King Cinema III

216 S. 7th Street,
La Crosse, WI 54601

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Showing 11 comments

rivest266
rivest266 on January 16, 2019 at 5:11 pm

This opened on August 22nd, 1972 (a day before the Marcus Cinemas opened) as a twin cinema and taken over by Marcus in 1984. The largest cinema was split into two creating three screens opening on April 17th, 1987 and closed in 2004. 1972 grand opening ad posted.

PackerBacker
PackerBacker on March 21, 2018 at 12:40 pm

David is correct. Th King theatre was originally going to be a Jerry Lewis Cinema, but money became a problem and Marvin Mann of Cinemaland Theatres in Minneapolis purchased the Theatre managed by Dick Lepsch. The King was originally a twin theatre.

Coate
Coate on February 1, 2011 at 12:05 pm

That would be August of ‘79. :–)

drbjerkaas
drbjerkaas on February 1, 2011 at 10:21 am

All original Star Wars movies were show at the Hollywood. Mike is correct. Star Wars Ep. IV was shown at the King in August, 1980 with a 2 minute trailer for TESB. That’s the only time Star Wars was shown at the King.

Coate
Coate on January 28, 2011 at 4:22 pm

<<< “I will always have fond memories of the old King Theaters though, as that was where my parents took me to see this new film that was out, that everyone was talking about…‘Star Wars.’ ” >>>

The La Crosse first-run engagement of “Star Wars” was actually at the Plitt Hollywood, not at the King. Perhaps it was during one of the film’s numerous re-issues that you saw it at the King?

davidsdata110011
davidsdata110011 on January 28, 2011 at 3:19 pm

Originally owned by Cinemaland Theatres of Minneapolis' Marvin Mann, Ted Mann’s brother. Marcus Theatres purchased the theatre in May, 1983.

wisdoug
wisdoug on December 15, 2007 at 11:57 am

A federal government building now occupies this spot. A lovely building but still hard to replace the memories.

wisdoug
wisdoug on September 13, 2006 at 7:16 pm

Alas, the King Theater is simply a vacant lot at this point. There is nothing to remind one of the theater that once occupied the spot.

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on August 8, 2006 at 4:22 pm

Here is an article about the closing from the local paper:
http://tinyurl.com/ektdh

Corsair09
Corsair09 on August 30, 2005 at 6:34 am

A shamne really, but towards the end, it was showing second-run films, and just couldn’t compete with either of the big multiplex theaters in La Crosse. I will always have fond memories of the old King Theaters though, as that was where my parents took me to see this new film that was out, that everyone was talking about.. “Star Wars.” Also, in 1970’s, we never had much money, but we managed to go see movies there back when they had $.99 movies. We all shared a popcorn and soda..

In later years, I lived in an apartment builing just down the street from the King while I was in College. The building is still there, on the corner of Seventh and Cass, and is the same unfortunate shade of green. In the summer time, the smell of fresh popcorn emanating from the King Theater would be nearly overwhelming.

Farewell, old friend..

wisdoug
wisdoug on November 5, 2004 at 8:16 pm

Unfortunately, Marcus Theaters quietly closed the King Cinema on November 24, 2004. The building is vacant and there are no known plans for the facility.