if the tower's a-glowin, something's a-showin
About Us
Modest Beginnings
Time for a facelift
Modest Beginnings
In 1920, Mr. and Mrs. R.T. Hooks Sr. wanted to provide Mineola with a movie picture theater that people could come to and have an experience like no other. Mrs. Hooks chose the name "Select" after the Select movie picture franchise, and that name has been our trademark for over 100 years!
Time marches on
Time for a facelift
Modest Beginnings
As time moved on, Mr. and Mrs R.T. Hooks, Sr moved to west Texas and their son Mr. R.T. Hooks, Jr. took over operating the Select. By this time there was the Select Theater, the Leroy Theater, and the SkyVue Drive-in Theater all in operation in Mineola, and all managed by Mr. Hooks, Jr.
Time for a facelift
Time for a facelift
Changing of the guard
In 1948 Mineola's Theater was starting to show its age. This was the year that Mr. Hooks, Jr undertook a massive renovation of the Select. Removing the Confectionary Shop, and the Ice Cream Parlor and changing the front façade, adding the marquee, neon tower that could be seen for miles and was a beacon that something was showing at the Select, a front Lobby, concessions stand, balcony, cry room, and a modern invention of the day.... Chilled Air. To this day we thank Mr. Hooks for this addition.. Especially in the Texas Summer!
Changing of the guard
Keeping up with the times, while keeping the past alive
Changing of the guard
In the 1960's after Mr. Hooks, Jr had passed away, two longtime employees of the Select purchased the Select and continued to operate the theater. James Dear and Truman Thomas had done just about everything you could have done in the Select. Starting off as young boys handing out programs, to cleaning up, to mixing the soda drinks. Mr. Dear and Mr. Thomas considered the Select home. They proudly carried the torch onward so Mineola's Theater would still stand proud.
The old order changes
Keeping up with the times, while keeping the past alive
Keeping up with the times, while keeping the past alive
In 1978 the Lake Country Playhouse was formed and was producing live performance plays wherever they could. In 1989 however, the Lake Country Playhouse assumed the operation of the Select after the retirement of Mr. Dear and Mr. Thomas.
The Lake Country Playhouse had a permanent home to perform in. But, the LCP board of Governors also decided that in keeping with the tradition of the Select, movies would continue to be shown at the Select. And in 2004 the Lake Country Playhouse completed the purchase of the Select Theater and to this day the Select has not stopped showing movies.
Keeping up with the times, while keeping the past alive
Keeping up with the times, while keeping the past alive
Keeping up with the times, while keeping the past alive
In the early 2000's the Lake Country Playhouse took on several remodel projects of the Select. In 2001 the auditorium was remodeled brining back the art deco look of the 1948 remodel, replacing the carpets, seating, and repainting the walls. The Theater was re-dedicated in 2001 with Kathleen Hooks, James Deer, and Truman Thomas in attendance. The Lake Country Playhouse, with assistance from the Meredith Foundation also took on the massive project to remodel the restrooms to modernize them and increase capacity. In 2012, again with assistance from the Meredith Foundation the Select took on another upgrade. This was the year we moved from film projection to full digital movie projection with surround sound. The Select keeps moving through the years, changing with the needs to continue to welcome people. Come visit our small hometown theater, you won't be disappointed.
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The Select..... The Pride of Mineola!
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