Richmond Theatre

1025 S. Big Bend,
St. Louis, MO 63117

Unfavorite No one has favorited this theater yet

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Arthur Enterprises Inc.

Styles: Art Deco

Nearby Theaters

Richmond Theater 1967

The Richmond Theatre opened in 1936 seating 622 as part of the F & M and later became part of the Arthur Enterprises Inc. The Richmond Theatre was located just around the corner from the much larger Esquire Theatre. It played to a different clientele than the Esquire Theatre though. It was always first run and ran the more classy movies in the early days. In its later life it was noted for its art theatre format, running art, independent, and foreign films. When the Esquire Theatre was remodelled and the Mid America Theatre made it a first run house and the Arthur theatres started showing art films at the nearby Shady Oak Theatre the days were numbered for the Richmond Theatre.

Arthur tried a second run policy but the clientele in that area were not into second run theatres. The Richmond Theatre closed quietly in 1966. The building went over to retail use. It had always had retail shops attached to the front but the theatre itself became a sporting goods store. Today only the upper pats of the façade exist.

Contributed by Chuck Van Bibber

Recent comments (view all 6 comments)

JAlex
JAlex on May 4, 2004 at 1:57 pm

Opening date of Richmond was October 23, 1935.

Built by Oscar Lehr; then operated by Kieselhorst & Wilson (who also operated the Shady Oak); in 1937 leased to St. Louis Amusement.

Theatre operated for years as a neighborhood house. Became an art house in the 50s.

JAlex
JAlex on April 27, 2009 at 2:00 am

Closed as a movie house in December 1959. In October 1960 the Southtown Players, a dramatic group, moved in and presented their productions there until June 1970.

Chris1982
Chris1982 on September 23, 2014 at 6:08 am

The Richmond Theatre was actually located in Richmond Heights, MO.

SethG
SethG on April 15, 2016 at 9:22 pm

Looks like the upper story is there, but the auditorium and lobby were torn out for parking.

SethG
SethG on April 17, 2016 at 7:28 pm

I guess this should be listed as demolished.

Norman Plant
Norman Plant on April 17, 2016 at 11:32 pm

I can verify the lobby and auditorium are gone. You drive through the former lobby to get to the parking lot where the auditorium was.

You must login before making a comment.

New Comment

Subscribe Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.