Location of Isis Theater

Frank Ellis quit the coal mines to start the Isis Movie Theater that spanned the creek in the 700 Block of West Main Street on the southeast corner of the intersection of W. Main and S. Court Streets.

Ellis opened the theater in Feb. 1916 after moving from a nearby storeroom where he had been operating a moving picture house. Ellis was later part of the firm that built the Orpheum Theater of which he was the first manager until he was succeeded in June, 1922 by W.A. Erwin. The Isis Theater was a success until the opening of the Orpheum Theater.

On Oct. 26, 1922, the following article appeared in the Marion Daily Republican. “The Isis Movie Theater is to be dismantled due to the opening of the Orpheum Theater on the square. The sloping floor is to be removed and the building converted into a store building or garage.”

The following day on Oct. 27, 1922, this article appeared, “The Isis Theatre building has been sold to Earl Blankenship. Mr. Blankenship will continue the sale of autos and motorcycles and the new location will give him the opportunity to extend his business.”

Frank Ellis lived in the Scotsboro section of Marion and was the director of a 20 piece musical oganization known as Ellis’ Concert Band.

(Data from Marion Daily Republican and Homer Butler articles; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 04/02/2013)