The Ritz Theatre- Corpus Christi Landmark

Bruce Collins and the Robb and Rowley Circuit
1896, the year Bruce Collins was born, Thomas Edison unveiled the first movie projector. The world was fascinated. Thousands of movie houses popped up all over the country. Some were full-fledged theatres, most were improvised screens to satisfy the people’s hunger for this newfound entertainment. In 1906, Bruce Collins and his family moved to Corpus Christi and the young 10 year old was captivated by the nickelodeon parlors. A Nickelodeon is an early 20th century form of small, neighborhood movie theatre in which admission was obtained for a nickel. They would show films which were typically fifteen to twenty minutes in length. In 1923, at the age of 27, Bruce Collins acquired his first theatre, the old Amusu in Corpus Christi. Bruce became a theatrical pioneer, joining the Robb and Rowley Circuit, building some of the finest theatres in the state: the Palace in 1926, the Grande in 1928, the Ritz in 1929, the Tower in 1937, the Beach and Harlem in 1940, the Centre and Port in 1942, and the Ayers in 1947. Over the years, Robb and Rowley became part of the now famous United Artists Theatres.

The Ritz, Opening Day, Christmas 1929
Opening day for the Ritz Theatre was an exciting one. It was Christmas day, 1929. Patrons were anxious to escape the reality of the stock market crash, just 3 months before, and the beginning of what would become the Great Depression. The first show at the Ritz was “It’s a Great Life” starring the Duncan Sisters. The feature was presented by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and included selected shorts. The story was about two sisters working in the sheet-music section of a large department store. They get fired, enter vaudeville (variety shows), split up when one of them falls in love with a piano player (Lawrence Gray), become re-united and finally return to the stage. The film included songs such as “Sailing on a Sunbeam” by Dave Dryer and Ballard Macdonald. Ticket prices were 30 cents for adults and 10 cents for children, although the lower floor price was raised to a whopping 50 cents later.

The Ritz Fantasy
Designed by St. Louis architect, Scott Dunne, the Ritz was created to be an “image of fantasy” using art deco style and Spanish Renaissance influences. The elaborate interior, which seated around 1300, featured a Spanish courtyard façade and illuminated sky. Moving clouds were projected from two cloud machines mounted on turrets near the ceiling. Stars twinkled in the sky to further enhance the magical atmosphere. The decorator was Peckenpaugh Construction Co. The lobby was a two-story open space with a mezzanine balcony that circled the room. The Ritz was declared “one of the finest in the state” by critics, in addition to being one of the largest.

Economic Development
Even in the midst of the Great Depression, the Ritz Theatre was a vehicle for economic development. 715 N. Chaparral served as the flashy main entrance, while an additional box office and entrance faced Mesquite Street. W.W. Jones, a rancher, businessman, Port of Corpus Christi Navigation Commissioner and owner of the Nueces Hotel, made the suggestion to create the additional box office because he believed property on Mesquite Street would be enhanced by the theatre’s proximity. Next door to the theatre on Chaparral was Jack Brown’s wood shop. Brown created one-of-a-kind driftwood sculptures from Padre Island and was a professional cabinet maker. He carved beautiful furniture from mahogany and mesquite and built the first two domino tables for Artesian Park, adjacent to the Ritz.

The Ritz Entertainment
The Ritz was opened as a first-run movie theatre and vaudeville house (stage entertainment offering a variety of short acts such as slapstick, song-and-dance routines, and juggling performances). During World War II, big-name bands entertained military personnel as well as the local community. “Big Screen” movies came on the scene and forced Ritz management to strip many of the theatre’s embellishments to make room for the bigger screens. This included the ornate proscenium, the permanent framed opening, a sort of picture frame around the stage, through which the audience would see the play or entertainment. But the Ritz was still grand and continued to thrive until the last regular scheduling of films in 1972. It re-opened as The Ritz Music Hall in 1974 and then Ritz Productions in 1976 and featured such acts as Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Bruce Springsteen, Metallica, Def Leppard, Motley Crue and many others. Later, the Performing Players, an amateur theatre group, held shows at the theatre, followed by another amateur group, The Encore Theatre Corporation. The latter occupied the Ritz until the 80’s.

The Ritz – A Future?
The Ritz Theatre, once a state-of-the-art venue of its day, has been closed for over 15 years and slowly deteriorating. Today, the theatre’s future is in the hands of the non-profit corporation, PATCH, and the community. Bruce Collins created the Ritz with a long-term vision of entertainment and excitement filled with culture and creativity. This should continue to be the ongoing vision for the Ritz and Corpus Christi. PATCH, established for the good of the Ritz Theatre, has a responsibility to restore this house of creativity. We want to respect the history and the courage of those who found the passion and drive to create the theatre in the first place. PATCH will restore the Ritz Theatre, retaining the original style of Spanish Renaissance, and develop the theatre into a state-of-the-art entertainment venue worthy of the times and the name, The Ritz.


The Ritz Theatre Today 

Change. It has the power to uplift, to heal, to stimulate, surprise, open new doors, bring fresh experience and create excitement in life. Certainly it is worth the risk. —Leo Buscaglia

The Ritz Revival
Built in 1929, the Ritz Theatre in Corpus Christi was one of the largest in Texas at the time of its construction. Opening day was three months after the stock market crash and the start of the great depression. The Ritz soldiered on, providing an escape for Texans into a world of imagination for years. Today, the Ritz stands crumbling, forgotten, one of the last great movie palaces yet to be restored, and one of the few standing historic buildings in Corpus Christi. By reviving the Ritz Theatre, we gain a new, dynamic venue to stimulate the economy, inspire and support the creative class and provide an anchor business downtown. The Ritz will be an icon for hope and change and rebirth. It’s something everyone can be a part of and say, “I helped make that happen”.

Cultural Promise
The stage is not merely the meeting place of all the arts, but is also the return of art to life. --Oscar Wilde
The Ritz has so much to offer culturally. Dance, music, drama, film, the list goes on and on. Theatres can be a vital part of a downtown’s success. The Ritz can strengthen the cultural community. PATCH, (Positive Action Towards Cultural Heritage) the non-profit company heading up the restoration project, exists as a catalyst to bring the most talented people in a myriad of industries together to create a theatre that is worthy of the most talented entertainers. Recording and broadcasting capabilities will be installed to allow for recording live performances and national broadcasting events. The stage will be created to accommodate the specific demands of top-level ballet and performance professionals. Movie, sound and lighting equipment will match those of the best venues. The Ritz Theatre will be a major draw for local, national and international artists looking to perform in a new venue with amazing atmosphere. The year-round programming being developed by PATCH, in partnership with various groups in Corpus Christi, is exciting and will be a vital part of the success of the Ritz Theatre.

In Good Company
Two major new developments have been created adjacent to downtown, in the port area, now being called the SEA District (Sports, Entertainment and Arts). These venues are The American Bank Center Arena and Whataburger Field, home of the Corpus Christi Hooks, Double A affiliate of the Houston Astros. It just so happens that the Ritz Theatre sits right smack in the middle of the new SEA district and downtown, connecting the two areas to serve the needs of our expanding and flourishing community. The connection between the new venues and downtown will boost business and hotel sales and encourage people to stay downtown for longer periods of time. The Ritz Theatre’s restoration and the reemergence of a cultural hub will serve an important turning point for the immediate downtown area and stimulate others into action. The development of dynamic programming and educational services will invigorate the community and inspire more and more people to frequent downtown, giving prospective business owners incentives to relocate or create new businesses in the area.

The Future of the Ritz Theatre
Upon completion of the restoration, the Ritz Theatre will be operated as a performance and presentation facility with a variety of events including:

  1. Professional Performance – Vocal, instrumental and/or dance artists will enjoy performing in a facility with outstanding acoustics, stage, facilities and seating
  2. Broadcast Performance – Original music performances, broadcast to the public through an “Austin City Limits” type show.
  3. Cinema – The Ritz will show classic cinema and art film presented in the “movie palace” style. Vintage films, silent film festivals, current foreign, art films and documentaries will also be exhibited.
  4. Cultural Productions – Performances will include those of local groups such as ballet, choir, community theatre, dance, concerts and plays.
  5. Conventions, Meetings and Lectures – Corporations, churches and civic groups will be able to use the theatre. Lectures and other such events will be held including motivational, instructional or career training seminars. Hi-tech communication interfacing capabilities with other facilities throughout the country are planned.
  6. Private Events – The Ritz will be a one-of-a-kind rental space with amazing atmosphere available for private parties, benefits, weddings, quincineras, and much more.

The Ritz Restoration – You can help
The success of the Ritz Theatre depends on the entire community. PATCH has been organized to restore the Ritz to it’s original grandeur. Funds, donations and volunteers will be needed at every step. PATCH is looking for stories, photos, and all types of information to build an accurate picture of what the Ritz was like in it’s prime. We are creating a documentary of stories from the past as well as the progress we will be making along the way. If you would like to get involved or have information that will help, please contact PATCH today.