I think there may have been a different theater in Boston than what you are talking about. It was designed by the same company the built the Orpheum Theaters in New Orleans, Kansas City and St.Louis. Maybe it was not known as the Orpheum in Boston, but was on the same circuit in the early days. Today’s Orpheum Theater in Boston is not the same theater that was part of the group of theaters built at the same time with a similar design. I will try to find out more about it. However, with that said, I am so grateful that the Boston Paramount has been saved and is beautiful again and also the theater up the street which I think is called The Lyric.
I remember my Dad and I going to the KIMO to see the movie – A Raisin in the Sun. It had an exclusive run at the KIMO and did very well. Ruby Dee and her husband Ozzie Davis were there for opening night along with a sky Light. It was a pretty big deal for Kansas City and it all happened at The Kimo.
The name change for the Kimo was The Festival Theater – it was both a live performance venue and some of the better art films that competed with the Fine Arts Theater. It was really beautiful and the vintage Marquee was repaired with fresh neon and when lit up looked fantastic. I was able to get two of the side wall light fixtures that were identical to the ones that were in the Aladdin Theater. I got parts of those but the pieces were pretty usless without the rest of the fixture. The rug cleaning company that took over the Aladdin Theater building took off those faces to just have the lights showing. I ended up giving my pieces to Rick’s Mom of Rick’s Rock and Roll Club when he was doing reserve duty. Not sure if they were re-installed or now. As for the Kimo – it was completely destroyed when it became a XXX house with live nude performances. Sad loss for Midtown.
I remember when the Gladstone Theater closed – many of the interior things were moved to the Ritz – new screen, new Stage Curtain, Wall Light Fixtures and also seats only to be cut up within a very short time by area teen thugs. It was a very nice theater in the day and I went there with my family when I was young. There was a cry room for mother’s with little ones and it got used quite often. Fantastic Popcorn.
I have pics of the Ritz and will scan and post when I come across them.
I just heard that the old theater building and the entire just sold – I wonder who bought it and what are they going to do with it. It obviously needs a lot of work but that beautiful streetscape is well worth some work on it. By the way, they theater actually closed in 1959 and NOT 1964.
I am pretty sure that the Theater was converted to a roller rink but still retained the marquee and much of the movie theater decor – similar to what was horribly done to the beautiful Gladstone Theater.
It was a nice theater and beautiful when lit up at night. The front half of the theater was demolish and the back half became a plumbing supply store – that part of the building is still standing.
The Rockhill Theater was very beautiful – I remember when the wreckers pulled down that beautiful Marquee and put a very ugly modern canopy and sign in its place . I think it happened in 1965.
After the Benton Theater closed, it because a Dry Cleaning company and Shirt Laundry. For about 15 years the marquee actually remained on the front of the building. I think it was called “One Hour Dry Cleaning ” or something like that. It occupied the Lobby and a part of the auditorium but not a lot. The Seats, and movie equipment had been removed but not much of anything else – you could certainly tell it was a nice theater at one time. I know it was reported that it closed in 1952 but I am pretty sure that it was in the Summer of 1953. Someone once told me that much of the theater equipment was taken to a closed theater on 9th Street in the hope that it would re-open. I do not even know what theater that would have been. I do remember it lit up at night and it was very nice with a lot of Neon and small white lights – very similar to the Uptown Theater – pretty sure the same company designed and build both Marquee’s.
Still looking for pictures of the Aladdin Theater in the early 50s when it was still operating. It was a beautiful theater inside and out. The Pink and Grey Painting in 1955 covered up some real beauty inside. I went there many times when I was young, especially the Summer Saturday Morning 10:00 Movie Series where nearly ever kid in the neighborhood attended. It was nearly capacity at every one of those showings. The Sunday matinee’s were the same – at near capacity from most of the kids in the neighborhood. Previews, Newsreal, a cartoon and usually two movies all for about $.50. Wow, those were the days. It was so beautiful when lit up at night – a lot of neon and dancing lights.
I remember seeing the beautiful Lyric Theater just around the corner from the slightly larger Saenger Theater. It was beautiful and contained a lot of Italian Marble. It had a larger performing arts stage. It was sadly destroy to open up that block to a park. The theater should have been saved – it was a gem in the South and actually a much better theater for acoustics than the Saenger. Where was the public outcry especially since in the 60s it was considered one of the finest in North America. We have a real problem in the USA in discarding our heritage.
It was a terrible shame when it was turned into a video store that is now close. I would love to see returned to an art theater similar to the Varsity but to redo it to look like it did as the Uptown.
Great story – I enjoyed our conversation Don – after we spoke I did remember that the wide screen and matting from the Orpheum Theater used for The Robe was indeed taken over to the Uptown Theater even though the Orpheum was not part of the Fox Midwest Chain. It was being prepared for demolition and I think that took place in early 1960. The demolition of the Orpheum Theater was contracted with the same company that destroyed the Tower and the Esquire Theater. The demolition was delayed because there was a serious plan to save the facade of the Orpheum because it was a replica of the famous Paris Opera House and so was the Lobby. I think there was a lot of happy people thinking this would be nice to still have. With regret, the demolition company began with the roof in the front and the facade was seriously damaged within the first couple of days of demolition, so the plan to save it was scrapped. Very sad loss to KC (both the Tower and the Orpheum). They were both among the most beautiful theaters in North America even nicer than most of the Broadway Theaters and had much larger stages and back and below stage facilities and dressing rooms.
Afternoons or in the evenings after 8:00 pm. Enjoy the restoration of the Orpheum, Loew’s State (Palace) the Joy and the Saenger Theaterss (and a few others). I think the Joy is now a night club but at least it was saved. The Orpheum is similar to our Orpheum that was demolished in 1961.
the Capri was a Durwood Theater near 11th and Broadway and then became the Lyric for many years of performances by the Lyric Opera and the Kansas City Ballet. I really thought that UMKC would take it over. It is a very good theater originally built as a Shriner’s Temple. KMBC TV had their studio in the basement. I hope it can be saved. I did not work at the Plaza but that was a 2nd Cousin of mine that did. If it would have still been owned by the J.C.Nichols Co. it would have never been destroyed -it would have been a great live performance Theater and could could have been easily renovated. I used to go to all the WHB Saturday morning Shows and always sat in the balcony. I saw Goldfinger there. Loved that theater too.
Feel free to call me sometime and let’s talk old KC Theaters. 8168133664
Maybe South Pacific was moved over to the Capri when the Tower finally closed its doors because my family did go to the Capri. There was one more long engagement movie at the Capri before BenHur. BenHur was the longest running movie ever in any KC Theater. I will never forget seeing it there and could not believe how wide the screen was and that beautiful sound. Sadly, my Dad took me to the Auction when the contents were being sold in preparation for the demolition of the Tower and Esquire Theater. All the beautiful Italian Marble on the walls of the long entry way just destroyed with no attempt to salvage it. The screen had already been removed and half of the seats were gone. We walked up to the projection booth and also just looked at the beauty of the theater especially the ceiling and the stage that was going to be gone in a short time. It was a sad time for KC especially because the Orpheum was meeting the same fate just a few months later.
I just remembered that the Todd-A-O screen at the Tower was set up for the very long run of Oklahoma which ran for more than a year. The next movie was Around the World in 80 Days but was later transferred up the the RKO Missouri (Mainstreet, Cinerama and later Empire.I think either Around the World in 80 Day or Suddenly Last Summer was the last film to play the RKO Missouri before it was changed to 3 projection Cinerama. At that time the first ¼ of the balcony was removed in addition to the side lodges in front of the organ pipe grills.
That was all covered by drapes.
To WTKFLHN – The large slightly curved Todd-A-O screen either went to the Brookside or the Plaza Theater. I am thinking the Brookside. The Wide Screen at the Orpheum was large but still smaller than the Tower’s huge screen. I do not remember South Pacific ever showing at the Tower, I thought that it was the the very first move shown at The Capri Theater. I may be Wrong. I was once told that the Orpheum Screen may have gone to the Capri instead of the Plaza. The screen at the Plaza was actually a curved Todd-A-O Screen but may have been brand new when it was mounted in front of the stage with light orange stage drapes. The Plaza was the 1st theater with any kind of surround sound ( it was actually a 2 channel stereo but sounded fantastic anyway ). The Esquire had no stage left – it was removed when the Pantages was built. I do not remember it having any stage curtain when I saw some Disney movies there in the 50s.
Is there any updates for the Lyric Theater – it would be perfect for UMKC and there is plenty of space to expand. It would be sad to loose another historic downtown Kansas City Theater.
I think there may have been a different theater in Boston than what you are talking about. It was designed by the same company the built the Orpheum Theaters in New Orleans, Kansas City and St.Louis. Maybe it was not known as the Orpheum in Boston, but was on the same circuit in the early days. Today’s Orpheum Theater in Boston is not the same theater that was part of the group of theaters built at the same time with a similar design. I will try to find out more about it. However, with that said, I am so grateful that the Boston Paramount has been saved and is beautiful again and also the theater up the street which I think is called The Lyric.
I remember my Dad and I going to the KIMO to see the movie – A Raisin in the Sun. It had an exclusive run at the KIMO and did very well. Ruby Dee and her husband Ozzie Davis were there for opening night along with a sky Light. It was a pretty big deal for Kansas City and it all happened at The Kimo.
The name change for the Kimo was The Festival Theater – it was both a live performance venue and some of the better art films that competed with the Fine Arts Theater. It was really beautiful and the vintage Marquee was repaired with fresh neon and when lit up looked fantastic. I was able to get two of the side wall light fixtures that were identical to the ones that were in the Aladdin Theater. I got parts of those but the pieces were pretty usless without the rest of the fixture. The rug cleaning company that took over the Aladdin Theater building took off those faces to just have the lights showing. I ended up giving my pieces to Rick’s Mom of Rick’s Rock and Roll Club when he was doing reserve duty. Not sure if they were re-installed or now. As for the Kimo – it was completely destroyed when it became a XXX house with live nude performances. Sad loss for Midtown.
I remember when the Gladstone Theater closed – many of the interior things were moved to the Ritz – new screen, new Stage Curtain, Wall Light Fixtures and also seats only to be cut up within a very short time by area teen thugs. It was a very nice theater in the day and I went there with my family when I was young. There was a cry room for mother’s with little ones and it got used quite often. Fantastic Popcorn.
I have pics of the Ritz and will scan and post when I come across them.
I just heard that the old theater building and the entire just sold – I wonder who bought it and what are they going to do with it. It obviously needs a lot of work but that beautiful streetscape is well worth some work on it. By the way, they theater actually closed in 1959 and NOT 1964.
Patton had an exclusive run at the Empire Theater and it was probably the last 70 mm film there with the curved very large Cinerama screen.
The Emerald became the PIX Theater in the early 50s but was closed around 1955.
I am pretty sure that the Theater was converted to a roller rink but still retained the marquee and much of the movie theater decor – similar to what was horribly done to the beautiful Gladstone Theater.
It was a nice theater and beautiful when lit up at night. The front half of the theater was demolish and the back half became a plumbing supply store – that part of the building is still standing.
Did the Roanoke Theater become the Glen Theater or was that another one?
Wish someone could post a pic of the Vista when it was operating as a theater.
The Rockhill Theater was very beautiful – I remember when the wreckers pulled down that beautiful Marquee and put a very ugly modern canopy and sign in its place . I think it happened in 1965.
After the Benton Theater closed, it because a Dry Cleaning company and Shirt Laundry. For about 15 years the marquee actually remained on the front of the building. I think it was called “One Hour Dry Cleaning ” or something like that. It occupied the Lobby and a part of the auditorium but not a lot. The Seats, and movie equipment had been removed but not much of anything else – you could certainly tell it was a nice theater at one time. I know it was reported that it closed in 1952 but I am pretty sure that it was in the Summer of 1953. Someone once told me that much of the theater equipment was taken to a closed theater on 9th Street in the hope that it would re-open. I do not even know what theater that would have been. I do remember it lit up at night and it was very nice with a lot of Neon and small white lights – very similar to the Uptown Theater – pretty sure the same company designed and build both Marquee’s.
Sad loss for Downtown Des Moines, IS I know that the also lost the River Hills and the Riviera. Loved those theaters.
Still looking for pictures of the Aladdin Theater in the early 50s when it was still operating. It was a beautiful theater inside and out. The Pink and Grey Painting in 1955 covered up some real beauty inside. I went there many times when I was young, especially the Summer Saturday Morning 10:00 Movie Series where nearly ever kid in the neighborhood attended. It was nearly capacity at every one of those showings. The Sunday matinee’s were the same – at near capacity from most of the kids in the neighborhood. Previews, Newsreal, a cartoon and usually two movies all for about $.50. Wow, those were the days. It was so beautiful when lit up at night – a lot of neon and dancing lights.
The Roxy and the Fox were horrible losses for North America.
I remember seeing the beautiful Lyric Theater just around the corner from the slightly larger Saenger Theater. It was beautiful and contained a lot of Italian Marble. It had a larger performing arts stage. It was sadly destroy to open up that block to a park. The theater should have been saved – it was a gem in the South and actually a much better theater for acoustics than the Saenger. Where was the public outcry especially since in the 60s it was considered one of the finest in North America. We have a real problem in the USA in discarding our heritage.
It was a terrible shame when it was turned into a video store that is now close. I would love to see returned to an art theater similar to the Varsity but to redo it to look like it did as the Uptown.
Great story – I enjoyed our conversation Don – after we spoke I did remember that the wide screen and matting from the Orpheum Theater used for The Robe was indeed taken over to the Uptown Theater even though the Orpheum was not part of the Fox Midwest Chain. It was being prepared for demolition and I think that took place in early 1960. The demolition of the Orpheum Theater was contracted with the same company that destroyed the Tower and the Esquire Theater. The demolition was delayed because there was a serious plan to save the facade of the Orpheum because it was a replica of the famous Paris Opera House and so was the Lobby. I think there was a lot of happy people thinking this would be nice to still have. With regret, the demolition company began with the roof in the front and the facade was seriously damaged within the first couple of days of demolition, so the plan to save it was scrapped. Very sad loss to KC (both the Tower and the Orpheum). They were both among the most beautiful theaters in North America even nicer than most of the Broadway Theaters and had much larger stages and back and below stage facilities and dressing rooms.
Afternoons or in the evenings after 8:00 pm. Enjoy the restoration of the Orpheum, Loew’s State (Palace) the Joy and the Saenger Theaterss (and a few others). I think the Joy is now a night club but at least it was saved. The Orpheum is similar to our Orpheum that was demolished in 1961.
the Capri was a Durwood Theater near 11th and Broadway and then became the Lyric for many years of performances by the Lyric Opera and the Kansas City Ballet. I really thought that UMKC would take it over. It is a very good theater originally built as a Shriner’s Temple. KMBC TV had their studio in the basement. I hope it can be saved. I did not work at the Plaza but that was a 2nd Cousin of mine that did. If it would have still been owned by the J.C.Nichols Co. it would have never been destroyed -it would have been a great live performance Theater and could could have been easily renovated. I used to go to all the WHB Saturday morning Shows and always sat in the balcony. I saw Goldfinger there. Loved that theater too. Feel free to call me sometime and let’s talk old KC Theaters. 8168133664
Maybe South Pacific was moved over to the Capri when the Tower finally closed its doors because my family did go to the Capri. There was one more long engagement movie at the Capri before BenHur. BenHur was the longest running movie ever in any KC Theater. I will never forget seeing it there and could not believe how wide the screen was and that beautiful sound. Sadly, my Dad took me to the Auction when the contents were being sold in preparation for the demolition of the Tower and Esquire Theater. All the beautiful Italian Marble on the walls of the long entry way just destroyed with no attempt to salvage it. The screen had already been removed and half of the seats were gone. We walked up to the projection booth and also just looked at the beauty of the theater especially the ceiling and the stage that was going to be gone in a short time. It was a sad time for KC especially because the Orpheum was meeting the same fate just a few months later.
I just remembered that the Todd-A-O screen at the Tower was set up for the very long run of Oklahoma which ran for more than a year. The next movie was Around the World in 80 Days but was later transferred up the the RKO Missouri (Mainstreet, Cinerama and later Empire.I think either Around the World in 80 Day or Suddenly Last Summer was the last film to play the RKO Missouri before it was changed to 3 projection Cinerama. At that time the first ¼ of the balcony was removed in addition to the side lodges in front of the organ pipe grills. That was all covered by drapes.
To WTKFLHN – The large slightly curved Todd-A-O screen either went to the Brookside or the Plaza Theater. I am thinking the Brookside. The Wide Screen at the Orpheum was large but still smaller than the Tower’s huge screen. I do not remember South Pacific ever showing at the Tower, I thought that it was the the very first move shown at The Capri Theater. I may be Wrong. I was once told that the Orpheum Screen may have gone to the Capri instead of the Plaza. The screen at the Plaza was actually a curved Todd-A-O Screen but may have been brand new when it was mounted in front of the stage with light orange stage drapes. The Plaza was the 1st theater with any kind of surround sound ( it was actually a 2 channel stereo but sounded fantastic anyway ). The Esquire had no stage left – it was removed when the Pantages was built. I do not remember it having any stage curtain when I saw some Disney movies there in the 50s.
Is there any updates for the Lyric Theater – it would be perfect for UMKC and there is plenty of space to expand. It would be sad to loose another historic downtown Kansas City Theater.