In 1926, two real estate men, Irving J. Thomas and Fin L. Pierce decided to build a movie theater in Coconut Grove. The beginnings were not auspicious. Even before opening, the structure was damaged by a major hurricane and had to be rebuilt before opening in 1927 as a theater in the Paramount chain called The Grove.
Despite its grand Wurlitzer organ and luxurious appointments, however, the theater could not prosper—the 1929 stock market crash and difficult times shortly arrived. The following decade saw second run movies, serials, the occasional children’s or amateur show, and the like. The theater closed during the Depression, and during the Second World War the building was used to train U.S. Army airmen.
Following the war, the theater remained vacant until 1953, when a local podiatrist, Sid Casell, rented the theater for just one season. He produced six well-attended plays, including “Mister Roberts” and “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Despite the popularity of his productions, he closed his operation at the Playhouse following that one season and sought other quarters. In his view, the building was in poor physical condition and would require significant funds and effort in order for it to be viable as a live theater venue.
The Grove c. 1927.