As the River Oaks Theatre adult cinema, the venue opened with Denyse Roland in “The D(irty) Girls” and Marla Ellis “Warm Nights and Hot Pleasures” (upper left) on January 4, 1967. As the ads state, the River Oaks was in River Oaks - in case there was any confusion.
It may well have ended at the River Oaks in River Oaks with Karen Drake in “The House of Cats” and Janet Damon in “The Fat Black Pussycat” (bottom right). Protests were abundant in January and February of 1967 and once the adult movies were gone, everybody knew that no other type of film would draw attention to the River Oaks which was demolished two years later.
Technically, this opened and closed as the River Oaks Theater. It launched for Interstate Theatres Circuit on April 27, 1945 with “Here Come the Waves.” The theatre was subleased in 1952 when Interstate divested of many theaters as a result of the Paramount decree.
As an independent , it switched to widescreen projection showing CinemaScope titles beginning on January 3, 1955. The operator bolted after a 20-year leasing expiry closing on December 13, 1964 with a double-feature of “Hell is for Heroes” and “Son of Captain Blood.
Ted Gould decided to take on the theatre rebranding it as the Riviera Theatre on March 12, 1965 with “Elmer Gantry” opening the venue. That ended after less than 18 months on September 4, 1966 with Peter Noone in “Hold On” and David Niven in “Where the Spies Are.”
The theatre returned in January of 1967 under the River Oaks Theater nameplate as an adult theater. Successful protests ended that operation soon thereafter in 1967 and it never screened movies. again although it hosted live political events in 1968.
The River Oaks was razed in 1969 and replaced with a new location of White’s Auto Store and garage. That opened on April 23, 1970.
38 Jennings Avenue was the address for this theatre that closed as the Savoy Theatre on March 28, 1919 with live operatic performances. The building was converted later in the year to an auto garage.
Eugene Low, Jr. launched the Low’s Theatre on June 14, 1935 with “Folies Bergere de Paris” to complement his Low’s Rialto Theatre in downtown Refugio. On June 1, 1937, Low sold both venues to F.R. Hansen and Jack Pickens of San Antonio. The pair renamed the venues as the Rialto Theatre (immediately dropping Low’s) and, after a refresh, the Rig Theatre reopened on October 29, 1937 with June Travis in “Join the Marines.” N. Bergvall was the architect. The theatre closed in 1942 for three years though used for some live events and in support of the War efforts.
With a growing Hispanic population, the theatre changed its policy at another reopening on September 16, 1945 showing Spanish-language films. After another closure and refresh, the theatre switched to widescreen to show CinemaScope at a final relaunch on December 24, 1954. That appears to have been the last effort with the theatre closing in 1955.
The Rialto launched for Henry Hall and Hall Industries on July 19, 1931 with Richard Arlen in “The Secret Call” supported by a Paramount newsreel and the short, “Bare Knees” starring Daphne Pollard (see ad in Photos). It was said to have been the town’s first ever new-build facilities for motion pictures and replaced the Majestic Theatre.
The Richlands Mall Twin Cinema was designed by Cunningham, Weaver, Foreman and Bailey Architects of Atlanta and was at the rear of the mall. It was an original tenant of the mall and its placement allowed for quick entry after parking and operation after the mall closed. It opened with the mall as an original tenant in 1980 and closed at the expiry of lease under a non-original operator.
Guys Theatre and the new Star were run by Flanary, Sr, from 1939 until his death in 1946. Flanary Jr. designed the new-build Flanary to replace the Guys in December 1948. The Star and Flanary were then joined by the Guy’s Drive-In in 1950. The Flanary converted to widescreen and the Star would fade. The town operated wrh just two theaters - the hardtop Flanary and Guy’s Drive-in thereafter. Both closed at the end of 30-year leases.
After successfully showing Keystone Studio films at the independent Palms Theatre in 1913, Mutual Studios - the releasing company for Keystone - had the new-build Keystone Theatre designed by Fermer S. Cannon to additionally house the local branch of Mutual Studios Releasing offices. The Keystone launched on a 10-year lease on May 1, 1914. This was timed out well with the ultra popular Charlie Chaplin films that he made in his contract with Keystone in 1914.
Keystone Studios faded three years later but the venue kept its name for the run of the lease.The main advantages for moving the Keystone titles from the Palms to the Keystone was their popularity outstripped the diminutive 300-seat Palms and Mutual could get a more favorable split of the revenue by eliminating the independent Palms operator into the owned and operated 600-seat Keystone. Once Chaplin left Keystone and better movie venues were built, the Keystone just slid tier by tier under several operators to oblivion.
The Keystone had been an important part of Indy’s “Movie Lane” / “Film Row” which found so many theatres packed into a small part of town; these theaters included The Palms / Alamo, the Lyric, the Lenwood, the Alhambra, the Ambassador, the Crystal, et al. The theaters were close to the Terminal Building - a main hub of activity in downtown Indianapolis. At the end of its initial lease, the theatre was renamed as the Alamo Theatre beginning April 13, 1924 on a new 20-year lease. At the end of that lease, it had a final15-year lease renamed as the Rodeo Theatre playing westerns for the most part beginning on November 16, 1945. It was later demolished.
Since Guy Flanary, Jr. placed the family surname as “Flanary” on the Flanary Theatre which remained there for three decades, there is no question that the name is Robert Guy “R.G.” Flanary. Thanks for September 20, 1950 opening date.
The Ace was built as an open-air theatre in the 1920s. The Wometco Circuit took it on in 1935 and purchased it outright in 1938. It received its roof at that time and then was rebuilt as a more traditional, streamline modern movie house in 1945. Wometco closed it as a movie venue in 1967 and it became a house of worship from that point until being boarded up in 1977.
The Strand announced that it would close permanently at the end of December 2021 saying that COVID-19 had led to higher costs of operation without a return to pre-pandemic audience levels.
The New Monogram operated here and the original Monogram operated at 3028 South State Street. They had a short period of interoperation so should be listed seperately.
The Palms (aka The Palms Theatre aka Palms 1 Theatre) launched September 8, 1913 managed by Grant and Heath for Edward G. Sourbier Entertainment. According to reports, Sourbrier had previously opened the first dedicated movie theatre in Indianapolis. He was a car enthusiast city councilman, one of the principles of Stutz Motor Company, and purchased the Central Amusement Company / Central City Amusement Co. He even used his personal Stutz auto for some of the theater’s ballyhoo.
The Palms presented Keystone Films at 5 cents per photoplay show. A second location for Soubrier was established at 341 West 30th at Highland Street as The Palms 2 (aka The Palms 2 Theatre aka Palms 2) with the original becoming The Palms 1 Theatre or Palms 1. From a naming viewpoint, The Palms 1 became simply The Palms / The Palms Theatre in 1917 when The Palms 2 became the Courtney Theatre. From an historical viewpoint, The Palms was an important part of Indy’s “Movie Lane” / “Film Row” which found so many theatres packed into a small part of town; these theaters included The Palms / Alamo, the Lyric, the Lenwood, the Alhambra, the Ambassador, the Crystal, et al.
Sourbrier’s diminutive 300-seat theatre was updated in 1918 when he announced that he had taken over the adjoining Indiana Traction and Terminal Company’s baggage room as the Indiana Traction Terminal was a neighbor. This could have allowed a “new” Palms to double its seating from 300 to 650 and the addition of a prized Wurlitzer Organ to try to compete with new-build movie theaters' presentations. It appears that those plans never actually occurred – though the theatre did extend from 300 to 330 seats.
Further evidence that the transformation did not occur was in the theater’s renaming to “Cozy.” Cozy would not likely describe or be desirable for a newly-renovated 650-seat theatre. The 1930 change from Palms to Cozy was the venue’s “sound name” for the former Palms as sound was added by DeForest PhonoFilm and PhonoDisc to three Sourbrier locations. Central City Amusements would later upgrade the Cozy’s technology both in 1934 and again in 1939 to have sound on film exclusively .
On October 28, 1948, the neighboring Ambassador-Alamo would split apart with the Alamo nameplate coming to the Cozy courtesy of new operator Mannie Marcus and M. Marcus Enterprises. The theatre received new seats, lighting and equipment with Charles Aken managing the theatre. Good authorities say that the theatre closed in 1956 as the Alamo. Sadly, it is mostly not remembered.
Dan Cantor closed following the 1983 season on September 5, 1983 with “Hell’s Angels Forever,” “Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann,” and “The Rose.” It was razed not long after in favor of the Greenwood Place Shopping Center in 1984.
The final advertised show was on October 8, 1978 with Brooke Shields in “Pretty Baby,” Diane Keaton in “Looking for Mr. Goodbar,” and Sebastián Ligarde in “Survive!” The drive-in did not, however, closing and ultimately razed in July of 1982 for a new shopping center project.
The final shows advertised were on September 6, 1993 with “Hard Target” and “The Fugitive” on the East screen and “Needful Things” and “Jason Goes to Hell” on the West screen. There were no other further listings.
The National Outdoor Theatre went out in one of the greatest bills ever on September 2 into September 3, 1984, 1984 with “Tightrope,” “Police Academy,” “Footloose,” and the original “Porky’s.” We salute you, National! It was demolished in favor of the Oaks Village subdivision not long after.
Jacob M. Smiler built the National Drive-In to accommodated 1,100 cars with a mammoth 72-foot screen in 1955. It was the city’s 11th drive-in and it was deluxe with a swimming pool, a dance pavilion, two playgrounds for different sizes of kids, shuffleboard, skating rink and mini amusement park. It opened August 20, 1952 with Rod Cameron in “Wagons West” and the Bowery Boys in “Feudin' Fools.”
The Northside Drive-In went out with style and a bang showing “American Graffiti” and having a fireworks show with 250 cars at the goodbye on August 12, 1988. It was razed just days later. The Eastridge Group had purchased the property for the Walden Pond development and, in a classy move, they sponsored “The Last Night at the Northside.” The Northside’s continuous operation appears to have ended at the end of a 30-year lease in 1982. The 41-acre location had room for 1,250 cars.
The ABC Noblesville Outdoor Theatre closed on August 28, 1994 with “In The Army Now.” It closed as the ABC Noblesville Outdoor Theatre (1992-1994). It was known as the ABC-Noblesville Drive-In from 1965 to 1992. It was the Noblesville Drive-In from 1955 to 1964.
As the River Oaks Theatre adult cinema, the venue opened with Denyse Roland in “The D(irty) Girls” and Marla Ellis “Warm Nights and Hot Pleasures” (upper left) on January 4, 1967. As the ads state, the River Oaks was in River Oaks - in case there was any confusion.
It may well have ended at the River Oaks in River Oaks with Karen Drake in “The House of Cats” and Janet Damon in “The Fat Black Pussycat” (bottom right). Protests were abundant in January and February of 1967 and once the adult movies were gone, everybody knew that no other type of film would draw attention to the River Oaks which was demolished two years later.
Technically, this opened and closed as the River Oaks Theater. It launched for Interstate Theatres Circuit on April 27, 1945 with “Here Come the Waves.” The theatre was subleased in 1952 when Interstate divested of many theaters as a result of the Paramount decree.
As an independent , it switched to widescreen projection showing CinemaScope titles beginning on January 3, 1955. The operator bolted after a 20-year leasing expiry closing on December 13, 1964 with a double-feature of “Hell is for Heroes” and “Son of Captain Blood.
Ted Gould decided to take on the theatre rebranding it as the Riviera Theatre on March 12, 1965 with “Elmer Gantry” opening the venue. That ended after less than 18 months on September 4, 1966 with Peter Noone in “Hold On” and David Niven in “Where the Spies Are.”
The theatre returned in January of 1967 under the River Oaks Theater nameplate as an adult theater. Successful protests ended that operation soon thereafter in 1967 and it never screened movies. again although it hosted live political events in 1968.
The River Oaks was razed in 1969 and replaced with a new location of White’s Auto Store and garage. That opened on April 23, 1970.
Opened as the Skyway Drive-In for African American audiences on April 13, 1952 with “Johnny Allegro” and “Kill the Empire.”
38 Jennings Avenue was the address for this theatre that closed as the Savoy Theatre on March 28, 1919 with live operatic performances. The building was converted later in the year to an auto garage.
Eugene Low, Jr. launched the Low’s Theatre on June 14, 1935 with “Folies Bergere de Paris” to complement his Low’s Rialto Theatre in downtown Refugio. On June 1, 1937, Low sold both venues to F.R. Hansen and Jack Pickens of San Antonio. The pair renamed the venues as the Rialto Theatre (immediately dropping Low’s) and, after a refresh, the Rig Theatre reopened on October 29, 1937 with June Travis in “Join the Marines.” N. Bergvall was the architect. The theatre closed in 1942 for three years though used for some live events and in support of the War efforts.
With a growing Hispanic population, the theatre changed its policy at another reopening on September 16, 1945 showing Spanish-language films. After another closure and refresh, the theatre switched to widescreen to show CinemaScope at a final relaunch on December 24, 1954. That appears to have been the last effort with the theatre closing in 1955.
The Rialto launched for Henry Hall and Hall Industries on July 19, 1931 with Richard Arlen in “The Secret Call” supported by a Paramount newsreel and the short, “Bare Knees” starring Daphne Pollard (see ad in Photos). It was said to have been the town’s first ever new-build facilities for motion pictures and replaced the Majestic Theatre.
The new Rialto Theatre launched May 14, 1948 to a capacity crowd with Henry W, Hall of Hall Industry Theatres Circuit on hand.
The Richlands Mall Twin Cinema was designed by Cunningham, Weaver, Foreman and Bailey Architects of Atlanta and was at the rear of the mall. It was an original tenant of the mall and its placement allowed for quick entry after parking and operation after the mall closed. It opened with the mall as an original tenant in 1980 and closed at the expiry of lease under a non-original operator.
Guys Theatre and the new Star were run by Flanary, Sr, from 1939 until his death in 1946. Flanary Jr. designed the new-build Flanary to replace the Guys in December 1948. The Star and Flanary were then joined by the Guy’s Drive-In in 1950. The Flanary converted to widescreen and the Star would fade. The town operated wrh just two theaters - the hardtop Flanary and Guy’s Drive-in thereafter. Both closed at the end of 30-year leases.
After successfully showing Keystone Studio films at the independent Palms Theatre in 1913, Mutual Studios - the releasing company for Keystone - had the new-build Keystone Theatre designed by Fermer S. Cannon to additionally house the local branch of Mutual Studios Releasing offices. The Keystone launched on a 10-year lease on May 1, 1914. This was timed out well with the ultra popular Charlie Chaplin films that he made in his contract with Keystone in 1914.
Keystone Studios faded three years later but the venue kept its name for the run of the lease.The main advantages for moving the Keystone titles from the Palms to the Keystone was their popularity outstripped the diminutive 300-seat Palms and Mutual could get a more favorable split of the revenue by eliminating the independent Palms operator into the owned and operated 600-seat Keystone. Once Chaplin left Keystone and better movie venues were built, the Keystone just slid tier by tier under several operators to oblivion.
The Keystone had been an important part of Indy’s “Movie Lane” / “Film Row” which found so many theatres packed into a small part of town; these theaters included The Palms / Alamo, the Lyric, the Lenwood, the Alhambra, the Ambassador, the Crystal, et al. The theaters were close to the Terminal Building - a main hub of activity in downtown Indianapolis. At the end of its initial lease, the theatre was renamed as the Alamo Theatre beginning April 13, 1924 on a new 20-year lease. At the end of that lease, it had a final15-year lease renamed as the Rodeo Theatre playing westerns for the most part beginning on November 16, 1945. It was later demolished.
Since Guy Flanary, Jr. placed the family surname as “Flanary” on the Flanary Theatre which remained there for three decades, there is no question that the name is Robert Guy “R.G.” Flanary. Thanks for September 20, 1950 opening date.
The New Theatre launched July 26, 1916 with a full house with Pauline Frederick in “Eternal City.”
The Ace was built as an open-air theatre in the 1920s. The Wometco Circuit took it on in 1935 and purchased it outright in 1938. It received its roof at that time and then was rebuilt as a more traditional, streamline modern movie house in 1945. Wometco closed it as a movie venue in 1967 and it became a house of worship from that point until being boarded up in 1977.
The Strand announced that it would close permanently at the end of December 2021 saying that COVID-19 had led to higher costs of operation without a return to pre-pandemic audience levels.
The Fox Theater was demolished along with its shared building operation, the York Hotel, in September and October of 1979.
The New Monogram operated here and the original Monogram operated at 3028 South State Street. They had a short period of interoperation so should be listed seperately.
The Palms (aka The Palms Theatre aka Palms 1 Theatre) launched September 8, 1913 managed by Grant and Heath for Edward G. Sourbier Entertainment. According to reports, Sourbrier had previously opened the first dedicated movie theatre in Indianapolis. He was a car enthusiast city councilman, one of the principles of Stutz Motor Company, and purchased the Central Amusement Company / Central City Amusement Co. He even used his personal Stutz auto for some of the theater’s ballyhoo.
The Palms presented Keystone Films at 5 cents per photoplay show. A second location for Soubrier was established at 341 West 30th at Highland Street as The Palms 2 (aka The Palms 2 Theatre aka Palms 2) with the original becoming The Palms 1 Theatre or Palms 1. From a naming viewpoint, The Palms 1 became simply The Palms / The Palms Theatre in 1917 when The Palms 2 became the Courtney Theatre. From an historical viewpoint, The Palms was an important part of Indy’s “Movie Lane” / “Film Row” which found so many theatres packed into a small part of town; these theaters included The Palms / Alamo, the Lyric, the Lenwood, the Alhambra, the Ambassador, the Crystal, et al.
Sourbrier’s diminutive 300-seat theatre was updated in 1918 when he announced that he had taken over the adjoining Indiana Traction and Terminal Company’s baggage room as the Indiana Traction Terminal was a neighbor. This could have allowed a “new” Palms to double its seating from 300 to 650 and the addition of a prized Wurlitzer Organ to try to compete with new-build movie theaters' presentations. It appears that those plans never actually occurred – though the theatre did extend from 300 to 330 seats.
Further evidence that the transformation did not occur was in the theater’s renaming to “Cozy.” Cozy would not likely describe or be desirable for a newly-renovated 650-seat theatre. The 1930 change from Palms to Cozy was the venue’s “sound name” for the former Palms as sound was added by DeForest PhonoFilm and PhonoDisc to three Sourbrier locations. Central City Amusements would later upgrade the Cozy’s technology both in 1934 and again in 1939 to have sound on film exclusively .
On October 28, 1948, the neighboring Ambassador-Alamo would split apart with the Alamo nameplate coming to the Cozy courtesy of new operator Mannie Marcus and M. Marcus Enterprises. The theatre received new seats, lighting and equipment with Charles Aken managing the theatre. Good authorities say that the theatre closed in 1956 as the Alamo. Sadly, it is mostly not remembered.
Dan Cantor closed following the 1983 season on September 5, 1983 with “Hell’s Angels Forever,” “Timerider: The Adventure of Lyle Swann,” and “The Rose.” It was razed not long after in favor of the Greenwood Place Shopping Center in 1984.
The final advertised show was on October 8, 1978 with Brooke Shields in “Pretty Baby,” Diane Keaton in “Looking for Mr. Goodbar,” and Sebastián Ligarde in “Survive!” The drive-in did not, however, closing and ultimately razed in July of 1982 for a new shopping center project.
The final shows advertised were on September 6, 1993 with “Hard Target” and “The Fugitive” on the East screen and “Needful Things” and “Jason Goes to Hell” on the West screen. There were no other further listings.
The National Outdoor Theatre went out in one of the greatest bills ever on September 2 into September 3, 1984, 1984 with “Tightrope,” “Police Academy,” “Footloose,” and the original “Porky’s.” We salute you, National! It was demolished in favor of the Oaks Village subdivision not long after.
Jacob M. Smiler built the National Drive-In to accommodated 1,100 cars with a mammoth 72-foot screen in 1955. It was the city’s 11th drive-in and it was deluxe with a swimming pool, a dance pavilion, two playgrounds for different sizes of kids, shuffleboard, skating rink and mini amusement park. It opened August 20, 1952 with Rod Cameron in “Wagons West” and the Bowery Boys in “Feudin' Fools.”
The Northside Drive-In went out with style and a bang showing “American Graffiti” and having a fireworks show with 250 cars at the goodbye on August 12, 1988. It was razed just days later. The Eastridge Group had purchased the property for the Walden Pond development and, in a classy move, they sponsored “The Last Night at the Northside.” The Northside’s continuous operation appears to have ended at the end of a 30-year lease in 1982. The 41-acre location had room for 1,250 cars.
Closed following the September 4, 1989 triple feature of “Land Before Time,” “Uncle Buck,” and “K-9.”
The ABC Noblesville Outdoor Theatre closed on August 28, 1994 with “In The Army Now.” It closed as the ABC Noblesville Outdoor Theatre (1992-1994). It was known as the ABC-Noblesville Drive-In from 1965 to 1992. It was the Noblesville Drive-In from 1955 to 1964.