Cinema West
2130 S. Congress Avenue,
Austin,
TX
78704
2130 S. Congress Avenue,
Austin,
TX
78704
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Reopened as Cinema West on June 10th, 1977. Grand opening ad in the photo section. Adult movies at this time.
This theatre with art deco lobby should be saved.
Grand opening ad as Austin in the photo section and below
Old theatres like this had better presentation and not generic and impersonal like many new multiplexes. No wonder many of these new theatres close fast.
I was an usher at this theater when Mr. Hicks was manager.
Admission was 35¢ for children and 50¢ for adults. Hotdogs were 25¢…Charms suckers 10¢…Popcorn 15¢ and it had a balcony.
My brother and my cousins had so many good times there. The picture looks the same as when I was there.
The ticket booth was outside…from a ticket roll, no automation.
Where did those fun days go?
The Texas Theatre, on the Drag (guadalupe) across from the University of Texas became an Eckerds Drug store in the late 1980’s or early 1990’s, and when CVS came in and took over the Austin Eckerd’s chain it became one of them. I was trying to comment on the Varsity Theatre on the Drag, down at 24th & Guad, and could not find a comment section there. I was in the Varsity during the great Memorial Day Flood of 1981. At that time I believe it had just opened the 2nd floor “twin theatre” version and a disney cartoon was showing (an old disney, not a recent one). When we left the roads were flooding.
The finding aid to the Interstate Theatre Collection at the Dallas Public Library lists the Austin Theatre as designed in 1938 by the architectural firm of MacKie & Kamrath. The Austin is also listed in the finding aid to the Karl Kamrath Collection at the University of Texas in Austin. This aid also features brief biographies of Karl Kamrath and Fred MacKie.
The two photos dated 1950 are NOT the Austin Theater. The first is the State Theater, its currently owned by The Paramount & State Theater Company http://www.austintheatre.org The Walgreens next door to the State Theater moved to a less costly location, but the building is still there on the corner.
The second photo is the Texas Theater in Palestine TX, not Austin.
The Austin Theater located at 2130 S Congress Ave, Austin Texas is currently owned according to tax records by Austin Music Partners LLC.
Do any of you know if these old drive-in theaters are still for sale?
Anyone have any idea what corporation initially commissioned Mackie and Kamrath to construct the theater? Are M&K’s records housed anywhere in Houston?
thanks!
Does anyone know of an outdoor theater in Austin, Texas?
C.S.A. Realty Group in Austin (8305 Shoal Creek Blvd.) is overseeing the property. A gentleman by the name of Juan Creixell should be able to answer any questions you might have. I met with him in July (when the property was still available), and he was very helpful and knowledgable in terms of the history of the theater. His office number is (512)453-6566. I’m not sure, however, if the building is still vacant and up for sale.
Is it still for sale and who could I contact about it? Thanks
The Austin Theatre was located 2130 S. Congress and it seated 713 people.
The Houston-based architectural duo Mackie and Kamrath designed the theater in 1938 in a (probably “regional”) Art Deco style.
I am currently researching this theater and have learned that it has housed a few business after Cinema West (XXX) was closed down. A business communications company (FPI) was the last to occupy the building, but has recently vacated. As of 10/24/02, the building is empty and the property is up for sale.