Richmond Theatre
1025 S. Big Bend,
St. Louis,
MO
63117
1025 S. Big Bend,
St. Louis,
MO
63117
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The Richmond Theatre opened in 1936 seating 622 as part of the F & M and later became part of the Arthur Enterprises Inc. The Richmond Theatre was located just around the corner from the much larger Esquire Theatre. It played to a different clientele than the Esquire Theatre though. It was always first run and ran the more classy movies in the early days. In its later life it was noted for its art theatre format, running art, independent, and foreign films. When the Esquire Theatre was remodelled and the Mid America Theatre made it a first run house and the Arthur theatres started showing art films at the nearby Shady Oak Theatre the days were numbered for the Richmond Theatre.
Arthur tried a second run policy but the clientele in that area were not into second run theatres. The Richmond Theatre closed quietly in 1966. The building went over to retail use. It had always had retail shops attached to the front but the theatre itself became a sporting goods store. Today only the upper pats of the façade exist.
Contributed by
Chuck Van Bibber
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
Opening date of Richmond was October 23, 1935.
Built by Oscar Lehr; then operated by Kieselhorst & Wilson (who also operated the Shady Oak); in 1937 leased to St. Louis Amusement.
Theatre operated for years as a neighborhood house. Became an art house in the 50s.
Closed as a movie house in December 1959. In October 1960 the Southtown Players, a dramatic group, moved in and presented their productions there until June 1970.
The Richmond Theatre was actually located in Richmond Heights, MO.
Looks like the upper story is there, but the auditorium and lobby were torn out for parking.
I guess this should be listed as demolished.
I can verify the lobby and auditorium are gone. You drive through the former lobby to get to the parking lot where the auditorium was.