Logo for Mitchell Theatres Morley Theatre in Borger, TX

Mitchell Theatres Expands to Texas

Press Release Date: 05/02/17

Mitchell Theatres has announced their expansion into Texas with the acquisition of the historic Morley Theater in Borger, Texas.


The Morley Theater was built in 1947, designed by Jack Corgan of Dallas and operated by the Griffith-Consolidated theater chain. The Morley, with its Grande Auditorium, is one of the few theaters operating to still feature balcony seating.


In 2002, the Borger Economic Development Group invested $2 million to restore the Grande Auditorium balcony and add four more screens in adjacent buildings. After 65 years of film projection, The Morley Theater was fully converted to digital in 2012.


The Morley will temporarily close down for needed repairs and cleaning on May 1. "We have a team of technicians scheduled for 10 days to get all of the auditoriums operational again," stated Brian Mitchell. The main auditorium's sound system will be upgraded with new amps, new stage speakers, dual subwoofers and 28 new surround sound speakers.


Also during the temporary closure, new Point of Sale systems will be installed at the box office and concession. Additionally, the front box office will be opened and operational once again, alongside neon exterior poster cases that will showcase films playing at the theatre.


All auditoriums will be equipped with hearing assisted systems, along with the latest technology featuring closed captioned devices. The goal is to make as many repairs as possible and then reopen on Friday, May 19, for the summer movie season.


After Labor Day, the Morley Theater will temporarily close once again. New high back rocker seats will be installed in all of the auditoriums, as well in the Grande Auditorium balcony. On the ground floor of the Grande Auditorium, the current seats will be replaced with electronic, leather recliners.


Other remodel plans for the fall include a larger screen in the Grande Auditorium, restrooms updates, along with an arcade and party room. A lounge for movie patrons to have a beer, wine or cocktail before the movie is also a possibility. The plan is to have The Morley Theater remodel complete in time for the Holiday Movie season.


This is the second historic theater for the Mitchell Theatres circuit. In 2016, the 98 year old Doric Theatre in Elkhart, Kansas was completely remodeled and began showing movies once again, after being closed for over 30 years. View the Doric Theatre Press Release


Mitchell Theatres owns and operates a total of 107 screens in 15 locations across Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. Mitchell Theatres was recently ranked the forty-fourth (44th) largest movie theatre chain in the United States. Mitchell Theatres continues to actively look for opportunities to grow and expand throughout the Midwest.



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Morely Theatre in Borger, TX
Morely Theatre in Borger, TX
Black and white newspaper drawing of The Morley Theatre in 1946
Architect's drawing of The Morley Theatre in 1946