From the days of vaudeville and silent films to the current digitally enhanced 3D spectaculars, New Mexico’s theaters have dazzled audiences for over a century. Explore these timeless stages with us!
- Posts: 41 -
Allen Theater
Northwest Region: Farmington
Constructed 1924. The Allen Theater was built on the site of the former Allen Opera House that was destroyed by fire in 1922. The first talkies were played at the Allen Theater in 1937 and the first concession stand was installed in 1947. The two story building was a cream Read more…
Cavern Theater
Southeast Region: Carlsbad
Constructed 1951. The Cavern Theater was built in 1951 in downtown Carlsbad, New Mexico at 210 North Canyon Street, just one block north of the Eddy County courthouse square and in the heart of the downtown commercial district. The theater was designed in the International Style, a form of modernism Read more…
Chief Theater
Northwest Region: Gallup
Constructed 1920. The Chief Theater on Coal Ave., originally opened in 1920. It could seat 650 patrons. In 1936, the Chief was completely remodeled in Pueblo Deco style. Its owner at the time R.E. Griffith, also owned the El Rancho Hotel. Long-closed as a movie house, the former Chief Theater Read more…
Chief Theater
North Region: Mora
Constructed 1935. Formerly known as the Chief Theater, the Mora movie theater was housed within a business block built by John Hanosh in the heart of the village across the street from the historic Mora County Courthouse. The Hanosh complex included a mercantile store and small upstairs hotel. The community Read more…
El Cortez Theater
Southwest Region: Truth or Consequences
Constructed 1941. The El Cortez Theater was built in 1941 and had a seating capacity of 580. It was closed for many, many years, but revitalized and re-opened in 1995 to show first-run movies once again.This little town of Truth or Consequences, NM (pop. 7,500+), formally Hot Springs, NM, and Read more…
El Morro Theater
Northwest Region: Gallup
Constructed 1928. The 460-seat El Morro Theater opened in 1928, featuring a Spanish Colonial Revival exterior. The El Morro was named for the famous El Morro rock cliff near Zuni Pueblo also called “Inscription Rock.” The theater was designed by the Boller Brothers architectural firm of Kansas, who designed over Read more…
El Rancho Theater
Southwest Region: Deming
Constructed 1942. Opened in February 18, 1942 as the El Rancho Theater. The theater accommodated 600 patrons. The opening movie was “Skylark” starring Claudette Colbert. The El Rancho was later named the Deming Theater and after being remodeled in the 1970s called the Sunn Theater. Heavens Beauty Salon now operates Read more…
El Raton Theatre
Northeast Region: Raton
Constructed 1930. This little theater is a gem. Constructed as an Atmospheric style theatre, in the style of a medieval Spanish castle, the building was designed by the Albuquerque, New Mexico, architectural firm George Williamson, Inc. It was built for the partnership of Dr. L.A. Hubbard and Thomas F. Murphy. Read more…
El Rey Theater
Central Region: Albuquerque
Constructed 1941. The El Rey Theater is a historic, live music venue. The El Rey opened on June 27, 1941. By the mid-1970s it was known as the Reel Theater. The popular venue was owned originally by Luigi Puccini a cousin of the famed Italian composer Giacomo Puccini. The theater Read more…
El Sol Theater
Southwest Region: Silver City
Constructed 1934. The El Sol Theater was the second theater built for the Silco Theaters chain. It was owned by Edward W. Ward and constructed in 1934.The El Sol Theatre was built as the second theatre in the Silco Theatres chain, owned by Edward W. Ward. It was constructed during Read more…