|
1940
The Marion Theatre was built in 1940 by E.J.
Sparks and the project was overseen by Roy A. Benjamin, Jacksonville
architect, who lived in Ocala as a boy. The Magnolia site purchased for
the Movie Palace was one of the historic corners of Ocala's business
district at the time. The Marion Theatre is located in the heart of
Downtown Ocala and is a rare example of a Streamlined Modern Art Deco
movie house.
1941
Doors opened to the public for the first time on
September 11, 1941 at 7:00pm at the beautiful, new air-conditioned
Marion Theatre. "The Marion" served as Ocala's premier movie house for
over thirty years.
• The Marion was one of the finest theatres in
this section of the state and the latest sound equipment was used and a
cooling plant was installed to keep the Theatre air conditions at all
times. Extreme care was used to have the seating arrangements, the
lighting and other furnishings the very best available.
• Aloma of the South Seas starring
Dorothy (Sarong) Lamour and Jon (Hurricane) Hall was the premier
showing at the Grand Opening. Short dedicatory address by Mayor Izlar
preceded the show.
• Seating capacity for 1000 people.
• Matinees were 33 cents and evening showings
were 39 cents and all showings for children under age 12 were 10 cents.
• Ocala's two other theatres, the Dixie and the
Ritz, remained opened into the 1950's and 1960's while the Marion
Theatre attendance remained strong throughout World War II and
continued in operation until the 1970's.
Mid-1970's
The Theatre closed in the mid-seventies and stood
vacant for approximately 13 years.
|
|
December 1986
The Theatre was donated to the City by James E.
Kirk, Jr., former Ocala Mayor, former president of the Chamber of
Commerce and owner of WMOP.
1990-2001
Discovery Science Center in operation in the
Marion Theatre Building. The Science Center vacated the building (2002)
and is presently operating in a larger facility in the area.
|
"Fully aware of Ocala's exceptional
bright future and desiring to keep in step with the fast
growth of the city, Mr. Sparks intends on giving Ocala a theatre of
which it's people and those of the city's entire trading area will be
very proud," Manager C.T. "Ted" Chapin declared. -1940.
|
December 2003
The City of Ocala votes (5/5) to enter a long-term
lease with the Marion Film & Visual Arts Foundation, Inc. to
restore the Marion Theatre to it's original intended purpose, a Movie
House.
|
