Welcome to The Ritz Theatre Revival BLOG! This website is here for all of the hopefuls of South Texas who are passionate about restoring one of Corpus Christi’s most prominent landmarks, once declared “one of the finest theatres in the state”. The theatre is in dier need for a massive renovation and Corpus Christi PATCH is up to the plate, ready and willing to revive its beauty, and restore The Ritz into a state-of-the-art venue, like it was once before. For that to happen, we need the community’s help. By getting involved, spreading the word, and being an advocate for The Ritz Revival, you can help make The Ritz restoration and development a success. The Ritz will be an icon for hope, change and rebirth. It’s something everyone can be a part of and say, “I helped make that happen”.
John Campbell Tribute Show
St. Ann's Blues Festival- Brooklyn, New York- May 1991The Bones and Blues Club and PATCH are paying tribute to the late John Campbell by hosting a 12-hour music extravaganza benefiting The Ritz Theatre. Local musicians in Corpus Christi will highlight the past by honoring John Campbell’s career, which got a jumpstart after opening for Willie Nelson at The Ritz in 1975. He signed with Elektra Records and toured with Buddy Guy before his untimely death in 1993. Campbell might not be the most famous person to perform at The Ritz, but the fact that his fan base in Texas still want to honor him after he died 15 years ago reflects what Texas music is all about. John Campbell has a lasting reputation of being an extraordinary blues musician on his steel slide guitar, and his followers are still in admiration of his talent. The Bones and Blues Club has been holding benefit shows in John Campbell’s name for the past ten years and chose this year to give all the proceeds to PATCH from ticket sales and a silent auction. The money will be used for the restoration of The Ritz Theatre in Downtown Corpus Christi.
Go to Upcoming Events for more information.
Paris, France 1991
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Howard Hughes-Prior Owner of The Ritz
We recently got information from a woman named Jimmie Hicks of Los Angeles, California. The last time she was in the theatre was in 1953 for the movie Return to Paradise starring Gary Cooper.
According to The 1932 Film Daily Yearbook of Motion Pictures, The Ritz Theatre was one of the many theatres in Texas owned by a company called Hughes Franklin Theatres. Howard Hughes was the Chairman of the Board. At this time, we don't know exactly how long the company owned The Ritz, but Hughes Franklin Theatres dissolved when Howard Hughes left the movie business temporarily in the early 1930's. Mr. Rowley (later to be known with the Robb and Rowley circut) was connected to the company as the Division Manager of Texas and Oklahoma for Hughes Franklin Theatres. What a history!!!
This is an exert from The 1932 Film Daily Year Book of Motion Pictures.
Does The Ritz have a Friendly Ghost?!
The Ritz Theatre has been abandoned for almost twenty years, which is a long period of time for mysterious things to happen within the theatre’s walls. There are many unexplained noises echoing throughout the building, along with lurking shadows in the corners. Some have even claimed to hear a voice of a little girl. Since there is no air conditioning in the building it is quite odd that some areas of the theatre are much cooler than others. Before The Ritz was built in 1929, there was a family who lived on the property and all mysteriously vanished. Investigators believe that the spirits are of that family and want to connect with us….
If you don’t believe it- see it for yourself and check out The Resurection of The Ritz on August 23rd!
Click on Upcoming Events for more info.
A 1930s View from Inside
Top Left- Picture of the Procenium Arch that is no longer there but will be restored to its orginal beauty.
Bottom Left- Picture from the stage.
Top and Bottom Right- Pictures of the 2 story Grand Lobby. The top is a view from the 2nd story and the bottom picture is a view from the 1st story. The open space is now a 2nd floor but during restoration it will be opened back up to a Grand Lobby.