Actual opening date is November 26, 1928 with Colleen Moore in “Lilac Time” along with several stage appearances, including appearances by Billie and Elsie Newell from the Orpheum Circuit Artists, Leon Navarra from Grauman’s Theatres, and Ethel Morgan Ballet. Sydney Northcote also took a musical number occupied by Karl Stiska and the Pickwick Concert Orchestra, and Walter Flandorf took the keys on the Pickwick’s Virtuoso organ.
Construction of the Pope started in November 1912 and was also built on the site of another building called the Shain building that housed the Elks Club. It was completed a few days before opening.
The Pope Theatre opened its doors on June 14, 1913 with the Ambrosio film “The Drama Of Humanity” (also known as “Satan”), and before the movie is a live play performance of “Fanny And The Servant Problem” hosted by the senior class of McKinney High School.
This briefly went under the name Alhambra Theatre for only two months and four days total from October 12, 1909 until December 16, 1909, when the Bourlands & Edwards chain changed the theater’s name to the Happy Hour Theatre.
The America Theatre closed on June 16, 1928 with Fred Thomson in “The Sunset Legion” along with a Haunted Island serial and an unnamed comedy. It was demolished ten days later to make way for the Ritz Theatre.
The Columbia Photoplay Theatre name was introduced in January 1913. This lasted until its final closure on May 9, 1914 with four films: “Barrier Of Blood”, “The Drug Traffic”, “Shultz The Paperhanger”, and “Dollar Bills And A Cent A Piece”.
This closed in 1975. It was still open that May but appearing to not advertise or headlined by the Courier Gazette afterward (with the exception of a car fire at the drive-in that September).
The Ritz name came directly from a theater-naming contest while being erected in August 1928 with a total of 645 suggestions. W.A. Bevel of McKinney received a $25 prize for the name. The second-place name was “Royal”.
The marquee reading nearly half of its final movies “Along Came A Spider”, “Crocodile Dundee In Las Vegas”, and “Blow” were still advertised into 2009 despite being blocked by a “For Sale” sign.
The “Coming Soon” sign has been standing for a decade now, since 2016. It appears that it was still abandoned to this day. However, they attempted to receive new life through a partnership with Row House Cinema in August 2023, but this did not happen.
Actual opening date is November 26, 1928 with Colleen Moore in “Lilac Time” along with several stage appearances, including appearances by Billie and Elsie Newell from the Orpheum Circuit Artists, Leon Navarra from Grauman’s Theatres, and Ethel Morgan Ballet. Sydney Northcote also took a musical number occupied by Karl Stiska and the Pickwick Concert Orchestra, and Walter Flandorf took the keys on the Pickwick’s Virtuoso organ.
Construction of the Pope started in November 1912 and was also built on the site of another building called the Shain building that housed the Elks Club. It was completed a few days before opening.
The Pope Theatre opened its doors on June 14, 1913 with the Ambrosio film “The Drama Of Humanity” (also known as “Satan”), and before the movie is a live play performance of “Fanny And The Servant Problem” hosted by the senior class of McKinney High School.
This briefly went under the name Alhambra Theatre for only two months and four days total from October 12, 1909 until December 16, 1909, when the Bourlands & Edwards chain changed the theater’s name to the Happy Hour Theatre.
Opened on October 20, 1915, not December. This is also an early Roy L. Brockman (R&R) theater.
The America Theatre closed on June 16, 1928 with Fred Thomson in “The Sunset Legion” along with a Haunted Island serial and an unnamed comedy. It was demolished ten days later to make way for the Ritz Theatre.
The Columbia Photoplay Theatre name was introduced in January 1913. This lasted until its final closure on May 9, 1914 with four films: “Barrier Of Blood”, “The Drug Traffic”, “Shultz The Paperhanger”, and “Dollar Bills And A Cent A Piece”.
This closed in 1975. It was still open that May but appearing to not advertise or headlined by the Courier Gazette afterward (with the exception of a car fire at the drive-in that September).
The Ritz name came directly from a theater-naming contest while being erected in August 1928 with a total of 645 suggestions. W.A. Bevel of McKinney received a $25 prize for the name. The second-place name was “Royal”.
Once operated by Publix.
Once operated by Publix.
The marquee reading nearly half of its final movies “Along Came A Spider”, “Crocodile Dundee In Las Vegas”, and “Blow” were still advertised into 2009 despite being blocked by a “For Sale” sign.
I will!
The “Coming Soon” sign has been standing for a decade now, since 2016. It appears that it was still abandoned to this day. However, they attempted to receive new life through a partnership with Row House Cinema in August 2023, but this did not happen.
Actual opening date is August 10, 1948.
Most likely demolished around 1959.
Once operated by Stanley-Warner.
Once operated by Stanley-Warner.
Once operated by Stanley-Warner.
Once operated by Stanley-Warner.
Once operated by Stanley-Warner.
Once operated by Stanley-Warner.
Once operated by Associated Theatres.
Once operated by Associated Theatres.
Once operated by Associated Theatres.
Once operated by Associated Theatres.