St. Ann Cinema
10441 St. Charles Rock Road,
St. Ann,
MO
63074
10441 St. Charles Rock Road,
St. Ann,
MO
63074
1 person
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Arthur Enterprises Inc., Wehrenberg Theatres
Firms: Erwin Knoesel & Associates
Functions: Community Center
Nearby Theaters
The St. Ann Cinema opened on October 20, 1967, by the Arthur Theatre chain and seated 1,006. It was across the plaza shopping center from the Arthur St. Ann 4-Screen Drive In. It was a free-standing building with parking on all four sides. It was in the valley behind the shopping plaza so it was unseen from the Rock Road. The only thing visible from the road was the large roadside sign.
The large auditorium was lined with a dark green drapery material with a cascading curtain over the screen that was opened and closed before each movie. The seats were a deep and very comfortable with a lighter green in color to match the draperies. There was no special lighting in the auditorium just flood lights recessed in the ceiling that dimmed when the feature presentation started.
The large lobby had plenty of holding space for patrons. The lobby had to fairly large chandeliers with an ultra modern motif design. The concession was located in the middle between the two doors that led into the auditorium that was set up for four concession stations.
The St. Ann Cinema being a large single screen theatre when the Arthurs were selling off properties prior to their bankruptcy, it was taken over by Wehrenberg Theatres. They closed it in September 1980. The St. Ann was later sold to the City of St. Ann and later became a senior citizens center.
Contributed by
Charles Van Bibber
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
I saw a lot of Disney movies here during summer vacations spent with my grandparents. In fact, I don’t think I saw anything BUT Disney movies here. I also remember there being a Shakey’s Pizza just a bit further down the road, and it was always a treat to go there after a movie.
Venue opened October 20, 1967.
Architects: Erwin Knoesel & Associates.
Saw tons of Disney and other cartoons here as a preschooler/kindergartner during the 1970’s. I remember the place was BIG…but that’s all I remember.
After the Arthur “downsizing” the Wehrenberg Circuit took over the operation. The theatre was closed in 1980 after the City of St. Ann bought the structure for a civic center.
I remember my mom dropping us kids off for the Saturday matinees. There were 2 emergency side doors that when opened would let in way to much light so everyone would yell “Shut the door!!” Some kids would walk over and push the doors open just to make everyone yell “Shut the door!!!”
About the 3rd row was perfect for laying back in a seat with full in your face screen vision.
St. Ann Facebook Group http://www.facebook.com
Correct address is 10441 St. Charles Rock Road. As it now stands, the address given is on the wrong side of the street…and not adjacent to the 4-Screen drive-in. Venue closed Sept. 1, 1980 with “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
October 20th, 1967 grand opening ad in photo section.
Above description not entirely correct. I worked for Wehrenberg theaters in the corporate offices for 35 years. Wehrenberg actually took over the theater in the end and it stayed open until the new Northwest nine screen was completed.