Orpheum Theater
Flagstaff, AZ
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

The Orpheum Theater in downtown Flagstaff has the kind of sign that makes an evening stroll worth taking. Its multicolored lettering projects above Aspen Avenue, giving the old theatre a playful mid-century look. Each letter seems to get its own little moment in the spotlight. With a name like Orpheum, a plain rectangular sign simply would not do.

The theatre’s roots go back to John Weatherford’s Majestic Theatre, which opened in 1911. Flagstaff finally had a dedicated movie house, offering residents a place to see moving pictures without leaving town. Unfortunately, keeping a roof over the audience proved more difficult than expected. A heavy winter snowstorm collapsed the original theatre in 1915.

Weatherford rebuilt on the same site, creating a larger venue that reopened as the Orpheum in 1916. Some accounts use 1917 for the completed building, but either way, the new theatre became a fixture of downtown Flagstaff. It even spent a few years as the College Theater during the early 1930s before returning to its familiar Orpheum name.

Orpheum Theater
Flagstaff, AZ
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

For decades, the theatre welcomed moviegoers beneath its colorful sign. By the mid-century years, it was part of the Harry Nace theatre circuit, keeping the downtown screen busy as Flagstaff grew around it. The exact installation date of the sign shown here is unknown, although its contrasting panels and lettering certainly belong to a different era than the usual multiplex entrance.

Like so many single-screen theatres, the Orpheum eventually had trouble competing with newer cinemas on the outskirts of town. It closed in 1999, leaving Aspen Avenue without its familiar movie-house activity. Fortunately, the darkness did not last for decades. Local investors brought the venue back in 2002, giving the old auditorium another job as a concert and live-performance space.

Orpheum Theater
Flagstaff, AZ
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The change brought guitars, touring bands and standing crowds into a building originally intended for seated movie audiences. Films and community events remained part of the mix, while the old sign continued doing what it had always done: letting everyone outside know that something was happening inside.

The Orpheum also comes with a few ghost stories, as any century-old theatre probably should. Local accounts describe a shadowy figure seen near the balcony and unexplained lights or switches changing on their own. Whether those stories involve restless former patrons or simply an old building being an old building, they add another layer to an already eventful theatre history.

UPDATE: Here are more photos of the venerable Orpheum Theater in downtown Flagstaff. The theater originally opened up as the Majestic Opera House back in 1911. Not too long later, the theater was renamed to the Orpheum. It is currently a concert venue. 05-20

UPDATE: The Orpheum remains independently operated and open for live music, films and community events. Its historic projecting sign survives above Aspen Avenue, while modern sound-system improvements keep the performances firmly in the present. The old movie house is still putting on a show in downtown Flagstaff. 09-26

Globe Theatre circa 1945 (Rem.)
Globe, AZ
Courtesy Patrick Ryan

The Globe Theatre was still showing movies when this view of downtown Globe was photographed. Its vertical sign and street-facing marquee gave Broad Street the familiar look of an old-fashioned movie night. No sprawling parking lot or row of identical entrances here. Just a downtown theatre tucked among the storefronts, with its name standing tall above the sidewalk.

Dating to around 1917, the theatre welcomed generations of local moviegoers. Inside were a balcony, decorative murals and copper-covered pillars near the entrance, fitting touches for a movie house in this Arizona mining town. The Hollis family operated the theatre for decades, keeping the downtown screen busy alongside their other regional cinemas and drive-ins.

Globe Theatre
Globe, AZ
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Unfortunately, the building’s long run came to a sudden end on July 16, 2005. A fire broke out in the neighboring Pioneer Hotel, and part of the hotel collapsed onto the theatre’s auditorium. The roof and much of the interior were destroyed. Java Junction Coffee House, located in the hotel, was also lost.

Fire crews managed to protect the theatre’s front facade and marquee from the worst of the blaze. Although the old auditorium could not be saved, the familiar sign was secured for reuse. There was still a chance for “GLOBE” to light up Broad Street again.

Globe Theater marquee lit up
Globe, AZ
Photo courtesy Patrick Ryan

UPDATE: The Globe Theatre was severely damaged in a fire on July 16, 2005. Word is that efforts to secure restoration funding are underway. 11-05

UPDATE: The historic Globe Theater was built 1917 in the art deco style. Art deco murals were painted on the wall of the interior one-screen theater. The balcony was beautiful. The theater also featured locally mined copper-covered pillars under the marquee. After the devastating fire, Globe-Miami's own Globe Theater is being rebuilt. The theater will be built over the lot of the building next store that was the Trust/Hotel building. The new GLOBE will be built with four screens and stadium seating. A brick face will surround the theater using some of the original bricks from the Hotel.

The theater is now known as the Hollis Cinema 4. The four screen theater is stil showing first run movies.

Globe Theater
Globe, AZ
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The marquee is being spruced up a bit; the original marquee was changed in the 1960's-1970, but is being put back to the original design with neon lighting all around the historic sign. After the restoration of the marquee, the marquee will be place on the corner of Broad and Cedar Streets. This an exciting move forward for this historic small-town community. Many thanks to Patrick Ryan for update. 10-06

UPDATE:Here are more photos of the Globe Theatre. Many thanks to Patrick Ryan for update. 12-06

UPDATE: Bobby Hollis rebuilt the site, including the neighboring hotel property, as Hollis Cinema 4. The new four-screen theatre opened in 2010 with stadium seating, salvaged Pioneer Hotel bricks and the restored Globe neon marquee incorporated into its exterior. The original movie house is gone, but its old sign has another theatre to announce. 09-26