On
the warm evening of August 17, 1949, downtown Brownsville felt different.
Elizabeth Street was roped off between Ninth and Eleventh Streets, searchlights
swept the night sky, and crowds filled the sidewalks. People dressed in their
best clothes arrived early, not wanting to miss a moment. Music played, lights
flashed, and the city gathered for something new.
That
night, Brownsville opened the doors to what newspapers proudly called “Southwest’s
Finest Theater.” It was the Majestic Theatre, and for many years to come it
would stand as the crown jewel of moviegoing in the Rio Grande Valley.
Years in the Making
The Majestic did not appear overnight.
Planning for the theater stretched back nearly thirteen years. The land where
it would rise had been purchased in the 1930s, during the Great Depression, at
the corner of Tenth and Elizabeth Streets—across from the Cameron County
Courthouse. The location itself carried history. It had once been the home of
political boss Jim Wells, a powerful figure whose name still marks a Texas
county.
World War II delayed construction.
During the war, new buildings were only allowed if they directly helped the war
effort. Even after the war ended in 1945, shortages of steel, concrete, and
other materials slowed progress. Finally, Interstate Circuit Theatres was able
to move forward, determined to give Brownsville a modern movie palace unlike
any it had seen before.
A City That Loved Movies
By 1949, Brownsville was already
a busy entertainment town. People enjoyed boating, fishing, dancing, baseball,
roller skating, bowling, and trips across the river to Matamoros. But movie
theaters were the heart of downtown life.
The city had several theaters:
the Grande, the Capitol, and the Queen showed English-language films, while
others such as the Victoria, Iris, and Mexico served audiences on both sides of
the border. Drive-in theaters were also becoming popular, with the Charro
Drive-In nearly complete and the Star Drive-In opening a few years later.
Interstate Circuit Theatres
already owned the Capitol and the Queen. What they wanted next was something
bigger and more advanced—a theater built specifically for movies, with the
latest technology and comfort. That vision became the Majestic.
Designed to Impress
From the start, the Majestic was meant
to feel special. It was designed by architects from Dallas who had created
dozens of theaters across Texas. The building featured clean lines, modern
materials, and a tall vertical sign that could be seen from blocks away. At one
time, the sign was even taller than it is today, later shortened and topped
with a four-pointed crown sometime in the early 1960s.
Inside, nearly every detail focused on
comfort. The theater was fully air-conditioned, a major attraction in the South
Texas heat. Powerful cooling units kept the temperature between 70 and 75
degrees, giving moviegoers a cool escape from summer evenings.
The Majestic also included thoughtful
features that were ahead of their time. A soundproof crying room allowed
mothers to care for infants while still watching the movie through a large
glass window. Certain seats were equipped with special connections for
earphones, helping patrons with hearing difficulties enjoy the show.
Sound, Sight, and Style
Movies were no longer silent
experiences, and the Majestic was built with sound in mind. Special wall
surfaces helped absorb echoes, creating clearer audio throughout the
auditorium. Speakers were placed behind a perforated screen so sound seemed to
come directly from the action on screen.
The screen itself was large and made
of modern plastic material designed to give images more depth. Seats were
angled toward the screen, and the floor was gently sloped so every seat had a
clear view. Push-back seats made it easier for people to move through the
aisles without disturbing others.
Even the floors told a story. The
terrazzo flooring, made to last for generations, included subtle patterns that
many visitors never noticed at first glance. From the mezzanine above, some
swore they could see the shape of a large flower pot hidden in the design.
Opening Night Magic
The opening celebration on August 17,
1949 was unforgettable. Bands marched and played, including the Brownsville
High School band and the American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps. Street
performers entertained the crowd while searchlights painted the sky. Inside,
music filled the air as a Hammond electric organ was played live before the
film.
The evening was broadcast on the radio
so even those at home could feel part of the event. The first movie shown was The
Stratton Story, starring James Stewart and June Allyson. Tickets sold
quickly, with early show tickets available at the Capitol Theatre and later
tickets sold directly at the Majestic box office.
A Morning for Children
The celebration did not end that
night. Early the next morning, the Majestic hosted a special children’s
matinee. Families lined up as early as 9:30 a.m. Children paid just a few cents
for admission and were treated to ice cream, popcorn, bubble gum, and giant
balloons.
Onstage entertainment included
music and singing, followed by a lively program of cartoons. Favorites like Tom
and Jerry, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, Popeye, and comedy shorts brought laughter to
a packed house. For many children, it was their first experience inside the
Majestic—and one they would remember for a lifetime.
The People Behind the Curtain
A theater is more than a
building, and the Majestic was run by a dedicated local staff. The first
manager was Jimmy McNeill, supported by assistant manager and treasurer Joe
Treviño, who had already worked at other Brownsville theaters. Projectionists,
engineers, usherettes, doormen, candy attendants, and cashiers all played a
role in keeping the theater running smoothly.
Their photographs appeared
in a special newspaper section celebrating the opening, putting familiar faces
to the new landmark downtown.
A Crown on Elizabeth Street
For decades, the Majestic
reigned as one of the most important theaters in the Rio Grande Valley. It was
not just a place to watch movies—it was where families gathered, teenagers met
friends, and the city came together under glowing lights.
Long after the opening night
crowds had gone home, the Majestic remained part of Brownsville’s shared
memory. Its lights, its crown, and its stories still remind the city of a time
when going to the movies was an event—and downtown was the place to be.
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