James E. Falls of the theater in Walton opened the New Kentucky Theater on April 24, 1936 with “Thanks a Million.“ The theater scuffled after the War closing as a movie house on September 19, 1948 with "I Walk Alone.” It continues with some live country music events and a community center whose use is discontinued in the 1950s.
The venue was called the Ideal Theatre and prior was the Dry Ridge Opera House. It gave away a brand new Ford Sedan in a 1921 contest and its de facto concession stand was the Clements Confectionery next door. The 1927 fire that took out ten buildings in downtown started at the dry cleaner, spread to the wood framed buildings taking out the Carlsbad Hotel, then the theatre next door along with the Clements Confectionery, the post office, and others.
The Idle Hour Theatre was the town’s first main floor movie theater location. It replaced the second floor Williamstown Opera House which had shown movies since the turn of the century and regularly during World War I. The first Idle Hour was located 203 South Main Street with 250 seatsand operated by Mr. Curran as a silent-era venue.
The second operator, the Taylors, transitioned it to sound. They then moved to get a larger seat count reopening as the “New” Idle Hour on December 3, 1937 just two blocks away as a streamlined movie house at 146 North Main. The final operator was the Cahakeres Circuit which transformed the venue into the Grant Theatre at its September 14, 1946 relaunch. It opened on a grind policy with “Rainbow Over Texas” and “The Big Noise.” They operated to its last showing on June 26, 1960. The Taylors converted the space to the new, second location for Powers Home and Auto Supply.
Ralph Taylor built the ozoner naming it after his daughter, Judy Taylor. It launched June 9, 1956 with “The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing” and “Fort Yuma” supported by the Casper, the Friendly Ghost cartoon, “Red, White and Boo!” Fred and Marjorie May managed the venue and took over its ownership. (Tom P. and Lula Littleton Sutton operated the Mt. Sterling Judy Drive-In.)
Commonwealth Theatre Circuit’s Lyric Theatre “#3” was dedicated on April 24, 1930. The $100,000 venue was the sound era version of the Lyric. It completed 60 years of leasing closing on May 6, 1990 with the venue being transferred to the local university which had been hosting classes in the building. “The First Power” was the last film shown. The theatre was then relit primarily as a performance space but also playing some major Hollywood hits after making the conversion to digital projection.
The Studio One Ultra-Vision Theatre launched on July 1, 1971 with the wide-formatted “Skies Over Holland” and “Shoot Out.” The auditorium featured 682 rocking chair seats. Studio One used automated projection equipment allowing it to have up to 6 showtimes for some features. “Star Wars” was shown with multi-channel surround sound becoming the theater’s biggest hit. In 1980, it was twinned becoming the Studio 1 & 2.
On January 9, 1987, Carmike Cinemas took over the venue as the Carmike Studio Twin Theatres. They closed the twin on January 29, 1989 with “Things Change,” “Tequila Sunrise” and “Hellhound: Hellrasier II.”
The Capri Twin opened June 24, 1977 with “Islands in the. Stream” and “Sorcerer.” Carl L. Patrick, Sr. acquired Martin Theatres from Fuqua Industries in February of 1982 becoming Carmike Cinemas . (The company’s name was a combination of the first names of Patrick’s two sons, Carl Jr. and Michael).
Regal Cinemas took on the venue beginning January 14, 1994. Regal would later demote it to a discount, sub-run policy closing on February 18, 2001 with “Proof of Life” and “Antitrust.” It had a very brief run as a live stage venue ending on November 17, 2001 with the play “Three Days of Rain.” The theatre was auctioned on December 11, 2001. In 2002, the building was expanded and converted to office space.
Princess Theatre #1 was opened by the Breeze Amusement Company of Flemingsburg in 1914. It was equipped with sound to remain viable in 1930. It suffered a major fire closing the venue January 4, 1942 with the print of “Sergeant York” dishonorably discharged from the theatre.
The Princess Theatre reopened in the high school auditorium temporarily on January 24, 1942 conceptually as Princess Theatre #2. Plans for a new Princess Theatre “#3” were made. It launched on July 2, 1942 with Rita Hayworth in “My Gal Sal” likely using some element of the original structure (foundation and potentially a wall). The venue appears to have ended with “Alaskan Safari,” a four-wall film on February 19, 1968.
Grand opening ad for the Central Cinemas 1 & 2 on April 19, 1973 with George, the St. Bernard in “George!” and Terrence Hill in “They Call Me Trinity” in photos.
The Midco 6 launched on April 25, 1995 as the second theatre in Kandiyohi County’s Kandi Mall replacing the former United General Kandi Twin Theatres that had operated as an original tenant of the Kandi Mall in 1973. That theatre had expanded size under new operator Midcontinent twice in 1981 as a triplex and 1983 as a quad.
As original 20-year leases were coming due, the Kandi Mall lost its Sears as an anchor and a number of interior retailers. The theatre re-upped seemingly on a 30-year term with a promise of an improved and expanded space. The venue was indeed moved to a new spot relaunching as the Midco 6 on April 25, 1995 with"Bye, Bye Love" and “Rob Roy” opening joining the moved Midco 4 moved prints of the continuing “Bad Boys,” “A Goofy Movie,” “Jury Duty,” and “Tommy Boy.” The original cinema closed the previous day on April 24, 1995.
On September 13, 1995, Carmike bought the 14-venue/67 screen Midco with venue eventually renamed as the Carmike Kandi Mall Cinemas 6. AMC bought Carmike on December 15, 2016. On May 13, 2017 the theatre was renamed as the AMC Classic Kandi 6. The Classic designation was used to relabel the vast majority of inherited properties in the Carmike, Kerasotes, and other AMC acquisitions. These were locations which generally received very minor upgrades and were often run to the end of existing leases to closure.
At the Kandi, AMC took an opt out at the 15-year mark closing February 22, 2018. The Mall reached greyfield status having shed its Kmart, Herbergers, Sears Hometown and JCPenney anchors. Reel-Lux Theatres took on the location equipping it with recliner seating, new bathrooms and more amenities in the concession area. It relaunched March 30, 2018 as the Reel-Lux Kandi 6 with Mall attracting Kohl’s and Harbor Freight Tools, as well.
The venue’s remodeling continued under its final name as the Golden Ticket Kandi 6. The COVID-19 pandemic twice closed the venue - first on March 16, 2020. The Mall reopened and was rebranded as the Uptown Willmar Center. The Golden Ticket reopened June 19, 2020 but governor’s orders shut down the venue until January 15, 2021 when it reopened once again. The theatre continued into the streaming era of exhibition.
A salvage sale including the Rialto’s 440 theater seats took place followed by a 1959 demolition that also took out the Palmer Hotel and the Kentucky Theatre. The Cleveland Wrecking Company demolished the theater along with the historic Palmer House Hotel and the Kentucky Theatre for a parking lot and J.C. Penney’s department store.
Cinemark’s new facility opened behind the Mall on May 16, 2002 with this venue converting to a discount, sub-run dollar movie. That operation lasted six weeks with the lease terminated mutually on June 30, 2002 with demolition starting the next month.
Closed August 27, 1957 with a double feature of “Three Violent People” and “An Affair to Remember" after being unable to resist a sweet deal by the operators of the Yam. It was demolished along with the Inn in front of it and later replaced by an insecticide factory.
Collins Conrad of the Conrad Theatre in Breaux Bridge opened in the existing Christman-Riseman Building on April 1, 1933 with “Louisiana” as the opening title. Conrad sold the venue for $10,000 transferring the remaining time on the 10-year lease on July 1, 1934 to new operators who changed its name to the Delta Theatre the next year in April of 1935.
Had a three manual Conn Connsonata organ. It closed at the end of lease on August 5, 1967 with “Poppy is also a Flower”. It continued with live events - mostly gospel music - through 1971 before becoming an auction house.
Arcitects Tuttle & Ross revealed the Elks Theatre plans in 1905. Work was suspended delaying the Elks launch to November of 1907. The Elks closed March 5, 1954 with “Kid from Amarillo” and “Northwest Territory” supposed by the last chapter go the “Black Hawk” serial. In October of 1954, the theater portion of the venue was converted to office space.
James E. Falls of the theater in Walton opened the New Kentucky Theater on April 24, 1936 with “Thanks a Million.“ The theater scuffled after the War closing as a movie house on September 19, 1948 with "I Walk Alone.” It continues with some live country music events and a community center whose use is discontinued in the 1950s.
The venue was called the Ideal Theatre and prior was the Dry Ridge Opera House. It gave away a brand new Ford Sedan in a 1921 contest and its de facto concession stand was the Clements Confectionery next door. The 1927 fire that took out ten buildings in downtown started at the dry cleaner, spread to the wood framed buildings taking out the Carlsbad Hotel, then the theatre next door along with the Clements Confectionery, the post office, and others.
The Idle Hour Theatre was the town’s first main floor movie theater location. It replaced the second floor Williamstown Opera House which had shown movies since the turn of the century and regularly during World War I. The first Idle Hour was located 203 South Main Street with 250 seatsand operated by Mr. Curran as a silent-era venue.
The second operator, the Taylors, transitioned it to sound. They then moved to get a larger seat count reopening as the “New” Idle Hour on December 3, 1937 just two blocks away as a streamlined movie house at 146 North Main. The final operator was the Cahakeres Circuit which transformed the venue into the Grant Theatre at its September 14, 1946 relaunch. It opened on a grind policy with “Rainbow Over Texas” and “The Big Noise.” They operated to its last showing on June 26, 1960. The Taylors converted the space to the new, second location for Powers Home and Auto Supply.
The building was demolished in the early 2010s.
Ralph Taylor built the ozoner naming it after his daughter, Judy Taylor. It launched June 9, 1956 with “The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing” and “Fort Yuma” supported by the Casper, the Friendly Ghost cartoon, “Red, White and Boo!” Fred and Marjorie May managed the venue and took over its ownership. (Tom P. and Lula Littleton Sutton operated the Mt. Sterling Judy Drive-In.)
Demolition in 1983
Closed May 1, 2025
Commonwealth Theatre Circuit’s Lyric Theatre “#3” was dedicated on April 24, 1930. The $100,000 venue was the sound era version of the Lyric. It completed 60 years of leasing closing on May 6, 1990 with the venue being transferred to the local university which had been hosting classes in the building. “The First Power” was the last film shown. The theatre was then relit primarily as a performance space but also playing some major Hollywood hits after making the conversion to digital projection.
The Studio One Ultra-Vision Theatre launched on July 1, 1971 with the wide-formatted “Skies Over Holland” and “Shoot Out.” The auditorium featured 682 rocking chair seats. Studio One used automated projection equipment allowing it to have up to 6 showtimes for some features. “Star Wars” was shown with multi-channel surround sound becoming the theater’s biggest hit. In 1980, it was twinned becoming the Studio 1 & 2.
On January 9, 1987, Carmike Cinemas took over the venue as the Carmike Studio Twin Theatres. They closed the twin on January 29, 1989 with “Things Change,” “Tequila Sunrise” and “Hellhound: Hellrasier II.”
The Capri Twin opened June 24, 1977 with “Islands in the. Stream” and “Sorcerer.” Carl L. Patrick, Sr. acquired Martin Theatres from Fuqua Industries in February of 1982 becoming Carmike Cinemas . (The company’s name was a combination of the first names of Patrick’s two sons, Carl Jr. and Michael).
Regal Cinemas took on the venue beginning January 14, 1994. Regal would later demote it to a discount, sub-run policy closing on February 18, 2001 with “Proof of Life” and “Antitrust.” It had a very brief run as a live stage venue ending on November 17, 2001 with the play “Three Days of Rain.” The theatre was auctioned on December 11, 2001. In 2002, the building was expanded and converted to office space.
Princess Theatre #1 was opened by the Breeze Amusement Company of Flemingsburg in 1914. It was equipped with sound to remain viable in 1930. It suffered a major fire closing the venue January 4, 1942 with the print of “Sergeant York” dishonorably discharged from the theatre.
The Princess Theatre reopened in the high school auditorium temporarily on January 24, 1942 conceptually as Princess Theatre #2. Plans for a new Princess Theatre “#3” were made. It launched on July 2, 1942 with Rita Hayworth in “My Gal Sal” likely using some element of the original structure (foundation and potentially a wall). The venue appears to have ended with “Alaskan Safari,” a four-wall film on February 19, 1968.
Opened July 8, 2000 and closed at the expiry of a 25-year leasing agreement.
Opened June 9, 1954 with “Honey Chile”.
Grand opening ad for the Central Cinemas 1 & 2 on April 19, 1973 with George, the St. Bernard in “George!” and Terrence Hill in “They Call Me Trinity” in photos.
The Midco 6 launched on April 25, 1995 as the second theatre in Kandiyohi County’s Kandi Mall replacing the former United General Kandi Twin Theatres that had operated as an original tenant of the Kandi Mall in 1973. That theatre had expanded size under new operator Midcontinent twice in 1981 as a triplex and 1983 as a quad.
As original 20-year leases were coming due, the Kandi Mall lost its Sears as an anchor and a number of interior retailers. The theatre re-upped seemingly on a 30-year term with a promise of an improved and expanded space. The venue was indeed moved to a new spot relaunching as the Midco 6 on April 25, 1995 with"Bye, Bye Love" and “Rob Roy” opening joining the moved Midco 4 moved prints of the continuing “Bad Boys,” “A Goofy Movie,” “Jury Duty,” and “Tommy Boy.” The original cinema closed the previous day on April 24, 1995.
On September 13, 1995, Carmike bought the 14-venue/67 screen Midco with venue eventually renamed as the Carmike Kandi Mall Cinemas 6. AMC bought Carmike on December 15, 2016. On May 13, 2017 the theatre was renamed as the AMC Classic Kandi 6. The Classic designation was used to relabel the vast majority of inherited properties in the Carmike, Kerasotes, and other AMC acquisitions. These were locations which generally received very minor upgrades and were often run to the end of existing leases to closure.
At the Kandi, AMC took an opt out at the 15-year mark closing February 22, 2018. The Mall reached greyfield status having shed its Kmart, Herbergers, Sears Hometown and JCPenney anchors. Reel-Lux Theatres took on the location equipping it with recliner seating, new bathrooms and more amenities in the concession area. It relaunched March 30, 2018 as the Reel-Lux Kandi 6 with Mall attracting Kohl’s and Harbor Freight Tools, as well.
The venue’s remodeling continued under its final name as the Golden Ticket Kandi 6. The COVID-19 pandemic twice closed the venue - first on March 16, 2020. The Mall reopened and was rebranded as the Uptown Willmar Center. The Golden Ticket reopened June 19, 2020 but governor’s orders shut down the venue until January 15, 2021 when it reopened once again. The theatre continued into the streaming era of exhibition.
Became the Willmar Cinema Twin Theatres 1 & 2 on June 4, 1971 in a naming contest won by Mrs. Clarence Von Zee.
Opened as a United General Theatres location originally with 500 seats. Under new operators, the seat count was reduced.
A salvage sale including the Rialto’s 440 theater seats took place followed by a 1959 demolition that also took out the Palmer Hotel and the Kentucky Theatre. The Cleveland Wrecking Company demolished the theater along with the historic Palmer House Hotel and the Kentucky Theatre for a parking lot and J.C. Penney’s department store.
Cinemark’s new facility opened behind the Mall on May 16, 2002 with this venue converting to a discount, sub-run dollar movie. That operation lasted six weeks with the lease terminated mutually on June 30, 2002 with demolition starting the next month.
1800 seats
AMC Paducah Cinemas I & II closed November 20, 1986 - likely at a 15-year leasing clause opt out - with “Tai-Pan” and “Trick or Treat.”
Closed August 27, 1957 with a double feature of “Three Violent People” and “An Affair to Remember" after being unable to resist a sweet deal by the operators of the Yam. It was demolished along with the Inn in front of it and later replaced by an insecticide factory.
Collins Conrad of the Conrad Theatre in Breaux Bridge opened in the existing Christman-Riseman Building on April 1, 1933 with “Louisiana” as the opening title. Conrad sold the venue for $10,000 transferring the remaining time on the 10-year lease on July 1, 1934 to new operators who changed its name to the Delta Theatre the next year in April of 1935.
The Yam closed permanently on Fe. 9, 1982 with “Sizzling Seniors"and "Fight Rider.”
Seaford Cinemas was beached at the end of 25-year leasing period on April 28, 2025.
Had a three manual Conn Connsonata organ. It closed at the end of lease on August 5, 1967 with “Poppy is also a Flower”. It continued with live events - mostly gospel music - through 1971 before becoming an auction house.
Arcitects Tuttle & Ross revealed the Elks Theatre plans in 1905. Work was suspended delaying the Elks launch to November of 1907. The Elks closed March 5, 1954 with “Kid from Amarillo” and “Northwest Territory” supposed by the last chapter go the “Black Hawk” serial. In October of 1954, the theater portion of the venue was converted to office space.