Military Theater

dallasmovietheaters on December 1, 2022 at 9:23 pm

The Military Theatre was located on Military Avenue and made a decision to have elaborate, militaristic stage shows including a regular bugler. Omaha Suburban Theatres sank $150,000 into the playhouse the opened February 7, 1928 with Viola Dana in “That Certain Thing.” “Percy” Pennington led the Military Band, Clara Waters played the Military Wonder Organ - a 2/7 Wurlitzer, the 8 Military Maids danced, and Jean Croft was the Military’s bugler / trumpeter. (She later appears to have gravitated to a Paramount Pictures contract.)

On January 29, 1929, the Military added sound to become the first suburban Omaha theater with talkies. A year later, the Military Theater was padlocked and auctioned off in February of 1930. Theaters Investment Group Co. purchased the venue and reopened it on a ten-year leasing agreement. It was also shared by a church for Sunday services.

The Military was told to stand down closing at the end of a leasing period on March 29, 1972 with a repertory screening of “King of Kings.” The venue became a long running home to the Grace Apostolic Church.