[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 201 (Thursday, December 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE MAJESTIC METRO--HOUSTON'S HISTORICAL HUB

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 20, 2018

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, after speaking on the House floor more 
than 2,000 times since joining Congress some fourteen years ago, I can 
promise you the majority of the many hours spent in this chamber were 
focused on history. This comes as no surprise. You could say I am a 
history buff of sorts. Heck, everyone knows it. My walls at home in 
Texas and here in Washington have been filled with memories from the 
past. Texas history in particular is what I love most.
  Well, Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about a little piece of 
Houston, Texas history that many Houstonians may not know about, the 
Majestic Metro. The Majestic Metro is the last remaining in-tact 
theater in Houston built before 1930. It is safe to say that parking 
garages have taken the place of many former historical theaters. But, 
not for the Majestic Metro. It still stands strong in the vibrant heart 
of downtown Houston.
  Originally owned by sisters Stella and Lillian Scanlan, and opened 
April 15, 1926 under its maiden name, the Ritz, the primary role of 
this theater was to entertain the masses. Its grand opening showcase 
was the Buck Jones feature, ``The Fighting Buckaroo.'' What better way 
to start off its tenure than with a country-western film. But, there is 
one unique aspect about this movie and others during its time, there 
was no sound, except for that of the live music in the background. 
That's right, no fancy high tech sound systems, just a pipe organ. So, 
the only thing movie-goers were hearing was the chuckles, sniffles, and 
gasps of their neighbors with the organ in the background. With tickets 
ranging from 5 cents and 15 cents during the beginning of the Ritz, 
many Houstonians found their way to Preston Street in downtown Houston 
for a night out.
  The history of the Ritz is so rich because of the many stories its 
walls can tell. From different owners and styles such as silent 
country-western films to Spanish films, the Ritz became the Cine Ritz 
during the 1940's. Decades later, in the 60's and 70's, the name that 
Houston now knows, the Majestic Metro, was born. The Majestic Metro at 
this time saw a transition from the old fashion silent country-western 
and Spanish films to exploitation and kung fu films, then to more 
mature films, a little too explicit for the Record I'm afraid.
  Well Mr. Speaker, times were tough, and the theater came to a close. 
However, like every good feature film, or at least the ones I like, 
there was light at the end of the tunnel for this Houston landmark. 
Local businessman, Gary Warwick, and history buff like me, had a vision 
for this unique piece of the past.
  Instead of allowing the theater to be demolished or showing those old 
westerns the theater had once known, Gary turned this historical 
landmark into a place where history would continue living. Today, the 
Majestic Metro captures the beauty of the past by maintaining many 
stylistic features of the original architecture.
  The Majestic Metro wasn't Gary's only historical contribution to 
Houston. He was also a pivotal player in the project to restore the 
Market Square Clock in Houston's Market Square, just a few feet from 
the Majestic Metro. The Market Square Clock which is a part of the 
Louis and Annie Friedman Clock Tower is on the corners of Travis and 
Congress in downtown. For Gary's efforts in the restoration project, he 
was able to be the first person to hand wind the clock upon its 
completion in the restoration.
  Mr. Speaker, this is exactly why I love history. The Majestic Metro 
saw the best of times and the worst of times, but it has withstood time 
as one of Houston's most authentic historical landmarks. The walls of 
the Majestic Metro have quite a few stories to tell, and thanks to 
Houstonian Gary Warwick, they can continue to share their history and 
beauty for years to come.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________