Majestic Theatre

The “Grand Drape” would, I believe, be the curtain that hung in front of the screen and was raised before the show started. The fabric would have likely been a heavy velvet that was a certified dust catcher — the drapes from the Loew’s State in Houston certainly were when my mother purchased a chunk of them just before the theater was demolished. I came home from school and there was this itchy…pile of green velvet in one corner of the living room that Mom proceeded to use to make stuffed frogs from. The cats loved it.

I am looking for pictures of the interior of the Majestic Theater in Houston. I’m interested in pictures that include the Grand Drape.

In answer to TC’s question. Karl Hoblitzelle was the CEO of Interstate Theaters Inc out of Dallas. He and his partner, Robert O'Donnell ran 85% of the theaters in the larger cities of Texas (Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Ft Worth, Austin etc) from the 1920’s thru the 1960’s. Interstate was the largest theater circuit in Texas during that time period and also one of the most powerful.

fnydude: Sounds very familiar here in Charlotte as well! Recently purchased a book about the city and so many historical buildings have been demolished that were so very beautiful!

The same here in Charlotte with the building up of center city with restaurants, clubs, sports arena, condo high-rises and the talk of a light rail system, but where is the Carolina Theater in all of this planning? The Carolina is still standing, but still unrestored! One of the major problems is the ‘politics’ involved, etc.

We used to live in Wichita Falls (early 70’s) and traveled to Dallas on occasion, but since I wasn’t into old movie palaces back then I missed the opportunity to see this atmospheric treasure!

Through cinema site research I had to add this one to my favorites as it was Eberson’s FIRST atmospheric theatre! And it, too, was demolished. “…the ceiling was blue with stars moving overhead.” I’m beginning to hate the word….demolished! I have Houston friends who I must ask about their memories of the Majestic. It sounds as if the Majestic was truly that….majestic! Are the Majestics in San Antonio and Dallas still standing?

My Father worked as an user in this theatre. He said up in the top of the theatre were Vaudeville style dressing rooms with some old props inside still. He had to wear a Tux and he escorted people to their seats.This Theatre was huge and it seem to take forever to walk someone down the Isle to the front(near the screen). They made popcorn upstairs and brought it down in huge plastic bags. It was then put in a bend so they could sell it in small boxes as people bought it. The reason is cause they didnt have the popper at the stands. He was young and did not question why but he feels it was to give a more classy appearance without a popper present. It also had a few box seating toward the front.Parked out front on the street, would have been his old 1950 chevy with grey primer(It was cheap) and Red Wheels. The Dash was painted red with strips made of black electric tape. Too Bad we dont have this place anymore.

My grandfather began his career in the Houston theatre business in 1908 as treasurer of Houston’s first Majestic Theatre(on Congress Ave.)

During his 50-plus year career with Interstate, he managed the Majestic, the Kirby, and the Iris.

The Majestic Theatre was located at 908 Rusk Street and it seated 2081 people.