University of Minnesota
E-Center for Cinema
ecinema@umn.edu


E-Center for Cinema Home

Landmarks

The extraordinary film houses of Minneapolis and Saint Paul have been documented in the classic book by Kirk J. Besse entitled Show Houses: Twin Cities Style. Another book The Marqueee of Main Street looks at the influence of a specific man, Jack Liebenberg, and his influence on film theatre designs in the first half of the 20th century.

Show Houses: Twin Cities Style, Kirk J. Besse, Victoria Publications Ltd., Minneapolis 1997.

Marquee on Main Street: Jack Liebenberg's Movie Theaters 1928-1941, March 22-April 25, 1982.

University Gallery, University of Minnesota, Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 82-70857

Below please read the histories of some historic venues which are still in operation today. The history is by no means comprehensive, but these examples give a taste of the rich past of theatre going in the Twin Cities. And please visit our THEATRES section of TWIN CITIES FILM TODAY to read shorter histories of these places as well as perhaps visit them - since all the venues listed below are still in operation.

Bell Auditorium

The Bell Auditorium is the nations first and only dedicated non-fiction film screen. Formerly home to the University Film Society, The Bell Auditorium has been a pioneer in film exhibition both locally and nationally for 43 years. Since its inception, the Bell Auditorium has hosted many directors and film scholars including Robert Altman, Jean-Luc Godard, Roberto Rosellini, Max von Sydow, Pauline Kael, Marcel Ophuls, Benoit Jacquot and countless others.
button

Heights Historic Theatre

The Heights Theatre is located in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, a Northeast Minneapolis suburb. The Heights was originally constructed in 1926 by Gluek Brewery heir Arthur Gluek as a prohibition real estate venture.
button

Oak Street Cinema

Oak Street Cinema was founded as a single screen movie theatre in 1995 by a core group of dedicated cinephiles who decided to revive the old Campus Theatre.
button

Riverview Theater

In the late 40s, Sidney and William Volk wanted to replace an aging Falls Theater which was located on Minnehaha Avenue. They contracted with the premier theater architects of that period, Liebenberg and Kaplan, to build one of the finest theaters of that day.
button

Walker Art Center

Widely recognized for presenting a full-range of moving-image art forms, the Walker Art Center's film and video programs feature both contemporary and historical works. In the 1940s, the Walker quickly identified moving images (mostly movies, but also experimental films) as integral to contemporary life. Artists of that time were experimenting with film's formal properties, such as light, motion, and sound, while also separating film art from conventional narrative cinema. The Walker recognized the importance of these developments and made a commitment to the presentation of both experimental and classic cinema as essential to its core mission-a philosophy that continues today.
button

Heights Historic Theatre

heights theatre interior

The Heights Theatre is located in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, a Northeast Minneapolis suburb. The Heights was originally constructed in 1926 by Gluek Brewery heir Arthur Gluek as a prohibition real estate venture.

Built in the Beaux Arts style of the last century, the Heights Theatre building was a simple neighborhood house running film full-time and showcasing local talent in stage plays in "High Class Amateur Vaudeville Acts." The Heights has survived at least three fires, one bombing and "The Big Blow of 1949" when a Fridley tornado twisted the tower sign.

Today, the Heights is privately owned and operated by Tom Letness, who specializes in new quality foreign, independent and family-oriented Hollywood releases as well as classic revival and live entertainment.

In November 1998, the theatre was bought by Letness and Dave Holmgren, who started restoring the Heights to its original glory. At first sight, they found the interior was a shiny turquoise box. Now, a scarlet motorized Grande Drape and Second Act Drape curtain the 16 x 26 foot stage proscenium. On either side of the proscenium, gilded grills conceal the pipework for the mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ. Walled-up during World War Two, the ornamental plaster of polychromed woodwork was recently discovered when the original blueprints, archived at the University of Minnesota, showed detailed information.

Suspended from the ceiling are restored antique chandeliers with 2600 Egyptian lead crystals. 152 hand-painted reproduction Edison Mazda Bulbs in four colors are on separate circuits allowing a multitude of lighting effects. An 8' X 26' orchestra pit was found under the floor and has been restored, along with 400 new seats and carpeting.

Additional investments have been made in a new screen, lamps and lenses in all three film formats, 16, 35 and 70mm, Phillips Norelco projectors and a new sound system capable of Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, 4 and 6 track magnetic and DTS Digital. There's multi-channel house and stage lighting, a strong Follow Spot, Telex Intercom, Public Address with wireless microphones.

There is a piano in the auditorium connected to the organ, and a grand piano in the Lobby. Recent renovations include replacement of the 1926 William Brothers steam boiler with two new high efficiency hot water boilers, all new electrical service, and the reconstruction of the front doors, windows, box office and poster cases to their original location recessed in the front of the building. Handicapped access has been added, expanded men's and ladies' lounges, along with a spectacular new tower sign crowning the marquee.