Douglass Theatre
4201 Finney Avenue,
St. Louis,
MO
63113
4201 Finney Avenue,
St. Louis,
MO
63113
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Additional Info
Previous Names: Jest-A-Mere Theatre
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The Douglass Theatre, at 4201 Finney Avenue, was opened in November 1918 by Charles Pitman as the Jest-A-Mere Theatre. One of the theatres for the Black population in a time of segregation, the theatre was purchased in 1927 by Thomas James and was renamed the Douglass Theatre, after the Abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
When the theatre opened, newspaper coverage said: “Entirely built by Colored labor, completion of big building is a triumph for the race; continuous fight made by unions to force Colored men off the job”.
Seating capacity listed as 850 at opening; reduced to 700 in 1934; reduced to 650 in 1950 (per Film Daily Year Book).
Located in St. Louis' Ville neighborhood, the Douglass Theatre apparently, per newspaper advertistments, was last open in April 1962.
Contributed by
Jerry Alexander
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
Jerry Alexander, there was another theatre on Finney at Pendleton called the Venus Theatre. It was listed as open prior to 1926 and closed in 1934. Do you have any information on the Venus Theatre?
Grand reopening as the (Frederick) Douglass Theatre on September 1, 1927 with Ralph Graves in “The Swell-Head” supported by live vaudeville and selected film shorts. The venue added sound to remain viable. It closed at end of lease on April 22, 1962 with Elizabeth Taylor in “Butterfield 8” and, appropriately enough, “The Last Sunset” with Kirk Douglas.