History of The Cody Theatre

Having the title as the historic Cody Theatre is nothing but fitting. The “Cody Theatre” has in fact existed beyond its current location and well beyond 100 years!

Extensive research done in 2026 found 1915 as the earliest record of the name “Cody Theatre”. It was an ad from October 22, 1915 Northern Wyoming Herald listing “Cody Theatre” with James Corder as owner/manager. Turns out James Corder purchased the Cody Opera House on June 18, 1915.

This of course led to research on The Cody Opera House. Cody Opera House was first mentioned April 1901 with the name of the legendary William F Cody (AKA Buffalo Bill) as the key supporter. “Cody will have an opera house second to none west of Omaha. Thanks to the enterprise of our partner, Col W.F. Cody”.

From its very beginning The Cody Theatre was more than just a moving picture theatre. Throughout its existence it has held many community events like beauty pageants, fashion shows, church services, lectures, agricultural & home economic demonstrations, dude ranch reels, and a variety of live performances and plays.

Other interesting historic dates

• At one point there were 3 other theatre’s in downtown Cody:

  • Temple Theatre 1913-TBD (located in Masonic Lodge still standing but unused)

  • Rialto 1925-1930 (one location; TBD)

  • Atomic Feb 1946-ukn (located in the old 1926 Cody Theatre Building)

• Sometime after March 9, 1921; due to poor ventilation, Corder moved The Cody Theatre for a temporary residence into the Temple Theatre located in the Masonic Temple Building.  (

• April 3, 1926 Corder built and moved The Cody Theatre into a modern new build seating 325. (Original building is no longer in existence but was located in the 1200th blook of Sheridan Ave, West of the still standing Vogel Building and east of what was at the time Western Drug- Loves Building is the current location)

• Sometime in 1936 Corder deemed it necessary to build an even bigger theatre to accommodate the need, seating 700.

• 1936 Corder purchased Park Garage that would be converted to the new and current location of The Cody Theatre.

• July 8, 1937 The Cody Theatre opened at its current building; located at 1171 Sheridan Avenue Cody, Wyoming.

The Cody Theatre Building at 1171 Sheridan Ave. opened July 8, 1937

Over the past 90 years, The Cody Theatre building at 1171 Sheridan has had only 4 owners; Corder Family (1936-1968), John Schultz (1968-1992), Bob and Sandy Newsome (1992-2019), and Ryan and Elizabeth Fernandez (2019 - current).

In 1936 Cody resident J.W. Corder started building The Cody Theatre as state-of-the-art facility that opened July 8, 1937 showing “Slave Ship” featuring Barner Baxter and Wallace Beery. The building was reported built for a whopping $60,000. It included “700 comfortable upholstered seats, Mirrophonic sound, air-conditioning, and the best projection equipment available.”

For 72 years; from July 8, 1937-January 31, 2008; The Cody Theatre doors were open on a regular basis showing films. (CE; Jan 28, 2008)

Feb 1, 2008 - 2016 film was not shown at The Cody Theatre as the building was remodeled to include a small platform and lighting for Dan Miller’s live performances.

March 2016- The Cody Theatre reopened for cinema showing “The Wizard of Oz” (CE; March 29, 2016)

Since 2019; under Ryan & Elizabeth Fernandez’s ownership both cinema and live performances have been and still are featured at The Cody Theatre.

Over the years The Cody Theatre has also been home to many businesses who have rented out the store fronts in the theatre building on either side. Jack Evans Jewelry is just one and a part of his history still remains visible with a large Evans Jewelry Clock hanging above the stage right backstage exit.

• April 25, 1959 premiered: “The Young Land”, the western drama film starring Patrick Wayne who was present for the premier (son of John Wayne) and Dennis Hopper. 

• 1973 premiered: “Great American Cowboy” the documentary film by Keith Merrill. The film, won the 1973 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, is about the battle between two rodeo stars for the world championship: veteran Larry Mahan and newcomer Phil Lyne.  The documentary partially filmed during the Cody Stampede celebration.  Although admission to the premier was $5, a pricey sum in the 1973, “people swarmed in,” Schultz recalls, making it possible to collect the admission price.  The movie didn’t fare as well at other box offices around the country and lived a short life in theaters.‍

• 1994 regional world premiere of “8 Seconds” about professional bull rider, Lane Frost. The premiere was planned as a benefit for the Northwest College Rodeo Team, and although the Big Horn Basin was blanketed with 14 inches of snow that night, the movie still attracted a crowd of about 200 people.

• Sept 9, 2005 premiered “An Unfinished Life”, the movie based on the book of the same name written by local author Mark Spragg. The movie starred Robert Redford, Jennifer Lopez, and Morgan Freeman and is set on a ranch near the town on Ishawooa, Wyoming.  Mr. Spragg and Virginia Korus Spragg wrote the screenplay for this film.  ‍ ‍

There have been a few controversies about the movies shown at the Cody Theatre. 

• In the 1970’s, x-rated films were shown and were even listed on the printed monthly calendar. 

• In 2006, the Oscar Winning film “Brokeback Mountain” depicted the controversial story of a forbidden and secretive relationship between two cowboys and their lives over the years. It played to good crowds although there were many letters to the editor of the Cody Enterprise concerning the content of the film. ‍

Other

• 72 years after opening and showing flims; from January 31, 2008-2016 there were no movies shown

• For a few months in 2020 old movies were shown for free.

• 1937 opened July 8 with Air conditioning, 700 comfortable upholstered seats, and Mirrophonic Sound. (EC; July 7, 1937)

• 1940 installed Magnarc lamp houses, E plus 7 Simplex Projectors, and Western Electric sound equipment (CE; Sept. 25, 1940)

• 1949 all new uknown sound equipment installed (CE; May 17, 1949)

• 1954 installed CinemaScope lenses with four track sterophonic sound and a wide screen was installed (CE; June 3, 1954)

• 1970 installed 18×35 foot curved aluminized screen for 3D and Dobly Sound for “Jaws” (paper & date UKN- see photo)

  • Today less than 1000 big screens remain in US and The Cody Theatre in Cody, Wyoming is one of them. (EC; Feb 4, 1998)

• 1980 installed Kintek system to enhance sound track of motion pictures along with 8 wall mounted speakers, still used today. (CE April 2, 1980)

• 1993 held 500 red leather seats (BG June 1, 1993)

• 2008 red leather theatre seats were replaced with ones from Wynona Thompson Auditorium and old seats were available for general public to purchase (CE January 28, 2008)

• 2016 operating system upgraded to digital (CE March 29, 2016)

• Truss system installed for professional live production lighting.

• Tech Deck was built for audio visual needed for live performances; additional seats had to be removed.

• Platform made bigger for live performances; additional seats had to be removed.

• Seats given rows & numbers for reserved seating.

• Isle Runner recarpeted

• Bathrooms received facelift

• January 2026, Women’s bathroom renovated and tiled with real tile.

• 1962, Pink Garter Theatre from Jackson, Wyoming did on year of melodramas.

• ‍2007-2015, Dan Miller rented the theater throughout the summer months for his Cowboy Music Revue, a live show featuring authentic cowboy music.‍

• 2009 Dan Miller Productions brought in a concert series featuring country artists such as Gary Morris, Billy Dean, Suzy Bogguss, and Lacy J Dalton.

• In the summer of 2016, The Cody Theatre, under a rental agreement, became home to award winning “Wild West Spectacular”; an original live full-length historical and hysterical musical about Buffalo Bill and his Wild West Show produced by Cody's very own local nonprofit performing arts organization, Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre.

• January 2019, under the new ownership of the Fernandez’s, The Cody Theatre was secured as the permanent home to Wild West Spectacular. The show continues to run for several weeks during the summer for locals & tourists from all over the world. ‍

• In fall of 2021, The Cody Theatre Company, a performing arts group was formed under the support of 501c3 Rocky Mountain Dance Theatre producing live stage plays and musicals throughout the year. Open auditions are common, offering performing opportunities for thespians in the area and in since 2025, regionally.

• Over the years other live events housed at The Cody Theatre have included

  • Yellowstone Songwriter Festival

  • Piano Recitals

  • RMSA/RMDT Holiday Showcase

  • Swing into Spring; Clash of the Academies

• 1937 - 1968 there was no snack bar in the theatre. When theatre goers wanted a treat, they could exit the theatre with their ticket stubs and go next door to the Soda Fountain where they could get popcorn, candy, soda, or Taylor ice cream.  The only thing owner Corder wouldn’t allow back inside the theatre was soda.

• Under John Schultz ownership a snack bar was built that was originally the smokers lobby and ultimately did put The Fountain of out of business.

• June 15, 2020- January 2022 Sweets Soda Shop moved in a start up business by Wade and Carissa French. It was open year round.

• June 2022, Clem’s Canteen & Creamery opened in the lobby and is named after Clem, the saloon bar keep in the Wild West Spectacular the Musical. During the summer, Clem’s full menu is open to the public throughout the day and to theatre goers offering grilled sandwiches, wagyu and plain hotdogs, popcorn, soda, tea, lemonade, and lactose free soft serve and milk shakes.

• June 2024 Clem’s Canteen & Creamery received their Bar & Grill Liquor license with the ability to sell beer, wine, seltzers, and champagne to those 21+ for all events at The Cody Theatre.

With such a long history in the area here are some interesting stories found while researching about The Cody Theatre.

• “Attempted Burglary Here Nets Well Known Criminals” (Cody Times; Jan 5, 1950)

  • A 2:30 am attempted burglary of The Cody Theatre was thwarted by an officer making his rounds. Gunshots by the officer were fired as the men ran away and a bullet mark can still be seen in the left door way frame between concessions and the lobby. The men were apprehended and one was found to be wanted in Las Vegas.

• Fire Breaks Out (CE; June 26, 1952)

  • Fire broke out in projection room right before show time. Quick action from firefighters resulted in minimum damage. Only a sound cabinet with amplifies and old film that was for souvenirs was destroyed with additional smoke and water damage. Falty wiring was the cause. The Cody Theatre was ready for a reopen the next day for the matinee. (picture included below)

• “End it All; Man Threatens Dive off Cody Marquee” (CE; April 6, 1977)

  • A call in to KODI night shift took action by alerting police and saves 50-year-old man who only 8 days previous moved into an apartment above the theatre and was threatening to jump off The Cody Theatre marquee.