Senate Theatre

dallasmovietheaters on August 19, 2026 at 10:50 pm

Cecil W. Cannon & L. W. Trescott opened the Orpheum in the former E.S. Metts Cash Store in December of 1919 with Cannon’s wife playing the piano to accompany the films. Ed Huckstep, known for the Huckstep Theatre in Bowling Green, had a gasoline powered popcorn stand in front of the theatre. Cannon and Gladney updated to sound to remain viable. The opening date is believed to be December 12, 1919. (Disregard the 1911 dates and its name as the “Senate” at that time above as the records are pretty clear about the theater taking over the Metts retail store.)

Cannon died entering the building which had a projection booth fire on September 7, 1937 just a half hour into the show featuring “Married Before Breakfast.” His wife, Margaret Cannon (later Gladney) carried on the show from October 1, 1937 to January of 1953. The members of the Cannon family stayed active in the theatre selling popcorn balls after Huckstep passed. They made enough money to create a concession stand with electric popper in the Orpheuem.

In January of 1953, Gladney sold the Orpheum to State Senator and future U.S. Senator Edward Vaughn Long of Long Theatres Inc. He gave the venue a brand new projection room and more. Believe it or not, after the theatre was closed for a month, Senator Long is the one who renamed it as the Senate Theatre on April 2, 1953 with “Road to Bali.” The venue closed in 1973 at the expiry of its 20-year leasing. agreement. It was offered for sale in 1974.

Robert and Sandra Sinnett took on the venue in 1974 reopening it along with Virgial and Lucy Weeks over a 25 year period until Sandra got ill in 1999. The City of Elsberry took over the operation purportedly. The Sinnett family came back into the operation converting it to digital in the process. The venue made it to its 100th Anniversary on December 12, 2020; but COVID-19 closed the venue for a full year from March 2020 to March 13, 2021 when the “Croods New Age” reopened the Senate. It was still in session in the mid-2020s.

Note: The Orpheum entry in the database is a duplicate but could contain basically all of this information.

rastlin45 on May 28, 2015 at 7:19 pm

this theatre was open in 1911 somone has not done their home work i know because i own the place with my family.it is 104yrs young. it was brought by senator long in the 50s but has been here for 104yrs.it burned in 1912,1925,1950,1956,and 2010.after each fire the old girl was rebult.and we love her still.she is one of the hidden treasures.in the world she says to all come in and let me comfort you for a hour or two. and dream a dream and belive in magic.and forget your trouble for a little while

CSWalczak on November 25, 2012 at 12:47 am

The Senate has converted to digital projection: View article

Simon Overton on January 23, 2011 at 4:24 pm

If the fire that caused the damage was of NO FAULT of the theater, then surely (and don’t call me Shirley) the insurance coverage is the responsibility of the owner of the building next door?

Perhaps the theater owner should investigate an insurance clause called “PROXIMATE CAUSE.” Good luck folks and don’t give up!

bloosoda on December 29, 2008 at 7:59 pm

Still open today!