Crystal Theatre
The Crystal Theatre originally hosted vaudeville and stage shows along with the early moving pictures. Earliest mention of this theatre in the Atchison Globe newspaper was around 1913 but the theatre was likely built earlier. Old time Atchison residents say this building was originally called, “The Bucket of Blood” perhaps a saloon or other establishment?  Last mention of the theatre in the Globe was in August of 1930 in an article entitled “At the Theaters”.Fox Orpheum Theater
The Fox Orpheum Theater opened sometime in the mid-Teens as the Orpheum Theater. Fox Midwest took over the Orpheum in the 1930’s and it became the Fox Orpheum theater. The Fox Orpheum closed April 27, 1959.

Royal Theatre
One of Atchison’s early theatres. It opened in the early 1900’s. Originally the Royal Theatre was a single screen but later twinned. At one point in its life, the theatre operated as a Saturday night country music opry but with only mild success. The music was said to be great but the audience was often too small to pay for the show’s cast. The owners kept the show going at their own expense. Currently the theatre shows first and second run features. The exterior is somewhat simple but elegant in brick and white stucco with subtle ornamentation and a few finials and arc’s at the top of the facade. The building seems representative of Spanish or Moorish architecture. There is a very simple awning style marquee a large decorative “R” tile on the stucco above the marquee.

Universal Pictures bought the Royal around 1925. From further research this was also known as the Fox Theatre or The Fox Royal Theatre. The original building was razed in 1947. A year and a half later the new Fox Royal opened on January 27, 1949. The newspaper headline read “Atchison is calling attention to the opening of it’s new theater, the Fox. The old town is getting foxy in many ways.” The opening included the world premier of the movie “The Sun Looks Up,” live stars appeared on stage. This was and still is, the only movie that ever premiered in Atchison.

Fox Midwest owned the Fox, as well as the Orpheum. The new Fox Theatre was absolutely the last word in theatre design. Steel, concrete and brick with terra cotta made the building virtually fireproof.

Identical to the RCA sound system used in Radio City Music Hall in New York City, the RCA sound system produced a natural tone to human voices, and amplified all musical tones without distortion.

One of the most beautiful interior appointments was the gigantic cloverleaf above the seats at the rear which hid the lights. In the beautiful foyer were terraced floors that featured a modern concession stand dispensing Coke, ice cream bars, popcorn or candy.

Cashiers, doormen and usherettes were outfitted in new blue military style uniforms.

On opening night, before each feature, was a stage show featuring Brenda Joyce, Hollywood star, ‘Ginger Denning of radio’s famed Denning Sisters and Leighton Nobel and his nationally popular 15-piece band. Atchison’s own Jack Moorhead was master of ceremonies. A Junior at KU, he worked to promote the Red Cross and War Bonds.

Tickets for the opening cost $1.50. Prices reverted to 60 cents for adults and 14 cents for kids the 2nd day.

Opera House
No history available at this time.

Theatre Atchison
Theatre Atchison is at home in the Presbyterian Community Center building. During the summer of 1976, major remodeling work done was completed to convert the community center’s upstairs level into a fully equipped theater.

Frontier Drive In
This drive-in in east Atchison opened Saturday, May 6,1950. “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” was the feature and first presentation at Atchison’s first outdoor theater. Laurel & Hardy and cartoons on the same bill.  The Atchison Globe advertisement read “Theater opens tomorrow, Saturday, May 6; the gate opens at 6:30 PM. Come dressed as you are, leave the baby sitter at home. The largest screen in Northeast Kansas or Northwest Missouri. Brilliant fireworks display at 8:00.”  No history available at this time.