Heading to the multiplex this summer? Before the days of $9 movie tickets and $5 popped corn, one could probably spend two bits going to one of these movie houses. Here are selected movie theaters from around St. Louis, some long since shuttered. There may still be some popcorn on the floor though.
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By Nick Lucchesi
The old Majestic Theatre, 240 Collinsville Avenue, in East St. Louis, Illinois. Click ahead to the see what it formerly looked like.
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www.cinematreasures.org
Here is a 1920s postcard of the place, back when ESTL's downtown was busier than it is today.
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By Nick Lucchesi
A wide-angle shot of the theater. East St. Louis had more than 25 movie houses over the years, though many have long since been closed and or demolished. Others have been converted into other commercial businesses.
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By Katie Lopez
Heading north into the Metro East is the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville. Built in 1909, it closed in 1984 after more than 400 people attended the final screening, the movie "The Big Chill." It is undergoing renovations now.
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By Katie Lopez
...But theater's owners apparently are still looking for a tenant.
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By Nick Lucchesi
The Melvin Theatre, at 2912 Chippewa Street. Now a church, the theater opened in 1914 and sat 481, according to historian Charles Van Bibber.
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By Nick Lucchesi
Now a grocery store, this building on 12th Street in Soulard formerly was a movie theater. A couple hundred chairs used to occupy the parking lot to the south for outdoor viewings.
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By Nick Lucchesi
The former Avalon Cinema, which closed in 1999. Located on Kingshighway, the owner of the movie house was profiled in the RFT in July 2007. Read the story, Fade to Black.
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By Nick Lucchesi
The Avalon.
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By Nick Lucchesi
The Hi-Pointe Theatre, recently shuttered for renovations.
