Here is a fantastic link that has a lot of classic Oklahoma theatres. Click below to read a brief history of Twilight Gardens Drive-in, with lots of photos. That grand opening ad doesn’t exaggerate the magnificence of the graceful entrance foujntain. View link
This multiplex had the charm of a bus station. It had cement block walls, and this was the first OKC cinema not to have curtains over the screen. Instead of drapes, it flashed advertising slides during intermission. Seats were most uncomfortable, and there was always sound bleedover from other auditoriums.
I took a friend there once, and upon exiting the theatre he said (no matter what was showing) he never wanted to go there again. And he didn’t!
One good reason ‘DILLINGER’ didn’t premier here at the Midwest was because by then it had become a porn house. American International was trying to ease into big budget productions and didn’t want any association with porn.
Another reason, at that time the Plaza was still a very classy movie house.
Chuck:
Last I heard this theatre was vacant, never converted to any other use. There used to be posted on this page an excellent photograph snapped by Don Lewis. Wonder why it has been removed?
Yes roadsideok, your nice photo is that of the former Bison Theatre. Fake rock facade was added during the early 1970’s when this building was used as a nightclub/disco.
Chester Gould (creator of “Dick Tracy”) attended OSU, and I once heard that he picked up extra cash during his college years by painting movie posters for Stillwater theatres. If one of these posters could be located today just imagine what its worth would be.
All the way up to 1967 the Circle Theatre always included a newsreel on the program. Universal News were the last to be shown.
Note in the 1987 photo, when the Circle was a skin flick house, how carefully “parking in back” was worded. Perhaps some dumb patron would have mistaken “parkinng in rear” as a title for an X-rated film. On second thought, that probably was a real porno title.
Why does it keep getting repeated that the Delman Theatre had the largest seating capacity in Tulsa? I think this rumor started with Tulsa Historical Society. At 1186 seats it obviously wasn’t a large theatre at all, much less Tulsa’s largest.
“The Old Lady on Brady” has the largest seating capacity. Next was the Ritz Theatre with just under 2000 seats.
Apparently the Eastside Theatre was purpose built to be a cinema, and not part of the old fair grounds. To see exactly what the structure looked like type in “Eastside Theater”; View link word “Eastside”;
That arched marquee left no dought that this was a Paramount Publix house. Vintage photos of this theatre can be seen by typing in word “Paramount”; View link
It was at the Ada Ritz Theatre where Paramount Pictures held their gala world premier showing of “FANCY PANTS”, staring Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, and Bruce Cabot.
A fine looking drive, even if it has been shuttered a long while.
More detail can be read here,
View link
Here is a fantastic link that has a lot of classic Oklahoma theatres. Click below to read a brief history of Twilight Gardens Drive-in, with lots of photos. That grand opening ad doesn’t exaggerate the magnificence of the graceful entrance foujntain.
View link
Looks like this had been a former main stream house that switched over to X-rated films.
This multiplex had the charm of a bus station. It had cement block walls, and this was the first OKC cinema not to have curtains over the screen. Instead of drapes, it flashed advertising slides during intermission. Seats were most uncomfortable, and there was always sound bleedover from other auditoriums.
I took a friend there once, and upon exiting the theatre he said (no matter what was showing) he never wanted to go there again. And he didn’t!
Here is a 1912 (photo right) shot of when this theatre was still known as Metropolitan -
View link
I have been informed that during planning stages of this theatre the name Honey Springs Drive-In was seriously contemplated.
YES! That photo link posted 11-28-08 is an image of the OKC Will Rogers Theater located on Western Ave.
YES! This listing should be remvoed since this never was a theatre.
Vintage interior & exterior views can be seen by typing in word “theatre” …
View link
One good reason ‘DILLINGER’ didn’t premier here at the Midwest was because by then it had become a porn house. American International was trying to ease into big budget productions and didn’t want any association with porn.
Another reason, at that time the Plaza was still a very classy movie house.
Looks as though the Del Rio was designed with “forced perspective” in order to make it appear much larger than it actually was.
Chuck:
Last I heard this theatre was vacant, never converted to any other use. There used to be posted on this page an excellent photograph snapped by Don Lewis. Wonder why it has been removed?
Photos of the former Buffalo Theatre can be veiwed here -
http://www.cityofpawnee.com/
Chester Gould bio -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester_Gould
Yes roadsideok, your nice photo is that of the former Bison Theatre. Fake rock facade was added during the early 1970’s when this building was used as a nightclub/disco.
Chester Gould (creator of “Dick Tracy”) attended OSU, and I once heard that he picked up extra cash during his college years by painting movie posters for Stillwater theatres. If one of these posters could be located today just imagine what its worth would be.
All the way up to 1967 the Circle Theatre always included a newsreel on the program. Universal News were the last to be shown.
Note in the 1987 photo, when the Circle was a skin flick house, how carefully “parking in back” was worded. Perhaps some dumb patron would have mistaken “parkinng in rear” as a title for an X-rated film. On second thought, that probably was a real porno title.
All the way up to 1967 the 11th Street Drive-in always included a newsreel on the program. Universal News were the last to be shown.
Nice Centre Theatre exterior & auditorium views can be seen on the following site by typing in name “Centre” -
View link
Why does it keep getting repeated that the Delman Theatre had the largest seating capacity in Tulsa? I think this rumor started with Tulsa Historical Society. At 1186 seats it obviously wasn’t a large theatre at all, much less Tulsa’s largest.
“The Old Lady on Brady” has the largest seating capacity. Next was the Ritz Theatre with just under 2000 seats.
Apparently the Eastside Theatre was purpose built to be a cinema, and not part of the old fair grounds. To see exactly what the structure looked like type in “Eastside Theater”; View link word “Eastside”;
That arched marquee left no dought that this was a Paramount Publix house. Vintage photos of this theatre can be seen by typing in word “Paramount”;
View link
It was at the Ada Ritz Theatre where Paramount Pictures held their gala world premier showing of “FANCY PANTS”, staring Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, and Bruce Cabot.
Architect George F. Schrieber designed the Empress Theatre.
Postcard colour views of the Palace Theater can be seen on this fine site;
View link
Several vintage views of the Warner Theater can be viewed on this updated site;
View link