OH Gee Theater

110 N. Main St., Edwardsville, IL
Phone:

East < GO > West

According to old newspaper articles this was originally the Wm. C Kriege & Co. hardware and grocery store that Olin Giese bought in 1920 and remodeled to accommodate his new 700+/- seat OH Gee Theater.

A couple years later the Wildey Theater bought the theater business from Giese and closed the Oh Gee. Giese then became manager of the Wildey, a position he held until his death in 1939. After joining the Wildey he still owned the Giese building which he converted retail and office space.

In mid-May 1939 Tony Merrit and a partner opened the Lux Theater in the Giese building after spending something like $10,000 for new projectors, sound equipment, 600+ new seats and a general remodeling which included adding a new marquee canopy over the sidewalk out front. The opening day featured the movie Stagecoach starring Claire Trevor and John Wayne and directed by John Ford.

In 1942 Merrit sold the Lux Theater business to Clyde S. Metcalf and Metcalf's partners. A few years later Clyde Metcalf purchased the building from the Olin Giese's widow. He continued operating the theater while and also set up his insurance business in a first floor room.

The last shows shown at the Lux was on June 7th, 1958. It was a double feature pairing the movies St. Louis Blues staring Nat King Cole and Shortcut To Hell starring Robert Ivers and Georgann Johnson.

The Giese name can be seen near the top of the building.

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