Houston Heights , TX - Theater Fire 1969

In June of 1969, an act of arson targeted the Heights Theatre, driven by protests against its screening of the Swedish sex film, "I am Curious (Yellow)." The owners at the time, Mr. and Mrs. John Scott, faced multiple instances of being followed home, and their staff received personal threats related to the controversial film. Throughout the three weeks of its exhibition, the theater experienced disruptions, including bomb threats and stink bombs. The film's contentious nature stemmed not only from its explicit content but also from its themes of social justice and equality, featuring scenes of the main character, Lena, engaging in a conversation with Martin Luther King, Jr.
In a June 7, 1969 interview with the Houston Chronicle, the owners suspected the involvement of the Ku Klux Klan in the arson, as they discovered Klan literature on their front porch after the incident. The fire resulted in the complete destruction of the theater and significant interior damage. It was unoccupied until its acquisition by Gus and Sharon Kopriva in 1987. After a year of renovation, the venue was reopened in 1988 as an art space. Edwin Cabaniss, the current owner, purchased it in 2015 and undertook further extensive renovations. The Heights Theatre officially reopened in 2016, now functioning as a venue for concerts, independent film screenings, and local community events.