Downtown Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Cactus Theater
521 E. Sixth Street
Photographed By Jamie Cox, October 25, 2013
1. Cactus Theater Marker
In the 1930's and 40's, the Cactus Theater was owned by legendary vaudeville performer Richard “Skinny” Pryor, and featured cowboy and Spanish language movies. His son, Cactus Pryor, would sell patrons their tickets, pop the popcorn, and run the projector, all the while spouting stories and jokes, perfect training ground for his future as Austin journalist, TV-radio personality, and Texas' favorite political humorist. Cactus finished every radio broadcast with his favorite sign-off phrase, a series of nonsense words, “thermostrockermortimer.”
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Entertainment.
Location. 30° 15.988′ N, 97° 44.248′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Downtown Austin. Marker is at the intersection of East 6th Street and Red River Street, on the left when traveling west on East 6th Street. Located in front of the Velveeta Room. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 521 East 6th Street, Austin TX 78701, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Randerson-Lundell Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); J. L. Buaas Building (about 500 feet away); Susanna Dickinson-Hannig (about 500 feet away); O. Henry
this page online
Photographed By Jamie Cox, October 25, 2013
2. The Cactus Theater and Marker, now the Velveeta Room Comedy Club
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2013, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. This page has been viewed 671 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 27, 2013, by Jamie Cox of Melbourne, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
