Opening of the Huntridge Theatre

On 10th October 1944, the Huntridge Theater opened near Circle Park on the east side of Las Vegas.

Construction started in April that year for the building that was designed by acclaimed architect S. Charles Lee, who also designed the Academy Theatre and the Bruin Theatre in California (pictured below). It had the art deco styling known as Streamline Moderne, with a 75 ft. tower outlined with brilliant neon lighting.

The Huntridge was the first theatre with air conditioning in the city and had a capacity of 950 guests. It was equipped with the latest inventions – a sliding seat design so that patrons did not have get up to let someone by, the new Brinkert Optonic Screen Projection to reduce eye strain and a hi fidelity screen sound system. It even had a “Cry Room” where “mothers can take the little tots and still enjoy the show”.

The first two films it showed were comedies; the 1942 movie ‘Hi Neighbor!’ and the film of the Broadway musical ‘Hellzapoppin’’. All the proceeds of opening night, which amounted to $500, were donated to the local community war chest.

The Huntridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993 and is currently scheduled for restoration with plans to reopen in 2023.