Plaza Theatre
1200 Clara Avenue,
St. Louis,
MO
63112
1200 Clara Avenue,
St. Louis,
MO
63112
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From BoxOffice, Jan. 4, 1947:
ST. LOUIS – The Plaza Theatre was opened January 1 by Clarence and Francis Kalmann as part of the Wehrenberg-Kalmann circuit, which now includes 23 houses. The theatre has for some years been used as a synagogue. It has been thoroughly modernized inside and out, equipped with latest in sound and projection equipment, about 600 seats, carpeting, drapes and lighting.
Article from the St. Louis Globe Democrat from January 30, 1910 showing how the new theater at the northeast corner of Etzel and Clara Avenue will look. Widmann & Walsh are the architects of the building. It is to be constructed wholly of brick, steel and cut stone. The interior lobby will be heart shaped because of the peculiarly shaped lot, measuring 12x30 feet. The Plaza Realty Amusement Company will build and operate the theater and is planned to open shortly after June 1, 1910. Joseph Townsend will manage the property. Planned capacity for the theater will be 700.
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The Plaza was built in 1910 as a movie/vaudeville house with a seating capacity of 735. Theatre closed after the advent of talkies and for many years was the facility of Bais Yaakov Shul (The House of Jacob Synagogue). In 1947, structure returned to cinematic use and operated until 1956. After than, structure returned to religious use.
As a child, I lived on Clara Avenue near the Plaza Theatre. It was built originally as a church, and was converted into a movie theater in the 1940’s. I recall when the church windows were covered by brick. With the decline of attendance, the movie house shuttered, and the site reverted to its original use.