Celebrating Our Past, Present, and Future
By Mitch Hemann, Archivist at the Ritz Theatre and Museum
On the northwest corner of Davis and State Streets in Jacksonville’s historic LaVilla neighborhood, there stands a marquee. A bright red sign that has become an icon in the community. It has stood there in various states of repair for nearly a century, towering above the box office of the Ritz Theatre like a beacon. A reminder of a vibrant community that once was and the promise of a bright future that lies ahead. Long ago, it was a movie house. But to the community that surrounds it, it was so much more.
The Ritz Theatre opened its doors in September of 1929 and was owned and operated by Joseph Hackel, a Jewish immigrant from Estonia. It was one of a handful of theaters in the area catering to Black audiences during segregation. Known as Film Row, this network of theaters included the Strand, the Roosevelt, and the Frolic, and each one played a vital role in the neighborhood. During the Jim Crow era, movie theaters were a gathering place for the Black community, an opportunity to claim their own space and foster a sense of belonging. In many ways, movie theaters were as important as the Black church, or the local barbershop.
But Hackel couldn’t have chosen a more unfortunate time to start a business. Just a few weeks after he opened his doors, Wall Street collapsed, and the country was plunged into the Great Depression. Unable to pay his rent, Hackel offered his landlord, Neel Witschen, a stake in the business, making him a silent partner and giving him 50 percent of the profits. By the mid-1950s, Hackel’s health was in decline, and ownership was transferred completely to Witschen who ran the Ritz until his death in 1966. His son Neel Witschen, Jr. took over until it closed its doors in 1972.
Despite its ups and downs, many senior members of the community have shared fond memories of the Ritz in those days. For some, it was a memorable first date that led to a lifetime of marriage and friendship. For others, it was sneaking in food from the Ritz Grill next door when the manager wasn’t looking. But for most, it was a place to relax and unwind with friends. And everyone remembers the various promotions it ran, such as when three Coca-Cola bottle caps could get you into the show for free.
