Parrot Theatre
603 W. Main Street,
Alma,
NE
68920
603 W. Main Street,
Alma,
NE
68920
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Alma was home to the Crescent turned New Theatre turned Rialto turned talking Parrot Theatre. But by 1933, the owners felt constrained by the cobbled together building which had been used for films for 25 years and was likely reaching the end of a leasing agreement. They decided to move to a brand new theatre designed for sound film. It was the New Parrot Theatre.
The New Parrot was architected by Swift & Arrowsmith of Belleville, Kansas. They were inspired by the World’s Fair of Chicago in creating the Art Deco venue with a new neon sign. Their New Parrot Theatre opened at 603 West Main in downtown Alma. The former Parrot Theatre and former Crescent Theatre was converted to an art supply retail store.
The New Parrot Theatre opened December 14, 1933 retaining its name, two parrot plaques in the lobby, and launching with Ginger Rogers co-starring in “Sitting Pretty". Ten cars drove all over the county to drum up support for the first show and also the free Santa show on the following Saturday.
The original, deco Parrot theatre was gutted by a fire on December 8, 1958 leaving its original walls. The town went without a theatre while the Haekers started over though retaining the four walls.
The newly-rebuilt Parrot Theatre relaunched with a new 300-seat auditorium and the film, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” at its grand reopening on April 30, 1959. The theatre had widescreen projection to present CinemaScope screenings. Owners, the Haekers, celebrated 50 years of operation in 1980.
But during the home video era, the Haekers closed the Parrot Theatre in 1986. In 1988, Paul Haeker sold the venue to the Alma Chamber of Commerce. The Parrot Theatre got a new roof and refresh reducing seat count slightly. A 12-panel group was devised to provide a large cadre of operators without overburdening a single person. The concept worked and volunteers have kept the place running into the 2020s
The Parrot Theatre in downtown Alma has been a landmark in our community for many years. In the early years, it was owned and operated by a local family, Paul and Thelma Haeker. Over the years, the Parrot Theatre has seen many changes. A major change was made in 1988 when the Parrot Theatre closed briefly before being bought by the Alma Chamber of Commerce. In March of 1988, a theatre board was created and met for the first time. This board consisting of several local families that had been selected by the Alma Chamber of Commerce were chosen to continue the running of this local business. These families volunteered to run the theatre on a rotating weekend basis, coming together to make decisions about how to handle the theatre business and what would need to be done to continue hosting a variety of movies for the enjoyment of Alma and the surrounding communities. The goal of this new theatre board and Chamber was to have an affordable source of entertainment and to have an opportunity to give back to the community. With hard work by the new theatre board, various volunteers and the Alma High School government class, the theatre was soon ready to open. On April 30, 1988, a premier party was held at the Alma City Auditorium prior to the showing of the first movie, Three Men and a Baby. The Parrot Theatre has seen some updates inside and out including adding a brick front to the building, new roof resurfacing , installation of a new screen, new seating, aisle lighting installed, new heating and air conditioning system, updated concessions, bathrooms, and hallways with new flooring and wood trim, and new paint throughout the building, Today, the Parrot Theatre Board consists of twelve families who rotate weekends and meet once a month to discuss the Parrot Theatre’s financial business and set policies to guarantee a continued family entertainment venue in the community. website