Fox Pavilion
1202 Main Street,
Hays,
KS
67601
1202 Main Street,
Hays,
KS
67601
3 people
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Just an update. The Theater has become the Fox Pavillion and serves as an events venue - Still can show movies but it has been renovated and remains a theater landmark for almost 75 years. Here is current website - https://www.thefoxtheatrehays.com/
Opened by Fox Midwest Theatre Division. I’m quite skeptical that the Fox Circuit of Reading PA would have had anything to do with this location.
Also operated by the National General Theatre Circuit in the early 1970s and Mann Theatres in the 1970s
I’m unable to fetch this theater’s web site, but their Facebook page is still active. Their last event was on May 5, and the next scheduled is June 8, so the place is not in heavy use, at least for public events. I don’t know if they host many weddings or other private events, but the place does bill itself as a performance and event venue. There’s no mention of movies on the Facebook page, so it’s likely they aren’t showing them anymore.
The Fox Pavilion has been for sale for a couple of years now: http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/19504420/1202-Main-Street-Hays-KS/ It was foreclosed on after the new owner was convicted of a crime that landed him a lengthy sentence in prison. The catering company that used the facility has moved on to another venue, and the theatre sits unused and closed for most days. The Realtor who is listing the theatre will occasionally book events, but most are poorly attended. It still remains in great shape with only cosmetic damages inside (peeling paint, burned out lights, etc.), and has plenty of potential for someone who wants to invest the time and money in to it.
Updated website for Fox Pavilion is:
http://www.foxpavilion.com/
I am pretty sure the Strand was operating in the mid to late 50s – I remember going to see second run movies when my father ran the Fox Theater – I had to be at least 8 or 9 – born in 1949 so, logic would say it was at least open in mid 50s – It was very run down by that time – The building still stands but what is left of the original theater is anybody’s guess.
That picture of the Liberty Theater is very close to the old Strand Theater location that was closed sometime in the 1960’s.
The Strand theater was owned by some company that owned the Fox Theater in 1950 – Continued operating into the late 50s early 60s before closing – It was renovated into a clothing store and building still stands – suspect that elements of the Strand are still there behind the renovation – To see the inside of the Fox after renovate just go to their website:
http://www.foxpavilion.com/
Glad to hear the Fox has been rehabilitated! Here it’s looking a little forlorn in the spring of 1994:
View link
Oh, here’s something that sounds a bit omenous, from this page: “Deconstruction of the historic Strand Theatre at 1102 Main has begun with renovations to follow.”
Don’t like that word “Deconstruction.”
I’ve submitted the Strand.
The Fox and the Strand at Hays are both mentioned in the 1951 consent decree pertaining to the various Fox theater chains. The text of the decree was published in the June 9, 1951, issue of Boxoffice. Unfortunately, the scan of it available on the Internet has a page fold obscuring too much of the text, and I can’t figure out exactly what it says, but possibly Fox was running both this theatre and the Strand at that time. The Strand was apparently still open, though.
The Strand’s address of 1102 Main Street sounds like it was a corner lot. If that’s so, then the Muriel, being directly across the street, might have been across either Main Street or across the cross street. Maybe somebody from Hays will know.
Evidence of a couple of early Hays, Kansas theaters not yet included in the Cinema Treasures database, from the March 13, 1926, issue of The Reel Journal, a regional predecessor of Boxoffice Magazine:[quote]“M.G. Kirkman will open his new Murial Theatre in Hays, Kansas, on April 1, the opening picture being "Tumbleweeds” a United Artists release.
“‘Every effort will be made to make this house one of the best in the west,’ Mr. Kirkman writes The Reel Journal. The new Murial will be directly across the street from Kirkman’s Strand Theatre.”[/quote] Does anybody know anything more about either of these early Hays theaters?
Here’s a 2008 view: http://www.boxsetgallery.com/stein/index2.html
A 1999 view of the Fox Theater in Hays.
The Fox Theater is now the Fox Pavilion – Renovated and absolutely Gorgeous – New owners have been true to the concept of the original Art Deco look, preserving much of the artwork and structure while converting it to an multi purpose reception and theater venue – Can view the theater at its new website:
http://www.foxpavilion.com
B.J. Reed
According to a story in the KC Star this morning, the Fox Theatre of Hays KS has been renovated and reopened. It is to be used to show older movies, dinner theater, events and Sunday night football. Hopes are that it will begin a downtown renovation renaissance.
EAA where r u?
The Fox was sold to a new owner in March 2006, according to this article:
http://tinyurl.com/s9zey
Hays, KS – This theatre has since been closed. The folks in Hays, KS reopened the FOX for a 25th Anniversary viewing of the movie “Paper Moon,” since it was filmed in that area of Kansas in the 70’s.
I remember the “cry-room” well! I saw many movies there and in the long-since torn-down Hays Drive-In â€" such as “Star Wars.â€
The only place to see movies in Hays, KS outside of your home, is at The Mall Cinemas 8. This theater houses an addition of 6 Screens to the original 1970’s 2, with a poorly executed attempt at noisy wooden stadium seating and awkwardly placed high and small screens with rather dark projectors. The movies usually look better and clearer on my home television, which shouldn’t be the case!
Luckily, this seems to pass for the people of Hays and they continue the weekend movie-going ritual that is a much better option than beer-drinking.
Since my escape from that small town nearly ten years ago, I’ve been introduced to the lumens of digital projectors and the GIANT screens of 24-plex suburban theaters, run by major corporations and I must admit, I’ve been spoiled quite a bit!
Strangely though, even with the splendor of the new projectors and larger-than-life screens, I still enjoy many of my movie-going experiences at the 1930’s Mayan Theatre just down the street from my home in Denver, CO. It’s an excellent example of what I’ve always felt a theatre should be! Architecture and Film are a truly worthy experience.
Sure, our megaplex theaters are here to baby-sit the growing number of teenagers in suburbia and offer alternatives to the club scene, but they lack the grandeur and style of the original ornate movie house!
I’d like to see a combination of the two one day, where architectural style can meet excellent projectors and comfortable seats!
Here’s to bringing back the FOX Theatre in Hays, KS, possibly as an Indi Film Theatre for the many F.H.S.U. students who have to drive to Lawrence for such experiences â€" or wait for DVD!
Good luck in your future!
The Fox Theatre is located at 1202 Main Street and it seated 1037 people.
Fox Theater in Hays was opened on April 12, 1950 and at the time was owned by Fox Midwest in Kansas City. Following was description in story of theater opening:
“Built of stone, rick and glass over a steel and concrete framework, the new theater is completely fireproof. It has a balcony. The front is made of brick and concrete cut stone panels, with a stacked Roman brick pylon supporting a double-faced attraction board. A neo sign bearing the theater name tops the center stone panel. The lobby has a terrazzo floor. Lobby walls are painted lipstick red, while the ceiling is oyster white acoustone tile. The central feature of the foyers is a semicircular concession stand made of stainless steel and primavera wood. Another feature of hte foyers is a mural painted by George Kieffer, Springfield, Mo. artist. A cry room with Walt Disney characters painted on the walls, adjoins the foyer. Side walls are saw toothed, with a framed proscenium. The color scheme for auditorium decorations includes wedgewood blue and cocoa brown. Indirect lighting, with pinpoint floodlights, is used in the auditorium. Adjoining the proscenium frame, the sidewalls feature line murals painted by Albert E. Wadsworth, Wichita artist…..The new theater was designed by Samuel W. Bihr, Fox Midwest architect….
I check on the web site www.dtmovies.com, the theatre owner, and this theatre is still operating. It is showing PERAL HARBOR in both auditoriums. This theatre underwent and under and over twin conversation in the 1980’s by the MANN corporation. Currently owned by DICKINSON of Mission, Kansas