And so it opens. This is the start of my research into the theaters of Little Rock AR. This is simply a stub for what’s to come. My hope is to make this a comprehensive, locally crowd sourced project. I’m doing a lot of research and I plan to get all of it here. For now, this is a directory. I’m just posting notes. In time I hope to have so much more.
One way this site will evolve will be as a study of the kinds of films that played here over time. I’d love to do a full chronology of the various oddities that popped up, the distinctly southern films that played in LR, etc.
I’m indebted to CinemaTour, Cinematreasures.org, the archives of the Arkansas Democrat/Arkansas Gazette/Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Jack W. Hill’s 1995 retrospective, and especially the members of Remember When in Little Rock on Facebook. I’ve tried to cross reference every source I’ve used. Thank you all.
Little Rock
Airway
510 E. Sixth St.
Then: Information to come
Now: Closed 1955, currently an apartment complex
Arkansas Theater
516-18 S Louisiana St
Then: Theater opened in 1910, closed at an unknown date, part of the Rowley chain, seated 1450, originally a stage theatre, previously known as the Kempner
Now: Closed 1978, Office building
Asher Drive In
Asher & University
Then: Drive-in opened in 1948, part of the Rowley chain
Now:closed in mid 80s, Campus Housing for UALR
Breckenridge Village 12
1200 Breckenridge Dr
Then/now: Opened 1998
Capitol Theater
600 Main
Then: Part of the Rowley chain, seated 1050, moved to replace the Pulaski at Capitol and Spring
Now: Closed 1974, Parking lot
Photo provided by Wayne Cox
Photo provided by Alan E Ginocchio
Center Theatre
407 Main
Then: Theatre from 1912-1979, Known as the Royal at some point. Subject if a serious effort to restore it as an art house but which came to naught.
Now: Parking lot
Chenal 9
17825 Chenal Pkwy
Then/now: Open as of 2008, theatrical IMAX screen
Photo provided by Jerry Dean
Cinema 150
University Shopping Center
Then: Information is coming from personal research. For now, I highly reccommend the amazing essay by Kat Robinson. I also recommend Kevin Brockmeier’s memory in A Few Seconds of Radiant Filmstrip. Opened in 1968, remodeled in 1992 and 1998. Biggest grossing film: Top Gun which played for 20 weeks. Known for its 150 degree screen. Had 70 MM capability. Films such as Lawrence of Arabia were shown in it.
Now: Closed in 2003 with X2 as the last film shown, Demolished in 2015
Cinema City 7
10301 N Rodney Parham Rd
Then: Opened November 1976 as a fourplex, remodeled as a 7 screen theater with 1,824 seats
Now: Closed in September 1998, demolished for parking lot for new theatre
Col Glenn 18
18 Colonel Glenn Plaza
Then/now: Opened in December 2002
Crescent Theater
118 W. Second Street
Then: Opened 1920s
Now: Closed 1955, Parking Lot
Photo provided by Wayne Cox
Four
Geyer Springs Rd & I-30
Then: The first multiscreen theater in Little Rock. Converted to a bargain theater in 1987, 984 seats
Now: closed 1994, Ron Sherman Teleproductions occupies the space now
Garland
4112 W. 29th Street
Then: Opened 1940s-1950s
Now: Parking lot, decidedly run down part of town
Gem Theatre
712 W. 9th Street
Then: Opened 1910s, 1930s-50s was an African American theater
Now: Parking lot
Photo provided by Wayne Cox
-Photo provided by Wayne Cox
Photo proved by Alan E Ginocchio
Heights Theatre
5600 Kavanaugh Blvd
Then: Opened 1946, part of the Rowley chain, former site of the White City Swimming Pool
Now: Closed in 1985, building now houses a women’s clothing store and Eye Care clinic, still looks the same, sign remains
Lee Theatre
3819 W. 13th Street
Then: Opened 1940, part of the Rowley chain
Now: Closed 1955, Building still stands but hasn’t been open for years
Main
106 Main St
Then: Second run theater
Now: Retail
Majestic
8th and Main
Then: Movie theater in 1910s
Now: Closed 1936, parking lot
Markham Twin
Markham & Barroq
Then: Information to come
Now: Closed March 1987
Market Street Cinema
1521 Merrill Drive
Then: Opened 12/19/1986 as Loehmann’s Plaza 5, a 5 screen expansion was announced in 1988 but never came to fruition, closed December 6, 1989 when the Rand chain was closed for nonpayment of back taxes, reopened February 9, 1990, turned Bargain cinema in 1990, Went Independent Cinema theater in 2003
Now: Moved operations to Riverdale 10, building currently vacant
Nabor Theatre
1717 Wright Avenue
Then: Opened 1946
Now: Closed 1957, Houses the New Africa Marketplace Islamic Center
New Theatre
112 Main
Then: Second run theater, Part of the Rowley chain, close to Main, Separated by retail
Now: Retail and housing
Park Plaza 7
Park Plaza Mall
Then: Opened 1988 during renovations of Park Plaza
Now: Closed January 18, 2000, now a Forever 21
Pines Drive-In
Then: Located off Mississippi, operated in the 1950s (Information provided by Bob Major)
Now:Current site of First Christian Church. (Information provided by Carol Wightman Greene)
Prospect Theatre
620 Beechwood
Then: Part of the Rowley chain
Now: Closed 1951, Now part of the Kroger (Hillcrest) parking lot
Photos provided by Wayne Cox
Razorback Drive-in
1207 Rebsamen Park Rd
Then: Drive in, opening unknown, part of the Rowley chain, once known as the Big Red, Previously located at 21st and Barber,.
Now: Offices
Riverdale 10
2600 Cantrell Rd
Then/Now: Opened in 1997, underwent a string of owners, closed in fall 2013, reopened summer 2014
Riverside
Information to come
Roxy Theatre
198 Main St
Then: Part of the Rowley chain, Second-run house
Now: Parking Garage
Sky-Vue
Information to come
University Quartet
S. University and Asher
Then: Formerly Spartan’s Department Store, Opened in 1971 as the John Miller Twin, expanded to a fourplex in 1973, part of the John Miller chain until sold to United Artists (Information provided by Lissa Douglass Simpson) 914 seats
Now: Currently closed and vacant.
Wynnsong 10
12200 Westhaven Dr
Then: Opened in December 1995, seated 1,610, 10 screens, THX capability, shifted to a bargain theater in April 2003
Now: Closed in September 2004, currently an ITT branch
North Little Rock
Broadway Drive-In
East Broadway
Then: Information unknown
Now: Closed 1963, Retail space
Cinema 7
4000 McCain Blvd
Then: Opened as a 7 screen theater, renovated in 1986 to 13 screens with 3,370 screens, closed December 6, 1989 when the Rand chain was closed for nonpayment of back taxes, purchased by Carmike, renovated back into a 7 screen theater which opened in May 1991.
Now: Closed February 2002, now a Barnes and Noble
Juroy Theater
1733 Pike
Then: Opened 1946, owned by Roy Cochran
Now: Closed 1959, Pike widened and now runs where it was located
Lakewood 8
2939 Lakewood Village Drive
Then: Opened 1986, operated by UA until 2010 when Dickinson Theaters took over. 1,954 seats
Now: Closed 2013, demolished for parking lot for LA Fitness
Levy Twin
300 Pike Ave
Then: Information unknown
Now: Empty lot
Liberty Theatre
313 Main Street
Then: Second run theater
Now: Retail space
McCain Mall Cinema 1&2
McCain Mall
Then: Opened 1971 by General Cinemas which subleased the theater to Rand in 1986, 1080 seats
Now: Closed in January 1990, Briefly reopened in November/December 1991 as a holiday themed revival house, was a Luby’s Cafeteria. Now a Bar Louie
Park Theatre
3406 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
Then: Opened 1941
Now: Korean Church (information provided by Wayne Cox)
Rialto
205 Main Street
Then: Renamed the Capri in 1969, showed “art” films in that form.
Now: Closed 1972, Parking lot
Scenic
3500 MacArthur Dr
Then: Known for terraces cars sat on
Now: Off-ramp for I-40, EZ-Mart
Tandy 10
4188 E McCain
Then: Opened November 1991 as a bargain theater,
Now: Closed in October 2013
Twin City Drive-In
7600 Warden Road
Then: Two screens
Now: Closed, site of a Kohl’s
Jacksonville
Graco Theater
102 Victory Circle
Then: Information unknown
Now: Senior center
Jacksonville Drive-In
706 Louise
Then: Information unknown
Now: Vacant Lot
Strand Theatre
872 W. Main Street
Then: Information unknown
Now: Walgreen’s
The Film Room Lobby 
Austin, Many of the theaters listed were part of the Rowley Theater chain, later purchased by United Artists. My uncle John Rowley was the son of the founder and manager in Little Rock in the 1940’s and president of the chain during the 1950’s until the sale to United Artist. John’s widow is still living in Dallas as is his oldest daughter and her husband who worked for the chain for many years. I was in Dallas a week ago visiting these relatives. I am not sure what happened to the Rowley records but I would be happy to ask. Also a possible lead would be the family of Robin Wightman, not sure of the spelling, who was the general manager in Little Rock for many years.
The only item I have in my possession is the program from the Cinema 150 premiere which was attended by my entire family.
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Wow this is great information. I’d love anything you could get as to which were in it. I want comprehensive after all. I’ll be adding what I get as I get it.
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Rowley Theaters in Arkansas
Arkansas Theatre (Little Rock)
Asher Drive-In (Little Rock)
Capitol Theatre (Little Rock)
Heights Theater (Little Rock)
Lee Theatre (Little Rock)
New Theater (Little Rock)
Park Theater (Little Rock)
Pines Drive-In (Little Rock)
Prospect Theater (Little Rock)
Pulaski Theatre (Little Rock)
Razorback Drive-In (Little Rock)
Riverside Drive-In (Little Rock)
Roxy Theatre (Little Rock)
Royal Theatre (Little Rock)
These theaters were part of the Robb-Rowley/Rowley/Rowley United theater chain at some point from the 1930’s through at least the 1980’s.
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I’ll get those listed! I’m actually updating as I get info sent.
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I believe next door to the New was also the Main. Both disappeared when they built the new Trailways bus station in the 100
Block of Main St. Now a parking lot for Capitol Hotel.
Does the new Ron Robinson Theater in
The River Market count?
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I need to get it up! It’s iffy but I have such a deep CALS love I’ll add it.
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And yes they were side by side
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The was a Pines Drive-In Theater on Mississippi in the ’50’s.
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OK now that I’ll need to get up. I used to live in that area and I know the street well.
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Hi Austin…
Saw your post on “Remember in Little Rock” so I came on over to the blog. Great research you’ve done so far. I have got a couple of ‘not-so-great’ photos, one of the Liberty Theater that was in North Little Rock and also a photo of the Nabor Theater from when it was still a theater. The Nabor photo I have looks to be an old newspaper clipping. I also have a fairly nice photograph of the Rialto Theater from the 1940’s before it was remodeled into the state shown in the photograph you already have.
If you would like to have these, get my email from this comment and email me and I will forward you what I have for your project.
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Thank you for the kind words. I absolutely want them. Any photos are good photos!
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Email me at austinshinn@hotmail.com and I’ll get them up!
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Several inaccuracies here. The OLD Capitol WAS at 6th & Main before moved to replace the Pulaski with that name at Capitol & Spring Sts. The Arkansas on Louisiana had once been the Kempner. The Center on Main had once been the Royal. The UA name appeared before theatres run by that chain… the UA Four, the UA Cinema 150, etc. The Main and New both were in 200 block of Main but NOT adjacent. A camera store was between. I recall the Crescent at 118 W. 2d from 1950s, but never heard of a Crystal Theatre. The Heights opened on former site of the White City Swimming Pool. The Juroy on Pike Ave., NLR, later became Tommy Trent’s country Fun Barn. The Prospect was in 600 block of N. Beech which now is renamed Beechwood Avenue. It was called the Prospect because that was the name of Kavanaugh Blvd. before it was renamed for County Judge Wm. Kavanaugh, a founder of Pulaski Heights and Sou Assn president. The Rialto WAS at 205 Main in NORTH Little Rock. In the next block was the old Liberty at 313. It was the PARK Theatre, not the “Park Hill.” And it was the Twin City Drive-In at Sherwood, not the TWIN. The original Razorback Drive-in was at 21st & Barber. The Riverside on Cantrell later was remodeled as the Razorback with a Big Red and Wild Hog screen. The Roxy was on Main opposite the New and Main. There IS no such address as 198 Main Street. And there IS no west Main in Little Rock. Jacksonville also had a Flick Theatre, 1970s. Briefly, there was an adult theatre on Rock Street and another, the Chicot Cinema, on Chicot Road off Base Line in SWLR.
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Thank you! I was working with inaccurate information. I’ll get these corrected. I’m trying to get it all right. The adult theaters I’ve found in today’s work. I’ll be adding them.
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I admit I’m MUCH younger than many of the locations I’m covering. This is why I’m doing research. (Right now in fact)
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The original Capitol Theater was on Markham just west of where the old Marion Hotel was. Then it moved to Main Street and then to 5th and Spring.
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Austin,
You did a great job with a little bit of information. Mr. John Rowley’s brother Ed actually live in the upper floor of the Arkansas Theatre on Louisiana. The apartment was later remodeled into offices for the Little Rock offices of the Rowley Uinted Theatres. As noted earlier John Rowley moved to Dallas, the Rowley’s had theatres in Texas and Arkansas. Several theatres in Arkansas were partnerships with local partnership like Magnolia. A true gentleman W P Florence was owner/ manager lived at the theatre. I was told that W.P. was a Harvard graduate.
The Rowley theatres U A Theatres in Conway ( twin and a Drive). Clarksville,Benton,Arkadelphia, Malvern.
A gentleman mentioned Robin Wightman in a comment about Mr Rowley. Mr. Wightman worked for the Rowley’s for 50 years. He was the General Manager for Little Rock. He had many friends in the motion picture business.
A gentlemen named Bob Kerby was my mentor. Bob was the first manager of U A Cinema 150. Bob was the advertising manager as well.
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Thank you! I really have tried to spin a lot from a little and I intend to do more yet. I actually know the UA in Conway because that was one of my theaters growing up. (It was a 6 screen by then.) The Rowleys sound like solid, interesting folks who ran a good business. A contrast to the Rands. I’ll try to weave the info provided in once I start writing the narratives I’ll endeavor to compile.
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My Dad, Robin Wightman, was the Manager of the Royal Theatre and Skyvue Drive-In in Arkadelphia, AR. before coming to Little Rock to be City Manager for Rowley United Theatres and General Manager for United Artists.
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Wow! I’m likely going to touch on the Arkadelphia ones on my Facebook group in coming weeks
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Here is a 1960 aerial photo of the Pines Drive-In.
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The Tandy 10 closed in October 2014, not 2013.
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Given that I was the one to give y’all photos of it that’s really a red mark!
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I really enjoyed your article .I worked for several of the theaters when they were united artist and I remember a lot of them well .I also remember Wayne Cox that gave you some information , and Bob Kirby that he mentioned . Please pass on my info if you are still in contact with him .Thanks !
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I’ll see what I can do!
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Thank you .
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Hey Austin,
I think we or I made an error. The Majestic Theatre is listed as closing in 1936. I have some old documents about the World Premeire of The Story of Dr, Wassell at the Majestic. The film premeired July 4, 1944. Dr. Wassell was from Arkansas. starred Gary Cooper
I will look for my documents.
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I am in serious need of an overhaul for this to correct mistakes. For the unaware, on the date I first posted this I learned my wife was pregnant. I’ve…been busy 🙂
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Congratulations Austin to you and your wife. I wish you the best
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Happily I’m referring to events from 2015 and the day I first posted this. 3 years later I’m trying to get her to sleep
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Hey Doris,
I remember you well. You did a fantastic job at the UA Four.
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I didn’t know if anyone would know if I would be recognized without the Hurley name . I have been trying to catch up on things in the area and I just couldn’t resist saying Hello . I spent several years in the theaters , they were almost like a second home . So good to see a name I remembered .
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Congratulations Austin to you and your wife. I wish you the very best.
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Austin,
Do you have any more photos of the Razorback Twin Drive in…Im looking for some to print out for my mother in law
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Sadly no! I wish I did since I love that part of town and never got to experience it.
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