The History Of Film In Fort Worth

Few cities better embody the mix of tradition and transformation than Fort Worth. Known for its cowboy roots, cattle drives, and cultural institutions, “Cowtown” has also quietly played a role in the history of film and cinema in Texas. This article traces how Fort Worth has intersected with the silver screen — from early local exhibitors and theaters to modern productions and preservation efforts.

Early Days: Opera Houses, Silent Films & Local Pioneers

• The roots of moviegoing in Fort Worth go back to the early 20th century. What began as opera houses and vaudeville venues gradually incorporated motion pictures as the new technology took hold.

• One of the city’s first major venues to adopt films was the Palace Theatre (7th & Main). Originally built in 1908 as an opera house to replace a damaged earlier structure, it later became Fort Worth’s first dedicated movie house when it was converted to film screenings in the late 1910s.

• Local pioneer J. S. Philips (then the manager of the Odeon theater) is credited with producing and directing Fort Worth’s first film in 1913, marking one of the earliest attempts at local filmmaking in the city.

• In those early decades, films were often shown along with live acts, newsreels, and vaudeville, giving moviegoers a mixed entertainment experience.

Golden Age Theaters and Local Landmarks

Ridglea Theatre

As cinema matured through the 1920s–1950s, Fort Worth’s theater landscape blossomed with iconic movie palaces and neighborhood houses:

• Ridglea Theatre
  Opened in December 1950, Ridglea became one of Fort Worth’s signature single-screen theaters. Its striking 70-foot stone tower and Mission/Spanish Revival facade made it a neighborhood landmark. Over time, the theater went through ups and downs, but recent efforts have sought to restore it and preserve its place in local memory.

• Haltom Theater
  In nearby Haltom (within the greater Fort Worth area), theaters like the Haltom Theater catered to suburban audiences. Historic images show its marquee and classic design, providing a glimpse of how neighborhood theaters served local communities.

• Other past theaters (such as the Grand, Rose, Poly, Berry) dotted Fort Worth’s urban and suburban zones. Many have since closed or been repurposed.

These theaters were more than buildings — they were social hubs, places for first dates, community bonding, and cultural exchange.

Haltom Theatre

Fort Worth on Film: Movies Shot Here, Featuring Here

Fort Worth has not just hosted movie audiences — it has been a subject, backdrop, or filming location for several notable films and visual media:

• Fort Worth (1951)
  A western drama starring Randolph Scott, this film centered on the city itself, weaving in local themes of frontier life, cattle, and the politics of law and order.

• Strategic Air Command (1955)
  Featuring Jimmy Stewart, parts of this film leveraged Fort Worth’s legacy with aviation (via nearby Carswell Air Force Base, for example) and the region’s military culture.

• Logan’s Run (1976)
  A surprising sci-fi connection: the Fort Worth Water Gardens appear in the film, seen as part of the post-apocalyptic environment.

• Local Short & Promotional Films

  • Fort Worth: The Unexpected City (1974) is a city promotional film narrated by Jimmy Stewart, showcasing Fort Worth’s civic pride, culture, and growth.

  • Home-movie collections in the Fort Worth Library Archives preserve glimpses of everyday life — such as a 1947 prom at I.M. Terrell High School.

  • The Fort Worth Flyover, a short IMAX-style aerial film shown at the city’s museum, debuted in 1983 and was refreshed in 1992. It offers sweeping city views and introduces audiences to the Fort Worth skyline before feature films.

• Recent & Current Productions

  • Fort Worth is part of the modern push in Texas to attract filming. Projects like Miss Juneteenth, 12 Mighty Orphans, The Old Man & the Gun, and the TV series 1883, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, Landman, and The Chosen have utilized the city’s settings, buildings, and landscapes.

  • In 2025, a major film/TV production campus backed by Paramount and Taylor Sheridan is expanding in north Fort Worth (AllianceTexas), highlighting the city’s growing role in the industry.

These appearances show how Fort Worth has been both canvas and actor in cinematic storytelling.