Brunada Theatre

The Jewell Theatre operated on a 15-year lease as downtown Winside’s silent-era movie theatre beginning in 1913. Final operator William Henry Brune decided to move the Jewell Theatre to a new location following its final show on January 29, 1928. (It has its own page on Cinema Treasures). The new theatre opened also as the Jewell Theatre until a naming contest was held to rename the venue.

The “new” Jewell Theatre opened February 3, 1928 with the film “Coney Island” starring Lois Wilson. Meanwhile, Blanche Leary won the naming contest entered by 400 people. The winning name fused Brune’s last name with the commonly used theatre name of Granada making it the Brunada. Unusual. Leary received 15 free passes for the creativity. The theatre’s name change took place effective with the March 15, 1928 showing of “The Great K&A Train Robbery” with Tom Mix supported by the Universal comedy short “Newlywed’s Advice”.

Big news took place on April 20, 1930 when talkies were introduced at the venue. The first sound film was “The Broadway Hoofer” with Alice White. Brune closed the Brunada Theatre on August 30, 1937. The venue eked out a ten-year lease by hosting live vents and agricultural displays over the course of the next year. The 1938 election returns appear to mark the end of the Brunada Theatre’s lifecycle.

Get Movie Tickets & Showtimes

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