State Theatre

218 S. Main Street,
Jonesboro, AR 72401

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Malco Theatres Inc.

Previous Names: Princess Theatre, Liberty Theatre

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State Theatre

The Princess Theatre opened on June 10, 1912 with vaudeville and 2-feature movies, one of which was “Attacked by a Lion”. It soon became a movie theatre. On August 12, 1918 it was renamed Liberty Theatre. Operated by Malco Theatres Inc. from 1957, it was renamed State Theatre and operated into the 1970’s. It was later a live country music venue then a pawn shop. It is long gone.

Contributed by Chuck

Recent comments (view all 3 comments)

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 28, 2020 at 11:15 pm

It had been renamed State Theatre by the late `60s per Hubert Crain. Two of his photos added as the State (albeit blurry) and as Coleman’s Pawn Shop. Appears to be the same building in both.

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on September 8, 2024 at 2:08 pm

A.J. Kerfoot launched the Princess Theatre on June 10, 1912 with live vaudeville that played the Orpheum in Memphis and the Majestic Theatre in Little Rock.Carson and Will Mack took on the venue turning into a movie house. On August 12, 1918, new owner Eli Whitney Collins changed the name of the Princess Theatre to the World War I favorite theater moniker, the Liberty Theatre. The Liberty would switch to sound presentations to remain viable.

In July of 1957, Malco’s Liberty became Malco’s State Theatre when “name that theater” contestant Glenda Willent thought that “State” should be its new name in honor of Arkansas State then College. Manager Jay Kimbro unveiled not only the new name but the State’s state of the art widescreen projection equipped to play CinemaScope titles and a new air conditioning system

rivest266
rivest266 on October 9, 2024 at 12:05 pm

June 10th, 1912 grand opening ad posted.

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