I saw Star Wars numerous times in this theater as well as countless others.
The theater remained open, limping along through the later 70s and early 80s. I believe around 1984/1985 it closed it’s doors. The demolition took place around 1986/1987. It was razed for an office building for Ed Ball. Despite anger at it’s proposed demolition, Ed’s millions spoke louder than those of us who cherished this theater. Had it been even a couple years later, it would have been saved by the Historic Preservation bills. Ed knew it was coming so he went after it right away.
He moved Ball Corp out of Muncie in the late 90s.
The photos on Cinematour were shot by a friend of mine and showed the theater after it had closed it’s doors. Seats were removed for sale and it was selling off the rest of the items as well. In fact, the photos are from around the time after the selling off of property. The public could come in, choose what they wanted and buy it. People started cutting sections of the screen to take with them. I remember going to the open sale on my lunch break. It was so sad to see. I ended up just buying a coulpe slicks from TOMMY and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOOS NEST. When it came down, several people people were taking bricks. I saw this as stealing so I never did take one. Now, I sort of wish I had. They most likely went to a landfill. A friend has a section of three seats from the Rivoli. They still take me back.
It was a fantastic theater and could have easily been brought back to it’s glory and become an art house theater or anything along those lines.
I saw Star Wars numerous times in this theater as well as countless others.
The theater remained open, limping along through the later 70s and early 80s. I believe around 1984/1985 it closed it’s doors. The demolition took place around 1986/1987. It was razed for an office building for Ed Ball. Despite anger at it’s proposed demolition, Ed’s millions spoke louder than those of us who cherished this theater. Had it been even a couple years later, it would have been saved by the Historic Preservation bills. Ed knew it was coming so he went after it right away.
He moved Ball Corp out of Muncie in the late 90s.
The photos on Cinematour were shot by a friend of mine and showed the theater after it had closed it’s doors. Seats were removed for sale and it was selling off the rest of the items as well. In fact, the photos are from around the time after the selling off of property. The public could come in, choose what they wanted and buy it. People started cutting sections of the screen to take with them. I remember going to the open sale on my lunch break. It was so sad to see. I ended up just buying a coulpe slicks from TOMMY and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOOS NEST. When it came down, several people people were taking bricks. I saw this as stealing so I never did take one. Now, I sort of wish I had. They most likely went to a landfill. A friend has a section of three seats from the Rivoli. They still take me back.
It was a fantastic theater and could have easily been brought back to it’s glory and become an art house theater or anything along those lines.