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Brownfield's
Four R Theaters
The Rialto, the Rio, the Regal and the Rustic
Brownfield,
Texas
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The
Rio Theater
Photo courtesy Don Lewis |
The
Regal Theater, closed, but standing
Photo courtesy Don Lewis |
The
Rustic Drive-In Theater box office and part of the screen
Photo courtesy Don Lewis |
The
Rialto Theatre
Photo courtesy Wes Reeves, September 2004
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Photographer's
Note:
Here are photos of the theaters in Brownfield,
my old hometown.
The Rio and the Rustic Drive-in Theater, like so many others has been
leveled. We used to go out there to actually watch a movie once in
a while. The Regal closed - but still standing. - Don Lewis, Grapevine,
Texas, December 2006 |
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Forum:
Subject: Brownfield, TX Theatres - Jones Theatres, Inc.
I am the daughter of the family who owned the Jones Theatres of
Brownfield, Tx. I am delighted to learn that there is still interest
in the history of the theatre business in Brownfield.
The theatres were started in Brownfield, TX by my Grandfather, Earl
E. Jones and later owned and managed by my father, Sammy B. Jones.
The first theatre was started in the old American Legion Hall. As
many as 7 theatres were built during the Jones Theatres 72 year
history in Brownfield, Tx. Jones Theatres was the oldest family
-owned and managed business in Brownfield. The Legion Theatre (American
Legion Hall) started in 1922; the Pastime Theatre was built in 1924;
Rialto Theatre in 1925; Ritz Theatre in 1935; Rio Theatre in 1938;
Rig Drive-in Theatre in 1950; Regal Theatre in 1951; Rialto Theatre
(remodeled) in 1954; Rustic Drive-In Theatre in 1956; and finally,
the Regal Twin Theatre (remodeled) in 1970.
The Regal Twin Theatre was the first of its kind in architectural
design in the nation and was featured in Boxoffice Magazine. What
made the design unique was the placement of two theatres in a "piggyback"
fashion. The ceiling of the front theatre was lowered to allow the
film images to project over the ceiling and through a wall opening
to the back theatre screen.
The final curtain was drawn in 1993 with the closing of the Regal
Twin Theatre. All the theatre properties were sold and donated as
the market declined in West Texas. The Rialto Theatre is now used
for local, non-profit productions.
The Sammy Jones
family now resides in the Dallas / Fort Worth area. The era of small
town theatres was a wonderful time for many. We miss West Texas
and we are so grateful for the wonderful friends, customers and
memories. - Tracy Jones-Blair, January 18, 2008
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