I was hoping that the Englewood Theater was going to re-open last Summer, but that did not happen. Rumor is that there were problems between the owner and Independence City Government. I was out in that are last week and several of the neighbors have heard sad news that the Englewood will be gutted in the near future with all the contents going to another Theater project outside of Independence, MO. I think it is going on more than 3 years since it was last opened, so the info must be true. I know that the Fine Arts Theater has never opened for the same reason – problems with permits and the Shawnee City Government. Maybe the Fine Arts Group or Mr. Williams should come to Lee’s Summit, MO where they will be greeted with opened arms and full assistance especially if they were to open a vintage style movie theater in the historic downtown district. When I think of all the movies that I would have loved to have seen at the Englewood – it just pains me to see this beautiful retro movie theater closed (guess I could say the same thing for two downtown theaters in Kansas City, KS – The Granada and the Avenue Theaters
To all the Kansas City theater lovers – wouldn’t it be wonderful if we still had the Orpheum, Tower, Paramount, Roxy, Empress, and Palace Thesters, not to forget some of our wonderful neighborhood theaters. I am still looking for a picture of the Aladdin Theater on Truman Road and Belmont when it was in operation. I am told that there are a lot of theater pictures at the UMKC Library, but I have never been there. Also would like the National Theater on Independence Ave.
Several years ago, someone posted pic of the Tower, Esquire and Orpheum Theater all being demolished withine 6 months apart in 1961. They
I wish someone had some good interior pictures of the Esquire and the Tower Theater. As for the “grind” house – I am not sure that was true of the Esquire (formerly 12th Street. I think someone is getting confused with the theater across the street facing McGee. It had a performing arts stage, back stage and dressing rooms. I think the Esquire theater was built strictly as a movie house with a theater organ installed. The stage was only big enough for the organ equipment, screen, curtain rigging and later the speakers.
I may be wrong, but I had been told this by my father.regular singer
I used to live in Manchester, NH in the early 80’s and was in the AF Reserve and went to Portsmouth, NH quite a bit. I loved the old Colonial Theater in the center of town. It was closed, but there was a video store in the lobby and the owner took me into the theater to see it after hours. It was a beauty and could have been a wonderful performing arts theater, or maybe modified and tiered for a banquet facility. I know about the old Music Hall – I saw movies in there. But, why would the City of Portsmouth have ever let that theater be demolished – that is just wrong. Can someone please post pics of the Colonial Theater?? What a sad loss for NH.
I worked at the Roxy Theater in the mid to late 60’s when it was owned by Durwood Theaters. It was always a classy 1st run house. We hated when the beautiful Neon Lit Marquee was ripped down and a very plan and boring marquee replaced. It was always maintained in very fine condition and was that way when it was demolished. I was in shock when I was dischared from the Air Forse after spending a year in Korea and driving thru downtown to see the Roxy and Paramount Theater (Towne lV Cinema) being readied for demolition. Much of the facade of both theaters should have been salvaged. Actually, the Roxy would have been the pefect “playhouse” for live theater if it would have been incorporated into the plans for that block renovation and a stage and back stage area built. Today, that would have happened for sure. Much of its interior beauty was hidden by drapes on the side walls and the ceiling painted black. If was a very beautiful and intimate movie theater. Some of the best films were shown there exclusively. I recall the Carpetbeggers having very long run with Carol Baker and that was Alan Ladd’s last film. It starred George Peppard in his best film role.
Wish we could have the Orpheum, Paramount, Roxy, Esquire, Tower, Palace, Empress and even the Regent back today. Kansas City with its live theater activity, opera, dance and art film interested could have found many uses for those once beautiful downtown venues.
Does anyone have any demolition pics of those theaters?
The Esquire Theater opened briefly in 1960 by the owner of the Waldo Theater and I think the name of the company was Commonwealth Theaters. They spend some money getting it all spruced up and then it was pretty much stolen from them and the lease broken inorder to just tear it down for a surface parking lot – the same fate of the beautiful Tower Theater that was in near perfect condition after begin renovated for several long runs of the movie Oklahoma and another long run exclusive film in Todd-A-O – Around the World in 80 Days. Recently installed seats at the Orpheum Theater when The Robe opened their were broght over to The Tower. Both theaters on 12th Street were beautiful and perfect! But, sadly demolished for a surface parking lot that is still in use today – nothing has been built on that site. Very Sad Indeed!
Does anyone of good interior pics of the Orpheum and Tower Theaters of Kansas City, And, any demolition pics that I know the KC Star ran in addition to pics and stories in Box Office Magazine? I would like to do an artical in the Pitch about the beautiful theaters that we lost espeically to surface Parking Lots. Any assitance will be most appreciated. If the pics are not public domain, I will do my best to get permission to use them.
Thanks,
Mike Gallagher
816 347-0487
I was hoping that the Englewood Theater was going to re-open last Summer, but that did not happen. Rumor is that there were problems between the owner and Independence City Government. I was out in that are last week and several of the neighbors have heard sad news that the Englewood will be gutted in the near future with all the contents going to another Theater project outside of Independence, MO. I think it is going on more than 3 years since it was last opened, so the info must be true. I know that the Fine Arts Theater has never opened for the same reason – problems with permits and the Shawnee City Government. Maybe the Fine Arts Group or Mr. Williams should come to Lee’s Summit, MO where they will be greeted with opened arms and full assistance especially if they were to open a vintage style movie theater in the historic downtown district. When I think of all the movies that I would have loved to have seen at the Englewood – it just pains me to see this beautiful retro movie theater closed (guess I could say the same thing for two downtown theaters in Kansas City, KS – The Granada and the Avenue Theaters
To all the Kansas City theater lovers – wouldn’t it be wonderful if we still had the Orpheum, Tower, Paramount, Roxy, Empress, and Palace Thesters, not to forget some of our wonderful neighborhood theaters. I am still looking for a picture of the Aladdin Theater on Truman Road and Belmont when it was in operation. I am told that there are a lot of theater pictures at the UMKC Library, but I have never been there. Also would like the National Theater on Independence Ave.
Several years ago, someone posted pic of the Tower, Esquire and Orpheum Theater all being demolished withine 6 months apart in 1961. They
I wish someone had some good interior pictures of the Esquire and the Tower Theater. As for the “grind” house – I am not sure that was true of the Esquire (formerly 12th Street. I think someone is getting confused with the theater across the street facing McGee. It had a performing arts stage, back stage and dressing rooms. I think the Esquire theater was built strictly as a movie house with a theater organ installed. The stage was only big enough for the organ equipment, screen, curtain rigging and later the speakers.
I may be wrong, but I had been told this by my father.regular singer
I used to live in Manchester, NH in the early 80’s and was in the AF Reserve and went to Portsmouth, NH quite a bit. I loved the old Colonial Theater in the center of town. It was closed, but there was a video store in the lobby and the owner took me into the theater to see it after hours. It was a beauty and could have been a wonderful performing arts theater, or maybe modified and tiered for a banquet facility. I know about the old Music Hall – I saw movies in there. But, why would the City of Portsmouth have ever let that theater be demolished – that is just wrong. Can someone please post pics of the Colonial Theater?? What a sad loss for NH.
I worked at the Roxy Theater in the mid to late 60’s when it was owned by Durwood Theaters. It was always a classy 1st run house. We hated when the beautiful Neon Lit Marquee was ripped down and a very plan and boring marquee replaced. It was always maintained in very fine condition and was that way when it was demolished. I was in shock when I was dischared from the Air Forse after spending a year in Korea and driving thru downtown to see the Roxy and Paramount Theater (Towne lV Cinema) being readied for demolition. Much of the facade of both theaters should have been salvaged. Actually, the Roxy would have been the pefect “playhouse” for live theater if it would have been incorporated into the plans for that block renovation and a stage and back stage area built. Today, that would have happened for sure. Much of its interior beauty was hidden by drapes on the side walls and the ceiling painted black. If was a very beautiful and intimate movie theater. Some of the best films were shown there exclusively. I recall the Carpetbeggers having very long run with Carol Baker and that was Alan Ladd’s last film. It starred George Peppard in his best film role.
Wish we could have the Orpheum, Paramount, Roxy, Esquire, Tower, Palace, Empress and even the Regent back today. Kansas City with its live theater activity, opera, dance and art film interested could have found many uses for those once beautiful downtown venues.
Does anyone have any demolition pics of those theaters?
The Esquire Theater opened briefly in 1960 by the owner of the Waldo Theater and I think the name of the company was Commonwealth Theaters. They spend some money getting it all spruced up and then it was pretty much stolen from them and the lease broken inorder to just tear it down for a surface parking lot – the same fate of the beautiful Tower Theater that was in near perfect condition after begin renovated for several long runs of the movie Oklahoma and another long run exclusive film in Todd-A-O – Around the World in 80 Days. Recently installed seats at the Orpheum Theater when The Robe opened their were broght over to The Tower. Both theaters on 12th Street were beautiful and perfect! But, sadly demolished for a surface parking lot that is still in use today – nothing has been built on that site. Very Sad Indeed!
Does anyone of good interior pics of the Orpheum and Tower Theaters of Kansas City, And, any demolition pics that I know the KC Star ran in addition to pics and stories in Box Office Magazine? I would like to do an artical in the Pitch about the beautiful theaters that we lost espeically to surface Parking Lots. Any assitance will be most appreciated. If the pics are not public domain, I will do my best to get permission to use them.
Thanks,
Mike Gallagher
816 347-0487
Does anyone have drawings or pic of the planned interior of the referbished Mainstreet Theater?