Safford Theatre
Main Street,
Safford,
AZ
85546
Main Street,
Safford,
AZ
85546
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Status should be changed to Restoring. Facebook page for the Safford Theatre. Lots of photos including vintage ones.
https://www.facebook.com/SaffordTheatre/?tn=%2CdK-R-R&eid=ARAJn4Yr4tPTJMZuaTkviCGymEI5zgS_dmISM27RyyvdK78HQlQG9H1Ks26grNwn_e5uHOICPBdDHKdo&fref=mentions
I just found a reference to the Gila Theatre at Safford in the August 14, 1948, issue of Boxoffice, so disregard my speculation that it was a later name for the Ramona Theatre.
A half interest in the Safford Theatre was acquired by Louis Long in 1926, according to an article about him in the May 14, 1949, issue of Boxoffice. It was Louis Long’s first venture into exhibition in Arizona. His older brother, J.G. Long, had been operating theaters in other parts of Arizona since 1919.
Safford was for many years the headquarters of the Long circuit, which had grown to 18 theater by 1939. After 1940, Long formed a partnership with Griffith Theatres which lasted a number of years. By 1945, he was operating 40 theaters.
Long also operated a theater called the Ramona at Safford. I’ve only found it mentioned in 1942 and 1949. Perhaps it was an earlier name for the Gila Theatre, which I’ve found mentioned in Boxoffice no earlier than 1951.