Photo and description added credit The State Journal-Register. “Springfield, Illinois – Easter on April 13, 1954 – The drive-in Sunrise Service at the Springfield Drive-In Theater attracted more than 3,800 people. They arrived in 975 cars, according to the organizers, a number that probably compared favorably to the turnout for movies on summer weekend evenings.”
Per June Allred, whose photos I just uploaded.
“The Capitol closed in 1954. The bottom floor was reworked into retail space, the bldg. was tore down 1962-63 when Randolph Savings was built.”
Therefore the street view photo in the Overview is not the Captiol Theatre and should be removed.
“The old movie theater was housed in the former Buss’s General Store, located at the present-day corner of Main Street and Park Lane.
In the 1930s, the building sat empty and unused and according to the local newspaper “had become an unsightly object to persons entering the village from the South.”
In 1940, the building was completely remodeled and restored for use as a movie theater.
On May 4, 1941, the theater officially opened.
The first film shown was “Slightly Honorable” starring Pat O'Brien.
The theater had 442 seats and featured the latest sound and projection equipment.”
(Frozen Custard and a giant cone were added on top of the marquee circa 1958. A sign for such can also be seen on the side of the building in the 1962 demolition photo.)
Closed due to declining business in 1960.
Demolished in 1962.
Replaced by the Hudson Square Building built in 1963.
Which oddly originally looked very similar to the former Hudson Theatre building.
It has had additions built on both sides sometime after 1970.
Photos from 1900, 1940, 1958, 1962 & 1963 added.
It had been renamed State Theatre by the late `60s per Hubert Crain. Two of his photos added as the State (albeit blurry) and as Coleman’s Pawn Shop. Appears to be the same building in both.
Per Fred Fritz Hennig regarding the fire:
“I was there in the audience when it started. The Movie featured 19-year-old Jane Russell in a loose peasant dress. The Movie, Howard Hughes' ‘The Outlaw,’ was made in the early ‘40s but not released until years later – a long story. It was said that Jane was so hot that when she bent over Jesse, giving the audience an ample down blouse look, it set the movie on fire. Actually, the movie was printed on old film stock which was highly flammable. The projectionist was in a hurry to change reels, dropped a hot carbon arc rod on a roll of the old film, and up it went! Lots of fire and nasty smelling smoke. There were weird flame patterns in the auditorium until the projection room window shields automatically dropped down. No one was hurt and the audience didn’t panic, the men perhaps savoring the last pleasurable scene on the screen.”
Found mention on Facebook of a possible Woods Theatre in Woodruff in 1952, possibly on Main Street near Nestldown Candies.
Friday night admission was 10 cents, children under 12 were 9 cents.
Opened as The Old State Theatre. Named was changed to Bulldog Theatre during the depression. Per the book “Weatherford 1898-1998” page 70.
March 20, 2020 photo in Buzzfeed News link below.
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/annehelenpetersen/coronavirus-covid-cities-second-homes-rural-small-towns?utm_source=pocket-newtab
Nine photos added.
Photo and description added credit The State Journal-Register. “Springfield, Illinois – Easter on April 13, 1954 – The drive-in Sunrise Service at the Springfield Drive-In Theater attracted more than 3,800 people. They arrived in 975 cars, according to the organizers, a number that probably compared favorably to the turnout for movies on summer weekend evenings.”
15 photos added, some as The Flick Theatre.
Multiple images added.
Per June Allred, whose photos I just uploaded. “The Capitol closed in 1954. The bottom floor was reworked into retail space, the bldg. was tore down 1962-63 when Randolph Savings was built.” Therefore the street view photo in the Overview is not the Captiol Theatre and should be removed.
Ah, my mistake. It was Mekong.net.
http://www.mekong.net/random/theatres.htm
Thank you for posting Matt. Always loved your Granada in Chicago photos.
Full history credit Vince Niklin and Lee Bishop.
“The old movie theater was housed in the former Buss’s General Store, located at the present-day corner of Main Street and Park Lane. In the 1930s, the building sat empty and unused and according to the local newspaper “had become an unsightly object to persons entering the village from the South.” In 1940, the building was completely remodeled and restored for use as a movie theater. On May 4, 1941, the theater officially opened. The first film shown was “Slightly Honorable” starring Pat O'Brien. The theater had 442 seats and featured the latest sound and projection equipment.” (Frozen Custard and a giant cone were added on top of the marquee circa 1958. A sign for such can also be seen on the side of the building in the 1962 demolition photo.) Closed due to declining business in 1960. Demolished in 1962. Replaced by the Hudson Square Building built in 1963. Which oddly originally looked very similar to the former Hudson Theatre building. It has had additions built on both sides sometime after 1970. Photos from 1900, 1940, 1958, 1962 & 1963 added.
Brief marquee shot at the November 4, 1953 premiere of “How To Marry A Millionaire”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9O2y9FvAdak&fbclid=IwAR0EnD-gXH8x2p11rdhkyV_h0_k7_At94yzbP0M8LdW3uJMVlf9UUDMO_R0
EVO has turned their parking lot into a drive-in theatre during the Covid-19 pandemic.
https://www.indiewire.com/2020/04/texas-movie-theater-turns-parking-lot-into-drive-in-1202221888/?fbclid=IwAR1wTwn31lMdwO9Q9asrNq2aMMXIJOVqsacKjPU9hsSwPlvwnzkvb4SV4fE
1939 photo.
1920 photo added courtesy Lee Bishop.
Circa 1942 and 1929 photos as Allen Theatre courtesy Vince Nicklin.
Circa 1961 photo added via Mase Mason.
Circa 1961 photo added via Mase Mason.
1961 photo.
1961 photo.
1961 photo.
Was possibly called Isle Theatre in 1928, owned by Raymond Quady in 1930. Ticket image added.
It had been renamed State Theatre by the late `60s per Hubert Crain. Two of his photos added as the State (albeit blurry) and as Coleman’s Pawn Shop. Appears to be the same building in both.
Address is 205 Front Street.
Building currently houses Alexander’s Pizza, and the marquee overhang is still in use but covered with signage.
Per Fred Fritz Hennig regarding the fire: “I was there in the audience when it started. The Movie featured 19-year-old Jane Russell in a loose peasant dress. The Movie, Howard Hughes' ‘The Outlaw,’ was made in the early ‘40s but not released until years later – a long story. It was said that Jane was so hot that when she bent over Jesse, giving the audience an ample down blouse look, it set the movie on fire. Actually, the movie was printed on old film stock which was highly flammable. The projectionist was in a hurry to change reels, dropped a hot carbon arc rod on a roll of the old film, and up it went! Lots of fire and nasty smelling smoke. There were weird flame patterns in the auditorium until the projection room window shields automatically dropped down. No one was hurt and the audience didn’t panic, the men perhaps savoring the last pleasurable scene on the screen.”
Found mention on Facebook of a possible Woods Theatre in Woodruff in 1952, possibly on Main Street near Nestldown Candies. Friday night admission was 10 cents, children under 12 were 9 cents.