Mirth Theatre
2651 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue,
Milwaukee,
WI
53207
2651 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue,
Milwaukee,
WI
53207
1 person
favorited this theater
Showing 6 comments
The Wisconsin Historical Society lists the architect as H. H. Bruns.
What happened to the Golden Toned Barton Theater Pipe Organ, 2/3, manual/rank, keyboards/set of pipes, shipped from the Barton factory in Oshkosh, Wisconsin to the Mirth in 1922?
It was known as “The Pour House” when it was a bar/nightclub in the 70’s.
I used to pass the Mirth while commuting to and from work. There was a handwritten “For Sale” sign on the building. It seemed to say to me “Buy me Andy, buy me!”. I really did drive through the alley behind the building at least once, seriously looking at the building.
I never did contact a realtor, nor did I call the number on the “For Sale” sign. I finally decided I had no realistic way of paying for renovations that would be needed. I also decided that operating a first-run cinema there probably was not realistic. I wonder how much I could have purchased the building for.
I wish this Bay View building good luck.
Andrew N. Willenson
The Mirth later served as home for the Christian Science Society in Bay View. When that organization moved into its own church, the Mirth became a tavern/night club.
“DavidH” posted these two comments on another theatre’s page: The HITCHIING POST THEATRE of Hollywood CA: /theaters/1973/ and thereby shamed me into submitting the Milwaukee version of the ‘Hitching Post Theatre,’ the MIRTH here. His posts are copied here because they fill in some gaps in my narrative.
“The Hitching Post theater in Milwaukee lasted for only for a short time.
Fox Wisconsin Amusement Corp which owned the Mirth never bothered to change the name on the marquee or add any cowboy features to the decor. Within a month or two the Mirth was the Mirth again showing regular Hollywood features.
At the Pearl, Grace, Park, Midget or Mozart in Milwaukee theaters which always had cowboy pictures, whenever Andy Clyde came on the screen the audience cheered.
Was he as funny as he was in the movies when he had the job of scout master?
posted by DavidH on Dec 15, 2004 at 7:15pm
The Mirth which became Milwaukee’s Hitching Post had admission prices were much higher than the other theaters which also regularly showed cowboy films. That is probably the reason that Milwaukee’s Hitching Post did not catch on.
posted by DavidH on Dec 15, 2004 at 7:22pm"