Evidently, there was a theatre in this building before the Texas Theatre. I noticed a mention in the Jacksboro County Deed records about a theatre called “The Palace” that could have been in the same building as what is now called “The Texas Theatre”.
The Ritz was located on Hutchins Avenue. The Rex Theatre name was lated changed to the Ford Theatre according to an article on the history of Ballinger Theaters printed in 1977.
The Cozy Theatre is mentioned in the February 1913 Ballinger Daily Ledger with the words “Cozy Theatre, everything new but the name”. General admission was ten cents. There was an elevated floor with opera chairs.
“The old Elk Drive-in Theater was located west of Friona on Hwy 60, on the little hill top where Raymond Hamilton family has their home. Bill McGlothin had his movie theater blow down several times. The Elk Drive-in took a direct hit in the October 1960 tornado. In 1955, Bill McGlothin had decorated the front of his movie theater with a painting depicting a pair of elk coming down to drink at a stream, with mountains and trees in the background. There was an area artist who went all over the Texas Panhandle painting these scenes on drive-in theaters. In 1962, Bill McGlothin had just rebuilt the theater one more time and the front of the structure was blank. He had tried to get in touch with the lady who painted drive-in theaters but she had retired. Bill McGlothin never did get the front of the Elk drive-in painted with another landscape.” - Carol Ellis, Friona Star - September 10, 1999.
Samuel “Sam” D. Harle, a local druggist in Memphis, owned the Princess Theater by 1914 according to the local newspaper, The Memphis Democrat and the Hall County Deed records. In September 1914, the movies shown in the theater on Saturday was a special feature film “The American and the Mexico War” under the management of Bert London. Tickets were 5c and 10c, the same old price.
The other movie house in Memphis in 1914 was The Dixie. - Memphis Democrat, 30 September 1914.
Hollis Boren built the Palace theatre in 1925. He added sound to the Palace theatre in 1934 when he purchased the Ritz Theatre. In 1936, a new theatre was built on the north side of the square. That theatre burned in January of 1938. The Palace Theatre was rebuilt in the spring of 1938 with the latest RCA sound equipment and International seats. Seven leading film companies were featured by the Palace and Ritz Theaters - Paramount, Columbia, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Fox, Warner-First National, United Artists, and RKO pictures . - Memphis Democrat, July 22, 1938 - Mr. Boren ran the two theaters until his retirement in 1961.
The Texas Theatre was opened in Memphis, Texas on 15 September 1933 by R.E. Martin. The theatre was first built in 1925 and operated at the Gem Theatre by C.C. Lindsey and H. C. Houghton. The movie theater operated under the “Gem Theatre” name until July 1933. In September of 1933, the movie theatre’s name was changed to “The Texas Theatre”, refinished, and new RCA equipment was installed. Monogram, Republic, Grand National, and Gaumont-British pictures were shown with a variety of short subjects. Dan Clinton was the operator of the theatre in 1938. - Memphis Democrat, July 22, 1938.
Charles C. Meacham assumed active management of the Ritz Theatre on 2 June 1935 pending a deal in which he will purchase the interests of Mrs. Jean McClure, owner and manager of the theater since 1934. Lee Bell will remain the operating manager. Mrs. McClure was managing the theater since the death of her husband in 1934. The Ritz Theater was established in Memphis on 16 June 1931 by Max L. McClure in the R.E. Martin building on Main Street. The Ritz Theater has been at its present location on the south side of the Memphis square since 1933 when a new sound system was installed. - Memphis Democrat, 3 June 1935
The Paducah Post newspaper on May 24, 1973, shows that J.J. McAdams built the Zana in 1914 and 1915 and named it in honor of his daughter, Zana. Upon completion, W.V. Bigham of Paducah rented the building. The Zana opened on June 6, 1915, featuring Charlie Chaplin. Mr. Chaplin was in attendance at the movie and later witnessed the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. C.N. Willingham in the lobby of the Goodwin Hotel, north of the Zana.
D.N. Gregory and his wife, Iva Lee Gregory bought lots No. 2 and 3 in block No. 1 of the original townsite of Paducah also known as the Palace Theater in April of 1970 from Marvin Dane and his wife Vonda according to the Cottle County Deed records.
The front page of The Paducah Post on May 24, 1973, shows that “in 1972, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory modernized the equipment and the Palace Theater. When the Gregory couple purchased the theater in 1970, they began repairs with a new roof, and sound system, added heaters, replaced one air conditioner, and repaired the ceiling. E.A. Carlock had the movie house built in 1928 and 1929. Building materials came from the C.S. Shamburger Lumber Company in Paducah. The contractor was Henry Gentry and J.W. Oatman laid the brick. When the theater was completed, R.W. Simpson and J.R. Nelson of Fort Worth rented the building. Mr. Simpson was the manager and his wife and Mrs. Jesse Earp were among the first to sell tickets. Truman White was the projector operator, and also the manager in Mr. Simpson’s absence. The theater was named and $100 was paid to the person. Mrs. Willingham was employed by the Palace Theater for 18 years at a salary of $25 to $30 per week. In 1938, Mrs. M.D. Ward began working at the Palace as ticket seller and continued for 13 years, seven days a week, including nights, matinees, bank nights, and midnight shows. Often it was 3 and 4 am before the movie house closed. Mrs. Price Sandlin worked 16 years at the concession stand, where at first she sold only popcorn and peanuts. Her records reveal on a Saturday afternoon and night, December 1, 1957, she collected $175 from popcorn sales at a nickel a sack. Often she sold $150 worth of popcorn. Her commission was a penny per bag. The depression brought about bank nights in an attempt to rebuild the drop off in attendance. The practice was soon outlawed. In 1945, H.B. "Red” Leathers purchased one-third interest and became manager. He had worked all his life in a picture show, having started by sweeping out, and ended up as an owner. He became sole owner of the Palace in 1958 and was managing the business when he died in 1963. Mr. Leather’s widow, Johnnie continued to operate the show until 1965 when she sold it to Kelley Brooks. Mr. Brooks was sold to Marvin Dane in 1968. Mrs. Gregory said that only “G” or “PG” movies will be shown. She will not present a restricted picture though the picture companies had told her she would have to play the “R’s” if she kept the theater open."
The Memphis Democrat newspaper shows that Bill Boren, the son of Hollis Boren opened the Drive-in Theater in Memphis, Texas. The name “Tower” was selected by judges as the name of Hall County’s new drive-in theater. Leroy Beavers submitted the name and won a lifetime pass to the drive-in. The Tower Drive-in was open by September 25, 1951. Lyndon Craven purchased Tower Drive-in in Memphis in November of 1976.
John Wolfe, the owner of the Tower Drive-in during the summer has remodeled the old Ritz / Capri Theater and has named it “The Movie House”. Movies will be shown during the winter months. Extensive remodeling of the facilities has been done. He decided to renovate the theater instead of abandoning it. - Memphis Democrat, November 4, 1971.
Local men began work tearing out the interior of the Hollis Boren building on Main Street in preparation of moving the Palace Theater. - Memphis Democrat, May 29, 1936.
On June 3rd, 1966, Bill Boren, will open a new theater in Memphis called the Capri. The Capri Theater, formerly known as The Ritz, was completed remodeled and re-equipped from front to back. The projection room is equipped with a 35mm Cinemascope and new 150 dimension films, Century projector, RCA Mirrorphonic sound, Ashcraft lamps and rectifiers, and Kollmorgen Super Cinephor lenses. There are 450 new rocking chair seats upholstered in royal blue fabric with Saphire metal finis. New carpet, and the lobby has been re-designed - Memphis Democrat, June 2, 1966
The Memphis Democrat in 1962 announced that Bill Boren had remodeled the Palace Theater. The new 70mm sound heads had been installed. All the seats on the lower floor had been re-upholstered, the new carpet had been installed, the new vinyl floor was in the lobby. The lobby has a new concession stand. A new screen was installed some time ago and a new refrigerated air conditioning system will be ready for the summer. The Tower Drive-in will be remodeled as well. - Memphis Democrat, March 1, 1962.
The National Theater had its first showing in Mexia, Texas in December of 1923. P. W. Box, the manager, by special arrangement, opened the theatre before its opening date so children could watch a Christmas show. P.W. Box and his brother, Dr. W.F. Box, built the National Theater in 1923 with a grand opening in 1924.
The Opera House was on the west side of the square according to the Jacksboro Gazette in 1902.
Evidently, there was a theatre in this building before the Texas Theatre. I noticed a mention in the Jacksboro County Deed records about a theatre called “The Palace” that could have been in the same building as what is now called “The Texas Theatre”.
The Ritz was located on Hutchins Avenue. The Rex Theatre name was lated changed to the Ford Theatre according to an article on the history of Ballinger Theaters printed in 1977.
The Cozy Theatre is mentioned in the February 1913 Ballinger Daily Ledger with the words “Cozy Theatre, everything new but the name”. General admission was ten cents. There was an elevated floor with opera chairs.
“The old Elk Drive-in Theater was located west of Friona on Hwy 60, on the little hill top where Raymond Hamilton family has their home. Bill McGlothin had his movie theater blow down several times. The Elk Drive-in took a direct hit in the October 1960 tornado. In 1955, Bill McGlothin had decorated the front of his movie theater with a painting depicting a pair of elk coming down to drink at a stream, with mountains and trees in the background. There was an area artist who went all over the Texas Panhandle painting these scenes on drive-in theaters. In 1962, Bill McGlothin had just rebuilt the theater one more time and the front of the structure was blank. He had tried to get in touch with the lady who painted drive-in theaters but she had retired. Bill McGlothin never did get the front of the Elk drive-in painted with another landscape.” - Carol Ellis, Friona Star - September 10, 1999.
Samuel “Sam” D. Harle, a local druggist in Memphis, owned the Princess Theater by 1914 according to the local newspaper, The Memphis Democrat and the Hall County Deed records. In September 1914, the movies shown in the theater on Saturday was a special feature film “The American and the Mexico War” under the management of Bert London. Tickets were 5c and 10c, the same old price.
The other movie house in Memphis in 1914 was The Dixie. - Memphis Democrat, 30 September 1914.
Hollis Boren built the Palace theatre in 1925. He added sound to the Palace theatre in 1934 when he purchased the Ritz Theatre. In 1936, a new theatre was built on the north side of the square. That theatre burned in January of 1938. The Palace Theatre was rebuilt in the spring of 1938 with the latest RCA sound equipment and International seats. Seven leading film companies were featured by the Palace and Ritz Theaters - Paramount, Columbia, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Fox, Warner-First National, United Artists, and RKO pictures . - Memphis Democrat, July 22, 1938 - Mr. Boren ran the two theaters until his retirement in 1961.
The Texas Theatre was opened in Memphis, Texas on 15 September 1933 by R.E. Martin. The theatre was first built in 1925 and operated at the Gem Theatre by C.C. Lindsey and H. C. Houghton. The movie theater operated under the “Gem Theatre” name until July 1933. In September of 1933, the movie theatre’s name was changed to “The Texas Theatre”, refinished, and new RCA equipment was installed. Monogram, Republic, Grand National, and Gaumont-British pictures were shown with a variety of short subjects. Dan Clinton was the operator of the theatre in 1938. - Memphis Democrat, July 22, 1938.
Charles C. Meacham assumed active management of the Ritz Theatre on 2 June 1935 pending a deal in which he will purchase the interests of Mrs. Jean McClure, owner and manager of the theater since 1934. Lee Bell will remain the operating manager. Mrs. McClure was managing the theater since the death of her husband in 1934. The Ritz Theater was established in Memphis on 16 June 1931 by Max L. McClure in the R.E. Martin building on Main Street. The Ritz Theater has been at its present location on the south side of the Memphis square since 1933 when a new sound system was installed. - Memphis Democrat, 3 June 1935
The Paducah Post newspaper on May 24, 1973, shows that J.J. McAdams built the Zana in 1914 and 1915 and named it in honor of his daughter, Zana. Upon completion, W.V. Bigham of Paducah rented the building. The Zana opened on June 6, 1915, featuring Charlie Chaplin. Mr. Chaplin was in attendance at the movie and later witnessed the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. C.N. Willingham in the lobby of the Goodwin Hotel, north of the Zana.
D.N. Gregory and his wife, Iva Lee Gregory bought lots No. 2 and 3 in block No. 1 of the original townsite of Paducah also known as the Palace Theater in April of 1970 from Marvin Dane and his wife Vonda according to the Cottle County Deed records.
The front page of The Paducah Post on May 24, 1973, shows that “in 1972, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory modernized the equipment and the Palace Theater. When the Gregory couple purchased the theater in 1970, they began repairs with a new roof, and sound system, added heaters, replaced one air conditioner, and repaired the ceiling. E.A. Carlock had the movie house built in 1928 and 1929. Building materials came from the C.S. Shamburger Lumber Company in Paducah. The contractor was Henry Gentry and J.W. Oatman laid the brick. When the theater was completed, R.W. Simpson and J.R. Nelson of Fort Worth rented the building. Mr. Simpson was the manager and his wife and Mrs. Jesse Earp were among the first to sell tickets. Truman White was the projector operator, and also the manager in Mr. Simpson’s absence. The theater was named and $100 was paid to the person. Mrs. Willingham was employed by the Palace Theater for 18 years at a salary of $25 to $30 per week. In 1938, Mrs. M.D. Ward began working at the Palace as ticket seller and continued for 13 years, seven days a week, including nights, matinees, bank nights, and midnight shows. Often it was 3 and 4 am before the movie house closed. Mrs. Price Sandlin worked 16 years at the concession stand, where at first she sold only popcorn and peanuts. Her records reveal on a Saturday afternoon and night, December 1, 1957, she collected $175 from popcorn sales at a nickel a sack. Often she sold $150 worth of popcorn. Her commission was a penny per bag. The depression brought about bank nights in an attempt to rebuild the drop off in attendance. The practice was soon outlawed. In 1945, H.B. "Red” Leathers purchased one-third interest and became manager. He had worked all his life in a picture show, having started by sweeping out, and ended up as an owner. He became sole owner of the Palace in 1958 and was managing the business when he died in 1963. Mr. Leather’s widow, Johnnie continued to operate the show until 1965 when she sold it to Kelley Brooks. Mr. Brooks was sold to Marvin Dane in 1968. Mrs. Gregory said that only “G” or “PG” movies will be shown. She will not present a restricted picture though the picture companies had told her she would have to play the “R’s” if she kept the theater open."
Harvey Oliver Wiles was the first manager of the Zana Theater in Paducah, Texas. He ran the theater for two years.
The Memphis Democrat newspaper shows that Bill Boren, the son of Hollis Boren opened the Drive-in Theater in Memphis, Texas. The name “Tower” was selected by judges as the name of Hall County’s new drive-in theater. Leroy Beavers submitted the name and won a lifetime pass to the drive-in. The Tower Drive-in was open by September 25, 1951. Lyndon Craven purchased Tower Drive-in in Memphis in November of 1976.
John Wolfe, the owner of the Tower Drive-in during the summer has remodeled the old Ritz / Capri Theater and has named it “The Movie House”. Movies will be shown during the winter months. Extensive remodeling of the facilities has been done. He decided to renovate the theater instead of abandoning it. - Memphis Democrat, November 4, 1971.
Local men began work tearing out the interior of the Hollis Boren building on Main Street in preparation of moving the Palace Theater. - Memphis Democrat, May 29, 1936.
On June 3rd, 1966, Bill Boren, will open a new theater in Memphis called the Capri. The Capri Theater, formerly known as The Ritz, was completed remodeled and re-equipped from front to back. The projection room is equipped with a 35mm Cinemascope and new 150 dimension films, Century projector, RCA Mirrorphonic sound, Ashcraft lamps and rectifiers, and Kollmorgen Super Cinephor lenses. There are 450 new rocking chair seats upholstered in royal blue fabric with Saphire metal finis. New carpet, and the lobby has been re-designed - Memphis Democrat, June 2, 1966
The Memphis Democrat in 1962 announced that Bill Boren had remodeled the Palace Theater. The new 70mm sound heads had been installed. All the seats on the lower floor had been re-upholstered, the new carpet had been installed, the new vinyl floor was in the lobby. The lobby has a new concession stand. A new screen was installed some time ago and a new refrigerated air conditioning system will be ready for the summer. The Tower Drive-in will be remodeled as well. - Memphis Democrat, March 1, 1962.
The Ritz Theater was open in Memphis, Texas by at least January 1925 since its mentioned in the local newspaper.
The Palace Theater was opened in January 1924 by Dr. W.F. Box and his brother, P.W. Box.
The National Theater had its first showing in Mexia, Texas in December of 1923. P. W. Box, the manager, by special arrangement, opened the theatre before its opening date so children could watch a Christmas show. P.W. Box and his brother, Dr. W.F. Box, built the National Theater in 1923 with a grand opening in 1924.