State Theatre

The State can be seen in this 1940s postcard:
http://tinyurl.com/dmr8ck

This venue opened as a silent era theatre likely as the Electric Theatre in 1914. That venue was then advertised as the Mercedes Moving Picture Theatre in 1915 and turned Western Queen Theatre in 1916. It is presumed, though perhaps incorrectly, that it then became the Empire Theatre. Its first ad under that name is February 5, 1917 with “The Thunderbolt.” (The ad cadence suggests that timing is correct from 1914 to 1917; but it is unclear if this is the same building. However, because the Empire received significant an interior upgrade in 1921, it is likely the same facility.)

Paramount/Publix took on the Empire Theatre and refreshed it with sound at a relaunch as the Capitol Theatre on August 29, 1930 with the Marx Brothers in “Animal Crackers.” Publix entered into financial chicanery and gamesmanship with the theater sold to Paschall-Texas Theatres Circuit. In 1937, the Capitol was given a major streamline moderne makeover and renamed as the State Theatre on March 27, 1937 with Joe E. Brown in “When’s Your Birthday.” The State Theatre closed July 29, 1964 with a double feature of “The Incredible Mr. Limpet” and “Hatari.”