Adler Theatre

136 E. 3rd Street,
Davenport, IA 52801

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Adler Theatre (Official)

Additional Info

Previously operated by: Dubinsky Brothers, Orpheum Circuit, RKO

Architects: Anker Sverre Graven

Firms: A.S. Graven Inc. Architects

Functions: Concerts, Performing Arts

Styles: Art Deco

Previous Names: RKO Orpheum Theatre, Orpheum Theatre

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 563.326.8500
Manager: 563.326.8555

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News About This Theater

June 16, 1972 photo courtesy of the Davenport Iowa History Facebook page.

Opened as the 2,708-seat RKO Orpheum Theatre on November 25, 1931 with William Boyd in “Suicide Fleet” and 5 acts of vaudeville. It was part of the 10-story Art Deco style Mississippi Riverside Hotel which had 200 guest rooms and 50 apartments. It was operated by the RKO circuit of theatres and was the last theatre to be designed by architect Anker Sverre Graven before his untimely and tragic death. By then he had split from his long-term partner in the architectural firm of Graven & Meyger. The movie house lasted for 42 years, closing in 1973 amid competition from suburban multiplexes.

Following its closure, the Orpheum Theatre became a venue for stage shows and concerts and was eventually donated to the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.

The theatre was restored between 1984 and 1986 with much of its Art Deco interior returning. It was renamed Adler Theatre on January 9, 1986 and continues to delight Davenport residents.

Contributed by Mike Geater, Monte

Recent comments (view all 23 comments)

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on April 22, 2017 at 2:59 am

November 25, 1931 photo and copy added courtesy of the Retro Quad Cities Facebook page. The banner in the foreground reads in part “Welcome New RKO Orpheum. Opens 6pm, Wed. Nov. 25.”

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on April 22, 2017 at 3:02 am

1953 photo added courtesy of the Retro Quad Cities Facebook page.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on May 12, 2017 at 2:50 am

June 16, 1972 photo and copy added courtesy of the Davenport Iowa History Facebook page.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on May 12, 2017 at 3:24 am

14 photos & copy added courtesy of the Davenport Iowa History Facebook page.

rivest266
rivest266 on July 1, 2017 at 11:16 pm

Grand opening ad in the photo section.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 29, 2017 at 11:07 pm

November 27, 1947 photo in below link.

http://www.umvphotoarchive.org/digital/collection/scdpl/id/3107

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on April 3, 2018 at 1:55 pm

Marquee being removed today.

http://qctimes.com/news/local/end-of-an-era-crew-tears-down-adler-theatre-marquee/article_18b2a854-34ab-59b1-bfc4-3d05bbfeb7e1.html

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on June 12, 2018 at 1:16 am

New sign going up, May 2018 photo added credit Retro Quad Cities Facebook page.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on April 18, 2019 at 11:39 pm

Link with photos of the Alder, Capitol and others.

https://qctimes.com/entertainment/movies/retro-thursday-historic-q-c-movie-theaters/collection_f1da3456-0ef7-11e2-a0dc-0019bb2963f4.html?fbclid=IwAR1LLS3u6q0SHq08TTxIMIvy1g2IKVjdDuF7zMNG2fz1OQAWZKJBB_dpgvw#1

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on October 3, 2021 at 1:29 am

Reopened as Adler Theatre on Thursday January 9, 1986 with the New York based trio Mozart on Fifth. Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center Facebook link with 3 images including the Quad-City Times article about the reopening.

https://www.facebook.com/davenportlibrarysc/photos/pcb.1348120562013499/1348120465346842

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