Collegian Theater

411 Main Street,
Ames, IA 50010

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Paramount Pictures Inc.

Architects: Roland 'Tip' Goucher Harrison, Frank E. Wetherell

Firms: Wetherell & Harrison

Functions: Bank

Styles: Art Deco

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Collegian Theater

The Collegian Theater in Ames, Iowa was opened on September 22, 1937 with Bing Crosby in “Double or Nothing”. It was built at a cost of $70,000 and was owned by the Ames Theater Co. which was an affiliate of the A. H. Blank Co. of Des Moines, a subsidiary of Paramount Pictures Inc. The Collegian Theater closed January 23, 1974 with the 1972 Nederlands made animal documentary “Instinct for Survival”.

Contributed by Lost Memory

Recent comments (view all 5 comments)

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on March 21, 2009 at 10:39 pm

The Collegian Theatre was designed by the Des Moines architectural firm Wetherell & Harrison, according to this page about the Varsity Theatre at the Ames Historical Society web site.

macbot3000
macbot3000 on February 27, 2010 at 8:40 pm

Current use is as part of the First National Bank office complex. The structure has a modern dark brick façade, but the underlying theater structure is easy to see. Photo here: http://twitpic.com/15s37w

JohnMessick
JohnMessick on August 30, 2012 at 5:29 pm

Great looking marquee. Bet this was a beautiful theater in its heyday.

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on August 11, 2015 at 10:49 am

Began its run in September of 1937 with “Double or Nothing” and Western Electric’s Mirrophonic sound system. Ended its run January 23, 1974 with “Instinct for Survival.” Seven customers showed up for the beginning of the show and just one was there when the feature ended.

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