Grove Theatre

dallasmovietheaters on January 17, 2026 at 8:44 am

Atlantic Theatres Inc. circuit launched the Grove Theatre on August 16, 1940 as a streamline moderne alternative to its existing Broad Theatre. The Broad was closed that night for a major streamline moderne refresh.

The theatre completed two 20-year leasing agreements. But the venue scuffled in the 1970s. It first became the FunHouse, a “Hooray Cinema” concept tried out in several local and aging movie houses. That started June 27, 1973 with “Scorpio” playing a discount run. That ended nine months later on March 12, 1974 with a discount double feature chopsocky/blaxploitation pairing “That Man Bolt” and “Trick Baby.” Hooray.

On September 11, 1974, the Grove reopened as the Earle Theatre playing repertory shows here with “Sound of Music.” When that failed to draw customers, they went X-rated fare which met with local displeasure. The Earle made it just two months closing November 17, 1974 with “Nine Lives of Fritz the Cat” and “Heavy Traffic.” Its entry certainly should remain the Grove Theatre.

Mike Richardson on May 19, 2013 at 10:40 am

Specifically from the site just posted:

Grove Theater 55 North Broad Street, Frank Bolden, manager

Although, 53 worked better than 55 in Google maps.

The link is from the Penns Grove Historical Society and has some other info about their local theatres over the years.