History & Renovation

The Heights Theater was constructed in 1926 by Gluek Brewery heir Arthur Gluek as a real estate venture when Prohibition was enacted. Designed in the Beaux Arts style of the last century, the Heights building was a simple neighborhood movie house showcasing local talent in stage plays and "High Class Amateur Vaudeville Acts."

The Heights has survived at least three fires, one bombing, and "The Big Blow of 1949" when a Fridley tornado twisted the tower sign. Over the years, the original charm of the theater was covered over with drywall and turquoise paint and was a discount theater. Tom Letness bought the theater in November of 1998 and scoured the original blueprints, which were housed at the University of Minnesota. They revealed that the ornamental plaster of polychromed woodwork and the front windows had been walled-up during World War II. Letness worked over the next decade to bring the theater back to its initial glory.

A scarlet motorized Grande drape covers the proscenium stage and gilded grills conceal the organ's pipework and antique chandeliers are suspended from the ceiling restored with 2600 Egyptian lead crystals. Hand-painted reproduction Edison Mazda bulbs in four colors on separate circuits allow a multitude of effects from the 152 lights above the two hundred and forty seats, themselves installed in 2012. While working on the restoration, Letness discovered an orchestra pit under the floor where the mighty Wurlitzer Theater Organ now rises for Friday and Saturday night concerts and special events.

The Heights has a grand piano in the lobby and an upright piano in the auditorium connected to the organ. The 1926 Williams Brothers steam boiler was replaced with two new high-efficiency hot water boilers and new electrical service as well as plumbing upgrades has been completed over the years, and a new air conditioner was installed in 2022. A sparkling new tower sign was installed in 2002 and crowns the marquee. After many years, Letness has restored the Heights Theater and today it is recognized as one of the most beautiful theaters in the Midwest, the “jewel of the Twin Cities”.

Movies at Heights Theater

The Heights Theater screens quality first-run films seven days a week (including holidays) and has a lineup of some of the finest classic cinema in the state, programming gorgeous digital, 35mm and 70mm prints, many of which are rare and have never been screened in the state before.

The Heights’ CELEBRATION OF CINEMA is a year-long event that attracts thousands of people through the year, and includes American, foreign, and silent films. Season series include the ever-popular WHITE CHRISTMAS screenings in December, which always sell out, as well as the sci-fi series DOWN THE WORMHOLE and the holiday series COAL OR CANDY.

In addition, the Heights has special screenings on Valentines’ Day and Thanksgiving, and HOLIDAY INN plays to sold-out crowds every New Years’ Day. We also partner with the Tylon Cinema in Minneapolis to present THE FILM NOIR FESTIVAL in February and THE HITCHCOCK FILM FESTIVAL in April. Other series of classic films play regularly at the Heights Theater throughout the year.