Luna-Lite Theatre
113 W. Fourth Street,
Marion,
IN
46952
113 W. Fourth Street,
Marion,
IN
46952
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Additional Info
Previous Names: Princess Theatre, Luna Lite Theatre, Luna Theatre
Nearby Theaters
Opened on March 28 1910 as the Princess Theatre, screening J. Warren Kerrigan in “The Hand of Uncle Sam” & “Prascovia: A Russian Heroine”. On February 28, 1914 it was renamed Luna-Lite Theatre. This became the Luna Lite Theatre in 1925. In 1949 it was renamed Luna Theatre and regained the Luna-Lite Theatre name on January 17, 1950. It was closed on April 3, 1950 with William Boyd in “Hopalong Cassidy” and Johnny Mack Brown in “The Fighting Ranger”. It was demolished in November 1952.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
I’ve found the Luna Lite Theatre mentioned in The Moving Picture World as early as 1916.
This PDF listing theaters that have operated in Indiana lists a total of 19 houses in Marion, and two of them are called the Orpheum. One is listed simply as the Orpheum Theater, and the other as the Orpheum Theater; Luna-Lite Theater.
I have found references to a New Orpheum Theatre operating at Marion as part of the Gus Sun circuit in 1910, and I have also found an Orpheum Theater at Marion operating in 1922. As the Luna-Lite was mentioned in The Moving Picture World in 1916, my guess would be that it was the old Gus Sun house, renamed.
One reference to the other Orpheum is on this page at BoxRec, listing a match between local boxer Vaughn Treber and Joe Lohman at the Orpheum on August 7, 1922. The only other reference I can find is on this page, which says that the Denishawn Dance Company appeared at the Orpheum in Marion, Indiana, on November 30, 1923. It’s possible that the second Orpheum never operated as a movie theater.
Google Street View is currently set to the wrong block. The Luna-Lite Theatre was on West Fourth Street, probably just past the alley behind the seven-story bank building at Fourth and Washington Streets. It was almost across the street from the Lyric Theatre, which was at 116-118 W. Fourth, about where the driveway of the modern building with the maroon awnings is now.
My mom met my dad at the Luna. Their 1st date. Thomas clemons and Normadean Kirby. 1942.
The Luna-Lite building was constructed sometime between 1887 and 1890, as a saloon and restaurant. It was a three story brick structure, originally only extending about 2/3 of the depth of the lot. Between 1896 and 1901, a two story brick extension was added to the rear. By 1905, the first floor was a ‘concert hall’ and the rear was used as a stage and scenery.
A final note: The 1952 Sanborn shows both this and the Lyric operating. The entire half block past the alley has become a parking lot.
It looks like the name was shortened to Luna at some point past 1920.
The Princess Theatre launched here with J. Warren Kerrigan in “The Hand of Uncle Sam” and “Prascovia: The Russian Heroine” on March 28, 1910. (Sorry, Marion had no “Orpheum” Theatrein the 1910s but it did have one beginning on in 1920 when the Indiana was renamed.) Under new operator L.C. Norris, the seats were spaced further apart and the venue was renamed as the Luna-Lite Theatre at its grand relaunch on Feb. 28, 1914. William “Billy"Conners took on the venue in 1916. On January 19, 1918, Ora Parks took over the Luna-Lite. Conners would go on to the Lyric, the Indiana, and the Royal Grand in Marion before building the Marionair Drive-In.
In 1925, the venue lost the hyphen becoming the Luna Lite Theatre. It was equipped with sound to remain viable. In 1946, “Lite” was dropped becoming the Luna Theater operating to January of 1949. The legendary Billy Conners came back reopening the theatre on January 17, 1950 renaming it as the Luna-Lite Theatre - yes, with the hyphen from yesteryear. Same 372 seats but new popcorn machine. The Luna-Lite closed again April 30, 1950 - this time permanently with “Hopalong Cassidy” and “Fighting Ranger.” It was offered for lease which didn’t work out and it was razed in November of 1952.
This one should be the Luna-Lite Theatre, also known as the Princess Theatre, also known as the Luna Lite Theater, and not known as the Orpheum.