The Alger had its interior modernized in the early 70s. Its exterior, complete with the tower with the theater’s name on it, was left relatively untouched.
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However, by 1983, it was showing movies once again, mostly horror and action films. During a screening of "Friday the 13th Part 5" in 1985, a riot broke out in the auditorium and a fire was set, which caused heavy damage to much of the interior, forcing the Alger to close down.
In 1987, the theater was purchased by a group called The Friends of the Alger, whose goal is to return the theater to its original appearance.