[Subdude]

These were in the Houston calendars that were published a few years back.

Alabama Theater (now Bookstop).


Iris Theater, Travis between Capital and Texas. Now the site of Chase Tower.


The first downtown tunnel connected this to the
Texas Theater on Capital.


Bluebonnet Theater., 1015 Broadway near Lawndale


Yale Theater, Washington at Yale


Shepherd Drive-In


River Oaks Theater, the only one here still showing movies.


Heights Theater, 319 W. 19th.


Tower Theater, now Hollywood Video

[111486]

lol. What a change.

[MidtownCoog]

Bluebonnet Theater., 1015 Broadway near Lawndale is now the blue Pawn Shop, correct?

[Subdude]

MidtownCoog, on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2005 @ 9:22pm, said:

Bluebonnet Theater., 1015 Broadway near Lawndale is now the blue Pawn Shop, correct?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Interesting. In the same building? I'll have to check it out.

[Hunter]

There is still one on Lyons ave near where it meets I-10 West. I wonder what theatre that one use to be!

[MidtownCoog]

Yep, I am thinking of the one at Brodway and 45.

I think it was also a peep show for a while.

[WestGrayGuy]

The Iris Theater stills exists.... it has been turned into the Boaka Bar and Mercury Room.

You can still see the Egyptian decor.

[Subdude]

That was Isis Theater. This is Iris.

[Heights2Bastrop]

The first movie I can remember seeing was “Shane” at the Shepherd Drive-In. The first indoor movie I saw was at the Heights Theater. It was a double bill with “Francis the Talking Mule” and a Little Rascals film.

[Hunter]

MidtownCoog, on Thursday, March 3rd, 2005 @ 10:10am, said:

Yep, I am thinking of the one at Brodway and 45.

I think it was also a peep show for a while.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I believe that you are thinking of the one that is on Telephone road and Park Place Blvd. It was an Adult theatre for many years and just recently closed their doors.

[Subdude]

If you want more information on old Houston theaters:
Info on old theaters

Spreadsheet listing Houston theaters

[debmartin]

my dad told me tonight that the isis was a silent theatre, and that the iris was named by a man after his daughter. he gave me a framed print of the grand opening of the iris - it took place during the depression and the kids looked like a strong wind could blow them away - the santa clause was so thin his suit was hanging off him. my dad's a real movie buff since it's his business - i guess i never realized how much historical infomation he has for the asking. now that he's retired he has more time and i'm planning on writing down some of the interesting things he's got to say about early houston. he sells stills of the theatres and i just talked him into setting up downtown at the new market square outdoor market. if anyone is ever down there you can look him up and see some of the old stuff.

debmartin

[Heights2Bastrop]

Will Horwitz was one of the most beloved men in Houston. I was made aware of him from the Channel 8 series, “Houston, Remember When”. He staged numerous parties for kids at his Iris Theater. He was also an innovator in the construction of the downtown tunnel system.

The following is from the
Houston, Remember When web site:

Theaters provided an escape from the summer heat, boasting the first "refrigerated" buildings in the city. The Metropolitan, Lowe's State, and Majestic were the major first-run theaters. Will Horwitz, a renowned showman and supporter of his community, owned and operated the Texan, Iris, Uptown, and the Ritz movie theaters. He also started the underground tunnel system to help his movie patrons avoid jaywalking tickets as they hopped from one of his theaters to the next. The Azteca gave movie "goers" the opportunity to enjoy many of their favorite Mexican films. And O. P. DeWalt, Jr. recounts the days when his father, O. P. DeWalt was the first African American to own and operate a downtown movie theater, the Lincoln.

[Subdude]

Picture of Horwitz and caption, again from Bob Bailey site:

Quote

December. 1936. On the stage of the City Auditorium, at the base of a giant Christmas tree, Will Horwitz in a Santa Claus suit prepares for his annual charity Christmas party. Packages of gifts are stacked in front of the stage. More that 5,000 toys were distributed to needy Houston children at this festive party. Flamboyant showman Horwitz borrowed &150 in 1919 to but the Travis Theatre and convert it to the Iris. In 1925 he built the Texan, 814 Capitol; followed by the Ritz, 911 Preston, in 1930; and the Uptown (which became the Rivoli) at 803 Capitol in 1035. In the 1930's 75,000 to 83,000 patrons attended one of Horwitz' theaters every week. Just before his party in 1941, Horwitz had a heart attack. He died on Christmas Day.

[gnu]

MidtownCoog, on Thursday, March 3rd, 2005 @ 10:10am, said:

Yep, I am thinking of the one at Brodway and 45.

I think it was also a peep show for a while.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The old theater in the circle at Broadway and 45 is currently the Circle Pawn Shop. I don't believe it was ever an adult theatre. I do know some history of it though. It opened in about 1941 as the Plaza Theater.

The Santa Rosa opened nearby in 1947 (on Telephone Road) and, The Plaza, faced with the new competition from the Interstate-owned competitor, struggled and was sold. The new owner renamed it the Vogue and it became an art theater, showing French and Italian imports. This experiment did not last long and it reverted back to The Plaza. It only remained a theater until about 1951.

Hunter, on Friday, March 4th, 2005 @ 9:41am, said:

I believe that you are thinking of the one that is on Telephone road and Park Place Blvd. It was an Adult theatre for many years and just recently closed their doors.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Santa Rosa was an adult theater/movie rental place until recently. A medical office building is to be built next door and in the old theater parking lot. There are rumors that the theater will be saved and turned into a community center or something to benefit the nearby neighborhood.

[Ashikaga]

gnu, on Thursday, June 9th, 2005 @ 1:12pm, said:

The old theater in the circle at Broadway and 45 is currently the Circle Pawn Shop.  I don't believe it was ever an adult theatre.  I do know some history of it though. It opened in about 1941 as the Plaza Theater.

The Santa Rosa opened nearby in 1947 (on Telephone Road) and, The Plaza, faced with the new competition from the Interstate-owned competitor, struggled and was sold.  The new owner renamed it the Vogue and it became an art theater, showing French and Italian imports.  This experiment did not last long and it reverted back to The Plaza. It only remained a theater until about 1951.
The Santa Rosa was an adult theater/movie rental place until recently.  A medical office building is to be built next door and in the old theater parking lot.  There are rumors that the theater will be saved and turned into a community center or something to benefit the nearby neighborhood.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I lived in Houston from 1962 to 1964. My mother told me that she took me to the Santa Rosa to see a movie called "The Music Man." I have many fond memories of the Santa Rosa.

Chet Cuccia

[Ashikaga]

During those years that I lived in Houston (1962-64) we also went to the Winkler Drive-In Theatre. I found out that it was located at 205 Winkler Drive at Telephone Road. Does anyone out there have any information about it?

Chet Cuccia

[westguy]

Are there any photos of the Majestic Theatre on Rusk? What's there now?

[Subdude]

westguy, on Wednesday, July 13th, 2005 @ 5:38pm, said:

Are there any photos of the Majestic Theatre on Rusk? What's there now?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Exterior from the Bob Bailey calendar:


To the right in this shot:


Now it is a generic dark brown glass office building.