Indeed, Arthur put no money or time into the Janet—as Arthur had nothing to do with the theatre. Clarence Kaimann and his chain is the correct operator. Theatre closed in May 1955. Structure then used as a church, later a Midas operation.
To set the address “controversy” straight: The theatre’s original address was 1001 McCausland. The Hi-Pointe cafe (or bar as one noted) had the address of being on Oakland or, even further back, on the Forest Park streetcar r/o/w. When the cafe, for whatever reason, was given an address on McCausland, the theatre was renumbered 1005 McCausland.
Nearly five inches of rain had fallen over the weekend and on the morning of May 8, 1961 the weight of the accumulated water atop the marquee weakened its supports and the 50-foot structure came to the ground. The theatre remained closed and was demolished early in 1962.
Having just been in LA for the recent 3-D film festival at the Egyptian, it saddens me to hear Fairfax has been closed. I lived in the area from 1981 to 1989 and attended many films there in that period. It was saddening enough when the house was split into three in 1982—but I continued to attend, as compromised as the theatre was. I was so close this time there…I went to Canter’s and wanted to take a shot of the stage wall mentioned above with its “Glorifying the Talking Picture” sign. When I saw the sign had been covered over by a coat of white paint, I walked no further—that was disappointing enough. For what’s its worth—Canter’s is as good as ever.
While not part of a major, national chain the theatre was part of a major, local chain…the Kaimann circuit which was a major exhibitor in North St. Louis.
In January 1944 theatre was the scene of a family dispute resulting in a shooting in a basement office and a subsequent suicide.
Sure wish dates of original entries were given…which came first, the CinemaTreasures or the CinemaTour entry?…with two different submitters and very similar copy.
The building permit for the Broadway was issued in 1910 and the architect of record listed as the firm of Duggan & Huff. Name changed to the CAMEO in 1930; to the HOLLYWOOD in 1931; to the HOLLYWOOD NEWSREEL in 1945 and, finally, to the WORLD in 1946.
The building permit for the structure was issued in September 1909, suggesting a late 1909 or early 1910 opening. Architect listed on the permit was W. P. Mounts.
Operators over the years did not include the Komm interests.
Listed seating capacity ranges from 650 to 770.
Theatre ceased operation in 1951.
The adjacent airdome had a listed capacity of 798.
Claiming to be “The Largest One-Floor Theatre in the World” the Delmonte opened in September, 1920 with 2800 seats. Under the management of Famous Players-Missouri (Paramount) the opening film was “Humoresque”. In the audience opening night was Fannie Hurst, author of the book on which the film was based.
Perhaps the theatre’s one claim to fame was the appearance of Valentino on stage in 1923 with the theatre swamped by flappers
tieing up traffic on Delmar.
Paramount had dropped management late in 1921, and theatre had various operators before finally closing as a movie house in February 1927. After this, theatre was converted to a night club in 1929; then to a bowling alley in 1938.
Located at 5634 Delmar, seating capacity was reduced to 1588 by the time of closure. (Capacity once claimed to be 3700 in fact.) Theatre was behind a six-story apartment building. Theatre structure has been demolished, the apartment building remains.
Original name was the EASTON-TAYLOR. Shortened to EASTON during the early-30s. Final name, CIRCLE, appeared in September 1936 when house began to be operated by the Kaimann chain.
Building permit issued in 1910. Capacity of the house was 580. Architect of record was W. P. McMahon.
In 1943 theatre became a Black-movie house.
House operated until December 1951, when the projectionists of Local 143-A went on strike at all Black-movie theatres. Strike was settled in a few weeks but Circle apparently didn’t reopen as no further ads appeared.
Indeed, Arthur put no money or time into the Janet—as Arthur had nothing to do with the theatre. Clarence Kaimann and his chain is the correct operator. Theatre closed in May 1955. Structure then used as a church, later a Midas operation.
To set the address “controversy” straight: The theatre’s original address was 1001 McCausland. The Hi-Pointe cafe (or bar as one noted) had the address of being on Oakland or, even further back, on the Forest Park streetcar r/o/w. When the cafe, for whatever reason, was given an address on McCausland, the theatre was renumbered 1005 McCausland.
Venue opened July 3, 1962.
Architect was James Willingham.
Original owners & operators were Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Hartstein and associates.
When the movie got boring, one could always watch the Wabash streamliners whiz by. That trackage is now the Metrolink route to Lambert Field.
Theatre ceased operation in October, 1962. Theatre eventually demolished for street extension.
Nearly five inches of rain had fallen over the weekend and on the morning of May 8, 1961 the weight of the accumulated water atop the marquee weakened its supports and the 50-foot structure came to the ground. The theatre remained closed and was demolished early in 1962.
It was the Esquire Theatre. Canter’s moved into the space around 1953.
Theatre ceased operation in April 1957.
Theatre ceased operation in May 1960.
Theatre closed in October 1960.
Having just been in LA for the recent 3-D film festival at the Egyptian, it saddens me to hear Fairfax has been closed. I lived in the area from 1981 to 1989 and attended many films there in that period. It was saddening enough when the house was split into three in 1982—but I continued to attend, as compromised as the theatre was. I was so close this time there…I went to Canter’s and wanted to take a shot of the stage wall mentioned above with its “Glorifying the Talking Picture” sign. When I saw the sign had been covered over by a coat of white paint, I walked no further—that was disappointing enough. For what’s its worth—Canter’s is as good as ever.
The Mesa’s Morton organ is currently in a residence in Portage (Kalamazoo), Michigan.
I didn’t remember this either, which is why I attributed the source of the info.
The last ad that appeared in a newspaper was on January 22, 1961. The advertised double-bill was “The Magnificent Seven” with “A Dog’s Best Friend.”
Boxoffice magazine, on February 20th, 1961 reported the theatre was destroyed by fire, supposedly started by vandals.
Stadium I (and Stadium II) closed in June 1984. Indeed, Wehrenberg operated in final years.
Stadium II opened in February 1970 and closed in June 1984.
The space is now occupied by a Hooter’s Restaurant. Indeed, Wehrenberg operated it the final years.
O'Fallon Theatre closed in January, 1956.
While not part of a major, national chain the theatre was part of a major, local chain…the Kaimann circuit which was a major exhibitor in North St. Louis.
In January 1944 theatre was the scene of a family dispute resulting in a shooting in a basement office and a subsequent suicide.
To correct my entry of Aug. 22—
Checked out the theatre today (Aug. 23)—
official status is now DEMOLISHED.
Theatre opened in December 1937.
Architect was Bruce F. Barnes.
Theatre one of the Black-patronage theatres in the city.
Fanchon & Marco not connected to the operation.
Structure stands today…unused, however.
Sure wish dates of original entries were given…which came first, the CinemaTreasures or the CinemaTour entry?…with two different submitters and very similar copy.
The building permit for the Broadway was issued in 1910 and the architect of record listed as the firm of Duggan & Huff. Name changed to the CAMEO in 1930; to the HOLLYWOOD in 1931; to the HOLLYWOOD NEWSREEL in 1945 and, finally, to the WORLD in 1946.
Closing date was June 23, 1959.
The building permit for the structure was issued in September 1909, suggesting a late 1909 or early 1910 opening. Architect listed on the permit was W. P. Mounts.
Operators over the years did not include the Komm interests.
Listed seating capacity ranges from 650 to 770.
Theatre ceased operation in 1951.
The adjacent airdome had a listed capacity of 798.
Years of operation were 1918 to 1959.
An operation of Chris, then Peter Efthin.
Seating capacity was 521.
One of the theatres for Black audiences.
Correct date of opening is June 5, 1955.
Architect of the Delmonte was E. Price Porter.
Claiming to be “The Largest One-Floor Theatre in the World” the Delmonte opened in September, 1920 with 2800 seats. Under the management of Famous Players-Missouri (Paramount) the opening film was “Humoresque”. In the audience opening night was Fannie Hurst, author of the book on which the film was based.
Perhaps the theatre’s one claim to fame was the appearance of Valentino on stage in 1923 with the theatre swamped by flappers
tieing up traffic on Delmar.
Paramount had dropped management late in 1921, and theatre had various operators before finally closing as a movie house in February 1927. After this, theatre was converted to a night club in 1929; then to a bowling alley in 1938.
Located at 5634 Delmar, seating capacity was reduced to 1588 by the time of closure. (Capacity once claimed to be 3700 in fact.) Theatre was behind a six-story apartment building. Theatre structure has been demolished, the apartment building remains.
Original name was the EASTON-TAYLOR. Shortened to EASTON during the early-30s. Final name, CIRCLE, appeared in September 1936 when house began to be operated by the Kaimann chain.
Building permit issued in 1910. Capacity of the house was 580. Architect of record was W. P. McMahon.
In 1943 theatre became a Black-movie house.
House operated until December 1951, when the projectionists of Local 143-A went on strike at all Black-movie theatres. Strike was settled in a few weeks but Circle apparently didn’t reopen as no further ads appeared.