As a kid growing up in the 1950s and early '60s, the Hyattsville Theater was one of my favorite places to go on Saturdays. I used to love the old '50s Sci Fi and horror movies they played -- and Uncle Dave and his trick dog, Rusty, during intermissions!

I was sadened to see it close up in 1965. Me and some buddies entered through a chained exit door (with flashlights) and went all through the closed up theater, finding lots of old movie posters, rolls of tickets, old Junior Patron cards, nitrate film, etc., up in the projection booth. I also went over top the old plaster ceiling that had those large multi-colored discs attached.

But where did the two Venus- like statues end up that were placed above each exit door? I understand somebody has them, but don't know who. I used to think those statues (with the surreal stary bluish background) was so neat.

When I went to the Hyattsville theater admission for kids under 12 years old was .30 cents (adults .75 cents). I was tall for my age and would get hassled (as an 11-year old) because the ticket taker thought I was older, and would have to tell him my birth date each time. However, they came out with a junior patron card which allowed 12 and 13 year olds the .30 cent admission price until their 14th birthday.

Popcorn was sold in .15, .25, and .50 cent boxes. When empty, these boxes could be flattened and sailed through the theater (yes, we were naughty kids)! My favorite boxed candy was beer barrels and milk duds and raisenets (.05 to .10 cents a box).

I also liked the other Lust theaters, such as the Cheverly, Allen, and Langley. I remember walking all the way from 40th Ave. and Jefferson Street (and back) to the Cheverly theater to see the movie The Blob (original version in 1958). Now, that was a hike!

Yes, Sarah, that was a long walk indeed, but as a kid, going to the movies was a big treat. I think a buddy of mine was also with me. It was pitch dark when we started our walk home, which made the walk back home very entertaining (differen perspective at night).

Another time me and a buddy walked all the way to the Langley theater in Langley Park to see the movie King Creole (Elvis Presley) in 1958. As young kids we thought Elvis was very cool.

No, I don't live in Hyattsville now. I moved to Ellicott City in 1985, and in 1997 I moved to Florida, where my wife and I live with our two little dogs and one cat (we never had children).

I found this website while doing a Google search on some historical photos about Hyattsville. When I saw some of the "Then & Now" articles I thought I would contribute to them, since I still have a place in my heart for Hyattsville. I was delighted to see the video about the storm sewer creek at Magruder Park -- that's what got my attention. I think you and your associates are doing a great job for the Hyattsville community; I hope folks there appreciate it, and that more residents become aware of Hyattsville Patch.

Yes, I agree, $60 for three to go to a movie (to include snacks) is outrageous, IMO. But I'm glad to hear you took your niece and nephew (regardless of cost) because they are going to think highly of their Aunt Sarah -- you can take that to the bank!

Was it that long ago the the theater was demolished? I guess so.
When I read the date I thought, "No way that can be right, I saw 'Your Cheatin' Heart', the Hank Williams story there". But, after a quick visit to the Internet Movie Data base, I stand corrected. (That movie, by the way, was released in December of '64).
As Walter stated, I remember the sci-fi and horror movies, also the Saturday morning cartoons the my two brothers and I attended. For the three of us to gain entry, it cost less than a buck.
Even still, my mom wouldn't give us money for candy- it was too expensive, she said. Instead, she packed a single candy bar with each of us and told us "they have a water fountain there".

Yes, and walking from Edmonston to the Cheverly theater was also a common feat. After the Hyattsville theater closed, there was nowhere else to go (that we knew of).

My buddy has a black and white 8 mm home movie (that he took) of the Hyattsville Theatre being domolished with a crane wrecking ball. It was my buddy, his friend, and myself that forced our way into the closed up (for good) theatre and snooped around in the dark with flashlights.

By the time the Hyattsville Theatre closed down I had already stopped going there for some time. I think one of the last movies I saw there was Day of the Triffids (1962), but I know I went there up until the summer of 1963, when I moved to Bethesda for two years, returning to Hyattsville in 1965. By that time I had gotten my driver's license and owned a car and would go to the Queens Chapel Drive-in or Beltsville Drive-in. Alas, they are both gone now. I remember before the Queens Chapel Drive-in was built (opened in July of 1955) it was a small private airport (just single prop planes), as I recall seeing it each time my family would go to Queenstown.

I remember the news reels shown between double features,no TV at home.

I lived in Calvert Homes, and we walked to the theater. I recall the statues, and can't recall if the light was violet, or blue. I loved them. I also loved the pink glass drinking water fountain at the Langley theater. Do any of you recall the Polar bear frozen custard in Hyattsville, Howard Johnsons, a shoe store, and of course, Woolworths. I vaguely recall a drug store, and night club in Riverdale, and will never forget Jerry's footlong hot dogs near Bladensburg ? It was a lot of fun back then.

The background color behind the statues was a bluish color with white stars, moons, planets, etc. (like outer space). My parents used to take me to Jerry's hot dogs near the Peace Cross. I always ordered an orange Tru Ade to drink.

I did hear years ago that Burton Lustine got the statues, his father, Phil had purchased the theatre from the Makover family. Sidney Lust never owned it. He signed a 25 year lease when it opened in 1939.

I remember I begged, pleaded -- and finally caljoled -- my mother into letting me go to the Hyattsville Theatre to see the movie Love Me Tender, starring Elvis Presley (his first movie). My mom didn't want to let me go because the movie started so late in the day. I think it was in late November of 1956. I remember walking home in the dark to 3913 Jefferson Street, where I lived. But times were different (safer) then. No way would I allow an eight year old to do that today!

Hi, I have read all of the stories here, we all have lots of memories at Hyattsville Theatre, but nothing, can ever match my memories of this Holy and sacred ground where this landmark stood, I was only 9 yrs. old when I would go next door to the little dinner to get coffee for the ticket taker or one of the ushers, also I would go behind the movie screen where they kept the bags of popcorn, and boxes of candy for the concession stand, or (the candy lady) as I called her, for that the manager would let me into the theatre to watch the movies for free, I did that for about 7 or 8 years, until I was about 17 yrs. old, Mr. Ginsburg or "Uncle Dave" as we all called him with his dog "Rusty", said to me along with the manager "don't call us, just put on your suite and come to work as an usher on your 18th birthday, (July 7, 1961), which I did, later I also helped Uncle Dave with Rusty to put on his shows at Hyattsville theatre, and different places around town, I was an Usher, and took the tickets for about 3 or 4 years, I had other jobs around town, but I always worked at the theatre off and on, I would call them to ask if they needed help, they never said no, after 4 or 5 years of back in forth, the Manager at that time Mr. Beckman made me his assistant manage in 1962 I did that for about a year,I finally got a job at P.G Plaza at Big Boy, so all of you might have seen me at one time or another,I lost my virginity in the storage candy room,it's the truth www.wildcatsof62@aol.com

Ronald, Please email me at pgtheaters@gmail.com . Regards, Paul Sanchez

Very Interesting

Anybody remember Lawrence of Arabia, the Longest Day and Dr. Strangelove playing at the Hyattsville Theater? Lawrence had to be in the autumn of 63.