Cinemorada
83250 Overseas Highway,
Islamorada,
FL
33036
83250 Overseas Highway,
Islamorada,
FL
33036
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Located in Islamorada, on the Florida Keys. The Cinemorada was opened in December 1955. Seating was all on a single level It was closed on April 3, 1974 with the documentary “Vanishing Wilderness” narrated by Rex Allen. It had been purchased by the Island Community Church.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Under the headline “R. L. Duncan Builds” and datelined Islamorada, the June 18, 1955 issue of Boxoffice said “Robert L. Duncan soon will start construction on an indoor theatre on Plantation Key. He is owner of the new drive-in underway on Plantation Key. Duncan formerly was of Washington.” An October 22 Boxoffice item said that construction on the house was slated to start immediately. That makes it likely that the house opened in very late 1955 or early 1956.
Major and Mrs. Robert Duncan launched the Cinemorada in December of 1955. It had Simplex projection with stereo sound. The $147,000 theater then suffered $45,000 in damages during Hurricane Donna ion September 13, 1960. Repairs were made with a reopening and open house on October 28, 1960. The Duncans offered the operation for sale in 1962 without a taker. It was, however, leased on Sundays beginning on September 30, 1962 to the Island Community Church for services. The theatre, however, closed in bankruptcy before year’s end and was offered in a foreclosure sale without a buyer in 1963.
The theater was sold at a steep loss at a forced auction on March 3, 1964 for just $41,000. Peter Joyce was the venue’s final operator of the Cinemorada venue refreshing it in 1972 and it was still in operation - though closing - in 1974. (“Vanishing Wilderness” is the last advertised show on April 3, 1974.) The Island Community Church became the sole owner thereafter after receiving a $200,000 gift in 1974 to take on the venue full-time. The main building looked similar to the way it did when the theatre launched at 83250 Overseas Highway in the 2020s.