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 2 other theatre’s in Cody: Temple Theatre 1913-TBD (located in Masonic Lodge still standing but unused) and Rialto 1925-1930 (one location; TBD)

·        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.  

·        April 3, 1926 Corder built and moved The Cody Theatre into a modern new build seating 325 (exact location TBD)

·        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 many years this Cody Theatre was strictly for cinema till under the ownership of Bob and Sandy Newsome who built a platform area.

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.

• May 1959 premiered: “The Young Land”, the western drama film starring Patrick Wayne (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. ‍