Charline McCombs Empire Theatre, Movie theater in San Antonio, United States.
The Charline McCombs Empire Theatre is a 1914 theater at 226 North St. Mary's Street in downtown San Antonio, designed by Mauran, Russell & Crowell in a Beaux-Arts style with a brick and stone facade. Its interior has a horseshoe balcony, ornate plasterwork, and about 1,800 seats.
The site originated as Turner Hall in 1879 before being transformed into a modern theater, with the current structure completed in 1914 by architects Mauran, Russell & Crowell. This evolution established it as a major cultural venue in downtown San Antonio.
The theatre's name honours Charline McCombs, a San Antonio philanthropist, and the venue is run alongside the neighbouring Majestic Theatre under the Las Casas Foundation. Its stage hosts touring concerts, comedy and dance rather than films, and the restored 1914 auditorium is used for local arts benefits and graduations.
The Empire Theatre sits on North St. Mary's Street, a block off the River Walk, so the entrance is reached on foot from downtown hotels. It shares box-office operations with the Majestic Theatre two blocks away on East Houston Street, and one ticket can cover shows at either house. Seating is on the main floor and in the balcony; the balcony is reached by stairs, so ask about step-free seating when booking.
During the 1920s, silent film stars Charlie Chaplin and Lon Chaney made in-person visits to promote their latest movies. These appearances made the venue a major destination for film fans eager to see their heroes.
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