Also an Interstate Theatres property. Brann E. Garner took the venue independent from Intersate in 1948. He was about to unlock the doors with children waiting for the Cowboy Kiddee Matinee on March 15, 1952 when the film exploded ending the venu. No injuries, though.
Colonel H.A. Cole launched the Lone Star Theatre in 1919. The architects were Harry J. Beshgetoorian and Edwin G. Cobelli of the local architectural firm Beshgetoorian & Cobelli. Its sound era name under new operator, Brann E. Garner, became the Columbia Theatre by 1931.
Interstate Theatres controlled the venue with Garner until leaving in 1948 with Garner briefly taking it on as an independent theater closing September 13, 1948 after a nitrate projection explosion which then destroyed the dry cleaner next door and damaged the adjoining cafe. And then some insurance executive remained really steamed about the $50,000 payout for days, months and years after the matter as all on scene witnesses on the day knew the fire started in the theater but…. Typical.
There was considerably earlier Joy than the start date stated above in the entry as Joy’s Theaters Inc. opened here way back on September 25, 1948 with “Ruthless.” The Joy ended when it burned down on August 3, 1967. The operators placed an ad in which they regrettably decided not to rebuild.
J.C. Capps held a naming contest for the new-build drive-in East of Eastland. In third place, Sonja Stagner had the Cactus. In second was Stella Jarrett with the Ra-Ol-Es. And Judge L.B. Houston won it with the Dixie. 300 car speakers awaited folks along with the June 2, 1950 grand opening film of “Yellow Sky” with Gregory Peck.
A-Ray Landrum reopened the Friona as the Regal Theatre in 1938 according to both the local press and the trade press. The building appears to have been destroyed in a 1960 tornado. Should likely be listed as the Regal Theatre “#1” formerly the Friona… but can certainly stay as the Friona.
The City of Wheeler says that the theater - although not in operation cinematically - is very much in use as a community hall or community center as of the mid 2020s. So “formerly abandoned” may be more appropriate.
Owners Leo and Laura Guthrie (and Son, “Corky” from 1958 forward replacing the late Leo) operated the Rogue from 1930 to 1979. They also built the Mustang Drive-In operating in Wheeling seasonally from 1952 to 1979.
On June 19, 1981, Cobb purchased the Hoover Twin and a variety of other Plitt properties. Cobb built the Hoover Square 6 launching June 10, 1983. It repositioned the Twin as a discount, sub-run venue. What many initially hoped was just an April Fool’s joke became a permanent closure on April 1, 1984 with Cobb moving on after showtimes of “Pete’s Dragon” and “The Dresser.”
The Ritz Theatre was announced in August of 1938 to be built by Bijou Entertainment for $30,000 by Cain & Cain Contractors. The 500-seat Ritz opened on December 4, 1938 as Fort Worth’s second African American theater at that point. Dallas-based Houston & Smith were the architects. M.C. Maxwell was its long-running operator and may have closed there in 1960. The building was purportedly to be demolished imminently in 1966 as a parking lot for the Convention Center project - but that was halted at the 11th hour.
At that same address, the Cinne Arts Theatre opened for adults with unrated short films on May 21, 1970, moving from Main Street. Cinne Arts was already in a court battle in 1970 in the case of State of Texas v. Steve Scott & Cine Arts Theatre, Inc. on a spurious obscenity case. On July 21, 1970, the venue became the Finne Arts Adult Theatre operating as a private membership policy. They appear to have transitioned from 16mm shorts to 35mm features. Later in 1970, they transitioned to a $3, sub-run discount adult theater policy.
On April 21, 1973, a film was run with the ad, “Extra Special Feature” for a $5 admission. The Finne Arts made the front page of the newspaper on April 23, 1973 for the local sheriff Lon Evans confiscating that feature film which turned out to be “Deep Throat” on 35mm.
In 1974, a live stage show was added to the fare. In 1975, it switched to unrated, “XXX” films open 24 hours on weekends. In April of 1986, local authorities put the hammer down on pornography closing almost all of the venues including the Finne Arts and the nearby Ellwest Theatre at 907 Houston. The theater was raided one final time seizing all films using the RICO Act as their basis. The court docket said that RICO was triggered as this was the 199th charge against the Finne Arts Theatre - and there would be no 200th. Its final operating day appears to be May 27, 1986.
Cinne Arts Theatres Inc. was a circuit of Southwest adult theaters in cities including Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, Wichita Falls, Austin, Albuquerque, NM, New Orleans, and one in Tampa, Florida. All Cinne Arts (two n’s) named theaters changed to Finne (two n’s).
Completed a 25-year leasing agreement closing on September 17, 1966 with “Night of the Grizzly” and “Roustabout.” It became a house of worship for a number of years before turning retail and back to an event space.
A venue opened here as the Hippodrome but was shuttered due to major fire safety concerns. Owner Dr. Charles H. Hespe then ran a gambit where you could invest in the theatre. That got him the money to hire architect William Neumann who solidified the new building.
The Hespe Theatre had a $12,000 Kramer Pipe Organ and actually (!) opened June 29, 1921 with a Pauline Frederick film, “Salvage.” And that was the goal of Hespe’s creditors within months. Charles H. Hespe’s fortunes ran out - or perhaps he simply ran out with the money - by year’s end when the theatre was repossessed and the venue was force sold into new hands. As was the case in Hippodrome and Hippodrome-like ventures across the nation, the investors did not come out too well.
The Hespe Theatre was renamed the Ritz Theatre under new operators on January 30, 1922 with “The Ruling Passion” and vaudeville. And they even had to get a new organ later that year as creditors seized the Kramer unit. The Ritz converted to sound to remain viable. The Ritz would crumble in the TV age not converting to widescreen and closing on October 23, 1956 with “Killers” and “Sleeping City.” Stanley Warner Management offered their theater for sale and kids got in setting a fire that did minor damage to the property early in 1957. So it was quickly demolished for a parking lot.
This actually launched as the One Cent New York Vaudeville Theatre on November 30, 1906. In fairly short order, it moves from the Once Cent Vaudeville Theatre to the Penny Arcade Theatre to the Phillips Picture Show Theatre / Phillips Theatre to the Imperial Theatre. The Imperial lasts the longest from January 30, 1910 to April 12, 1912 when there is a foreclosure.
R.A. Healy takes on the venue rebranded it as the Hippodrome Theatre launching August 31, 1912 with a $10,000 Kimball pipe organ and “Fra Diavolo” with Billy Quirk. The Hippodrome plays a combination of live vaudeville and movies. By the late 1920s, the Hippodrome was reduced to exploitation films as superior theaters were built including the Worth in 1927. The Hippodrome was raided on August 23, 1931 while playing “Married Love” with live models paired with a burlesque show. On December 13, 1931, it ran a renaming contest.
On December 20, 1931, it became the State Theatre. The programming was family-friendly at the beginning but quickly devolved back to exploitation shows and burlesque. Some boxing matches were held on its stage, as well. A January 8, 1939 Midnight Ramble in which a female impersonator irked audiences. It led to a call to the police, a raid, and - apparently - the end of the State Theater. It was closed and the building was later demolished in favor of a parking lot.
Last films were “The Broadway Cowboy” supported by an episode of “The Moon Riders.” Neither print survived the September 15, 1920 fire.
The theatre was used for live events until 1938. It looks to have completed its motion picture run in October of 1928 for all intense and purposes.
Also an Interstate Theatres property. Brann E. Garner took the venue independent from Intersate in 1948. He was about to unlock the doors with children waiting for the Cowboy Kiddee Matinee on March 15, 1952 when the film exploded ending the venu. No injuries, though.
Colonel H.A. Cole launched the Lone Star Theatre in 1919. The architects were Harry J. Beshgetoorian and Edwin G. Cobelli of the local architectural firm Beshgetoorian & Cobelli. Its sound era name under new operator, Brann E. Garner, became the Columbia Theatre by 1931.
Interstate Theatres controlled the venue with Garner until leaving in 1948 with Garner briefly taking it on as an independent theater closing September 13, 1948 after a nitrate projection explosion which then destroyed the dry cleaner next door and damaged the adjoining cafe. And then some insurance executive remained really steamed about the $50,000 payout for days, months and years after the matter as all on scene witnesses on the day knew the fire started in the theater but…. Typical.
The February 1, 1920 grand opening ad of the Lamb Theatre - “The Temple of Theatres” - with “Polyanna” is in photos.
Opened July 16, 1952 with “Wagons West”
The July 12, 1950 grand opening ad with “The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady” is in photos.
There was considerably earlier Joy than the start date stated above in the entry as Joy’s Theaters Inc. opened here way back on September 25, 1948 with “Ruthless.” The Joy ended when it burned down on August 3, 1967. The operators placed an ad in which they regrettably decided not to rebuild.
J.C. Capps held a naming contest for the new-build drive-in East of Eastland. In third place, Sonja Stagner had the Cactus. In second was Stella Jarrett with the Ra-Ol-Es. And Judge L.B. Houston won it with the Dixie. 300 car speakers awaited folks along with the June 2, 1950 grand opening film of “Yellow Sky” with Gregory Peck.
Last showtimes were September 27, 1981 with “Cannonball Run” and “Nine to Five.” The venue continued for two more years as a flea market.
Agreed on capacity… I couldn’t find cap. so didn’t add that. Not really enough population in the Wheeler area for 400 cars
Address: 8070 US-83, Wheeler, TX 79096 - the location furnished by the editor of the local newspaper of 65 years, the Wheeler Times!
A-Ray Landrum reopened the Friona as the Regal Theatre in 1938 according to both the local press and the trade press. The building appears to have been destroyed in a 1960 tornado. Should likely be listed as the Regal Theatre “#1” formerly the Friona… but can certainly stay as the Friona.
The City of Wheeler says that the theater - although not in operation cinematically - is very much in use as a community hall or community center as of the mid 2020s. So “formerly abandoned” may be more appropriate.
Owners Leo and Laura Guthrie (and Son, “Corky” from 1958 forward replacing the late Leo) operated the Rogue from 1930 to 1979. They also built the Mustang Drive-In operating in Wheeling seasonally from 1952 to 1979.
February 12, 1932 Grand Opening ad with “The Unexpected Father” in photos
Fort Worth Ritz: Oct. 5, 1952 ad at left and Oct. 30, 1953 ad at right
On June 19, 1981, Cobb purchased the Hoover Twin and a variety of other Plitt properties. Cobb built the Hoover Square 6 launching June 10, 1983. It repositioned the Twin as a discount, sub-run venue. What many initially hoped was just an April Fool’s joke became a permanent closure on April 1, 1984 with Cobb moving on after showtimes of “Pete’s Dragon” and “The Dresser.”
Adding a bit more here:
The Ritz Theatre was announced in August of 1938 to be built by Bijou Entertainment for $30,000 by Cain & Cain Contractors. The 500-seat Ritz opened on December 4, 1938 as Fort Worth’s second African American theater at that point. Dallas-based Houston & Smith were the architects. M.C. Maxwell was its long-running operator and may have closed there in 1960. The building was purportedly to be demolished imminently in 1966 as a parking lot for the Convention Center project - but that was halted at the 11th hour.
At that same address, the Cinne Arts Theatre opened for adults with unrated short films on May 21, 1970, moving from Main Street. Cinne Arts was already in a court battle in 1970 in the case of State of Texas v. Steve Scott & Cine Arts Theatre, Inc. on a spurious obscenity case. On July 21, 1970, the venue became the Finne Arts Adult Theatre operating as a private membership policy. They appear to have transitioned from 16mm shorts to 35mm features. Later in 1970, they transitioned to a $3, sub-run discount adult theater policy.
On April 21, 1973, a film was run with the ad, “Extra Special Feature” for a $5 admission. The Finne Arts made the front page of the newspaper on April 23, 1973 for the local sheriff Lon Evans confiscating that feature film which turned out to be “Deep Throat” on 35mm.
In 1974, a live stage show was added to the fare. In 1975, it switched to unrated, “XXX” films open 24 hours on weekends. In April of 1986, local authorities put the hammer down on pornography closing almost all of the venues including the Finne Arts and the nearby Ellwest Theatre at 907 Houston. The theater was raided one final time seizing all films using the RICO Act as their basis. The court docket said that RICO was triggered as this was the 199th charge against the Finne Arts Theatre - and there would be no 200th. Its final operating day appears to be May 27, 1986.
Cinne Arts Theatres Inc. was a circuit of Southwest adult theaters in cities including Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, Wichita Falls, Austin, Albuquerque, NM, New Orleans, and one in Tampa, Florida. All Cinne Arts (two n’s) named theaters changed to Finne (two n’s).
Houston & Smith of Dallas were the architects.
Closed December 30, 1982 with “48 Hours”
Completed a 25-year leasing agreement closing on September 17, 1966 with “Night of the Grizzly” and “Roustabout.” It became a house of worship for a number of years before turning retail and back to an event space.
The Morgan was closed on February 14, 1954 after a double feature of “Botany Bay” and “Roman Holiday.” Its address: 608 North Sylvania.
A venue opened here as the Hippodrome but was shuttered due to major fire safety concerns. Owner Dr. Charles H. Hespe then ran a gambit where you could invest in the theatre. That got him the money to hire architect William Neumann who solidified the new building.
The Hespe Theatre had a $12,000 Kramer Pipe Organ and actually (!) opened June 29, 1921 with a Pauline Frederick film, “Salvage.” And that was the goal of Hespe’s creditors within months. Charles H. Hespe’s fortunes ran out - or perhaps he simply ran out with the money - by year’s end when the theatre was repossessed and the venue was force sold into new hands. As was the case in Hippodrome and Hippodrome-like ventures across the nation, the investors did not come out too well.
The Hespe Theatre was renamed the Ritz Theatre under new operators on January 30, 1922 with “The Ruling Passion” and vaudeville. And they even had to get a new organ later that year as creditors seized the Kramer unit. The Ritz converted to sound to remain viable. The Ritz would crumble in the TV age not converting to widescreen and closing on October 23, 1956 with “Killers” and “Sleeping City.” Stanley Warner Management offered their theater for sale and kids got in setting a fire that did minor damage to the property early in 1957. So it was quickly demolished for a parking lot.
This actually launched as the One Cent New York Vaudeville Theatre on November 30, 1906. In fairly short order, it moves from the Once Cent Vaudeville Theatre to the Penny Arcade Theatre to the Phillips Picture Show Theatre / Phillips Theatre to the Imperial Theatre. The Imperial lasts the longest from January 30, 1910 to April 12, 1912 when there is a foreclosure.
R.A. Healy takes on the venue rebranded it as the Hippodrome Theatre launching August 31, 1912 with a $10,000 Kimball pipe organ and “Fra Diavolo” with Billy Quirk. The Hippodrome plays a combination of live vaudeville and movies. By the late 1920s, the Hippodrome was reduced to exploitation films as superior theaters were built including the Worth in 1927. The Hippodrome was raided on August 23, 1931 while playing “Married Love” with live models paired with a burlesque show. On December 13, 1931, it ran a renaming contest.
On December 20, 1931, it became the State Theatre. The programming was family-friendly at the beginning but quickly devolved back to exploitation shows and burlesque. Some boxing matches were held on its stage, as well. A January 8, 1939 Midnight Ramble in which a female impersonator irked audiences. It led to a call to the police, a raid, and - apparently - the end of the State Theater. It was closed and the building was later demolished in favor of a parking lot.
Closed January 5, 1981 with “Tales from the Crypt II” and “Count Dracula and His Vampire Bride.”