Sorry, Chuck, but the book is wrong this time – there never was a White Theater at the mall location on Forest LANE. That may be the site of some other former theater, but not the former Interstate theater spotlighted here – THIS theater WAS located on Forest AVENUE, part of which is now known as MLK Blvd.
Jeanette Howeth Crumpler, in her book about Dallas theaters of old, “Street of Dreams,” quotes Betty Garner on p. 202: “My grandmother and two aunts lived on South Boulevard (one block over from Forest Avenue/MLK). They would walk at night to the White Theater every time the shows changed…”
Ms. Garner also recalls working with her sister as a “candy girl” at the “old White Theater on Forest Avenue.”
Larry, if memory serves, the NW Hwy did have a clown mural, along the same lines as the Chalk Hill and Buckner Blvd., at the time of its closing. It was different from the Buckner’s empty-eyed freak clown, though, in that it did not give me chills up and down my spine.
Joe – you are right in saying the Mirror (Ritz/Jefferson/Pantages/Mirror – NOT Garden, that was demolished back in the teens or twenties) and Telenews were different construction. Mirror burned, was demolished, Telenews arose (partly) from those ashes, along with another business on the old Mirror footprint.
Adding to my above post, I have recently found out that whole Oak Lawn/Lemmon Ave. area (which I only heard referred to as the Lemmon/Oak Lawn area when I was growing up in Dallas from ‘58 – '79) used to be called the Melrose district – think that was the name of the area’s old telephone exchange, IIRC. The historic and refurbished Melrose Hotel is just down Oak Lawn from the old Esquire/Melrose location.
Oh, one other little point: someone posted that this theater was changed into a multi-screen in the 1960’s – not true. As of summer 1969 it was still in its original single-screen configuration. It was one of several McLendon theaters that hosted the world premiere of “True Grit” with John Wayne being carted around in a McLendon limo to each theater to make his appearance after the film’s showing. The other theaters were (I believe) the Preston Royal, Park Forest, and several McLendon drive-ins. Sometime in the early 1970’s is when the “twinning” or “tripling” took place, just in time for the auditorium in what had been the mezzanine (balcony, sort of) to show the reissue of “Jason and the Argonauts” in a new 35mm print (the Casa Linda had shown “Jason” during its first suburban run in 1963).
I have to say, though, that I get a kick out of all those who have posted comments referring to the Casa Linda’s “original splendor” or other similar verbiage. I practically lived at this theater for 20 years and “splendor” is not a word I would ever use to describe it. Its interior was plain to the point of being spartan and from 1958 – 1979 it certainly showed its wear and tear. This is not a put-down, as no one ever maintained anything in pristine condition back in those days; even the Majestic, Capri, Tower, and Palace downtown were allowed to judiciously show their age. Compared to those venues, the Casa Linda was nothing special – but it sure is a part of some wonderful memories for me.
Talked to my dad this weekend (he went to college in Kingsville back in the early 50’s, when these venues were all current) and he says the screen at 77 & Ailsie is most likely the King (I say it was the Brahma); he and I agree that the El Rancho was north of town on 77; he has no idea of the one on Santa Gertrudis (I say that’s the site of the King).
Where the Hi-Way Drive-In was, I have no clue – I had never heard of
it until MikeRogers posted his info, above.
Just returned from a visit to El Paso and was privileged to see “The Magnificent Seven” as part of the El Paso Film Festival, hosted at the theater. None of our party of five had ever been inside and, to say the least, we were simply knocked out by the theater’s beauty. Projection, unfortunately, is not so hot – pretty dim picture, sorry to say. Have noticed this same phenomenon at the Paramount in Austin. Are the projection bulbs used today just not as bright as they used to be?
@Warren G. Harris: There were many films in Cinemascope and B&W – before Longest Day roadshow was Diary of Anne Frank (1959 – roadshow @ 171 min + intermission).
“This theatre opened with 70MM capability but didn’t show a 70MM feature until 6 years later when Rollerball opened in 1975—ran quite a bit of 70 after that.”
The big deal is, simply, historical accuracy – someone might use this site as a reference source. The originators of this site are well aware of this – it is, no doubt, one reason they started this site.
Also, those of us who use this site regularly are aware of our debt to Mr. Lewis, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Holcomb. It is not possible to put a price on their work.
All of what I posted immediately above goes out the window if this venue operated as the Plaza subsequent to its being the Fine Arts. The original McKinney Ave. Plaza would have been long out-of-business by then
Don, any idea when that pic you posted dates from? Post-1947, obviously, but more specifically?
Status should be changed to “Closed/Demolished” because it sure ain’t there no more.
BTW, Chuck, I do NOT mean to SHOUT when I capitalize – sorry! You are usually right on with your excellent info!
James, I echo the first part of your comment – oops! And, you are correct.
Got it, Sam – thanks.
Location of this theater STILL needs to be changed to Forest AVENUE.
Sorry, Chuck, but the book is wrong this time – there never was a White Theater at the mall location on Forest LANE. That may be the site of some other former theater, but not the former Interstate theater spotlighted here – THIS theater WAS located on Forest AVENUE, part of which is now known as MLK Blvd.
Jeanette Howeth Crumpler, in her book about Dallas theaters of old, “Street of Dreams,” quotes Betty Garner on p. 202: “My grandmother and two aunts lived on South Boulevard (one block over from Forest Avenue/MLK). They would walk at night to the White Theater every time the shows changed…”
Ms. Garner also recalls working with her sister as a “candy girl” at the “old White Theater on Forest Avenue.”
Opening day ad states “2000 seats, none reserved.”
Larry, if memory serves, the NW Hwy did have a clown mural, along the same lines as the Chalk Hill and Buckner Blvd., at the time of its closing. It was different from the Buckner’s empty-eyed freak clown, though, in that it did not give me chills up and down my spine.
Joe – you are right in saying the Mirror (Ritz/Jefferson/Pantages/Mirror – NOT Garden, that was demolished back in the teens or twenties) and Telenews were different construction. Mirror burned, was demolished, Telenews arose (partly) from those ashes, along with another business on the old Mirror footprint.
James, “Gandhi” was released in 1982, altho' I agree, I don’t recall the Medallion being a 70mm showcase until “Rollerball” and later.
Is the building still there (a police station, maybe)?
Billy, Billy, or Don – if the King was a twin, where was the second screen?
Sam, that other drive-in was the Starlite, billed on the screen tower as “Southwest’s Finest For Colored Americans.”
Adding to my above post, I have recently found out that whole Oak Lawn/Lemmon Ave. area (which I only heard referred to as the Lemmon/Oak Lawn area when I was growing up in Dallas from ‘58 – '79) used to be called the Melrose district – think that was the name of the area’s old telephone exchange, IIRC. The historic and refurbished Melrose Hotel is just down Oak Lawn from the old Esquire/Melrose location.
Great pix, Don. Thanks. Love your photostream, btw.
Oh, one other little point: someone posted that this theater was changed into a multi-screen in the 1960’s – not true. As of summer 1969 it was still in its original single-screen configuration. It was one of several McLendon theaters that hosted the world premiere of “True Grit” with John Wayne being carted around in a McLendon limo to each theater to make his appearance after the film’s showing. The other theaters were (I believe) the Preston Royal, Park Forest, and several McLendon drive-ins. Sometime in the early 1970’s is when the “twinning” or “tripling” took place, just in time for the auditorium in what had been the mezzanine (balcony, sort of) to show the reissue of “Jason and the Argonauts” in a new 35mm print (the Casa Linda had shown “Jason” during its first suburban run in 1963).
I have to say, though, that I get a kick out of all those who have posted comments referring to the Casa Linda’s “original splendor” or other similar verbiage. I practically lived at this theater for 20 years and “splendor” is not a word I would ever use to describe it. Its interior was plain to the point of being spartan and from 1958 – 1979 it certainly showed its wear and tear. This is not a put-down, as no one ever maintained anything in pristine condition back in those days; even the Majestic, Capri, Tower, and Palace downtown were allowed to judiciously show their age. Compared to those venues, the Casa Linda was nothing special – but it sure is a part of some wonderful memories for me.
Apparently, zombiefreak, nothing cinematic came of this?
Sam, that’s great info.
Talked to my dad this weekend (he went to college in Kingsville back in the early 50’s, when these venues were all current) and he says the screen at 77 & Ailsie is most likely the King (I say it was the Brahma); he and I agree that the El Rancho was north of town on 77; he has no idea of the one on Santa Gertrudis (I say that’s the site of the King).
Where the Hi-Way Drive-In was, I have no clue – I had never heard of
it until MikeRogers posted his info, above.
Just returned from a visit to El Paso and was privileged to see “The Magnificent Seven” as part of the El Paso Film Festival, hosted at the theater. None of our party of five had ever been inside and, to say the least, we were simply knocked out by the theater’s beauty. Projection, unfortunately, is not so hot – pretty dim picture, sorry to say. Have noticed this same phenomenon at the Paramount in Austin. Are the projection bulbs used today just not as bright as they used to be?
@Warren G. Harris: There were many films in Cinemascope and B&W – before Longest Day roadshow was Diary of Anne Frank (1959 – roadshow @ 171 min + intermission).
“This theatre opened with 70MM capability but didn’t show a 70MM feature until 6 years later when Rollerball opened in 1975—ran quite a bit of 70 after that.”
The big deal is, simply, historical accuracy – someone might use this site as a reference source. The originators of this site are well aware of this – it is, no doubt, one reason they started this site.
Also, those of us who use this site regularly are aware of our debt to Mr. Lewis, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Holcomb. It is not possible to put a price on their work.
All of what I posted immediately above goes out the window if this venue operated as the Plaza subsequent to its being the Fine Arts. The original McKinney Ave. Plaza would have been long out-of-business by then