Brokaw Theatre 1 & 2
Angola, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The Brokaw Theatre 1 & 2 has been a familiar sight on Angola's public square since 1931. At first glance it looks like a classic neighborhood movie theater, but the "1 & 2" added to the marquee immediately catches your attention. It's a small detail, yet it tells an interesting part of the theater's story. 02-08
The Brokaw opened as a single-screen movie house during the golden age of downtown theaters, when a trip to the movies was often the highlight of the week. For decades, audiences gathered beneath this marquee to see the latest Hollywood releases. Then, in 1990, the original auditorium was divided into two theaters so the Brokaw could offer more than one movie at a time. Instead of replacing the old marquee, the owners simply added the "1 & 2," creating the distinctive look that remains today.
Like so many independent theaters, the Brokaw has had to evolve to survive. Thankfully, it never lost the character that made it special. Careful renovations have modernized the theater while preserving the vintage marquee that still fits perfectly on the courthouse square.
Brokaw Theatre 1 & 2
Angola, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
It's always rewarding to find an old movie house that's still doing what it was built to do. The Brokaw may look a little different than it did in 1931, but it's still welcoming moviegoers through the same front doors, and that's something you don't see nearly often enough anymore.
UPDATE: Now operating as the Brokaw Movie House, the theater continues showing first-run movies while its restored marquee remains one of downtown Angola's most recognizable landmarks. 07-26
Silver Screen Theatre
Garrett, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
At first glance, the Silver Screen Theatre looks like the kind of neighborhood movie house that's been part of downtown Garrett forever. The classic marquee and Art Deco styling have all the character you'd expect from a theater built during Hollywood's golden age, and it's easy to imagine families lining up here on a Saturday night to see the latest picture. 02-08
The theater opened in 1939 as the Gala Theatre before later becoming the Silver Screen Theatre. For generations it served as Garrett's hometown movie house, giving local audiences a place to enjoy everything from cartoons and westerns to the latest Hollywood blockbusters without leaving town.
Like so many independent theaters, the Silver Screen faced an uncertain future when the movie industry made the costly switch from film to digital projection. The theater closed in 2014, and for nearly a decade its marquee stood quiet while many feared another small-town theater had reached the end of its story.
Silver Screen Theatre
Garrett, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley
Fortunately, that wasn't the ending. After years of restoration and modern upgrades, the theater reopened in 2024, once again welcoming moviegoers through the same front doors. While the projection equipment may be new, the experience of walking beneath that vintage marquee still feels wonderfully familiar.
Old theaters have a way of becoming part of a town's identity, and the Silver Screen is a perfect example. It's always rewarding to see another classic movie house survive the changing times and continue doing exactly what it was built to do.
UPDATE: Now operating as the Silver Screen Cinema, the restored theater once again shows first-run movies and remains one of downtown Garrett's most recognizable landmarks. 07-26
Star Theatre
Hannibal, MO Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The Star Theatre has been part of downtown Hannibal since 1906. Standing along South Main Street, it's one of those old theaters that's easy to picture bustling with moviegoers and vaudeville audiences during its early years. 07-08
Over the years the Star found new ways to entertain, even operating as a dinner theater where guests could enjoy classic movies served with a meal and a little extra fun from the singing wait staff.
Today the theater has taken on yet another role. Although movies are no longer shown, the beautifully restored building continues to host weddings, receptions, and other special events, proving that an old theater doesn't have to go dark to survive.
UPDATE: The Star Theatre remains a restored downtown landmark, now serving as a private event venue in historic Hannibal. 07-26
Planters Barn Theatre (Closed)
Hannibal, MO Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The old Planters Barn Theatre doesn't look like your typical theater, and that's part of its charm. Housed inside a brick building dating back to 1849, it's one of those places that fits perfectly into the historic streets of downtown Hannibal. 07-08
The building stood here during the days when Samuel Clemens was growing up in Hannibal, making it a tangible link to the world that inspired many of Mark Twain's stories. More recently, it found new life as an intimate theater where audiences could enjoy live performances centered around Twain's life and writings.
Although the theater has since closed, it's nice to see the old building still standing. In a town so closely tied to Mark Twain, places like this help keep a little of that history alive.
UPDATE: The Planters Barn Theatre is no longer operating as a performance venue, though the historic 1849 building remains a familiar part of downtown Hannibal. 07-26
Birmingham Theatre
Birmingham, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
The Birmingham Theatre has been a downtown landmark since 1927, and its glowing marquee still gives Old Woodward Avenue the feeling of a classic movie town. It's the kind of theater that's impossible to pass without wondering how many Saturday nights, first dates, and sold-out premieres have taken place behind those doors over the years. 08-08
Designed by legendary theater architect C. Howard Crane, the Birmingham opened during the golden age of neighborhood movie palaces. Originally built as a single-screen theater, it offered moviegoers an experience that was every bit as memorable as the feature playing on the screen.
Birmingham Theatre
Birmingham, MI Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
As audience tastes changed, so did the theater. The spacious auditorium was eventually converted into eight screens, allowing the Birmingham to remain a vital part of downtown rather than becoming another beautiful old theater lost to time. While the inside has evolved, the familiar marquee and historic façade continue to remind visitors of its nearly century-long history.
There's something reassuring about seeing an old movie palace still doing what it was built to do. So many have disappeared over the years, but the Birmingham continues to light up downtown, proving that some landmarks never lose their place in the community.
UPDATE: Now operating as the Birmingham 8, the theater continues showing first-run movies beneath its restored marquee and remains one of downtown Birmingham's most recognizable landmarks. 07-26
Brokaw Theatre 1 & 2
Brokaw Theatre 1 & 2
Silver Screen Theatre
Silver Screen Theatre
Star Theatre
Planters Barn Theatre (Closed)
