The Parks Theatre launched in 1920. Under new operators it became the Stockton Theatre in 1926. The theatre struggled in the transition to sound going dark in 1930, reopening and going dark in 1931, and the same in 1932. It hit its stride staying open from 1933 to the television age. The venue closed permanently at the of is lease on April 30, 1955. Owner Orville Bastian leased the venue to E & W Clothing converting the space to retail.
R.S. Hopper formerly of the Bijou launched the Lyric Theatre here on October 10, 1908 with a seating capacity of 300 (likely chairs) with films including, “The Devil."On February 15, 1916, two Chicago operators changed it to the Star Theatre. They appear to have skipped town after October 19. 1918 showtimes. I’d keep this one as the Lyric Theatre aka Star.
The Majestic opened as a nickelodeon in July of 1907 in the existing McNamara Building. The Majestic was discontinued at the end of its 15-year leasing agreement on April 13, 1922 by Orpheum Circuit which opened the Lindo Theatre the next day to replace the Majetsic. The McNamara Building was sold in 1924 and the new owners converted it in November of 1924 for other purposes.
Franchisee Triple Tap Ventures closed here, El Paso and Houston for non-Alamo rebranding after the February 7, 2026 shows. The most consistent rumor is that they will become Flix Brewhouses.
Franchisee Triple Tap Ventures closed here, Lubbock and Houston for non-Alamo rebranding after the February 7, 2026 shows. The most consistent rumor is that they will become Flix Brewhouses.
Franchisee Triple Tap Ventures closed here, Lubbock and El
Paso for non-Alamo rebranding after the February 7, 2026 shows. The most consistent rumor is that they will become Flix Brewhouses.
Closed with “The Longest Yard” on November 10, 1974. The Michigan Mall opened officially in 1975 with the theater empty until its demolition beginning in July of 1984 along with the neighboring Jury Rowe Building and also the nearby Gilbert Hotel, the Williams House, the Tidy Car Building, the Montgomery Building, the Bellman & Waiters Club, the Commercial Building and the former Bijou Theatre. It was urban renewal time in Cereal City.
Pearl Merrill and Laura Peralta, whose fused names became the fledgling circuit of Meralta Theaters in the silent era, opened the Culver City location of the Meralta with Pearl Merrill living above the theater. That is until Merrill lost everything when it burned on August 9, 1943.
Laura Peralta Brackett had the venue rebuilt, again with an apartment for Merrill who lived there until her passing in 1961. Here, in 1971, is a shot of Laura Peralta Brackett who is said to be living in that same apartment.
Reportedly the ninth venue for female operators Pearl Merrill and Laura Peralta whose fused names became the fledgling circuit of Meralta Theaters in the silent era. This venue opened in 1925 for the former vaudevillians known as Ella Fant and Miss Kito. Merrill became a member of the Motion Picture Theater Owners Of America and the first female to be in any executive role in the body when she become a regional vice-president within that body in 1926.
Merrill lived in the Culver City Meralta Theatre losing everything when it burned on August 9, 1943. The Downey location lasted 53 years with its last advertised film was “No Longer Alone” on October 5, 1978. The Meralta was demolished two months later in December of 1978.
They appear to have fulfilled a 20-year leasing contract closing on September 14, 1989 with “The Abyss” and “Uncle Buck.” (From December 4, 1987 to September 13, 1989, it used “Stonewood Cinema 1 & 2” as an alternate name likely to differentiate it from another Showcase-named venue. But retaining Showcase is proper here, especially since in a legal notice in 1988 lists the location as the Showcase Cinema in a transfer of four locations from Jannopoulos Theatres run by James and Mary Lou Jannopoulos to Edwards Cinemas Corp. Circuit.)
The $70,000 Park Theatre opened by Gale Theatre operators David Eli “D.E.” and Dorothy V. Frank on Nov. 22, 1949 with “The Red Pony.” The town’s population had just reached the 898 mark. The streamline moderne exterior, quonset hut auditorium was common in post-War theaters due to building shortages and ease of construction. The Franks bought the structure from an Army surplus sale. The venue was bathed in turquoise and coral at its launch with birch paneling covering the quonset hut theatre. And it had a fireplace for a homey touch in the lobby.
The balcony had family friendly cry room and seating with cribs. A party room was included within the theater’s lobby. The Franks discontinued service on December 1, 1996 with “The Associate.” The Franks began a practice of annual reopening to commemorate the venue’s initial launch. On Oct. 4-5, 1999, that practice started with “South Pacific.“ (The event also officially paid tribute to the venue’s July 15, 1999 recognition by the State’s Register of Historic Sites.) The next year’s anniversary film was “It’s a Mad… World,” then “Some Like it Hot” in 2001, “Irma la Douce” in 2002, “A Song is Born” in 2003, and “The Misfits” in 2004 for the 55th Anniversary.
That tradition stopped and the theater was used for sporadic events in the 2010s. The venue is not open as of the 2020s.
The $35,000 Gale Theatre opened by David Eli “D.E.” and Dorothy V. Frank on June 21, 1941. The town’s population had just reached the 1,000 mark. On May 6, 1946, it became the Gale Theatre and Recreation Center adding bowling, shuffleboard, billiards and other gaming - clearly ahead of its time. The couple also owned the Park Theatre in Augusta, Michigan.
The theater portion closed on February 26, 1967 with “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” A remodeling in March removed seats, signage and leveled the floor of the auditorium for the Farm Crest Bakery with the “And Recreation” continuing.
The original venue was designed by Detroit-based architect Louis Wiltse - a $450,000, 850-seat twin. The suburban twin was built as downtown Battle Creek was in full retreat. The Towne’s automated equipment was a source of union disappointment at launch on November 3, 1978. One of the last projects for Butterfield Circuit was its conversion of the venue from two to three screens in 1984. George Kerasotes Cinema acquired the W.S. Butterfield circuit locations in December of 1984.
GKC expanded the Towne to 8 screens with 1,570 seats in the multiplex era of cinema in 1989 but dropped the theatre in the megaplex world during 2001. GKC auctioned off older multiplexes, twins, triplexes and singles in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Michigan including the Towne on August 1, 2001.
John and Mark Herzing acquired the venue relighting it as the discount, sub-run Cheap Flicks on October 19, 2001. Finding prints became a challenge for the venue as theaters had converted from film to DCP playout servers by 2013. The venue closed following August 31, 2014 showtimes.
Carol Moore’s Moore Cinemas took on the venue in the name of the late Joe Chabot as the JC Cinema. After a nearly two year refresh and conversion to digital, the JC Cinema opened on June 16, 2016, dropping to seven screens.
The operator posted grave concerns about the venue and the exhibition industry as the Voy’s lease was coming due on February 15, 2026. That note is found in photos.
Mr. and Mrs. Earl A. London announced the building of Olivet’s first theatre since the silent era in 1945. The 400-seat house stalled with Wartime shortages finally opening on May 27, 1946 with “Along Came Jones” as the first film shown. The streamline moderne house had era-appropriate features including wide aisles, cry room for parents with babies, listening devices and hat / coat check room.
Mr. and Mrs. C.T. Pier bought the venue from the Londons in July of 1955 converting it to widescreen projection to present CinemaScope titles. That began September 4, 1955. The films proved too wide for Olivet audiences with the Piers closing on December 2, 1955. The Chamber of Commerce decided to reopen the venue on a twice a week basis at month’s end. Charging 10 to 25 cents, older family film presentations were instituted that continued through the end of 1960. It was relit in 1962 for an eclectic, non-profit operation. In 1967, it was staging mostly live plays as the Oaks Theatre.
Closed for renovations Feb. 7, 2026 to reopen in 2027
The Parks Theatre launched in 1920. Under new operators it became the Stockton Theatre in 1926. The theatre struggled in the transition to sound going dark in 1930, reopening and going dark in 1931, and the same in 1932. It hit its stride staying open from 1933 to the television age. The venue closed permanently at the of is lease on April 30, 1955. Owner Orville Bastian leased the venue to E & W Clothing converting the space to retail.
May 1, 1905 opening ad in photos. Its two year lease was terminated in May of 1907 and the space converted to a grocery store.
R.S. Hopper formerly of the Bijou launched the Lyric Theatre here on October 10, 1908 with a seating capacity of 300 (likely chairs) with films including, “The Devil."On February 15, 1916, two Chicago operators changed it to the Star Theatre. They appear to have skipped town after October 19. 1918 showtimes. I’d keep this one as the Lyric Theatre aka Star.
The Majestic opened as a nickelodeon in July of 1907 in the existing McNamara Building. The Majestic was discontinued at the end of its 15-year leasing agreement on April 13, 1922 by Orpheum Circuit which opened the Lindo Theatre the next day to replace the Majetsic. The McNamara Building was sold in 1924 and the new owners converted it in November of 1924 for other purposes.
Indeed - it’s located under Romantix
Franchisee Triple Tap Ventures closed here, El Paso and Houston for non-Alamo rebranding after the February 7, 2026 shows. The most consistent rumor is that they will become Flix Brewhouses.
Franchisee Triple Tap Ventures closed here, Lubbock and Houston for non-Alamo rebranding after the February 7, 2026 shows. The most consistent rumor is that they will become Flix Brewhouses.
Franchisee Triple Tap Ventures closed here, Lubbock and El Paso for non-Alamo rebranding after the February 7, 2026 shows. The most consistent rumor is that they will become Flix Brewhouses.
Franchisee Triple Tap Ventures closed here, Lubbbock and Houston for non-Alamo rebrandsFebruary 7, 2026.
Closed with “The Longest Yard” on November 10, 1974. The Michigan Mall opened officially in 1975 with the theater empty until its demolition beginning in July of 1984 along with the neighboring Jury Rowe Building and also the nearby Gilbert Hotel, the Williams House, the Tidy Car Building, the Montgomery Building, the Bellman & Waiters Club, the Commercial Building and the former Bijou Theatre. It was urban renewal time in Cereal City.
Pearl Merrill and Laura Peralta, whose fused names became the fledgling circuit of Meralta Theaters in the silent era, opened the Culver City location of the Meralta with Pearl Merrill living above the theater. That is until Merrill lost everything when it burned on August 9, 1943.
Laura Peralta Brackett had the venue rebuilt, again with an apartment for Merrill who lived there until her passing in 1961. Here, in 1971, is a shot of Laura Peralta Brackett who is said to be living in that same apartment.
Reportedly the ninth venue for female operators Pearl Merrill and Laura Peralta whose fused names became the fledgling circuit of Meralta Theaters in the silent era. This venue opened in 1925 for the former vaudevillians known as Ella Fant and Miss Kito. Merrill became a member of the Motion Picture Theater Owners Of America and the first female to be in any executive role in the body when she become a regional vice-president within that body in 1926.
Merrill lived in the Culver City Meralta Theatre losing everything when it burned on August 9, 1943. The Downey location lasted 53 years with its last advertised film was “No Longer Alone” on October 5, 1978. The Meralta was demolished two months later in December of 1978.
They appear to have fulfilled a 20-year leasing contract closing on September 14, 1989 with “The Abyss” and “Uncle Buck.” (From December 4, 1987 to September 13, 1989, it used “Stonewood Cinema 1 & 2” as an alternate name likely to differentiate it from another Showcase-named venue. But retaining Showcase is proper here, especially since in a legal notice in 1988 lists the location as the Showcase Cinema in a transfer of four locations from Jannopoulos Theatres run by James and Mary Lou Jannopoulos to Edwards Cinemas Corp. Circuit.)
Architect - David Rockwell
AMC closed here following its showtimes of February 1, 2026.
Look closed up here on February 1, 2026
The $70,000 Park Theatre opened by Gale Theatre operators David Eli “D.E.” and Dorothy V. Frank on Nov. 22, 1949 with “The Red Pony.” The town’s population had just reached the 898 mark. The streamline moderne exterior, quonset hut auditorium was common in post-War theaters due to building shortages and ease of construction. The Franks bought the structure from an Army surplus sale. The venue was bathed in turquoise and coral at its launch with birch paneling covering the quonset hut theatre. And it had a fireplace for a homey touch in the lobby.
The balcony had family friendly cry room and seating with cribs. A party room was included within the theater’s lobby. The Franks discontinued service on December 1, 1996 with “The Associate.” The Franks began a practice of annual reopening to commemorate the venue’s initial launch. On Oct. 4-5, 1999, that practice started with “South Pacific.“ (The event also officially paid tribute to the venue’s July 15, 1999 recognition by the State’s Register of Historic Sites.) The next year’s anniversary film was “It’s a Mad… World,” then “Some Like it Hot” in 2001, “Irma la Douce” in 2002, “A Song is Born” in 2003, and “The Misfits” in 2004 for the 55th Anniversary.
That tradition stopped and the theater was used for sporadic events in the 2010s. The venue is not open as of the 2020s.
The $35,000 Gale Theatre opened by David Eli “D.E.” and Dorothy V. Frank on June 21, 1941. The town’s population had just reached the 1,000 mark. On May 6, 1946, it became the Gale Theatre and Recreation Center adding bowling, shuffleboard, billiards and other gaming - clearly ahead of its time. The couple also owned the Park Theatre in Augusta, Michigan.
The theater portion closed on February 26, 1967 with “The Greatest Story Ever Told.” A remodeling in March removed seats, signage and leveled the floor of the auditorium for the Farm Crest Bakery with the “And Recreation” continuing.
Sorry error in the opening of ‘graph 5 “Movie-Phone” not “Movie-Tone”
The original venue was designed by Detroit-based architect Louis Wiltse - a $450,000, 850-seat twin. The suburban twin was built as downtown Battle Creek was in full retreat. The Towne’s automated equipment was a source of union disappointment at launch on November 3, 1978. One of the last projects for Butterfield Circuit was its conversion of the venue from two to three screens in 1984. George Kerasotes Cinema acquired the W.S. Butterfield circuit locations in December of 1984.
GKC expanded the Towne to 8 screens with 1,570 seats in the multiplex era of cinema in 1989 but dropped the theatre in the megaplex world during 2001. GKC auctioned off older multiplexes, twins, triplexes and singles in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Michigan including the Towne on August 1, 2001.
John and Mark Herzing acquired the venue relighting it as the discount, sub-run Cheap Flicks on October 19, 2001. Finding prints became a challenge for the venue as theaters had converted from film to DCP playout servers by 2013. The venue closed following August 31, 2014 showtimes.
Carol Moore’s Moore Cinemas took on the venue in the name of the late Joe Chabot as the JC Cinema. After a nearly two year refresh and conversion to digital, the JC Cinema opened on June 16, 2016, dropping to seven screens.
Sorry - “mystery of the” should have been in there
The operator posted grave concerns about the venue and the exhibition industry as the Voy’s lease was coming due on February 15, 2026. That note is found in photos.
Mr. and Mrs. Earl A. London announced the building of Olivet’s first theatre since the silent era in 1945. The 400-seat house stalled with Wartime shortages finally opening on May 27, 1946 with “Along Came Jones” as the first film shown. The streamline moderne house had era-appropriate features including wide aisles, cry room for parents with babies, listening devices and hat / coat check room.
Mr. and Mrs. C.T. Pier bought the venue from the Londons in July of 1955 converting it to widescreen projection to present CinemaScope titles. That began September 4, 1955. The films proved too wide for Olivet audiences with the Piers closing on December 2, 1955. The Chamber of Commerce decided to reopen the venue on a twice a week basis at month’s end. Charging 10 to 25 cents, older family film presentations were instituted that continued through the end of 1960. It was relit in 1962 for an eclectic, non-profit operation. In 1967, it was staging mostly live plays as the Oaks Theatre.
Opening ad as the Magic Theater on May 17, 1907 in photos.