casino Theatre closed permanently on March 30, 1975 when it was essentially thrown out by the Urban Redevelopment Authority which came into ownership of the building. That action against “The Home of Total Girl Shows” was initiated in November of 1973 but the Casino management successfully fought that in court until 1975. The venue went out in style with a six-hour adult movie fest for just $3 admission. Listing should be the Casino Theatre.
The Belmar closed February 28, 1970 double feature of “Midnight Cowboy” and “Hour of the Gun" (see photos).
Another ad by Hoyt Lesher who was known for his established Hoyt’s Doughnut store in Yuba City; he also launched the city’s first ozoner.
The Hillcrest Drive-In’s screen tower was destroyed in a deadly tornado on May 20, 1957. The town pitched in to help rebuild the tower which relaunched on June 20, 1957 better than ever.
Launched September 14, 1927 with “The Ghost Train” supported by Alice Clemo Johnson at the mighty Wurlitzer organ. It became the State under new operators in August of 1936.
Opened January 17, 1941 with “Carolina Moon” supported by by The Three Stooges in “Nurse to Worse” and other short subjects.
James T. Narbett drew the plans for the Marysville Theatre which launched January 20, 1908 with “Woodland,” a live play.
The Maxine Theater launched June 29, 1914 with the Vitagraph film, “A Million Bid” starring Anita Stewart.
J.J. Gieg provided the architectural plans for the New Ariel Theatre for operator Joseph Welte. It launched on November 17, 1914 replacing the original Ariel Theatre a block away at 173 High Street.
In the planning stages, this was the Neighborhood Theatre for the East Genesee Holding Company with architectural plans by Henry L. Spann. It launched as Basil’s Genesee Theatre on October 12, 1927 with organist Dusty Rhodes at the Marr & Colton organ supporting the opening film of “Painting the Town” with Glenn Tryon.
Schine opened its Spanish-themed Granada Theatre on February 22, 1927 with John F. Gunnerman, Jr. at the organ and an assortment of photoplays.
The Great Lakes Theater launched with William Fox in the house. on May 30, 1927 opening with George O'Brien in “Is Zat So?” supported by a Fox newsreel and various Amalgamated Vaudeville acts. Opening ad in photos along with an ad for its Wurlitzer organ.
Ed J. Story’s ad for “Daddy Long Legs" with Mary Pickford which had opened on January 24, 1920.
The final presentation was a four-walled film presentation, “The Life of Christ” - not a play.
A religious film, “The Life of Christ” appears to be the final event at the Rex Theatre in Clinton on October 16, 1935.
In the show store era, this address was home to the Dreamland Theatre opening September 15, 1909. In 1917, a Mr. Bloom took over the operation and created the Liberty Theatre which launched here September 28, 1917. The owners skipped town leaving financial liabilities behind in 1918. The next two names for the venue in the silent era were as the Diamond Theatre and, when Alice T. Hamly took on the venue as Hamly’s Theatre: The House of Comfort on August 27, 1925 with “Lure of the Yukon.” The venue transitioned to sound under its final name of the Rex Theatre. The final screening appears to be a four-wall presentation of “The Life of Christ” on October 16, 1935.
The Del Rio Theatre launched with George Bancroft in “Scandal Sheet” on February 4, 1931. The architectural sketch by E.M. Rich is in photos. The Del Rio closed with a double-feature of “Toughest Gun in Tombstone” and “Island Women.”
The El Reno Opera House opened April 1, 1893 with a live play. At its 15-year mark, the El Reno Opera House turned to a mixture of live events and motion pictures generally going by its new moniker of as the El Reno Theatre in 1907. The venue was destroyed by fire on December 26, 1918 and rebuilt following its final event which was a live play titled, “Freckles.” The “new” El Reno Theatre relaunched in its new building on May 12, 1919 with motion pictures and Harold Lockwood in “Shadows of Suspicion" and has its own Cinema Treasure page.
The Criterion, Empress and the Royal theaters operated simultaneously. The El Reno Opera House turned El Reno Theatre was destroyed by fire on December 26, 1918 and rebuilt. It relaunched here in its new building on May 12, 1919 with Harold Lockwood in “Shadows of Suspicion.“ Its final booking is Emory Johnson’s “The Mail Man” on March 22, 1924. New operator, Alice Hamly, took over the venue starting in August of 1924 marketed first as the Hamly’s Theatre at launch followed by the Hamly Theatre (and also advertised with the likely incorrect monikers of Hamlys' Theatre and Hamlys Theatre variably over its one year of operation).
Under new operator W.H. Wood, the former El Reno turned Hamly(s) then became the Woods Theatre on October 21, 1925 with Harry Carey in “Soft Shoes.” The silent Woods Theatre was re-equipped with sound films in 1930 formally opening as the Royal Theatre on February 17, 1930 with Vitaphone equipment and “The Devil May Care.” The Royal closed for the summer on “South of St. Louis” on April 30, 1951 but never reopened. The venue was retrofitted for other retail purposes.
Mr. and Mrs. Al Derry transformed three existing buildings that had comprised Fryberger’s Store into a new theatre that launched as the Derry Theatre on January 19, 1921. It opened with a live perf of The Mikado. On November 11, 1923, the venue became a movie house known as the Criterion Theatre with Harold Lloyd opening the theater with “Why Worry?”
The Criterion was gutted by a fire on January 13, 1933 that left virtually nothing from the original. After a major rehab, the venue had its relaunch as the New Criterion on May 24, 1934 with an expanded count of 934 seats and Zasu Pitts in “Sing and Like It.” When purchased by Griffith and Consolidated along with the Criterion in 1939, it was decided that the Criterion would receive a streamline moderne makeover patterned after the deco-themed Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Rock Island Rocket passenger trains built by the Budd Company during the 1930s. The venue’s August 29, 1940 grand reopening ad as the Rocket with “They Drive By Night” is in photos. It closed in 1958. The building was razed in 1965 for a parking lot.
The Platt Theatre launched with Shirley Temple in “The Little Colonel” on March 21, 1935 (opening ad in photos).
The odd name of El Caro was chosen in a naming contest and mashes together El Reno and Canadian County - at least according to M.I. Owens who won the contest.
A.D. Fortner’s Airdome was constructed in 1913 at 114-116 West Woodson operating for three seasons. It launched June 1, 1913 with a live play “Sweet Clover.” In its third season in 1915, films were added to the programming mix. The venue was closed permanently at the end of the season in September of 1915 as Fortner built a new hardtop theater, Fortner’s & Newell’s Theatre across from the El Reno Opera House. The Airdome was converted for use by Farmers' Produce Company for retail use beginning in November of 1915. (This venue was only known by the name Airdome Theatre during its three season run… not the El Reno Airdome)
The El Reno Drive-In Theatre opened on September 11, 1948 with Fredric March in “There Goes My Heart”. It kept that name opening seasonally in each of its first four seasons of operation. Opal Gray took on the venue and, after a refresh, launched for the venue’s fifth season on April 11, 1952 with Gary Cooper in “Distant Drums” as the Squaw Drive-In. (The venue was never referred to as the El Reno Auto Theatre in any ad or article of the local paper.)
The Centre launched February 29, 1945 with “Tonight and Every Night” supported by a cartoon, a newsreel, and the short subject, “Choo-Choo Baby.”