Glen Wood Dickinson III, I am doing my master’s thesis on Wichita theaters from 1900-2000 and I would love to talk to you about Wichita’s Dickinson Theatres. Thanks, Keith Wondra
O.F. Sullivan opened the West Theater in 1925. He also built the Civic Theater, 81 Drive-In Theater, 54 Drive-In Theater and the Crest Theater. Sullivan also owned the Crawford and Palace Theaters.
The Palace Theater opened January 17, 1916 with “The Coward,” a Civil War drama and “Fickle Fannie’s Fall,” a comedy. It was Lewis Miller’s second Wichita theater. The Princess Theater was his first and the Miller Theatre was his third. At the time of its opening the Palace was the biggest theater to open in Wichita. The Palace closed in 1961 and was razed 5 years later. It is now a parking lot.
Miss Melba, According to local legend Gypsy Rose Lee did her first routine on the Orpheum Theatre’s stage. Many believe instead of the Orpheum she first did her routine at the old Marple Theater at 417 east Douglas.
Seymour, The Victory Theater was originally named the New Theater and was built in 1939. It was renamed the Victory Theater in 1943. It converted to art cinema in 1967. Ten years later it was razed for Naftzger Park.
The Twin Lakes Theaters were never demolished as they were part of the Twin Lakes Mall.
The part of the mall where the theater was is still there. It is now offices.
Chuck,
The theater on the south side of Douglas Avenue in the image was the Marple Theater and later known as the Vogue Art Theater. Odd number buildings on are the south part of Douglas with the even numbers being on the north side.
The Twilight Theatre is being rebuilt. Image of the construction from the 5th anniversary of the Greensburg tornado:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/historian77/7146937779/
Kewpie,
They are trying to get the money raised to restore this theater. I am really hoping I can see both the Nomar and the Orpheum restored. Having both of them restored will increase Wichita’s quality of life.
Mike,
The Pawnee 4 Cinemas was in the Pawnee Plaza Shopping Center on the SE corner of Pawnee and Broadway. The Pawnee 4 Cinemas closed in 2000. Wal-Mart built a store in the mall in 1987. In 2004 the mall was torn down to make way for a Wal-Mart Supercenter
The Orpheum Theatre originally seated 1,676. 952 seats were on the main floor, 666 were up in the balcony and 58 seats were in boxes on the main floor. The boxes were removed in about the late 1950s.
Glen Wood Dickinson III,
I am doing my master’s thesis on Wichita theaters from 1900-2000 and I would love to talk to you about Wichita’s Dickinson Theatres.
Thanks,
Keith Wondra
Crest Theatre exterior photo from the Kansas State Historical Society: http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/204952/page/1
Crest Theatre lobby photo from the Kansas State Historical Society: http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/204953/page/1
Below are some photos I took of the Dunbar Theatre with its new marquee. http://www.flickr.com/photos/historian77/sets/72157632695967453/
Below is a link to interior and exterior photos I took of the Anthony Theater. Anthony Theatre – a set on Flickr
Here is a great link on the history of the Fox Theater: Colonial/Fox Theatre
The following link has several images and a lot of historical information on Pittsburg’s Orpheum Theatre: Orpheum Theatre
The Arcadia Theater was torn down in 1965 to make room for the Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center
O.F. Sullivan opened the West Theater in 1925. He also built the Civic Theater, 81 Drive-In Theater, 54 Drive-In Theater and the Crest Theater. Sullivan also owned the Crawford and Palace Theaters.
Mike,
The Pawnee 4 and Cinemas West 4 were two individual theaters.
The Pawnee 4 Cinemas was on Pawnee Street in Southwest Wichita. Cinemas West 4 was located near Central & Tyler in northwest Wichita.
The Palace Theater opened January 17, 1916 with “The Coward,” a Civil War drama and “Fickle Fannie’s Fall,” a comedy. It was Lewis Miller’s second Wichita theater. The Princess Theater was his first and the Miller Theatre was his third. At the time of its opening the Palace was the biggest theater to open in Wichita. The Palace closed in 1961 and was razed 5 years later. It is now a parking lot.
Now in the old West Theater building is a cycle parts store and TJ’s Burger House.
Miss Melba, According to local legend Gypsy Rose Lee did her first routine on the Orpheum Theatre’s stage. Many believe instead of the Orpheum she first did her routine at the old Marple Theater at 417 east Douglas.
Seymour,
The Victory Theater was originally named the New Theater and was built in 1939. It was renamed the Victory Theater in 1943. It converted to art cinema in 1967. Ten years later it was razed for Naftzger Park.
The Twin Lakes Theaters were never demolished as they were part of the Twin Lakes Mall. The part of the mall where the theater was is still there. It is now offices.
Chuck, The theater on the south side of Douglas Avenue in the image was the Marple Theater and later known as the Vogue Art Theater. Odd number buildings on are the south part of Douglas with the even numbers being on the north side.
Mike,
What are the names of the theaters? If you don’t mind I will do some research on them and get back to you on what I find out.
3999 E. Harry is no where near 21st and Amidon. Please update the map to show the correct location.
The building is still there and has been converted into individual store fronts.
It is now Fat Tony’s Grill and Sports Bar.
The Twilight Theatre is being rebuilt. Image of the construction from the 5th anniversary of the Greensburg tornado: http://www.flickr.com/photos/historian77/7146937779/
Kewpie, They are trying to get the money raised to restore this theater. I am really hoping I can see both the Nomar and the Orpheum restored. Having both of them restored will increase Wichita’s quality of life.
Kewpie, The Kansas Theater was at 221 E. Douglas.
Mike, The Pawnee 4 Cinemas was in the Pawnee Plaza Shopping Center on the SE corner of Pawnee and Broadway. The Pawnee 4 Cinemas closed in 2000. Wal-Mart built a store in the mall in 1987. In 2004 the mall was torn down to make way for a Wal-Mart Supercenter
Mike, The Voque Art Theater was originally the Marple Theater at 417 E. Douglas.
The Westway Cinema was at 2515 S. Seneca in the Westway Shopping Center.
Are you sure you don’t mean the Victory Theater. I can not find any information on a Victory Drive-In in Wichita.
New link: http://jayhawktheatre.com/
The Tower Theate is gone. Now in its location is a Burger King.
The Orpheum Theatre originally seated 1,676. 952 seats were on the main floor, 666 were up in the balcony and 58 seats were in boxes on the main floor. The boxes were removed in about the late 1950s.