According to a 1956 article in “Box Office” the Midway closed on September 23, 1956. It was built by R. D. Sudderth, an Oak Cliff Banker; then sold to “Uncle Mac” MacHenry; then to Robb & Rowley and finally Rowley United.
•Bison first mentioned in clip from 1928
•Vogue built on site of demolished Bison Theater in 1948
•1050 seats at Vogue
•Cost to build was $200,000
•Robb & Rowley Built
•Now houses a church
More Info:
•Opened in 1941 as The Strand
•Located on W. Jefferson & Duncanville Road in Cockrell Hill
•1946 renamed Hill and owned by Gene Autry Enterprises.
•750 seats
•1922â€"opened (estimated from 1957 fire story indicating 35 years old
•1929â€"silents shown only two days per week due to talky competition
•1953â€"permit denied to operate drive-in theater on adjacent parking lot
•1955â€"remodeled and new owners
•1956â€"closed
•1957â€"building burned
Update to the above: In 1926 the theater housed the Oak Cliff Little Theater, using dressing rooms and offices across the alley from the building.
After closing, the Astor sat empty for a few years, then became the Astor Nightclub. Following that incarnation it housed Key Transfer and Storage Company and a 1960 fire almost destroyed the building.
No longer even resembling a theater or adorned with anything to show that it was a showplace for films and live theater, it was recently an antique/art store and is currently vacant.
Kessler Theaterâ€"1230 W. Davis
• Owned by Gene Autry Enterprises.
• Opened 1947
• 1957â€"Revival Center damaged by tornado
• 1962â€"Revival Center destroyed by 3-alarm fire
Strand Theaterâ€"1209 Elm Street
1903â€"Opened as Hippodrome.
?â€"renamed the Wade with features then burlesque.
1946â€"renamed the Dallas for Little Theater productions and family films.
1946â€"renamed the Downtown.
1947â€"renamed the Strand.
1960â€"torn down along with Rialto and Capitol, the same year for parking lots.
Opened as Rita Theater, 4945 Columbia Avenue. Later renamed Columbia. Phil Isley Theaters built a new theater one block west in late 40’s early 50’s. New building later renamed the Avenue Theater.
Now used as pawn shop downstairs, Mexican movie theater in balcony.
I believe before it burned, it was an auto-repair shop for a number of years.
It was the RoNile in 1924, but don’t know when it changed.
The map location is incorrect. The theater was on Bishop Ave. NOT Bishop Grauman. It’s in the Bishop Arts District.
According to a 1956 article in “Box Office” the Midway closed on September 23, 1956. It was built by R. D. Sudderth, an Oak Cliff Banker; then sold to “Uncle Mac” MacHenry; then to Robb & Rowley and finally Rowley United.
Last time I was by there the building was housing a garage.
The photo is of the Plaza Theater in Garland, I think.
The Plaza on McKinney near North Dallas High School closed in about 1961 and in 1964 was remodeled into the Haskell Plaza Office Building.
It seated 755 and was operated at one time by Mrs. Ruth Wafford and J. T. Orr. Mrs. Wafford also operated the Lagow Theater in Dallas.
•Opened 8-15-1946
•Operated by Gene Autry Enterprises
•Housing a church
•Original owner, McLendon Theaters
•Sold in 1948
•Now a church
•Bison first mentioned in clip from 1928
•Vogue built on site of demolished Bison Theater in 1948
•1050 seats at Vogue
•Cost to build was $200,000
•Robb & Rowley Built
•Now houses a church
More Info:
•Opened in 1941 as The Strand
•Located on W. Jefferson & Duncanville Road in Cockrell Hill
•1946 renamed Hill and owned by Gene Autry Enterprises.
•750 seats
Updated Info: Opened in 1918 at 1730 N. Ewing in Dallas. Remodeled in 1953.
Updated Information:
•1922â€"opened (estimated from 1957 fire story indicating 35 years old
•1929â€"silents shown only two days per week due to talky competition
•1953â€"permit denied to operate drive-in theater on adjacent parking lot
•1955â€"remodeled and new owners
•1956â€"closed
•1957â€"building burned
Update: When the theater closed it was the oldest suburban theater in Dallas. In 1946 Gene Autry Theaters operated the Queen.
Update to the above: In 1926 the theater housed the Oak Cliff Little Theater, using dressing rooms and offices across the alley from the building.
After closing, the Astor sat empty for a few years, then became the Astor Nightclub. Following that incarnation it housed Key Transfer and Storage Company and a 1960 fire almost destroyed the building.
No longer even resembling a theater or adorned with anything to show that it was a showplace for films and live theater, it was recently an antique/art store and is currently vacant.
Operated in 1946 by Gene Autry Enterprises.
Kessler Theaterâ€"1230 W. Davis
• Owned by Gene Autry Enterprises.
• Opened 1947
• 1957â€"Revival Center damaged by tornado
• 1962â€"Revival Center destroyed by 3-alarm fire
Source: Dallas Morning News Archive
Strand Theaterâ€"1209 Elm Street
1903â€"Opened as Hippodrome.
?â€"renamed the Wade with features then burlesque.
1946â€"renamed the Dallas for Little Theater productions and family films.
1946â€"renamed the Downtown.
1947â€"renamed the Strand.
1960â€"torn down along with Rialto and Capitol, the same year for parking lots.
Source: Dallas Morning News Archives
In 1935 was remodeled by R. Z. Glass, owner, and renamed The Lawn.
In 1935 owned by R. Z. Glass, owner of the Knox Street and Lawn Theaters in Dallas.
1945 operated by Interstate Chain.
Converted to “Negro House” in 1950 and five months later destroyed by fire.
Source: Dallas Morning News Archives.
Named Columbia when Ed Foy Chain took it over.
Opened as Rita Theater, 4945 Columbia Avenue. Later renamed Columbia. Phil Isley Theaters built a new theater one block west in late 40’s early 50’s. New building later renamed the Avenue Theater.
Now used as pawn shop downstairs, Mexican movie theater in balcony.
In 2006 is being restored to theater use by teaching group.