Regal Theater

Jones Theatres spent $150,000 on this 966 seat venue to the plans of Raymond F. Smith (see sketch in photos). Steel shortages pushed its launch to February 14, 1951 with “Vengeance Valley.” Actor Monte Hale was on hand for the premiere. The site of the theater was familiar as the Legion Hall Theatre which the Jones Theatre folks took on in 1922.

The Ritz Theatre was closed permanently on February 3, 1951 and ostensibly replaced by the New Regal Theatre likely meaning that the projection equipment was moved from booth to booth. The Joneses had also opened the Rustic Drive-In Theatre on January 30, 1951 so it was a swinging time for movie lovers of Brownfield. The Regal was twinned on June 25, 1970 and lasted to closure in 1993. It was donated by the family along with the other theater properties getting a brief life as a live venue and explaining why it says “Starz” on its marquee in the 21st Century - if its signage is still present.

Website for this theatre is closed!

I was just in brownfield this weekend and the regal has reopened as Starz theater. I was born and raised in bfield and saw Billy Jack atleast 10 times at the Regal. Glad to see it re opened and wish the new operators God Speed.

A 2001 photo of the Regal Theater. For many years the building on the left was a “Western Auto” store and the one on the right was a photography studio that may have been “Frogges”. Back then you could park your bicycle there on a Friday night or Saturday afternoon and it would still be there after the movie.