Forest Theatre

dallasmovietheaters on February 21, 2016 at 1:09 pm

Architected by Wetherell & Harrison, the Forest had a July 14, 1937 soft launch and an opening to the public on July 21, 1937 with “Wake Up and Live” and “13th Man.” E.M. Gabbert, owner of the Varsity and Avalon Theatres opened the Forest with 580 seats and a very austere $20,000 budget. Gabbert believed in neighborhood theaters and this one performed well until the TV age changed fortunes.

The Forest closed August 8, 1954 after a country concert followed by tax lien story and classified ad selling all contents. Last shows appear to be July 31, 1954 with “Drums” and “Four Feathers” before becoming a community center in the 21st Century.