New Zoe Theatre

The Ideal Theatre opened for African American patrons in downtown Houston opened at 514 Milam Street on May 8, 1920 by W.R. Smith. The venue was soon taken over by orchestra member Elmo Martin who would run it for nearly ten years. On December 30, 1922, the venue moved closer to the corner of Prairie Street to 504 Milam Street relaunching as the New Ideal Theatre. The opening film was Martha Mansfield in “Queen of the Moulin Rouge”. On that day, Martin said it was the Palace Theatre - but it reverted to the Ideal Theatre for the next showtimes.

After a refresh, the movie house became the New Zoe Theatre on September 17, 1927 with Fred Thomson in “Don Mike”. It appears to have closed on January 2, 1930 without converting to sound.

It was next used for a combined barber and beauty shop in which two existing businesses moved into the former theater spot together. The business block has long since been demolished.

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