Oklahoma Historical Society web site remarks that the Cameo Theatre (a probable former nickelodeon) originally occupied this site. In 1940 Griffith Bros Theatres bought the Cameo and replaced it with the (cheaply built) Rita Theatre. Because of its blah appearance, when the Rita burned down most Tulsans felt no sense of loss.
Oklahoma Historical Society remarks that Griffith Bros acquired the Cameo Theatre in 1940, and then replaced it with the Rita Theatre.
1934 images reveal a Spanish Mission exterior (bet those entrance doors were composed of green & orange glass) that looked as if it probably dated way back to nickelodeon times. Tht original generic “movie house” auditorium wasn’t much to look at, but it sure was better than the cheap Griffith replacement.
On the OHS web site, the Cameo auditorium is mistakenly shown again as that of the Circle Theater.
Most Tulsa citizens felt no loss after the Rita Theatre burned.
Vintage images illustrate interior motifs for the Will Rogers as decorated in unique Western Impressionist Styling.
These dull B&W photos cannot bring out how auditorium hues were rich earth tones, with splashes of bright colour thrown in here and there for dramatic effect. All together it created an exciting setting in which to view a movie.
Seems that Oklahoma Historical Society is not too interested in documenting fact, as they remark that the Tulsa Theatre replaced the Main Street Cinema. Vintage images from other sources prove that these two theatres operated in compitition across the street from one another.
The eye pleasing interior motif of the Tulsa Theatre could best be described as Southwestern Moderne.
Those 40s photos show what little interior decoration the Tower Theatre had. Exterior styling was simple Spanish Colonial, while the interior was done up in Southwestern Moderne. Love that standee carpet pattern, bet it was colorful!
Period photographs tell the McSwain Theatre story in pictures. During the 1930s the lovely auditorium style matched that of the Spanish Colonial exterior. A 40s Art Moderne atmospheric sky job came next. Then a 50s sweeping contemporary look accompanied a new wide screen. Though not pictured, in the early 70s beige fiberglass fabric was installed to cover auditorium walls. See for yourself by typing in word “mcswain”, View link
Almsot sister theatres, both the Ada Kiva Theatre and Sayre Ute Theatre were designed in smart Pueblo Art Deco Styling. To see 1930s interior/exterior shots of these two theatre type in either “kiva” or “ute”, View link
Don; Those 1936 photos are available to view on the Star site listed above on Seymour’s post. Just enter word “palace”, then press search.
There surely must have been a Palace Theater in Lubbock since FDY has a listing.
Oklahoma Historical Society web site remarks that the Cameo Theatre (a probable former nickelodeon) originally occupied this site. In 1940 Griffith Bros Theatres bought the Cameo and replaced it with the (cheaply built) Rita Theatre. Because of its blah appearance, when the Rita burned down most Tulsans felt no sense of loss.
Oklahoma Historical Society remarks that Griffith Bros acquired the Cameo Theatre in 1940, and then replaced it with the Rita Theatre.
1934 images reveal a Spanish Mission exterior (bet those entrance doors were composed of green & orange glass) that looked as if it probably dated way back to nickelodeon times. Tht original generic “movie house” auditorium wasn’t much to look at, but it sure was better than the cheap Griffith replacement.
On the OHS web site, the Cameo auditorium is mistakenly shown again as that of the Circle Theater.
Most Tulsa citizens felt no loss after the Rita Theatre burned.
Vintage images illustrate interior motifs for the Will Rogers as decorated in unique Western Impressionist Styling.
These dull B&W photos cannot bring out how auditorium hues were rich earth tones, with splashes of bright colour thrown in here and there for dramatic effect. All together it created an exciting setting in which to view a movie.
Seems that Oklahoma Historical Society is not too interested in documenting fact, as they remark that the Tulsa Theatre replaced the Main Street Cinema. Vintage images from other sources prove that these two theatres operated in compitition across the street from one another.
The eye pleasing interior motif of the Tulsa Theatre could best be described as Southwestern Moderne.
Those 40s photos show what little interior decoration the Tower Theatre had. Exterior styling was simple Spanish Colonial, while the interior was done up in Southwestern Moderne. Love that standee carpet pattern, bet it was colorful!
Period photographs tell the McSwain Theatre story in pictures. During the 1930s the lovely auditorium style matched that of the Spanish Colonial exterior. A 40s Art Moderne atmospheric sky job came next. Then a 50s sweeping contemporary look accompanied a new wide screen. Though not pictured, in the early 70s beige fiberglass fabric was installed to cover auditorium walls. See for yourself by typing in word “mcswain”,
View link
Almsot sister theatres, both the Ada Kiva Theatre and Sayre Ute Theatre were designed in smart Pueblo Art Deco Styling. To see 1930s interior/exterior shots of these two theatre type in either “kiva” or “ute”,
View link
To view 1930s era photos type in “theatre” …
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Have you looked at those photos of the Hodenville Liberty Theatre? To do so type in ‘liberty".
Look here to see 1940s photos of the Plaza Theatre complete makeover from Spanish Colonial to Streamline Moderne. Type in word “plaza” to view images,
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1935 & 1940 exterior shots of the Spanish Colonial styled Rialto can be seen by typing in word “rialto”,
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A 1940 photo can be seen by typing in word “ray”,
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Other vintage photos of this drive-in can be seen by typing in word “airview”,
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Vintage interior/exterior photos can be viewed by typing in word “cameo”,
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Look at vintage interior/exterior photos of the dowdy Rita Theatre, obviously a triple feature house. Type in word “rita”, then search,
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See 1950s images of this drive-in by typing word “riverside,
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View vintage photos of this cinema when it was still known as Route-66 Drive-In Theatre,
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To see 1940s views of the Tower Theatre’s modest lobby and auditorium type in word “tower”,
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Type in word “pines” to see 1940s interior/exterior shots,
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Type in words “main street” or “theatre” to view vintage interior/exterior images,
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Type in word “midwest” to view 1930s interior/exterios images,
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Type in word “ritz” to view 1930s images,
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Don; Those 1936 photos are available to view on the Star site listed above on Seymour’s post. Just enter word “palace”, then press search.
There surely must have been a Palace Theater in Lubbock since FDY has a listing.
This site shows antique photos of the Ritz Theatre Federal style exterior & interior. Type in word “ritz” to see pictures -
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Antique photos of the Liberty interior & exterior can be seen on this site by typing in word “liberty -
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