Missouri Theatre

This is one of my all time favorites as it was large and ornate inside. Yes, it was falling down and the walls and ceiling was peeling but even with all that the theatre's greatness came out. I saw too many movies to list for this theatre but one of the most memorable was "Conan the Barbarian" where a large group of us went on opening night. They delayed the start of the movie to fill up the seats but we all started chanting "Conan", "Conan", "Conan" while beating our fists on the arm rests. A thousand voices of Columbia barbarians finally got the movie going and everyone loved it!

I was sad when they closed the Missouri Theatre for movies but I believe it was sold to a local art group. It was used for other events as I went for at least three violin recitals. I took the kids to a Beatles revival show which bought the theatre down. This time it was a bunch of 50+ year old adults up on their feet singing Beatle songs. (I think my kids may have been traumatized by the sight!) The group that bought the building have renovated it and turned the Missouri Theatre into an arts center. I am looking forward to seeing the old theatre again, it would be like meeting an old friend again who just had a bunch of plastic surgery. A pleasant surprise.