Paul Newman, Elizabeth Taylor, Henry Fonda, Grace Kelly, Marlon Brando, Humphrey Bogart, “A streetcar named Desire,” “Twelve Angry Men” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”  Each of these is either the name of a famous actor or movie from the 1950s.

Though it is debated whether the first movie theatre was built in New Orleans or in Pittsburgh, the fact remains that going to the movie theatre has been a favorite American pastime throughout the last century.

From the nickelodeons and the silent black and white movies, to the Technicolor, computer-generated graphics, and the animated cartoons enjoyed today, movies have come a long way in the last century.

This traditional pastime brings people together, regardless of age, race, religion or creed.  Movies such as Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 movie “Psycho” still bring chills to viewers of all ages.  This movie was a shock for viewers because it had the first shower scene in a movie.  It was also the first movie in which a lead character died during the first half of the movie.

Other movies have made people afraid of their annual summer vacations.  Steven Spielberg’s 1975 movie “Jaws” made beach-goers and movie buffs alike terrified to go into the water.

The “golden age” of the movie theatres was in the 1950s.  Theatres were referred to as “grand movie palaces,” though this has faded into the past.  However, the 1950s style of theatre is making a comeback, at least in Levelland.

Wallace and Rose Blankenship built Levelland’s Wallace Theatre in 1923.  The Blankenships also built the Rose Theatre, which burned to the ground in the 1920s.  The Blankenships sold the Wallace Theatre to an employee in 1944, before they moved to Lubbock.  But that former employee allowed the theatre, which has been abandoned since the 1980s, to fall into disrepair.

In March 2002, Levelland natives George and Iris Keeling bought the theatre.  George Keeling is the owner of Keeling Insurance.  His father owned the Keeling Dealership of Levelland.

Iris’ mother was a school teacher and her father, E. W. Boudiare, was Levelland’s district attorney for more than 30 years.  Iris is a botany teacher at South Plains College.

The Keelings plan to refurbish the Wallace Theatre back to its glory days from the 1950s.

“There was a pink mural with gold in it that will be reproduced,” Keeling said.

Keeling has already hired John and Betty Hope to reproduce the original murals that have faded and fallen into disrepair over the years.  Among these is a large mural that covers the ceiling of the theatre.

“There was also a painting of a bird in a tree, along the staircase that the Hopes will repaint,” Keeling said.

Keeling bought the old, run-down theatre because something had to be done with it.

“It was an eye-sore; it had become dangerous,” Keeling said.  “It either had to be rejuvenated or torn down.  It was profitable to reopen it; there’s an opportunity to make money.”

Renovating the theatre is going to be a monstrous job.  Therefore, Keeling, who will oversee all of the remodeling, including new electrical and plumbing systems, a new sewer line, new heating and air conditioning and the replacement of the seats, has divided the project into three phases.  The first phase is to build Uncommon Grounds, a trendy coffee house with live music and comfortable furniture.

“I want it to be the destination to go in the evening,” Keeling said.

Keeling also plans to invite college ministry groups to the coffee house.  For entertainment, Keeling would like to tap into SPC’s “Thursday Night Live” program and allow students to perform live a couple of times a month.

“This will compliment TNL, not conflict with it,” Keeling said.

The second phase of the project is to build a 1,200 square-foot apartment above the theatre.  The apartment will have a door leading directly out to the balcony of the theatre.  There will also be a spiral staircase that will lead down to a door on the ground floor, off to the side of the front doors. 

Keeling said he would like to either set up a buffet-type restaurant in the upstairs apartment, or build a restaurant across the street from his office on Avenue G, which would cater to the theatre.

The final phase of the project is the theatre itself.  The theatre will accommodate up to 700 people, 500 on the floor and 200 in the balcony.  Keeling plans to show both movies and live stage productions.

The entire project is expected to take between two and three years to complete.