Historic Dallas Theatres

Book excerpt: Dallas was the show business capital of Texas and much of the South throughout the 20th century. More than 100 theatres served the citys neighborhoods, and Elm Street once boasted more than 15 vaudeville and movie theatressecond in number to Broadway. The quality of the show houses in Dallas were surpassed by few cities and all major, and most minor, Hollywood studios maintained Dallas offices. Notable names figuring in this history include Margo Jones, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Karl Hoblitzelle, Baruch Lumet, Bob Hope, Greer Garson, Linda Darnell, Howard Hughes, Clyde Barrow, Gene Autry, Oliver Stone, Pappy Dolson, Jack Ruby, Lee Harvey Oswald, Nicola Rescigno, Don Henley, and Frank Lloyd Wright.