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ChrisCooling
ChrisCooling commented about Brunson Theater on Mar 24, 2022 at 8:47 pm

quite a bit of details could be added here, which I will write up based on the original information printed in The Baytown Sun. The Brunson was built in 1949 at a reported cost of $100,000, the equivalent of $1.2 million today. It featured an 1185 seat sloped auditorium, and a 325-seat balcony with restrooms for both floors. The state-of-the-art pink plush Kroehler push-back seats ensured patron comfort and subtle downward cove lighting every four rows illuminated the carpeted aisles. Motiograph projectors and Mirrophonic sound was installed, as well as a 17x22 foot fire-resistant silver screen from the Williams Screen Company of Ohio. Hearing impaired patrons were delighted by hearing aids available on 18 of the seats. Even the sidewalk outside the theater was made of black iridescent concrete. Yes, even though this was his 8th theater, this was owner Howard E. Brunson’s jewel of the Gulf Coast. The first movie shown was Donald O’Connor’s musical comedy Yes Sir, That’s My Baby, and Miss Texas was on hand to cut the opening night ribbon, after which she appeared on stage accompanied by Al Sacker and his electric organ. A seven-page spread in The Baytown Sun elaborated the seemingly endless innovative features of the Brunson. “As modern as tomorrow!”