Village Theater At 2412 University Blvd.

[Alpha]

My dad worked at the Village Theater while he was in high school in the early 40s. He took these pictures from the roof. I have seen these many times and never realized what they were until today. I thought I'd post them here in case anyone is interested in seeing how different University Blvd. looked over 65 years ago.

[brucesw]

Priceless. Thank you.

Post-war I'd guess, a couple of the cars look like post-war models to me.

[EastEnd Susan]

Check out the guys at the Gulf station. Just waiting for a customer. Fill er up?

[IHB2]

so cool. thanks. I spent a lot of time in the Village in the 50s and those pics bring back lots of memories.

I can't say it's changed for the better. just about everything you need could be found in the Village then. now it's just a more frenetic version of the original. and there aren't any guys standing around a Gulf station waiting to serve you now, just a computer chip and a touch screen and you're on your own jack.

[nativehou]

Henke Pilot, Lack's, Gulf -- old Houston! Wonderful photographs -- we all need to look deeper into our family albums for gems like these.

Does anyone remember when the Village Theater closed?

[Retama]

WOW, those photos are cool! A slice of life from a world long gone by.

I remember the old Village Theater before and after it closed. If I recall correctly, it's last days open days were spent showing porn flicks in the early 1980s?

I still go down to this section of town often.

Thanks, Alpha.

[Dan the Man]

Thank you so much for posting those! I have always wanted to see pictures of the original Village! There was a Weingartens on the other side of that Henke & Pillot in the 3rd Photo, closer to Kirby. Strange that they would have two supermarkets adjacent to each other...

[marmer]

Priceless. Thank you.

Post-war I'd guess, a couple of the cars look like post-war models to me.

Hey, Bruce!

Not sure I agree about post-war. I didn't see anything that I would definitely ID as post-war. I thought some of the cars by Lack's might have been but I think maybe '41 Cadillac and '40 Mercury. Not sure about that fastback in front of Lack's -- it looks like it has fully skirted rear wheels...???...and maybe a suicide back door. '41 Nash maybe?

Is the only remaining original structure in these pictures the Peterson Pharmacy building? Or is El Meson in the former Lack's building?

The Village Theatre ended its movie days as a porn theatre in the early '80s. There was a grassroots effort to turn it into a live performance venue after that but it didn't pan out.

I would trade the 1981 Village for the 2007 Village in a heartbeat. In fact, most of the Inner Loop except for maybe the Heights.

[Subdude]

Great pictures. I'm thinking the newest car is the one filling up at the Humble station in #2. I would guess no later than mid-1940s.

[Alpha]

Not post-war...

I just asked my dad when he took the pictures. He said it had to be in late 41 or early 42, because he left the Village Theater later in 42 and went to work for Humble Oil.

[brucesw]

Hey, Bruce!

Not sure I agree about post-war. I didn't see anything that I would definitely ID as post-war. I thought some of the cars by Lack's might have been but I think maybe '41 Cadillac and '40 Mercury. Not sure about that fastback in front of Lack's -- it looks like it has fully skirted rear wheels...???...and maybe a suicide back door. '41 Nash maybe?

I was thinking the Ford at the Humble station was a 46; I didn't realize they introduced that body style before the war, I thought it was a new body style after the war. There was an older couple that lived down the street from us in the 50s on Winding Way that had an old Ford that I thought was a '41 and was much different that that, I must've remembered the year wrong.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1941_Ford

http://www.calcruising.com/1946FordSuperDe...upeForSale.html

I guessed the outside car next to the Lack's was a Caddy, but I guessed 46 without trying to look anything up. Now that I have, it may well have been a '41 - they were boxier than the 42 which was the last model until after the war.

http://www.100megsfree4.com/cadillac/cad1940/cad41s.htm

http://www.100megsfree4.com/cadillac/cad1940/cad42s.htm

I think all the GM lines had a fastback model; we had a 41 Olds which I barely remember and I think was a little sleeker than that and didn't have fully skirted rear wheels - in fact, in my time it didn't even have rear fenders, they had rusted out and due to the war, you coudn't get replacements. I don't have a real good idea but if I had to guess, I'd say Pontiac or Chevy. I remember Nashes later with a more rounded back.

I'd say most of the cars are from the 30s, though.

I don't think I remember ever seeing a Humble sign with a dark background and white lettering.

Edit: Okay, Alpha has answered the question while I was composing my post. Thanks, Alpha!

[Subdude]

What was Lack's anyway?

[Alpha]

What was Lack's anyway?

I found this on Google: http://www.lacks.com/

There are also several Lack's furniture stores in Texas, but I don't know if this one in the Village was part of that group.

ETA: OK, I just asked my dad and he said that he thinks it was kind of like Western Auto.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Auto

[marmer]

Lack's in Lake Jackson was a furniture store. Of course we also had a Western Auto. But it looks like Alpha's dad was right, too:

From the www.lacks.com site:

The nucleus of the current Company was formed on February 28, 1938, when the Lacks opened a small auto supply store in Beeville, Texas. Because of the chronic shortage of cars and new auto parts during World War II, the company diversified into furniture in an attempt to maintain sales volume. Furniture did well, and so became a growing segment of Lacks total business.

In 1952, by which time the Company had expanded to five retail stores, Lacks made a commitment to become a furniture and appliance chain. It continued to carry auto supplies, tires and other hardware items at all locations, but the merchandising emphasis switched to home furnishings. The original automotive and hardware merchandise was eventually phased out in the 1970's.

I'm going to have to punt on the ID of the suicide door/fender skirt car in front of Lacks. There's just not enough detail. I've found photos of skirted suicide door sedans for Nash, Packard, Studebaker, and Lincoln just for the '40 and '41 years. I haven't looked in the '30s book. In fact, I'm not completely convinced that the coupe at the Humble station is a Ford. Desoto had one in '41 that looked pretty similar.

If you're interested in old cars, this series is great:

Cars of the Classic 30s

Cars of the Fascinating 40s

Cars of the Fabulous 50s

Cars of the Sizzling 60s

Cars of the Sensational 70s

There is not, as far as I know, a "Cars of the Emasculated 80s" or "Cars of the Numbing 90s" in the series. The Tad Burness Spotters Guide series is also worthwhile, and this is the new one: American Car Spotters Bible 1940-1980 Tad has also done Spotters Guides for imported cars and for trucks, buses, and vans.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

[nativehou]

What was Lack's anyway?

I had a boss in the early 90s who married into the Lack family here in Houston. I don't know when or why the Lack's furniture stores ceased doing business in Houston, but they still operate elsewhere. There's a store in College Station that I've bought from recently.

I don't know if any members of the Houston Lacks are still involved in the company.

[Dan the Man]

In fact, I'm not completely convinced that the coupe at the Humble station is a Ford. Desoto had one in '41 that looked pretty similar.

I think the coupe at the Humble station is definitely a Chrysler automobile, probably a 1941 Plymouth. The sedan in the street in front of the station is a 1937 or 1938 Chevrolet.

[brucesw]

Lack's in Lake Jackson was a furniture store. Of course we also had a Western Auto. But it looks like Alpha's dad was right, too:

From the www.lacks.com site:

I'm going to have to punt on the ID of the suicide door/fender skirt car in front of Lacks. There's just not enough detail. I've found photos of skirted suicide door sedans for Nash, Packard, Studebaker, and Lincoln just for the '40 and '41 years. I haven't looked in the '30s book. In fact, I'm not completely convinced that the coupe at the Humble station is a Ford. Desoto had one in '41 that looked pretty similar.

I didn't know what a suicide door was - never heard that term. I can't make one out. I think Dan the Man has the best ID on the coupe - now that the year is known and I've done a little more looking around the rear window of a Ford would have been more oval with an arched top and the tail lights would have been lower. However, the 41 Plymouth, Dodge, Desoto and Chrysler I have found all had more squared off windows -- but its just too hard to make out the details of the coupe.

Not to hijack Alpha's thread but I remember Lack's in LJ, being told it was an auto parts store and being surprised when I went in and saw appliances. I don't remember any furniture but I didn't go in much. I think I got a bicycle there. I was sure we had a Western Auto in LJ but I can't remember where it was.

[marmer]

I didn't know what a suicide door was - never heard that term.

A suicide door has the handle at the front and is hinged at the rear. It swings back to open rather than forward. It was common on more upscale or coachbuilt cars because it made entry easier. Of course it got its name because it also made accidental exit easier! The airflow past a moving car would pull the door open if it came unlatched. The mid-60s Lincoln Continental was the last "modern" car to have them, although the new Rolls Royce Drophead Coupe has suicide front doors.

Not to hijack Alpha's thread but I remember Lack's in LJ, being told it was an auto parts store and being surprised when I went in and saw appliances. I don't remember any furniture but I didn't go in much. I think I got a bicycle there. I was sure we had a Western Auto in LJ but I can't remember where it was.

When I was a kid Lacks was on Plantation Drive. May still be. We bought appliances from Jack Reid, auto parts from Western Auto, and hardware from Woodrum-Duensing. I do not remember us ever buying a stick of furniture, but I came along fairly late in my parents' life. Western Auto was on North Parking Way diagonally across from Shadduck's grocery store and next door to the Chuck Wagon (!) restaurant.

[Vertigo58]

A suicide door has the handle at the front and is hinged at the rear. It swings back to open rather than forward. It was common on more upscale or coachbuilt cars because it made entry easier. Of course it got its name because it also made accidental exit easier! The airflow past a moving car would pull the door open if it came unlatched. The mid-60s Lincoln Continental was the last "modern" car to have them, although the new Rolls Royce Drophead Coupe has suicide front doors.

The only time I see cars with the suicide doors are on the old films of the 1940's or ganster flicks same era. Too cool!

Fantastic photos even better from bird's eye view!

I just recall in mid 1970's seeing extra long lines around the block to see The Exorcist. Recall also newspaper ad's displayed "Exclusively at Village Theater" which only added to our angst to see it. "Held Over" for X amount of weeks also fueled the curiousity frenzy.

Then later on, Last Tango In Paris and The Porter played for a long time. Went downhill from there.

[roym]

Alpha, thanks for posting the photos. Those are fantastic! Would love to see any more or other photos of West University Place.

[northbeaumont]

Alpha, thanks for posting the photos. Those are fantastic! Would love to see any more or other photos of West University Place.

I went to the Village Theatre in Port Arthur when I was a kid. Here's a photo of it in the 1940s. Lightning struck in it the 1960s. It was eerie driving by it and seeing that pile of rubble. It was rebuilt into another one-screen. In 1974 it was converted into a three-screen. It closed down in 1986 and was demolished. An H.E.B. Pantry now stands in that spot.

[Vertigo58]

I went to the Village Theatre in Port Arthur when I was a kid. Here's a photo of it in the 1940s. Lightning struck in it the 1960s. It was eerie driving by it and seeing that pile of rubble. It was rebuilt into another one-screen. In 1974 it was converted into a three-screen. It closed down in 1986 and was demolished. An H.E.B. Pantry now stands in that spot.

All this time I thought the "Village Theater" name was custom made to Rice Village? This implies that there were more than one with same name around Texas? Makes a person think chain store or something?

Speaking of theaters, who can recall the name of the nice theater that was nearby on Holcombe? in West U. I think its now a book store or corny restuarant. Last film I saw there was around 1989, John Water's Hairspray played for months. Mostly Rice students would attend. Very art deco inside and out.

[brerrabbit]

Not sure but it sounds like your talking about the old Alabama theatre that was at Shepard and Alabama. It was next to Cactus records and then became The Bookstop. I have not been by there in a while and heard they were closing the bookstore. That was where we used to go see the midnight showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

[marmer]

Village Theater was not a chain. Just a coincidence that there may have been one in Port Arthur. Probably near some "_______" Village area or another, like the Rice Village.

Alabama Theatre on Shepherd and Alabama: art deco. check. Rocky Horror, check. Cactus, Bookstop, etc., check. In danger of closing/demolition, check.

Bellaire Theatre on Holcombe (actually Bellaire) and Weslayan: Rocky Horror, check (possibly after Alabama quit showing it.), Rice students, check, incorporated into the Whole Foods Market center now, check.

[plumber2]

A suicide door has the handle at the front and is hinged at the rear. It swings back to open rather than forward. It was common on more upscale or coachbuilt cars because it made entry easier. Of course it got its name because it also made accidental exit easier! The airflow past a moving car would pull the door open if it came unlatched. The mid-60s Lincoln Continental was the last "modern" car to have them, although the new Rolls Royce Drophead Coupe has suicide front doors.

When I was a kid Lacks was on Plantation Drive. May still be. We bought appliances from Jack Reid, auto parts from Western Auto, and hardware from Woodrum-Duensing. I do not remember us ever buying a stick of furniture, but I came along fairly late in my parents' life. Western Auto was on North Parking Way diagonally across from Shadduck's grocery store and next door to the Chuck Wagon (!) restaurant.

The 4 door Ford Thunderbird had suicide doors. It was produced up until 1971.

[Vertigo58]

Bellaire Theatre on Holcombe (actually Bellaire) and Weslayan:

That's it!

You win the grand prize kiddoe!

It was a neato theater, in the grand old style of all the others now gone forever.

The Bellaire Theater, yes.

[marmer]

The 4 door Ford Thunderbird had suicide doors. It was produced up until 1971.

You're right. I forgot about that one.

[brucesw]

When I was a kid Lacks was on Plantation Drive. May still be. We bought appliances from Jack Reid, auto parts from Western Auto, and hardware from Woodrum-Duensing. I do not remember us ever buying a stick of furniture, but I came along fairly late in my parents' life. Western Auto was on North Parking Way diagonally across from Shadduck's grocery store and next door to the Chuck Wagon (!) restaurant.

Okay that explains it. It was Western Auto I was remembering on North Parking Place. According to what I found on line they carried appliances and bicycles. Now I don't know where Lack's was! There wasn't much of anything on Plantation until the mid-50s or so. There's a listing for a Lack's on Lack Lane in Clute but I have no idea where that is. Don't remember the Chuck Wagon at all, maybe after my time. Mother was a good cook and cooking was a big part of who she was and we almost never ate out unless on vacation.

We bought appliances in Angleton at a place on Velasco about 2 blocks south of Mulberry - the building is still there but I forget what it is now. That was before Jack Reid opened. A Servel gas refrigerator and Chambers gas range with deep well cooker and stove-top broiler. Mother loved that range and insisted on taking it to our new house instead of getting built-ins so Dad built a breakfast island around it.

We bought a big desk at the Style Mart and some awful molded plastic chairs that were so uncomfortable we almost never used them -- probably collector's items if they're still in existence. I'm not sure where we got those. My parents would go to the Style Mart and Mother would engage the salesman, usually the owner who lived right across the street from us, while Dad sized up the furniture, sometimes taking measurements saying they needed to know if it would fit, then they'd come home and Dad would set up his drafting board and design the furniture that Mother wanted. Then he would build it and Mother wouldl make the upholstery. Most of it was too big for our little house -- a five piece, 17 foot curved sectional sofa that barely fit in the living room-- they were planning ahead for the big house we built on the creek in 1957. Dad loved to design and build things.

[northbeaumont]

All this time I thought the "Village Theater" name was custom made to Rice Village? This implies that there were more than one with same name around Texas? Makes a person think chain store or something?

Speaking of theaters, who can recall the name of the nice theater that was nearby on Holcombe? in West U. I think its now a book store or corny restuarant. Last film I saw there was around 1989, John Water's Hairspray played for months. Mostly Rice students would attend. Very art deco inside and out.

I've noticed that some names are common among theatres. The Majestic is common. On CinemaTour.com, you'll see many theatres with the same name. There is/was also a Santa Rosa, I think in California.

[Earlydays]

I've noticed that some names are common among theatres. The Majestic is common. On CinemaTour.com, you'll see many theatres with the same name. There is/was also a Santa Rosa, I think in California.

Santa Rosa is also a town north of San Francisco. It's where Alfred Hitchcock filmed "Shadow of a Doubt".