Curiocity: Inside The Old Hollywood Theater

Sure, it may look like a bit of an eyesore to the frequent passerby, but the history inside the Hollywood Theater in Minneapolis makes this historic landmark a true diamond in the rough.

The paint is chipping off by the second and it'd be an absolute shock if any of the exterior lights still worked. The closer you get, the more the aging flaws appear in the time-soaked walls that almost seem to struggle to maintain their foundation.

But every chip of paint and every decaying brick just adds to the immense character of the iconic cinema house. The Hollywood Theater, on 2815 Johnson St., hasn't shown an actual film in a few decades, but the charm that was built into the movie mansion in 1935 is still very much alive.

To be completely honest, the first time I drove by the old Hollywood Theater -- it did not scream "Hollywood" -- or "theater," for that matter -- to me at all. And I remember thinking, "Man, why don't they bulldoze that eyesore and put in something useful, like another Caribou Coffee or something." I had no idea what the building was -- or if it even had a purpose anymore.

So when I heard the city was offering a public viewing of the building for neighbors -- and curious minds -- I jumped at the chance to get a sneak peek. Miles Mercer, senior project coordinator for the city of Minneapolis, gave me a personal tour of the historic building -- and shared a few fun facts about the building's great past.

After just a few short minutes inside this treasured landmark, I was eating my words. Tearing down the Hollywood Theater would be an absolute tragedy. While the place needs a serious Heidi Montag-type facelift, there's still maximum potential for it to be restored into the great entertainment hub it once was.

Mercer told me the Hollywood Theater operated solely as a movie theater from the day it opened in 1935 until the day it closed in 1987. During this time, it stood as a true nod to the art deco period -- showcasing glamour and a certain Hollywood elegance.

Long before the days of stadium seating and 3D pictures, the Hollywood Theater relied on its quaint, neighborhood location in Audubon Park to attract families and movie-goers of all ages.

Three years after the theater closed in 1987 it was designated as a local historic landmark. Another three years later, the city of Minneapolis bought the building and began its search for a new tenant.

After several attempts to redevelop the structure but to no avail, the building remains vacant with only its vast history crumbling away inside. Mercer said they've had many inquiries over the years -- and more than a few nibbles -- but in such tough economic times, a large redevelopment project of this size just hasn't been feasible ... yet.

He said the biggest requests have been from developers looking to restore the landmark into a movie theater again, though other appeals have been made from businesses looking for a unique space or ideas for a community gathering space. The only thing the theater cannot be turned into, Mercer said, is housing.

Upon stepping inside the old dusty theater, I must admit, I was a bit sketched out. The days of watching horror movies and too many episodes of Law and Order had my mind racing with possible scenarios of what we'd find in the dark, dank abandoned building. Everything inside was old, broken, decaying, rusted or all the above.

"So, you've, uh, never run into any critters or anything like that while walking through here, right?" I finally asked my tour guide.

"Nope, no critters. Don't worry," he reassured me.

Still, I was cautious and kept an eye on where my nearest exit was, just in case.

As we walked into the main hall, I couldn't help but be blown away. The theater space itself was seriously impressive. (Still, I wouldn't have been surprised if eerie organ music started blaring from the basement.)

Rows of seats still lined the theater's main hall, made of steel and plush fabric -- and marking a pre-cup holder era. Rotting curtains gave way to the large screen that was prominently displayed above a rounded off stage. I asked if beyond movies, the theater ever showed stage productions. Mercer brought me closer to the screen to reveal a tall brick wall, inches away, leaving absolutely zero room for a backstage of some kind. Question answered.

The seats that were torn out from the theater marked the aftermath of both a chair sale and a path clearing from last year's open house. The city sold a number of chairs last year around Christmas, as a way for folks to "own a piece of history," Mercer said. One shopper bought the chair for his mother, who used to work at the old theater. When she opened it that Christmas, she was overwhelmed with emotion when the mere sight of the chair filled her with warm memories of days gone by, Mercer said.

Just about everything inside the theater evokes that kind of emotion -- a look into the past, with a piece of history that's virtually been untouched.

Old film reels, the old projector and even a decaying Chevy Chase movie poster still call the old theater home. Every now and then you can catch a glimpse of that old art deco style, whether through the rotting paintings on the walls or the horseshoe architecture above every doorway.

The theater is deeply rooted in the city's history and though, it may look like Minneapolis' trash for now, I have hope that someday it can become someone else's treasure.

The free open house for the public takes place between noon and 5 p.m., this Saturday at the Hollywood Theater, 2815 Johnson St. NE. Guests will be able to see the lobby, front corridor and the main hall.

Sara Boyd is a web producer and columnist at WCCO.COM.