It has been 80 years ago today since an American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and I’ve just confirmed that the original Nipponkan became so lucky. The Nipponkan Theatre is one of a small amount of buildings that survived the blast, despite having severe damage. It was most likely the only movie theater in Hiroshima still standing following the atomic bomb, but that remains unclear at this time.
The Parkade Cinema opened its doors on May 27, 1970 with “M-A-S-H”.
Loews was its last operator who closed the Parkade Cinema on May 12, 1992 with “The Babe” and “White Men Can’t Jump” because of both very poor performances and attendances as well as incidents involving rude customers and employees.
The Holiday Cinemas I-II-III opened its doors on December 26, 1980 with Walt Disney’s “The Aristocats”, “Stir Crazy”, and “Any Which Way You Can” in screen order, and was located at the Kmart Plaza in Torrington. A fourth screen was added on November 5, 1981, followed by two more screens on March 25, 1983.
The Holiday Cinemas was originally independently operated when it opened, but was later operated by Loews, then Sony Theatres, then Loews Cineplex, then Digiplex Destinations, then Carmike, then AMC, and finally Apple Cinemas under the name “Apple Cinemas Torrington 6” where it remains as of today.
It was previously known as the following: “Holiday Cinemas I-II-III”, “Holiday Cinemas 1-2-3-4”, “Holiday Cinemas 6”, “Loews Holiday”, “Sony Holiday”, “Loews Torrington”, “Digiplex Cinerom Torrington”, “Carmike Cinerom 6”, and “AMC Classic Torrington 6”.
Dudley’s once closed on March 2, 1986 after its second-run screenings of “A Chorus Line” and “White Nights” when it made the full transition to a full-time comedy club, before planning back as a movie theater that August (minus the beer after Overland Park rejected in the club’s request for the liquor permit).
Because of that beer eject, now the children can enjoy the place at all times despite Overland Park already having a nearby Showbiz Pizza Place for the youngsters, but unfortunately that movie theater relaunch for Dudley’s immediately failed big time when it became a rock venue for teenagers. They did retain big-screen television sets that were originally used for big major network sporting events, but at the time, it became a screensaver for MTV music videos. This failed when they flushed a grand total of $500,000 down the toilet in extensive remodeling.
The following year in 1987, new owners were hired and they tried to succeed where the original ownership failed as a first attempt for a movie house. The second attempt was approved, reopening as the Antioch Cinema ‘n Drafthouse on October 2, 1987 with “The Witches Of Eastwick” and “The Untouchables” under a $2 second-run admission. They brought back beer, but requires a license to receive it.
This last operated under the name “Dudley’s Cinema Saloon” as a $1.25 second/third-run house and closed for the final time on June 23, 1988 with “Biloxi Blues” and “Three Men And A Baby”.
Closed with special screenings of “Rambo: First Blood Part II” in Screen 1 and “Ghostbusters” in Screen 2.
Here’s a fun fact: “Rambo Part II” was also one of the last films screened at the nearby Gull Drive-In a few months before the Brainerd Theatre’s closure.
This started life as the Whiting Theatre, opening on June 26, 1895 by Mr. Newell Whiting who also helped constructed the theater, opening with the Gustave Frohman’s Stock Company’s live presentation of “Men and Women”. The theater was built on the site of a principal hotel that got destroyed by a massive fire on April 2, 1871. The construction of the theater started with a groundbreaking on August 22, 1894, and happened right after Whiting made a proposition to the city council to erect the building and being suitable enough for the purposes of a City Hall and Theater housed in one, providing he could be assured the city would appreciate the move sufficiently to locate its offices therein. Despite not costing less than $9,000, it was erected anyway with an estimate $12,000 in total.
Information about the Whiting Theatre as of 1895 goes as follows: In the size of 50x100ft upon the ground with solid stone walls upon the east and rear, its street front of cream colored brick runs 50ft above the sidewalks. Upon the first front floor are two commodious well-lighted store rooms with plate fronts and hardwood floors. Meanwhile in the northeast corner is a room serving as a purpose of waiting or a checking room. The floors are hard maple throughout and the walls are plastered with adamant thus assuring acoustic properties. There is also a large ventilator in the center of the building insures a constant supply of pure fresh air. The rear of the building contains council rooms, city clerk’s and general city offices. Upon the second floor reached by a wide and roomy entrance over a short flight of oak stairs of wide and easy trend is where the theater is located.
The auditorium of the theater as of 1895 was measured 45x48ft, with the stage floor measuring 25x48ft, stage opening being 15x21ft, and proscenium opening measuring 18x26ft. A total capacity of 950 folding opera seats was presented, with 500 seats in the auditorium itself, 200 seats in the balcony, and 250 seats in a wall-to-wall gallery. Some installations include a fully supply of elegant scenery painted by the scenic studio of Sosman & Landis of Chicago. Four large airy dressing rooms are located beneath the stage, while a baggage room and hoist in the rear added to the conveniences. Lastly, present oil was used for lighting on opening, but electricity was later installed.
On April 3, 1903, the Whiting Theatre was renamed the Davison Theatre. Unfortunately almost three years later, on February 17, 1906, the building was damaged by a large fire. The fire came from some unknown cause on or under the stage of the theater on the second floor occupying the gallery and upper stage fixtures a full third story or more in height. The fire spread upwards and laterally involving the interior wood work of the large auditorium. The first floor, occupied in part by the Democrat Office with its presses, engine, material, and stock, were all destroyed, but the entire equipment and stuff that occupies it were all saved. Luckily enough, the theater had a narrow escape from total destruction. The Davison Theatre reopened several months later.
The Davison Theatre was renamed the Waupun Theatre on November 23, 1926 after extensive remodeling, reopening with the Wisconsin premiere of Bert Roach in “Tin Hats” along with an unnamed travelogue, unnamed comedy, a newsreel, and a special orchestra performance. A lot of installations as of 1926 include cream and ivory ceiling with tan sides and lower portion in stone, ceiling lights being canary with side lights in amber and green, aisles being very wide and new upholstered seats set in rows far enough apart to that a tall man will find complete comfort, a total of three street-level emergency exits, fireproof projection booth constructed from concrete and steel, steel shutters arranged to drop over the projection windows being fitted with fusible supports so that way they will automatically shut tight in case the smallest fire starts inside the booth, updated projection, new wiring system, updated stage with a blue and gold velour drop bearing a gold “W” (for Waupun) with a grand border in blue behind it, a silver curtain forming the picture setting over the screen itself, and both heating and ventilating systems being housed in separate concrete rooms in the basement.
The Waupun Theatre was then renamed the Classic Theatre on May 23, 1929. During its final years of operation, Marcus Theatres was its last operator who also operated the surrounding Ripon and Beaver Dam theaters. Last operated with 400 seats in total, the Classic Theatre closed for the final time on August 5, 1962 with Walt Disney’s “Bon Voyage!”, and was occupied by Clark Oil, who opened its location in the former Classic Theatre building on December 1, 1962.
This has been a twin-screen Gulf States drive-in throughout its entire life. The Showtown closed on July 3, 1983 and the theater went up on sale the following month.
United Artists later took over operations of the Skyline Theatre after Commonwealth’s formation of the joint venture with UA. UA also operated the nearby Royal Gorge Cinema and Sunset Drive-In at the time.
During its early days, Fox Inter-Mountain Theaters was one of its operators.
This first opened as the Cinema 6, and became the Plitt Cinema 6 after Plitt’s takeover after its first few years as a Texas Cinema Corporation theater. It reverted back to its original Cinema 6 name when Cineplex Odeon took over the Cinema 6 after the chain purchased Plitt.
This was first operated by the Texas Cinema Corporation and was built near the Showtown USA Triple Drive-In. The Cinema 6 later became a Plitt theater, and would then operated by Cineplex Odeon, and then Loews Cineplex before Cinemark took over both the Cinema 6 and Cinema 5 on November 23, 1999.
Cinemark closed the Cinema 6 on January 27, 2002, while the nearby Cinema 5 continued to operate for another year. It housed 1,264 seats in total.
The Beltronian suffered several closures and auctions throughout the 2010s and 2020s. Yes, it did reopen right after the 2015 sale, screening classic movies as well as concerts and live performances, but unfortunately in March 2025, the Beltronian Theatre closed again and the theater was placed on sale again, which remains as of August 2025. I hope someone out there can purchase and reopen the Beltronian as soon as possible.
Last operated by the Texas Cinema Corporation. During its last years of operation, the Cinema 6 was already operating by the same chain next to the drive-in, and shortly after the Showtown USA Triple Drive-In’s 1981 closure and demolition, Plitt Theatres would build their Cinema 5 on the site of the Showtown.
Built on the site of the Showtown USA Triple Drive-In, Plitt Theatres first opened the Cinema 5 in December 1983, and was later taken over by Cineplex Odeon several years later. This was followed by Loews Cineplex, and finally Cinemark. Cinemark took over the Cinema 5 on November 23, 1999 and operated until its closure on January 5, 2003.
Closed on September 1, 1986.
Closed after the 1984 season.
Closed on August 31, 1983 with “Hercules” and “Cujo” in Screen 1 and “Tootsie” and “Cujo” in Screen 2.
It has been 80 years ago today since an American B-29 bomber Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and I’ve just confirmed that the original Nipponkan became so lucky. The Nipponkan Theatre is one of a small amount of buildings that survived the blast, despite having severe damage. It was most likely the only movie theater in Hiroshima still standing following the atomic bomb, but that remains unclear at this time.
The Parkade Cinema opened its doors on May 27, 1970 with “M-A-S-H”.
Loews was its last operator who closed the Parkade Cinema on May 12, 1992 with “The Babe” and “White Men Can’t Jump” because of both very poor performances and attendances as well as incidents involving rude customers and employees.
The Holiday Cinemas I-II-III opened its doors on December 26, 1980 with Walt Disney’s “The Aristocats”, “Stir Crazy”, and “Any Which Way You Can” in screen order, and was located at the Kmart Plaza in Torrington. A fourth screen was added on November 5, 1981, followed by two more screens on March 25, 1983.
The Holiday Cinemas was originally independently operated when it opened, but was later operated by Loews, then Sony Theatres, then Loews Cineplex, then Digiplex Destinations, then Carmike, then AMC, and finally Apple Cinemas under the name “Apple Cinemas Torrington 6” where it remains as of today.
It was previously known as the following: “Holiday Cinemas I-II-III”, “Holiday Cinemas 1-2-3-4”, “Holiday Cinemas 6”, “Loews Holiday”, “Sony Holiday”, “Loews Torrington”, “Digiplex Cinerom Torrington”, “Carmike Cinerom 6”, and “AMC Classic Torrington 6”.
Dudley’s once closed on March 2, 1986 after its second-run screenings of “A Chorus Line” and “White Nights” when it made the full transition to a full-time comedy club, before planning back as a movie theater that August (minus the beer after Overland Park rejected in the club’s request for the liquor permit).
Because of that beer eject, now the children can enjoy the place at all times despite Overland Park already having a nearby Showbiz Pizza Place for the youngsters, but unfortunately that movie theater relaunch for Dudley’s immediately failed big time when it became a rock venue for teenagers. They did retain big-screen television sets that were originally used for big major network sporting events, but at the time, it became a screensaver for MTV music videos. This failed when they flushed a grand total of $500,000 down the toilet in extensive remodeling.
The following year in 1987, new owners were hired and they tried to succeed where the original ownership failed as a first attempt for a movie house. The second attempt was approved, reopening as the Antioch Cinema ‘n Drafthouse on October 2, 1987 with “The Witches Of Eastwick” and “The Untouchables” under a $2 second-run admission. They brought back beer, but requires a license to receive it.
This last operated under the name “Dudley’s Cinema Saloon” as a $1.25 second/third-run house and closed for the final time on June 23, 1988 with “Biloxi Blues” and “Three Men And A Baby”.
Closed with special screenings of “Rambo: First Blood Part II” in Screen 1 and “Ghostbusters” in Screen 2.
Closed on September 1, 1985 with “Rambo: First Blood Part II” and “The Legend Of Billie Jean”.
Its December 13, 1996, not 1993. The Movies 10 replaced a triplex close-by, which will have its own CT page soon.
This started life as the Whiting Theatre, opening on June 26, 1895 by Mr. Newell Whiting who also helped constructed the theater, opening with the Gustave Frohman’s Stock Company’s live presentation of “Men and Women”. The theater was built on the site of a principal hotel that got destroyed by a massive fire on April 2, 1871. The construction of the theater started with a groundbreaking on August 22, 1894, and happened right after Whiting made a proposition to the city council to erect the building and being suitable enough for the purposes of a City Hall and Theater housed in one, providing he could be assured the city would appreciate the move sufficiently to locate its offices therein. Despite not costing less than $9,000, it was erected anyway with an estimate $12,000 in total.
Information about the Whiting Theatre as of 1895 goes as follows: In the size of 50x100ft upon the ground with solid stone walls upon the east and rear, its street front of cream colored brick runs 50ft above the sidewalks. Upon the first front floor are two commodious well-lighted store rooms with plate fronts and hardwood floors. Meanwhile in the northeast corner is a room serving as a purpose of waiting or a checking room. The floors are hard maple throughout and the walls are plastered with adamant thus assuring acoustic properties. There is also a large ventilator in the center of the building insures a constant supply of pure fresh air. The rear of the building contains council rooms, city clerk’s and general city offices. Upon the second floor reached by a wide and roomy entrance over a short flight of oak stairs of wide and easy trend is where the theater is located.
The auditorium of the theater as of 1895 was measured 45x48ft, with the stage floor measuring 25x48ft, stage opening being 15x21ft, and proscenium opening measuring 18x26ft. A total capacity of 950 folding opera seats was presented, with 500 seats in the auditorium itself, 200 seats in the balcony, and 250 seats in a wall-to-wall gallery. Some installations include a fully supply of elegant scenery painted by the scenic studio of Sosman & Landis of Chicago. Four large airy dressing rooms are located beneath the stage, while a baggage room and hoist in the rear added to the conveniences. Lastly, present oil was used for lighting on opening, but electricity was later installed.
On April 3, 1903, the Whiting Theatre was renamed the Davison Theatre. Unfortunately almost three years later, on February 17, 1906, the building was damaged by a large fire. The fire came from some unknown cause on or under the stage of the theater on the second floor occupying the gallery and upper stage fixtures a full third story or more in height. The fire spread upwards and laterally involving the interior wood work of the large auditorium. The first floor, occupied in part by the Democrat Office with its presses, engine, material, and stock, were all destroyed, but the entire equipment and stuff that occupies it were all saved. Luckily enough, the theater had a narrow escape from total destruction. The Davison Theatre reopened several months later.
The Davison Theatre was renamed the Waupun Theatre on November 23, 1926 after extensive remodeling, reopening with the Wisconsin premiere of Bert Roach in “Tin Hats” along with an unnamed travelogue, unnamed comedy, a newsreel, and a special orchestra performance. A lot of installations as of 1926 include cream and ivory ceiling with tan sides and lower portion in stone, ceiling lights being canary with side lights in amber and green, aisles being very wide and new upholstered seats set in rows far enough apart to that a tall man will find complete comfort, a total of three street-level emergency exits, fireproof projection booth constructed from concrete and steel, steel shutters arranged to drop over the projection windows being fitted with fusible supports so that way they will automatically shut tight in case the smallest fire starts inside the booth, updated projection, new wiring system, updated stage with a blue and gold velour drop bearing a gold “W” (for Waupun) with a grand border in blue behind it, a silver curtain forming the picture setting over the screen itself, and both heating and ventilating systems being housed in separate concrete rooms in the basement.
The Waupun Theatre was then renamed the Classic Theatre on May 23, 1929. During its final years of operation, Marcus Theatres was its last operator who also operated the surrounding Ripon and Beaver Dam theaters. Last operated with 400 seats in total, the Classic Theatre closed for the final time on August 5, 1962 with Walt Disney’s “Bon Voyage!”, and was occupied by Clark Oil, who opened its location in the former Classic Theatre building on December 1, 1962.
Closed on July 14, 2005.
This has been a twin-screen Gulf States drive-in throughout its entire life. The Showtown closed on July 3, 1983 and the theater went up on sale the following month.
Once operated by Fox Inter-Mountain Theaters.
United Artists later took over operations of the Skyline Theatre after Commonwealth’s formation of the joint venture with UA. UA also operated the nearby Royal Gorge Cinema and Sunset Drive-In at the time.
During its early days, Fox Inter-Mountain Theaters was one of its operators.
Last operated by United Artists.
Once operated by Commonwealth Theatres, later operated by United Artists.
Once operated by ABC Interstate Theatres.
This first opened as the Cinema 6, and became the Plitt Cinema 6 after Plitt’s takeover after its first few years as a Texas Cinema Corporation theater. It reverted back to its original Cinema 6 name when Cineplex Odeon took over the Cinema 6 after the chain purchased Plitt.
Opened in either July or August 1978.
This was first operated by the Texas Cinema Corporation and was built near the Showtown USA Triple Drive-In. The Cinema 6 later became a Plitt theater, and would then operated by Cineplex Odeon, and then Loews Cineplex before Cinemark took over both the Cinema 6 and Cinema 5 on November 23, 1999.
Cinemark closed the Cinema 6 on January 27, 2002, while the nearby Cinema 5 continued to operate for another year. It housed 1,264 seats in total.
The Beltronian suffered several closures and auctions throughout the 2010s and 2020s. Yes, it did reopen right after the 2015 sale, screening classic movies as well as concerts and live performances, but unfortunately in March 2025, the Beltronian Theatre closed again and the theater was placed on sale again, which remains as of August 2025. I hope someone out there can purchase and reopen the Beltronian as soon as possible.
Last operated by the Texas Cinema Corporation. During its last years of operation, the Cinema 6 was already operating by the same chain next to the drive-in, and shortly after the Showtown USA Triple Drive-In’s 1981 closure and demolition, Plitt Theatres would build their Cinema 5 on the site of the Showtown.
Built on the site of the Showtown USA Triple Drive-In, Plitt Theatres first opened the Cinema 5 in December 1983, and was later taken over by Cineplex Odeon several years later. This was followed by Loews Cineplex, and finally Cinemark. Cinemark took over the Cinema 5 on November 23, 1999 and operated until its closure on January 5, 2003.
Closed in September 2006.