Huntridge Theater
The Huntridge Theater opened for business on October 10, 1944. S. Charles Lee, a renowned theater architect, was influenced by the Moderne and International architectural styles when he designed the building. The Huntridge served as a movie house for almost five decades before its conversion to a performing arts center in 1992. Although the original landscaping has been lost, and minor changes to the interior and exterior have been undertaken, the theater retains its historic integrity.
The Huntridge Theater is located at the large, busy intersection of Maryland Parkway and Charleston Boulevard. It is currently surrounded by various commercial establishments, including car dealerships. The theater is just north of the Huntridge neighborhood, constructed during the 1940s. Originally, a bank and the post office were located next to the theater. Future plans for the Huntridge Performing Arts Center include purchasing and rehabilitating these two buildings and, to some extent, restoring the appearance of this important corner for the neighborhood.
Located at 1208 East Charleston Boulevard in Las Vegas, Nevada and added to the National Register of Historic Places (#93000686)
The theater is an approximately square, one-story, brick and concrete structure with a flat roof interrupted by a tower above the marquis. The bank of glass front doors are emphasized by projecting rectangular piers which support the marquis, and above, a curved wall. The 75′ high rectangular tower with flutes rises above the entrance. The tower is surmounted by a neon sign which spells “Huntridge.” The building has no windows and has no surface treatments other than those which surround the entrance area. The exterior doors lead into a lobby with a concession counter; the auditorium (approximately 1000 seats) is located to the left. The projection room can be accessed by a stairway beyond the concession counter.
Alterations to the theater include paving over the original, curved driveway which lead to the theater entrance, the addition of air-conditioning units on the roof, and the replacement of the original “Huntridge” sign, which was written in script. In 1992, the interior of the auditorium was unified as originally built, reversing the division into two theaters in the 1980s. The original murals have been lost. In spite of these changes, the. Huntrictcje Theater retains its integrity and will serve the Las Vegas for many years to come.
The Huntridge Theater is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under criteria A, for its contribution to Las Vegas recreation and entertainment, and under criteria C, for its modern style of architecture.
The Huntridge Theater was designed by S. Charles Lee, one of the country’s well-known theater architects. In addition to designing more, than 300 theaters throughout the United States, Lee built several theaters in Mexico, Construction of the Huntridge began in 1943, during the height of World War II. Materials and labor were in short supply due to the war; the brick and concrete shell was common to buildings of this period. The contractor for the project was Pioneer Construction Co. ; several local sub-contractors were also employed. The Huntridge interiors were designed by A.B. Heinsbergen of Beverly Hills. At the time Mr. Heinsbergen was the veteran of over 376 large theaters and was recognized as the Designer of the Year by the United States Government in 1940.
The historic Huntridge Theater opened on October 10, 1944. It is believed to be the oldest operating movie theater in southern Nevada. Located on the corner of Maryland Parkway and Charleston Boulevard, it serves as the cornerstone for the Huntridge neighborhood, which includes houses and commercial buildings constructed in the 1940s. The original builder and proprietor of the Huntridge Theater was Commonwealth Las Vegas Theater, Inc., whose officers at the time of opening were C,A. Schultz, President, O.K. Mason, Vice-President and General Manager, and A.J. (Sim) Simrnons who managed the Huntridge from the construction phase to its opening.
The opening films on its first day were “Hi, Neighbor” and “Hellzapoppin,” The promotion for the opening of the theater included a contest to name the movie stars, with the first prize of a $25.00 war bond and 10 guest tickets. The Huntridge Development Co. , owned by prominent Las Vegas Thomas Oakey, was responsible for the contracting of the property. Mr. Oakey was also a partner in the venture. It is unclear from historic records as to when Commonwealth Las Vegas Theater, Inc., group dissolved but it is know that prior to 1951 Mr. Oakey had new partners in the property, including legendary actresses Irene Dunn and Loretta Young.
In 1951, a 27 year lease of the Huntridge Theater was begun with Lloyd and Edith Katz of Las Vegas. Mr. and Mrs. Katz operated the Huntridge Theater, the Fremont Theater, and the Guild Theater, all located in Las Vegas. The Huntridge was operated by the Katz’s until 1978 when the theater was purchased by Mr. Frank Silvaggio, a Las Vegas contractor.
During the nearly 50 years of its operation, the Huntridge has hosted many famous personalities. In March of 1947 Abbott and Costello appeared live on the Huntridge stage to present their new movie “Buck Privates Come Home.” In the 1950s such artists as Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Jerry Lewis, Marlene Dietrich and Vincent Price appeared at the Huntridge in promotions for their latest movies. The Huntridge Theater, along with the Fremont Theater, was host to the world premiere of the “Las Vegas Story” in which all of the major actors in the picture were in attendance.
The Theater is also eligible for the National Register under criteria C. The building is a combination of the Moderns style of architecture and the International style. Characteristics of the Moderne style, known also as the “streamlined style,” include curved corners, asymmetrical fenestration, smooth wall surfaces, and small round windows. The style was inspired by industrial design of the 1930s and eventually replaced the earlier, more, ornate Art Deco style. The Huntridge Theater displays features of the Moderne style such as the rounded facade and corner, the smooth wall surfaces, the fluting on the tower, and the small “porthole” under the “Huntridge” neon sign. International style characteristics include the minimal surface decoration, the asymmetrical massing of the building, and the flat roof. The theater is one of the few buildings to survive in Las Vegas from this decade.
The Huntridge Theater is best remembered as the place to go for Saturday matinees. Thousands of Las Vegas children passed through the portals of the theater to view many Disney films which had their Las Vegas premieres at the Huntridge. Many prominent Nevadans worked at the Huntridge in their early years. Such notables as Frankie Sue Del Papa, the state’s Attorney General, and others were ushers and concessions personnel at the theater. Senator Richard Bryan grew up in the Huntridge neighborhood and spent many hours in the Huntridge Theater.
After the purchase by Mr. Silvaggio in 1979, the theater was converted to a twin theater in 1980. During the subsequent 10 years the theater was operated by a number of different individuals and companies, including United Artists Corporation. The theater began to decline in popularity in the 1980s due to the advent of multi-theater complexes and its inability to compete in the marketplace. The theater closed in 1990 after repeated attempts to find a niche in which it could survive.
In January 1992, the theater was leased by Richard and Tamara Lenz, The theater was restored to a single space and much of the original decor was maintained, including the decorative wing walls on either side of the stage , the pillars in the lobby area, and the 75 foot high “Huntridge” sign.
In a city with few landmarks over thirty years old that have not been destroyed or extensively remodeled, the Huntridge stands intact as a tribute to its time. It is filled with the memories of the local people who grew up in Las Vegas.
