Spiral Theatre

The Ritz Theatre launched May 15, 1934 with architect of the project listed as Gates Corgan and operated by Jack L. Johnson formerly of the Robb & Rowley Circuit in Dallas. Almost immediately, the Ritz rankled the competing Helstrom Theatre with a Bank Night promotion that led to a lawsuit. The bank night would stop but the Ritz then introduced Depression-ware dinnerware give-aways to McPherson which proved popular. George Baker of Baker Enterprises took over the Ritz and, next, the Helstrom.

The Ritz became the Spiral Theatre. The Spiral played a world premiere of a 19-minute documentary called, “The General with the Cockeyed Id” on October 26, 1965. In 1973, the Spiral experimented with late-night XXX and X rated adult films. The venue lasted to the video age with mainstream audience films. But on March 16, 1988, the gas furnace overheated after closing for the night destroying the theatre and ending its 53-year run.

From the 1940s a picture postcard view of the Ritz Theater in McPherson.