Cape's Movie Theaters

Southeast Missourian archive

Thursday, October 13, 2011

A collection of Cape Girardeau's movie theaters over the decades.

The Naeter Bros. had Park Theater constructed in 1914 at 213 Broadway. It was sold to E.M. Doyle and J.H. Strain in 1917. Fox West Theaters bought it in 1929, renaming it the Fox Cape Theater. It closed in 1931. The Salvation Army purchased the building in 1949. It was razed in the 1980s. (ca 1919)
The Lyric Theater, 23 N. Main St., opened in October 1907. The following month the Lyric was taken over by the Dreamland Theater. ca 1913
A.H. Haas built the Orpheum Theater, 616-617 Good Hope St., in 1917 and leased it to Henry Sanders and Clarence Nenninger, the two having operated the original Orpheum in the 500 block of Good Hope. It was the first Cape movie house to feature talkies (1929) and color film (1919). Sanders and Nenninger operated the Orpheum for several years and in 1929 it was purchased by Fox West Theaters. It closed in February 1954 because of lack of patronage. In March of that year, Lester Rhodes purchased the building and renovated for business use. It was razed in 1993. (ca 1920)
Esquire Theater, 1947. "Blue Skies" showing.

Published Tuesday, Feb. 19, 1970, pg. 1 Cape Girardeau moviegoers will have a new theater, in effect, to attend. The Broadway Theater, landmark for almost a half century, has been remodeled from stage to entrance, shown here, new seats have been installed and it will be reopened after a several-year lapse Wednesday night with the movie "Funny Girl." Kerasotes Theaters has taken over operation of the new cinema.
Victor L. Klarsfeld, recently of St. Louis, and Edward J. Rosecan of Hannibal stood in front of Cape's newest theater, the Rialto, at 420 Broadway. The two were owners of the Rialto, and Klarsfeld was its manager. (Sept. 3, 1940)
Rialto Theatre on Broadway, 1944.
Star Vue drive-in theater, Highway 61 North. Fronabarger pic, ca 1950s.
Star Vue drive-in theater, Highway 61 North. undated; Fronabarger pic.