The Benton Harbor News-Palladium reported on the closing of the theater on October 29, 1972. Here is an exceprt from the 10/24/72 article as well as a photo from that day’s issue: http://tinyurl.com/9zf2p5
The “last picture show†will play Sunday, October 29, at the Liberty Theater in Benton Harbor. That isn’t the title of the film, but the curtain will drop for the last time on the Liberty under the operation of Butterfield Theaters.
Harry Himes, Liberty manager, said Butterfield’s lease terminates Nov. 1 with the owner of the building, Highland Building orporation, 1701 West 87th street, Chicago. Himes said Butterfield decided not to renew the building lease because of declining attendance caused by opening of new theaters in area shopping centers.
Butterfield will leave the Liberty as an operating theater â€" fully equipped and ready to go. Edward David, president of Highland Building Corporation, said he is hopeful of finding a new tenant to continue operation as a theater. Himes, Liberty manager since 1950, said he will remain with Butterfield as supervisor of a group of theaters in western Michigan. Butterfield operates 50 theaters in the state. Himes will continue residency here for the present.
The Liberty has been a Benton Harbor landmark at 212 East Main Street since it opened in 1922 â€" the days of vaudeville and silent films. “Talkies” arrived in 1929 when “Submarine” drew a record single day crowd of 7,000 as the first “sound” film at the Liberty. The Liberty has been remodeled several times to keep abreast of cinematic technology and provide comfort for the audience to make it one of the top showplaces in western Michigan.
Nostalgia buffs will remember it as a theater where stage shows and movies appeared on the same billing, where Blossom queens were crowned, where “Gone With The Wind” was first shown in this area.
Here is an 11/19/49 item from the Alton Evening Telegraph:
The Roxana Theater will reopen Sundayâ€"and thereby will culminate a long, hard and successful fight against discouragement by Mr. and Mrs., Albert Critchlow, owners and operators of the motion-picture theater. Last May 21, when a tornado struck Wood River and a section of Roxana, the theater was badly damaged. The roof was blown off, and the theater was extensively damaged otherwise. Mr. and Mrs. Critchlow started as soon as possible on the job of rebuilding the theater. Delays now and then were discouraging, but they persevered. A new roof was constructed, other damage was repaired.
While the work was under way, Mr. and Mrs. Critchlow decided to add improvements to their popular theater. A new lounge has been added, and other alterations made. The theater has been completely redecorated. The result is that, the spacious Roxana is among the most beautiful and commoditious (sic) theaters in this section.
The reopening has been set for 1 p.m. Sunday. Programmed is a double featureâ€"Clark Gable and Alex Smith in “Any Number Can Play” and Loretta Young and Van Johnson in “Mother Is a Freshman.” Mr, and Mrs. Critchlow formerly operated the Temple Theater in Alton. They opened the Roxana Theater on Sept. 1, 1940, and operated continuously until last May, when the tornado struck.
Here is part of an article in the Southern Illinoisan, dated 11/12/71:
The Palace Theater, once dubbed the “outstanding showhouse of the area” during the peak era of indoor theaters, was transferred Thursday to the Johnston City Unit One School District. The theater will be used for echool and community cultural activities. The name has been changed to the Robert Cluster Memorial Theater.
Mrs. Robert Cluster of Hollywood, Fla,, and her sons, Stewart, a circuit judge in the First Judicial District, and Loren, a Florida stockbroker, presented the theater, in the 400 block of East Boulevard in Johnston City, to the school district Thursday afternoon. The theater was purchased by the late Robert Cluster in the 1920s. Cluster constructed the gingerbread exterior and wings inside the building, according to K. Neil Thurmond, former Johnston City mayor and now postmaster. Thurmond said Cluster “dressed it up and made a theater out of it.”
Thurmond said Cluster featured such figures as Tom Mix and Tex Ritter in stage shows. He called it the outstanding showhouse of the area. The Palace Theater was the site of the first showing of a talking picture in Southern Illinois in 1927. The movie, “The Jazz Singer” starring Al Jolson, ran for three weeks.
Before purchasing the Palace Theater and the Star Theater from Louis Moroni, Cluster had purchased the American Theater from Charles Jones in Johnston City. The American burned and the Star was closed. Moroni constructed the Palace Theater to the early 1900s, according to Thurmond.
In Cluster’s 47 years as motion picture exhibitor he owned or had an interest in theaters in Christopher, Johnston City, Sesser, West Frankfort, Benton, Pinckneyville, Sparta, Flora, Metropolis, Mt. Vernon, Belleville, Valier , New North, Fairfield, Collinsville and Salem.
Here is part of a June 3, 1958 article in the Edwardsville Intelligencer:
The Lux Theater, originally known in yesteryears as the Oh-Gee, will pass into Edwardsville history Saturday night at 11:15 when the concluding reel of the last performance reaches “finisâ€. Announcing Tuesday his decision to shut down the theater portion of the building as of Saturday night, owner Clyde Metcalf said he was doing so to devote more time to the real estate and insurance business.
In response to a question Metcalf indicated that he did not expect the theater space to remain dormant for any appreciable length of time. Metcalf came here in 1942 to assume management of the Lux, having at that time an interest also in theaters in Jerseyville and Girard in partnership with Ballard & Horn.
Originally the building here was a combination hardware and grocery store, operated by the late William Kriege. When Kriege retired from business, Olin Giese bought the property, remodeled and enlarged it for theater operations. Renamed the Giese building, the theater was christened the Oh-Gee. Years later it became the Lux.
An article in the San Mateo Times in November 1975 included a photo of the Serra. They were talking about turning the theater into a municipal auditorium. http://tinyurl.com/bh3bjl
Going back to the 3/11/09 comment, remember that Bruce Springsteen opened for Anne Murray once, and the audience didn’t want him to leave the stage. That was the last time he was an opening act.
Local in Utah? There were Lyceum and Cozy theaters in DT LA in the 1930s, as I recall.
The Benton Harbor News-Palladium reported on the closing of the theater on October 29, 1972. Here is an exceprt from the 10/24/72 article as well as a photo from that day’s issue:
http://tinyurl.com/9zf2p5
The “last picture show†will play Sunday, October 29, at the Liberty Theater in Benton Harbor. That isn’t the title of the film, but the curtain will drop for the last time on the Liberty under the operation of Butterfield Theaters.
Harry Himes, Liberty manager, said Butterfield’s lease terminates Nov. 1 with the owner of the building, Highland Building orporation, 1701 West 87th street, Chicago. Himes said Butterfield decided not to renew the building lease because of declining attendance caused by opening of new theaters in area shopping centers.
Butterfield will leave the Liberty as an operating theater â€" fully equipped and ready to go. Edward David, president of Highland Building Corporation, said he is hopeful of finding a new tenant to continue operation as a theater. Himes, Liberty manager since 1950, said he will remain with Butterfield as supervisor of a group of theaters in western Michigan. Butterfield operates 50 theaters in the state. Himes will continue residency here for the present.
The Liberty has been a Benton Harbor landmark at 212 East Main Street since it opened in 1922 â€" the days of vaudeville and silent films. “Talkies” arrived in 1929 when “Submarine” drew a record single day crowd of 7,000 as the first “sound” film at the Liberty. The Liberty has been remodeled several times to keep abreast of cinematic technology and provide comfort for the audience to make it one of the top showplaces in western Michigan.
Nostalgia buffs will remember it as a theater where stage shows and movies appeared on the same billing, where Blossom queens were crowned, where “Gone With The Wind” was first shown in this area.
Fire at the Henn last week:
http://tinyurl.com/cev629
Here is a March 2009 article from the Baltimore Sun:
http://tinyurl.com/c82jna
It was in Minnesota somewhere. It was a photo from Life magazine that was probably miscaptioned.
Here is an 11/19/49 item from the Alton Evening Telegraph:
The Roxana Theater will reopen Sundayâ€"and thereby will culminate a long, hard and successful fight against discouragement by Mr. and Mrs., Albert Critchlow, owners and operators of the motion-picture theater. Last May 21, when a tornado struck Wood River and a section of Roxana, the theater was badly damaged. The roof was blown off, and the theater was extensively damaged otherwise. Mr. and Mrs. Critchlow started as soon as possible on the job of rebuilding the theater. Delays now and then were discouraging, but they persevered. A new roof was constructed, other damage was repaired.
While the work was under way, Mr. and Mrs. Critchlow decided to add improvements to their popular theater. A new lounge has been added, and other alterations made. The theater has been completely redecorated. The result is that, the spacious Roxana is among the most beautiful and commoditious (sic) theaters in this section.
The reopening has been set for 1 p.m. Sunday. Programmed is a double featureâ€"Clark Gable and Alex Smith in “Any Number Can Play” and Loretta Young and Van Johnson in “Mother Is a Freshman.” Mr, and Mrs. Critchlow formerly operated the Temple Theater in Alton. They opened the Roxana Theater on Sept. 1, 1940, and operated continuously until last May, when the tornado struck.
Here is part of an article in the Southern Illinoisan, dated 11/12/71:
The Palace Theater, once dubbed the “outstanding showhouse of the area” during the peak era of indoor theaters, was transferred Thursday to the Johnston City Unit One School District. The theater will be used for echool and community cultural activities. The name has been changed to the Robert Cluster Memorial Theater.
Mrs. Robert Cluster of Hollywood, Fla,, and her sons, Stewart, a circuit judge in the First Judicial District, and Loren, a Florida stockbroker, presented the theater, in the 400 block of East Boulevard in Johnston City, to the school district Thursday afternoon. The theater was purchased by the late Robert Cluster in the 1920s. Cluster constructed the gingerbread exterior and wings inside the building, according to K. Neil Thurmond, former Johnston City mayor and now postmaster. Thurmond said Cluster “dressed it up and made a theater out of it.”
Thurmond said Cluster featured such figures as Tom Mix and Tex Ritter in stage shows. He called it the outstanding showhouse of the area. The Palace Theater was the site of the first showing of a talking picture in Southern Illinois in 1927. The movie, “The Jazz Singer” starring Al Jolson, ran for three weeks.
Before purchasing the Palace Theater and the Star Theater from Louis Moroni, Cluster had purchased the American Theater from Charles Jones in Johnston City. The American burned and the Star was closed. Moroni constructed the Palace Theater to the early 1900s, according to Thurmond.
In Cluster’s 47 years as motion picture exhibitor he owned or had an interest in theaters in Christopher, Johnston City, Sesser, West Frankfort, Benton, Pinckneyville, Sparta, Flora, Metropolis, Mt. Vernon, Belleville, Valier , New North, Fairfield, Collinsville and Salem.
Here is a June 1945 ad from the El Paso Herald-Post:
http://tinyurl.com/cauubd
There is an enormous office building at 1401 Elm that takes up the odd side of the block. No sign of any theater building.
It’s currently a church:
God’s Greater Holy Temple Church
4310 S 2nd Ave
Dallas, TX 75210
(214) 426-5656‎
Here is part of a June 3, 1958 article in the Edwardsville Intelligencer:
The Lux Theater, originally known in yesteryears as the Oh-Gee, will pass into Edwardsville history Saturday night at 11:15 when the concluding reel of the last performance reaches “finisâ€. Announcing Tuesday his decision to shut down the theater portion of the building as of Saturday night, owner Clyde Metcalf said he was doing so to devote more time to the real estate and insurance business.
In response to a question Metcalf indicated that he did not expect the theater space to remain dormant for any appreciable length of time. Metcalf came here in 1942 to assume management of the Lux, having at that time an interest also in theaters in Jerseyville and Girard in partnership with Ballard & Horn.
Originally the building here was a combination hardware and grocery store, operated by the late William Kriege. When Kriege retired from business, Olin Giese bought the property, remodeled and enlarged it for theater operations. Renamed the Giese building, the theater was christened the Oh-Gee. Years later it became the Lux.
Here is a December 1957 ad from the Harrisburg Daily Register. “Zero Hour” was the inspiration for the 1980 film “Airplane”.
http://tinyurl.com/cksz9j
This photo from wikipedia shows the location of the former Grand Theater on Main Street:
http://tinyurl.com/bdknof
Here is a November 1955 ad from the Suburbanite Economist:
http://tinyurl.com/bvmwnj
Here is a November 1949 ad from the Alton Evening Telegraph:
http://tinyurl.com/bqshox
An article in the San Mateo Times in November 1975 included a photo of the Serra. They were talking about turning the theater into a municipal auditorium.
http://tinyurl.com/bh3bjl
Here is an April 1966 ad from the Pasadena Independent:
http://tinyurl.com/bf73vf
Here is a November 1965 ad from the Fresno Bee Republican. It looks like they were showing adult films by that time.
http://tinyurl.com/dkhkwc
Going back to the 3/11/09 comment, remember that Bruce Springsteen opened for Anne Murray once, and the audience didn’t want him to leave the stage. That was the last time he was an opening act.
Here is an April 1964 ad from the Oakland Tribune:
http://tinyurl.com/arkn4u
Here is an October 1972 ad from the Oxnard Press-Courier:
http://tinyurl.com/cb8mwt
Here is a March 1977 ad from the Placerville Mountain Democrat:
http://tinyurl.com/cqqr4j
Here is a June 1949 ad from the Wisconsin State Journal:
http://tinyurl.com/cnbvlg
Here is an October 27, 1963 ad from the Appleton Post-Crescent:
http://tinyurl.com/admnmo
A photo of the theater accompanied a March 7, 1971 article in the Appleton Post-Crescent when the theater closed:
http://tinyurl.com/c4672j