By 1929, Karl Hoblitzelles Interstate theatre chain
had become one of the largest and most respected chains
in the Southwest. Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston
all had their own Hoblitzelle Majestics, the latter being
home to three consecutive ones. Each of his theatres strove
to offer the best in wholesome entertainment, in an atmosphere
of clean, safe comfort, and in the process, brought respectability
to motion picture entertainment.
Houstons grand Majestic of 1923 remained the companys
major showplace for the city, drawing crowds as the depression
ran its course. With the end of the depression came the
first of the Interstate neighborhood theatres, beginning
with the North Main Theatre at 3730 North Main. It opened
on Christmas Day, 1935.
The North Main was followed by the Tower and Eastwood theatres.
Interstate continued to expand its line of new theatres,
as well as acquisitions and 50/50 partnerships with older
independents.
In 1938, Interstate opened the Yale 3906 Washington, adding
another movie house to an area that already included the
North Main and the Heights.
From 1938 to 1942, Interstate opened a new theatre each
year in Houston. The entry for 1939 remains the best surviving
example of Interstates theatre architecture of the
period, and perhaps is fitting that it opened in the Hollywoods
true golden year the Alabama Theatre.
The success of the Alabama was followed up 11 months later
with the smaller-sized Almeda Theatre. Then came the Village,
Wayside, Santa Rosa, Broadway, Garden Oaks, and Fulton.
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