Cody Enterprise: News about Cody, Wyoming, and Yellowstone Country

Shirley wrote on Aug 18, 2008 8:06 PM:

" I just read this and cannot believe my eyes! I grew up in Cody and worked at the theater concession stand in the 70s. I am just heartsick that this western art deco jewel has been destroyed. Shame on you! "

Sheila Corder Andren wrote on Feb 13, 2008 2:14 PM:

" Your salute to the theater closing was a missed opportunity for a great story on some Cody history. Did you bother to research or discover that the Cody Theater was actually the 3rd theater location and that Jim Corder opened two others;the first showing silent pictures? And what about acknowledging the life and contributions of Mr. Corder,one of Cody's early residents and businessmen? His son Earl and wife Jacque, dedicated their lives to the theaters, both the Cody Theater and Park Drive-In. Earl started as a child taking down and setting up seats in the old Masonic Temple building theater and worked there until he sold the theaters in '65 to John Schultz. There is color and local history here people and sadly, you missed it! "

Terry Corder wrote on Feb 12, 2008 1:57 PM:

" I believe this article left out the history of this theater. I think that if an article is going to be written about this great landmark that it should be noted that it was built by James William Corder, My grandfather.
I think that the article should also have mentioned that this business was the Corder family business for over 25 years. I am very sad to see what is happening happen and have very fond memories of the Corder theater. "

Disappointed wrote on Feb 3, 2008 11:48 AM:

" How sad that you will be "remodeling" the old theater, tearing out the old seating, extending the stage. When the live theater fails, which it will, it will never again be the art deco treasure that it is. It could have shown old cowboy films for tourists, avante garde films, had theme nights, had old-time ushers, played up the "old theater",and changed the new movies more often. I will miss it. "

Bill wrote on Feb 1, 2008 4:13 PM:

" I have only visited Cody one time and did not see your theater but we had a similar problem here in Sandpoint Idaho with the Panida theater. It was acquired by a local non-profit,supported by donations,refurbished,made a historic site and now has many live performances and movies,supports local arts groups and is an attractive addition to town. "

Dusty in Tulsa wrote on Jan 30, 2008 2:20 PM:

" I grew up in Cody in the 40's and 50's and have fond memories of gangs of kids riding bikes to the movies on weekends. Also the grade school would take kids to see cartoons at Christmas. We loaded up on grape balls in the litle candy store next to the movie and blew bubbles during the shows. Hate to see it go but such is the fate of these old theaters everywhere. "

Rachel Moore wrote on Jan 30, 2008 9:55 AM:

" I lived in Cody 1981 - 1991, & while I did go to the theatre many times, It was certainly past it's prime. Here in Helena we have a wonderful old building that has been reborn as the Myrna Loy Theatre, a national historic landmark, showing smaller distribution films, the kind you usually don't get to see in our terrific small towns & various live events, as well. Perhaps this excellent fate is in store for the Cody Theatre as well? Bravo. "

Modern sense wrote on Jan 30, 2008 1:31 AM:

" It's old, wore out and time for a change. When I drive by I see an eye sore. The front looks like is going to fall down and looks so shabby and unkempt. The lobby is tiny, the bathrooms suck, the seats are uncomfortable. The parking limited.
It's nice we have new and modern cinema. Some people are just stuck in the past, sounds like they would be happy with dirt roads and wooden walkways. "

CG wrote on Jan 29, 2008 10:45 PM:

" If you know the movie business, you can't just book what ever films you want. You take what they give you. I blame the Newsomes for this. Bob thinks he is the best business man there is and thought he could do better than John Schultz at running the theatre. Guess not. "

The Real BillyBob wrote on Jan 29, 2008 4:15 PM:

" Yes, I agree don't screw up the architecture of the building. In the future I bet movies will be showing there again. Hopefully a better selection that has been showing there. "

Shelley Verhey wrote on Jan 29, 2008 12:02 PM:

" I grew up in Cody, and my brothers and I used to go to the matinee every Saturday. We would get some dimes from mom (dishwasher at Irma) and head for a Big Hunk and a good time. Since then, my family has spent many an evening watching a good show in that fabulous theatre. It is the real McCoy, the old Evans Jewelry clock and wonderful Art Deco lighting. Sure hate to see it go. "

Johnny Bingo wrote on Jan 29, 2008 11:15 AM:

" At least it ain't gonna be no condo or health food spa fer yuppies! "

a former moviegoer wrote on Jan 29, 2008 9:53 AM:

" Yes, I agree that the demise of the Cody Theater is a sad deal. Kind of reminds me of "The Last picture Show". But wait, there's hope!. A small movie theater in North Carolina had a similar path...theater, then crafts store, then video store, then re-birth. It's back to showing first-rum movies again!
...see things go full circle... "

Tom Thompson wrote on Jan 28, 2008 10:40 PM:

" I'm a little older than Mack. My first movie at the Cody Theater, probably in 1945-46, was Bambi, it scared me. I too remember the Wizard of Oz, the frightening Wicked Witch of the West still is a vivid image in my mind. The theater was a wonderful place of my youth. I fell in love with the theater again this past summer while visiting home. It will be a future art project for me. "

20 years ago wrote on Jan 28, 2008 9:02 PM:

" We lived in Cody from 1980-87 and raised our 3 kids there. Back then, the Cody Theater (& Drive-in on the Powell Hwy during the summer months) were a weekly visit for our familiy. Keep it as original as you can, there are a lot of memories for a lot of people in that building. "

Gary Sims wrote on Jan 28, 2008 8:52 PM:

" I too grew up in Cody and rememeber the serials that were shown on Saturday afternoons during the '60's. They were Western and Sci-Fi serials from the thrities and were absolutely horrible. But we had a blast. Living in Montana I haven't had the chance to visit the theater for a few years. The Cody Theater is one of the finest examples of Art Deco in the mountain States. Even down the the old clocks they used. I hope that the building will be protected in some way from any type of aesthetic modernization. "

youngen wrote on Jan 28, 2008 8:34 PM:

" BOOOOOOO!!! Another landmark movie theater falls victim to unnecessary change and the bottom line. Whatever happened to culture? If the theater wasn't making enough money, the person in charge of booking the films is to blame. The selections were awful. RIP Cody Theater. "

Teresa wrote on Jan 28, 2008 8:27 PM:

" I have mixed emotions about this...How wonderful for the tourists that they will have the opportunity to see this wonderful old theater and enjoy some good family entertainment. On the other hand how sad that one more fixture on good old main street has been designated cater only to the tourists. Down Town Cody has for the most part chased away the locals. It was sad when I last visited. "

sadforyou!! wrote on Jan 28, 2008 4:28 PM:

" BOOOOOOO BOOOOO BOOOOO BOOOOOO WHY OH WHY OF ALLLL THINGS TO DO, WOULD YOU DO THIS?!?!?!?!?!?! AGAIN, BOOOOO BOOOO BOOOO BOOOO BOOOOO First the Drive Inn is turned into a crap car lot, and now the theatre is being turned into a variety show local for the tourists!??!?!? What next?? The Irma another Wall Mart?? "

oldtimer wrote on Jan 28, 2008 4:02 PM:

" Just don't change the art deco look of the front. This is a classic and should be protected by some landmark law. It was the first thing that struck me when I visited Cody after many decades away. "

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