Oh boy! The Regent had 400 seats. It was purchased by the Crouse family from Publix around 1935. Originally an F & R Theatre. The F & R Logo is still at the top of the front of the building. I worked as the projectionist from 1952 until the theatre closed for good in June of 1954. Ran the last show. I still have many many fond memories. Also, have several pictures. Booth was equipt with Western Electric Universal Bases and Sound, Simplex Standard Projection Heads, and Jewell 1 kw Arc Lamps. The Universal Bases still had the two drive shafts and chain drive take ups. More later.
In reply to Todd, the Tacora opened in Aurora, Mn either in 1955 or 1956. Really, not as old and historic as many of the other theatres in the area. I worked in the booth during the first summer of operation. Replaced an older theatre that had burnt to the ground several yeras eariler. I don’t remember a time when the State Theatre in Ely was not running movies. And, I’m in my 70’s.
Oxboro Theatre was originally built by Mary and Otto Cob. They ran the theatre for many years, but eventually sold to the Paul Mans. Mans son Richard ran the theatre. I think the Mans sold the theatre to the Englers who changed the name to Studio 97. Otto and Mary Cob went on to build and run the Flying Cloud Drive In Theatre. Dick
Very nice picture of Chestnut Steet, Virginia, Minnesota. The Granada Theatre was owned and operated by the Deutsch family. The State Theatre was operated by the Minnesota Amusement Company and closed in 1955. The Maco and Granada Theatre ran “A” product. The State was the “action house”, screening “B” pictures, serials, and was used as a “move over house” and a “revival house”.
The State was originally opened as the Lyric Theatre. It was a vaudville house, with a wide but not to deep autditorium and a large balcany (entire theatre probably sat 500). The lobby area was converted to retail stores. The auditorium and stage are still there waiting to be used again. I was in the space about two years ago. The old “fire curtain” is still working.
There is a group, Lyric Theatre Center for the Arts, that hopes to refurbish this theatre.
From the picture, the white building next to the State Theatre was the old Faye Hotel. The Faye burnt to the ground shortly after this picture was taken.
To comment on statements made by “ken mc”. Many of the towns in Northern Minnesota had three theatres. Virginia had a population around the time the photo was taken of around 11,000. Eveleth, five miles from Virginia, popultation 1948 around 6,000, also had three theatres. I started in the projection booth of the Regent Theatre in Eveleth. Worked a couple of shifts at the Virginia State.
The MACO is now being used as a church. The marquee and the entire exterior looks today as it looked during the theatre’s “hayday”. I have pictures ready to post when that portion of this site is once again up and running.
I’m enjoying the comments regarding the drive-in theatres. At the height of their existance there were 22 drive in theatre screens in the Minneapolis – St. Paul area. At least four stayed open all year. They were equipt with electric heaters or propane heaters. It was an experience to run a show when it was 25 to 30 degrees below zero. Two people in a car with one electric heater and no blanket would “freeze to death”. Put in three heaters and you would be comfortable. Best experience was running a movie during a blizzard. Ended up focusing on the falling snow because you could not see the screen. Most of the year round drive in projection booths were not designed for winter operations. We had to improvise in order to keep warm while working. Had to dress accordingly.
The Riviera Theatre was in downtown St. Paul. Whereas the Aster referred to in this section was in downtown Minneapolis. The St. Paul Riviera opened originally as the Astor. Name changed to Riviera in 1928. There also was a St. Paul neighborhood theatre called the Astor.
The MACO was operated by the Minnesota Amusement Company, (ABC-Paramount). The interior decor was American Indian. Two large busts of an Indian Chief sat on either side of the stage. The theatre is still pretty much in tack.
Remember the “good old days” in Minneapolis, going back to the middle 50’s. All new projectionists were started at the three remaining “grind houses” in the old “bowery” area. Theatres ran from 10:00 am to 11:30 pm, daily. The Bijou ran double features with a new program every day. The Crystal ran double features on a Friday-Saturday and Sunday-Monday Schedule and a triple feature schedule Tuesday-Thursday with a “spin-o-cash” contest three or four days per week. We were up to our eyeballs in film. Remember many a day when I was assigned to open one and then move over at 5:30pm to close the other. The Crystal was still using Peerless Low Intensity Arc Lamps. Very poor light with CinemaScope. But who cared, admission was only $0.25.
There was one other theatre in the area that ran the same “grind” schedule. The Grand Theatre was a rear throw house that specialized in “girlie” films. The projection booth was in the alley. More on this one later.
“Sound of Music” ran for 22 months at the Mann Theatre, Minneapolis. Was assigned to the projection booth for 8 of the 22 month. Theatre ran 10 shows per week during the winter and 14 shows per week during the summer and holiday weeks. There were two two man crews each running half the weekly schedule. Same 70mm print used for the entire run.
I worked as a projectionist in Minneapolis from 1957 to 1975. I was part of the original crew at Cinema 1 & 11. Ran the first show on the Cinema II side. Projection was from one large room with projectors facing both sides. This was the first suburban theatre in the area that ran a grind policy seven days per week. RMV
I worked as a projectionist in Minneapolis from 1957 through 1975. First hit the Aster in 1958. Theatre was running double features from 10:00 am to midnight seven days per week. Booth was equipt with a pair of Motiograph with Brenkert Enarc’s. These were later replaced with a pair of Super Simplex’s and Peeles Magnarc’s. R. Varani
Oh boy! The Regent had 400 seats. It was purchased by the Crouse family from Publix around 1935. Originally an F & R Theatre. The F & R Logo is still at the top of the front of the building. I worked as the projectionist from 1952 until the theatre closed for good in June of 1954. Ran the last show. I still have many many fond memories. Also, have several pictures. Booth was equipt with Western Electric Universal Bases and Sound, Simplex Standard Projection Heads, and Jewell 1 kw Arc Lamps. The Universal Bases still had the two drive shafts and chain drive take ups. More later.
Try looking up the Mann as the Pantages (Original and current name). It is listed.
The Aster was on Hennepin Ave. It was on the same side as the State Theatre, but between 6th and 7th street, closer to 6th.
In reply to Todd, the Tacora opened in Aurora, Mn either in 1955 or 1956. Really, not as old and historic as many of the other theatres in the area. I worked in the booth during the first summer of operation. Replaced an older theatre that had burnt to the ground several yeras eariler. I don’t remember a time when the State Theatre in Ely was not running movies. And, I’m in my 70’s.
Jack Reynolds was the first manager of the Southdale Cinema. Last I heard, 25 or more years ago, he was a salesman for Muntz TV.
Oxboro Theatre was originally built by Mary and Otto Cob. They ran the theatre for many years, but eventually sold to the Paul Mans. Mans son Richard ran the theatre. I think the Mans sold the theatre to the Englers who changed the name to Studio 97. Otto and Mary Cob went on to build and run the Flying Cloud Drive In Theatre. Dick
Very nice picture of Chestnut Steet, Virginia, Minnesota. The Granada Theatre was owned and operated by the Deutsch family. The State Theatre was operated by the Minnesota Amusement Company and closed in 1955. The Maco and Granada Theatre ran “A” product. The State was the “action house”, screening “B” pictures, serials, and was used as a “move over house” and a “revival house”.
The State was originally opened as the Lyric Theatre. It was a vaudville house, with a wide but not to deep autditorium and a large balcany (entire theatre probably sat 500). The lobby area was converted to retail stores. The auditorium and stage are still there waiting to be used again. I was in the space about two years ago. The old “fire curtain” is still working.
There is a group, Lyric Theatre Center for the Arts, that hopes to refurbish this theatre.
From the picture, the white building next to the State Theatre was the old Faye Hotel. The Faye burnt to the ground shortly after this picture was taken.
To comment on statements made by “ken mc”. Many of the towns in Northern Minnesota had three theatres. Virginia had a population around the time the photo was taken of around 11,000. Eveleth, five miles from Virginia, popultation 1948 around 6,000, also had three theatres. I started in the projection booth of the Regent Theatre in Eveleth. Worked a couple of shifts at the Virginia State.
The MACO is now being used as a church. The marquee and the entire exterior looks today as it looked during the theatre’s “hayday”. I have pictures ready to post when that portion of this site is once again up and running.
I’m enjoying the comments regarding the drive-in theatres. At the height of their existance there were 22 drive in theatre screens in the Minneapolis – St. Paul area. At least four stayed open all year. They were equipt with electric heaters or propane heaters. It was an experience to run a show when it was 25 to 30 degrees below zero. Two people in a car with one electric heater and no blanket would “freeze to death”. Put in three heaters and you would be comfortable. Best experience was running a movie during a blizzard. Ended up focusing on the falling snow because you could not see the screen. Most of the year round drive in projection booths were not designed for winter operations. We had to improvise in order to keep warm while working. Had to dress accordingly.
The Riviera Theatre was in downtown St. Paul. Whereas the Aster referred to in this section was in downtown Minneapolis. The St. Paul Riviera opened originally as the Astor. Name changed to Riviera in 1928. There also was a St. Paul neighborhood theatre called the Astor.
The MACO was operated by the Minnesota Amusement Company, (ABC-Paramount). The interior decor was American Indian. Two large busts of an Indian Chief sat on either side of the stage. The theatre is still pretty much in tack.
Remember the “good old days” in Minneapolis, going back to the middle 50’s. All new projectionists were started at the three remaining “grind houses” in the old “bowery” area. Theatres ran from 10:00 am to 11:30 pm, daily. The Bijou ran double features with a new program every day. The Crystal ran double features on a Friday-Saturday and Sunday-Monday Schedule and a triple feature schedule Tuesday-Thursday with a “spin-o-cash” contest three or four days per week. We were up to our eyeballs in film. Remember many a day when I was assigned to open one and then move over at 5:30pm to close the other. The Crystal was still using Peerless Low Intensity Arc Lamps. Very poor light with CinemaScope. But who cared, admission was only $0.25.
There was one other theatre in the area that ran the same “grind” schedule. The Grand Theatre was a rear throw house that specialized in “girlie” films. The projection booth was in the alley. More on this one later.
“Sound of Music” ran for 22 months at the Mann Theatre, Minneapolis. Was assigned to the projection booth for 8 of the 22 month. Theatre ran 10 shows per week during the winter and 14 shows per week during the summer and holiday weeks. There were two two man crews each running half the weekly schedule. Same 70mm print used for the entire run.
I worked as a projectionist in Minneapolis from 1957 to 1975. I was part of the original crew at Cinema 1 & 11. Ran the first show on the Cinema II side. Projection was from one large room with projectors facing both sides. This was the first suburban theatre in the area that ran a grind policy seven days per week. RMV
I worked as a projectionist in Minneapolis from 1957 through 1975. First hit the Aster in 1958. Theatre was running double features from 10:00 am to midnight seven days per week. Booth was equipt with a pair of Motiograph with Brenkert Enarc’s. These were later replaced with a pair of Super Simplex’s and Peeles Magnarc’s. R. Varani