Lido Theater

Phil Isley Circuit opened the Major Theater with “California” on May 28, 1947 with Monte Hale and Chill Wills making a personal appearance. The 1,200 seat theater had a cry room and free parking. At the end of June 1964, the Major closed briefly and became an independent under Ramon Garcia Lence of the Casa View, Arapaho Drive-In and REX cinema. During September of 1965, the Major went from suburban double-features to adult fare. In October of 1965, the theater’s name was changed to the Lido Theater — a very successful and oft-raided adult theater that added live shows in 1966. That theater went into 1970 when operators mulled over the impact of a Texas obscenity law that had survived a legal challenge. It was subleased and had a very brief run as a Hispanic Theater for three months in 1970 and reverted to playing X-rated fare that same year.

On March 18, 1971, it rebranded as more of an XXX adult house under new ownership and rediscovering its audience. With the neighboring Tamlo Club and Show Lounge which had live shows and some XXX films, the neighborhood drew crowds. The Lido continued all the way into the 1980s until city restrictions were placed on adult theaters within 1,000 feet of a city park. With the home video revolution occurring, it could have been a challenging marketplace for the Lido moving forward with or without the restrictions.

In 1991, the Lido reverted back to its original name, the Major Theater. It started with live shows and then mixed in films with many fewer seats. It made a little news by showing Dial M for Murder in 3-D. Since the film had been shown flat at the Majestic in 1954, it was Dallas' first chance to see the Hitchcock film in 3D. The theater closed in 1992 and re-opened in 1993 showing classic films. The lineage was that the Edison Theater had opened as a revival house that moved to the Granada Theater. The Major was the follow-up location after the Granada changed its operation. Partners Rob Clements and Bryce Gonzalez changed from retro movies to live shows beginning July 15, 1995. That appears to have lasted just over a year. In 1998, the Propel Group doing web development and digital media opened and was still in the space as of the 2010s. As for the Lido name, the tradition carried on and was in used into the 2010s as the name of an adult theater at 7035 W. John W. Carpenter Freeway in Dallas.

One more question about this location: what is (was) the “ex-theater-y” looking building presently right next to the Lido in the google maps street views (called the Beverage Depot)? it has the same stair-stepped roof profile of so many old theater buildings – – – but that can’t possibly be, right?

Boxoffice of May 9, 1966, mentions the Lido: “Ramon Lence, who operates the Lido (formerly the Major) in Dallas, is converting the house to live talent and art movies….”

The house was still called the Major in 1965, when the March 29 issue of Boxoffice reported that Phil Isley had sold most of his circuit to John Rowley, but had retained ownership of the Major Theatre in Dallas and the Canyon Drive-In at Snyder.

I’ve found Phil Isley’s Major Theatre mentioned in Boxoffice as early as the issue of February 11, 1950, in an item saying that R.V. Scott had taken over as manager of the house. I haven’t found the opening date for the Major, but judging from the style of the building I’d say that it might have opened in early 1950 or in the late 1940s.

I thought I was the only one who remembered the Lido. Right across from Samuell Park. They use to show porn movies, in the mid 80s early 90’s. I was still a preteen, but every kid seemed to know what type of theatre this was. Back in the day, you would drive through there and it looked like an ordinary neighborhood. At night, that whole block looked kind of seedy with neon lights and the other strip clubs,and liquor stores that use to be up Samuell blvd.. Those were the days.

i always thought it wasnt in dallas but carollton.i mean im not from dallas but i would think since its in the carollton town square….