Catch a classic film at the revitalized Downtown Cowtown at the Isis Theater
The 110-year-old cinema is a great place to catch a Halloween flick. | Photo courtesy of UTA Libraries
Did you know there is a movie theater in Fort Worth where you get to pick the movie if you show up first? Downtown Cowtown at the Isis is a Stockyards hidden gem for film buffs, music lovers, and history nerds alike. Let’s rewind the history of the theater.
Act I
The 400-seat Isis Theater opened in 1914 on the corner of 24th and North Main Streets as a one-screen silent film house. Originally designed by Louis B. Weinman, it also contained a pharmacy and 12 upstairs rooms.
Act II
In 1935, the projection room caught fire, but architect W. Scott Dunne helped rebuild and enlarge the theater to 1,000 seats. The cinema held a grand re-opening as the “new Isis Theater” in 1936 with Fort Worth-raised starlet Ginger Rogers present for the premiere of her movie “In Person.”
However, flooding in 1942 caused extensive damage to the building, which shuttered its doors in 1988.
Come on in to the new black and white entry. | Photo by @downtown_cowtown
Act III
In 2017, Dr. Jeffry Smith and Debbie Garrett-Smith purchased the dilapidated structure, undertaking a huge interior and exterior restoration. The curtain rose again in the summer of 2021 on the downsized one-stage theater, which is now closer to its original capacity with 500 seats. The new owners also added a 1920s cocktail lounge and rentable event space.
The original 1936 sign still hangs on the front of the building, but isn’t lit. Building owners are taking donations to relight the marquee.
Settle in to the cushy seats with a cocktail from the 1920s bar.
Today, the cinema hosts live acts and screens classic films Tuesday-Sunday at 11:15 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., and 8 p.m. If you are the first person there, you get to pick the movie from a rotating list. The tickets are free with the purchase of a drink and a snack — $10 for a night out, can you imagine?
Scrappy Art Workshop | Thursday, Oct. 5 | 6-8 p.m. | The Bedford Center YMCA, 2801 Forest Ridge Dr., Bedford | $15-$25 | Local artist Christopher Tranquino will teach teens how to create one-of-a-kind sculptures from everyday materials.
Friday, Oct. 6
PBR Rattler Days | Friday, Oct. 6-Sunday, Oct. 8 | Times vary | Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St., Fort Worth | $22-$134 | Grab a single-day or three-night ticket to see Fort Worth’s professional bull riding team hang on for eight seconds.
Leonid & Friends | Friday, Oct. 6 | 8 p.m. | Tannahill’s Tavern and Music Hall, 122 E. Exchange Ave., Ste. 200, Fort Worth | $51.50-$71.50 | Don’t miss the YouTube sensation tribute band from Moscow, Russia recreate hits from the American rock band Chicago.
Saturday, Oct. 7
BTX Brewfest 2023 | Saturday, Oct. 7 | 3-9 p.m. | Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza, 141 W. Renfro St., Burleson | $10-$50 | Head south of town for beer, seltzer, and ciders from 40+ local vendors.
Eli Young Band | Saturday, Oct. 7 | 10 p.m.-12 a.m. | Billy Bob’s Texas, 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth | $20-$50 | The Denton natives are bringing their “Saltwater Gospel” back to North Texas.
Sunday, Oct. 8
Crockpots for a Cause | Sunday, Oct. 8 | 5-7 p.m. | Soma Winery, 201 S. Main St., Fort Worth | $15 | Come hungry for the chili cook-off supporting Empathy HQ.
The Rangers ousted the Tampa Bay Rays (7-1) yesterday in the second MLB American League Wild Card game. The Rangers advance to play the Orioles at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7 in Baltimore in their run for the 2023 World Series. Catch the game on FOX.
Community
The city is reviewing proposals from four development firms on the future of 1300 Gendy Street + plans to select a developer next week. RSVP for the public meeting at the Community Arts Center on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. to ask questions and share your thoughts.
Development
A proposed office + retail space for the Panther Island Project will go before city officials later this month. Tillar Partners and BOKA Powell filed a permit for the $120 million Vaquero Panther Island at 529 N. Throckmorton St. A possible second phase of the project could bring a 150-room hotel.
Announced
Denver-based restaurant Parry’s Pizzeria & Bar is headed to Alliance. The pizzeria and craft beer bar will open a location in the spring of 2024 at 9601 North Freeway. Menu items include New York-style pies, wings, and 72 beers on tap.
Biz
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 4:30 p.m. for the grand opening of Create FW. The business incubator in the Near Southside soft-launched in August and offers coworking space and entrepreneurship training for small businesses.
Try This
Want to try out the “world’s first” boot branding station? Head to Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall in Mule Alley to see Tim Love’s new ALL IN experience. Personalize your cowboy boots, hang a signed bandana from the ceiling, and taste the signature shot with Código Reposado Tequila. (Fort Worth Report)
Real Estate
Trademark Property Group has taken over leasing and property management for the Left Bank shopping center off West 7th Street. The real estate investor plans to expand the tenants, programming, and placemaking initiatives for the 114,000-sqft retail district.
Trending
Everybody makes mistakes, even Little Big Tex. The State Fair of Texas is getting a grammar refresher after an error on some signage. Check out how glad the fair is that “you’re here.” Don’t worry, Little Big Tex, we still love you.
Shop
You know we love buying local — and yes, that includes specialty gear like fishing rods and reels, lures + more. Snag your local outdoor gear at Marksmen, open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.*
Travel
How does Going work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and get notified when flight deals to over 900 destinations are 40-90% off.*
Seasonal
🏚️ Are you brave enough?
Are you brave enough for these Fort Worth haunted houses?
The Cutting Edge ghoul has graced the skyline once again. | Photo by @_jrh79
Looking for a howling good time this Halloween? To make this season even more spooktacular, we’re creep-ing it real with a round-up of local haunted houses open in October.
Cutting Edge Haunted House | $40-$98
Voted USA Today’s “Best Haunted Attraction” in 2021, thrill seekers can experience many jump scares in this 55-minute terrifying tour of the historic meat-packing facility.
Hangman’s House of Horror | $19-$59
Don’t get scared by the legend of Hezekiah Jones, an 1882 serial killer who prowled the Trinity River, the notorious Baker Hotel haunted by “The Woman of the Seventh Floor,” and the ghosts of El Paso High.
Moxley Manor Haunted House | $35-$50
Explore three haunted houses — including Moxley Manor, the 3D Haunted House Big Top Terror and Regans Revenge — with one ticket.
Six Flags Fright Fest | $40-$85
Scream through the amusement park with seven haunted houses, scare zones, and rides in the dark.
I went to Cutting Edge when I was 15 — teenage Kate was braver than adult Kate. While I pride myself on making it all the way through without bursting into tears, I feel absolutely no need to ever go into a haunted house ever again. Y’all have fun getting scared, I’ll just look at cute pumpkins.
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