Actually, it appears that it ran a mixture, but cannot tell because it didn’t show up by advertisements or showings. I recently read a couple of articles about the Tower from the 1980s and it appears that it was running selections of both normal English and Spanish films. However, it did have an adult bookstore next door.
The State Theatre opened on March 16, 1938 with Dick Powell in “Hollywood Hotel” (unclear if any short subjects were added), and closed on May 25, 1955. It was last operated by Mrs. Vera Greene.
Edited from both January 22 and October 12, 2022 comments:
The Waco Drive-In opened its gates on May 1, 1953 with Edmond O'Brien in “Silver City” along with an unnamed Tom & Jerry cartoon and an unnamed Popeye cartoon, featuring an original capacity of 425 cars.
It was first operated by E.S. (Tommy) Tompkin who also operated the State and Fox Theatres nearby. Charles Doyle, Earl Hickford, and Jack Schneider are the original projectionists for the theater.
Tompkin operated the theater until he suffered a heart attack on September 16, 1964. Sadly he later died at a nearby hospital that same day.
The Waco Drive-In closed at the end of the 1978 season, and was demolished in the early-1980s.
Solved! The Ridge Drive-In opened its gates on May 17, 1953 with Jean Peters in “Anne Of The Indies” and Walter Brennan in “Along The Great Divine” with no extra short subjects. It was first operated by M.L. Dickson. The Ridge Drive-In closed at the end of the 1978 season.
The Humota Theatre opened its doors on October 2, 1928. This replaced the Strand Theatre after it was destroyed by a fire on January 28, 1928 (yes the town of Humboldt has a former movie house named the Strand Theatre, which has nothing to be confused with the Strand in nearby Fort Dodge).
Correction: The Winfield Theatre started as a 301-seat theater but the capacity downgraded to 173 by the end of its operation according to the Winfield Beacon.
The Winfield Theatre was later taken over by E.S. Tompkins who operated the theater after the retirement of the Pratt Brothers in late-August 1951. At the time, Mr. and Mrs. Dayle Allen owned the theater.
This didn’t last long, and the Winfield Theatre closed for the final time on July 5, 1952 with Joel McCrea in “Cattle Drive” along with a short entitled “Danger Under The Sea” and an unnamed cartoon.
The Cavalier judging by aerial is a very unique looking drive-in. The screen is located next to the exit ramps rather than the front-center of the traces like other drive-ins.
Its still open in 1963 but was already demolished by 1984.
On April 9, 1929, sound was installed at the Miller with the first talkie being Fred Waring’s “Syncopation” along with a newsreel and comedy reel.
John C. Miller operated the Miller Theatre until George O'Brien of Rochelle who operated the Chi Theater in Sandwich, the Fargo Theater in DeKalb, and the Hub Theater in Rochelle took over the operations on January 9, 1934. Several months later on June 30, 1934, John C. Miller died from a long battle with illness at the age of 55. Fred Anderson of Morris later took over operations a few years later.
On February 1, 1942, it was taken over by the Woodstock Amusement Company, and later in the 1940s, it was taken over by the Alliance Corporation chain who operated the Miller for more than a decade or two. At the time, the Miller had a then-capacity of 460 seats.
Willis is one smart, amazing, funny, and beloved man who made the Chicago Metropolitan Area shine the light with love, friendship, and entertainment town-by-town. He gave so much love to many downtowns across Northeast Illinois and shares the greatest spirit of them all!
All of our members and founders of Cinema Treasures will miss you dearly in our hearts Willis. -50sSNIPES
He’s an amazing man that made the Chicago Metropolitan Area and all of Illinois shine with love and entertainment, and I’m so sad and heartbroken on the news of his passing at age 86 today.
RIP Willis, you’ll be missed! God bless Willis and his great family.
Still opened in the 1980s.
Looks like a Mr. Magoo short playing on the screen.
Actually, it appears that it ran a mixture, but cannot tell because it didn’t show up by advertisements or showings. I recently read a couple of articles about the Tower from the 1980s and it appears that it was running selections of both normal English and Spanish films. However, it did have an adult bookstore next door.
Opened on September 6, 1913, first operated by J.H. Ward.
The State Theatre opened on March 16, 1938 with Dick Powell in “Hollywood Hotel” (unclear if any short subjects were added), and closed on May 25, 1955. It was last operated by Mrs. Vera Greene.
Twinned on September 7, 1979.
It was renamed the Elroy Theatre in 1934.
Edited from both January 22 and October 12, 2022 comments:
The Waco Drive-In opened its gates on May 1, 1953 with Edmond O'Brien in “Silver City” along with an unnamed Tom & Jerry cartoon and an unnamed Popeye cartoon, featuring an original capacity of 425 cars.
It was first operated by E.S. (Tommy) Tompkin who also operated the State and Fox Theatres nearby. Charles Doyle, Earl Hickford, and Jack Schneider are the original projectionists for the theater.
Tompkin operated the theater until he suffered a heart attack on September 16, 1964. Sadly he later died at a nearby hospital that same day.
The Waco Drive-In closed at the end of the 1978 season, and was demolished in the early-1980s.
Solved! The Ridge Drive-In opened its gates on May 17, 1953 with Jean Peters in “Anne Of The Indies” and Walter Brennan in “Along The Great Divine” with no extra short subjects. It was first operated by M.L. Dickson. The Ridge Drive-In closed at the end of the 1978 season.
Opened with “Submarine D-I” (unknown if any short subjects were included). It was first operated by Gerald G. Waller.
This replaced an older Elroy Theatre (formerly the Majestic Theatre) which closed three days prior (which will have its own page soon).
The Humota Theatre opened its doors on October 2, 1928. This replaced the Strand Theatre after it was destroyed by a fire on January 28, 1928 (yes the town of Humboldt has a former movie house named the Strand Theatre, which has nothing to be confused with the Strand in nearby Fort Dodge).
Another correction: It did not close on September 18, 1951. The theater continued operating until its July 5, 1952 closure.
Correction: The Winfield Theatre started as a 301-seat theater but the capacity downgraded to 173 by the end of its operation according to the Winfield Beacon.
The Winfield Theatre was later taken over by E.S. Tompkins who operated the theater after the retirement of the Pratt Brothers in late-August 1951. At the time, Mr. and Mrs. Dayle Allen owned the theater.
This didn’t last long, and the Winfield Theatre closed for the final time on July 5, 1952 with Joel McCrea in “Cattle Drive” along with a short entitled “Danger Under The Sea” and an unnamed cartoon.
Note: I accidentally added a duplicate page.
The Cavalier judging by aerial is a very unique looking drive-in. The screen is located next to the exit ramps rather than the front-center of the traces like other drive-ins.
Its still open in 1963 but was already demolished by 1984.
Grand Opening ad posted.
On April 9, 1929, sound was installed at the Miller with the first talkie being Fred Waring’s “Syncopation” along with a newsreel and comedy reel.
John C. Miller operated the Miller Theatre until George O'Brien of Rochelle who operated the Chi Theater in Sandwich, the Fargo Theater in DeKalb, and the Hub Theater in Rochelle took over the operations on January 9, 1934. Several months later on June 30, 1934, John C. Miller died from a long battle with illness at the age of 55. Fred Anderson of Morris later took over operations a few years later.
On February 1, 1942, it was taken over by the Woodstock Amusement Company, and later in the 1940s, it was taken over by the Alliance Corporation chain who operated the Miller for more than a decade or two. At the time, the Miller had a then-capacity of 460 seats.
December 8, 1933
December 6, 1927
Back as a twin in the 1980s, the Woodstock Theatre had an original twin capacity of 640 seats with 320 in each auditorium.
The Princess had an original capacity of 270 seats.
The picture demonstrated by Willis shown here were actual blueprints that was planned, which soon after comes the big expansion.
Willis is one smart, amazing, funny, and beloved man who made the Chicago Metropolitan Area shine the light with love, friendship, and entertainment town-by-town. He gave so much love to many downtowns across Northeast Illinois and shares the greatest spirit of them all!
All of our members and founders of Cinema Treasures will miss you dearly in our hearts Willis. -50sSNIPES
Closed on February 10, 2001. Last operated by Loews Cineplex.
He’s an amazing man that made the Chicago Metropolitan Area and all of Illinois shine with love and entertainment, and I’m so sad and heartbroken on the news of his passing at age 86 today.
RIP Willis, you’ll be missed! God bless Willis and his great family.
Opened on September 17, 1910 and closed in the mid-1970s.