Majestic II OST

4010 Old Spanish Trail,
Houston, TX 77021

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: McLendon Theaters

Styles: Streamline Moderne

Previous Names: OST Theater, Old Spanish Trail Theater, Paris Cinema

Nearby Theaters

Majestic II OST

The OST Theater (Old Spanish Trail) opened in the late-1940’s. It was a second run independently owned neighborhood theater. I worked there as in usher in 1953-54. Duties also included helping clean the theater and changing the marquee. I received and additional 75 cents for the marquee. Cleaning the theater had an extra bonus. A hand held blower was used to blow all the cups, popcorn bags and candy wrappers to the front to the theater where they were then swept up. Along with the trash was always some loose change…that was mine. Some days I collected almost a dollar :) The smell of a theater after a Saturday morning kid show is quite unforgettable. The unique blend of chewing gum, popcorn, candy and Coke will be burned into my memory forever.

From September 1, 1961 it was renamed Paris Cinema, opening with the Jean Luc Gardard film “A Bout de Souffle” (Breathless). It later went onto adult movies until 1972. On May 4, 1973 it was taken over by McLendon Theatres and was renamed Majestic II OST and closed in 1982.

The building stands boarded up and vacant in 2022.

Contributed by Dana Grantham

Recent comments (view all 13 comments)

rkenney170
rkenney170 on June 19, 2008 at 8:03 pm

I grew up two blocks away on Charleston St and didn’t miss a show for years in the 50’s. In the late 60’s and 70’s it was taken over by a Porno chain and called the Paris Theater. I haven’t been in that area for many years, but if you look on Google Earth, it seems as if the structure is still there.

antarian
antarian on June 15, 2009 at 5:09 pm

My mother would take me to the OST Saturday mornings when I was nine years old. It was my regular thing to do on Saturday. That was in 1957. I loved going there. It cost a quarter to get in and I’d usually buy a candy bar. I did not know the building was still there until I found this site.

sepiatone
sepiatone on November 3, 2009 at 1:15 am

The OST opened on February 15, 1947. The premier feature was “Rendezvous with Annie” with Eddie Albert and Faye Marlowe. The OST’s general contractor was Paul Marxten and the structural engineer was Francis J. Niven.

dougsmith
dougsmith on July 13, 2012 at 4:35 pm

I WORKED AT THE OST ALSO WITH MY BEST FRIEND EDDIE VETTER AROUND 1953-56-WORKED AT THE KIDDIE SHOWS ON SATURDAY-I WOULD ALWAYS LET MY FRIENDS GO TO THE BALCONY AWAY FROM THE LITTLE KIDS-LOVED TO MAKE THE POPCORN (SO GOOD)AND FREE-MR FOSTER ALWAYS LET ME COME AT NIGHT TO SEE THE SHOWS FOR FREE-EVEN AFTER I QUIT WORKING THERE I STILL ATTENDED THE THEATER AND ENJOYED GETTING AN ICE CREAM CONE NEXT DOOR-I CAN’T BELIEVE AT 72 YEARS OLD I STILL REMEMBER THE FUN I HAD THERE

dougsmith
dougsmith on July 13, 2012 at 4:35 pm

I WORKED AT THE OST ALSO WITH MY BEST FRIEND EDDIE VETTER AROUND 1953-56-WORKED AT THE KIDDIE SHOWS ON SATURDAY-I WOULD ALWAYS LET MY FRIENDS GO TO THE BALCONY AWAY FROM THE LITTLE KIDS-LOVED TO MAKE THE POPCORN (SO GOOD)AND FREE-MR FOSTER ALWAYS LET ME COME AT NIGHT TO SEE THE SHOWS FOR FREE-EVEN AFTER I QUIT WORKING THERE I STILL ATTENDED THE THEATER AND ENJOYED GETTING AN ICE CREAM CONE NEXT DOOR-I CAN’T BELIEVE AT 72 YEARS OLD I STILL REMEMBER THE FUN I HAD THERE

photographermary
photographermary on January 2, 2015 at 5:11 pm

Its 2015 and I went by this theater yesterday. I am a amateur photographer and came across it. The theater is closed but still standing as of this writing.

robboehm
robboehm on January 2, 2015 at 5:51 pm

Would be nice if someone had a picture of the theater with the marquee.

rivest266
rivest266 on November 10, 2022 at 6:28 pm

This was showing adult movies as Paris starting in the late 1960’s to 1972. It was taken over by McLendon theatres on May 4th, 1973, and renamed Majestic II OST. Grand opening ad posted.

rivest266
rivest266 on July 4, 2023 at 7:51 pm

Reopened as Paris on September 1st, 1961, with the 1960 French movie, “À bout de souffle (Breathless)”

rivest266
rivest266 on January 25, 2024 at 6:30 am

Closed or stopped placing ads in the Chronicle in 1982

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