Overview

The 1,935-seat Venetian Theatre was built by Universal Pictures on the site of the Palace Theatre, which had opened in 1916. The new theatre opened with Thanks for the Buggy Ride (1928)  starring Laura La Plante in addition to Ralph J. Ritter at the console of the giant Wurlitzer organ and five acts of vaudeville including new singing group of 20 boys “The Venetian Cadets”.

The theatre’s Wurlitzer organ was a 2-manual, 7-rank Style E (opus 1830).

Prior to its opening, the auditorium was described as having “the regal splendor of an ancient Spanish patio”, and the new theatre was described as Racine’s “Castle in Spain”. According to Cinema Treasures , the rear section of seats in the large balcony was covered by a portico supported by columns.

The theatre closed in the Spring of 1971 and stood empty for some time. It was purchased by the City of Racine in 1974/5 and then transferred to the City’s Redevelopment Agency in 1976, who demolished it at the start of 1977 to build a parking lot.