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Also known as Grand Theatre, Oklahoma Theatre

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Okla Theatre

McAlester, OK

18 E. Choctaw Avenue

, McAlester, OK, United States

(map)

Status:	Open/Restoring
Screens:	Single Screen
Style:	Art Deco, Atmospheric

Function:	Performing Arts
Seats:	729
Chain:	Unknown

Architect:	W. Scott Dunne
Firm:	Unknown

The architect converted an existing cinema into a Moderne style partial atmospheric with $50,000. The side walls had stepped rectangular shapes and in between them were plant boxes containing imitation foliage.

Contributed by Graeme McBain

YOUR COMMENTS

This theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

OKLA Theater (added 2003 - Building - #03000513)
18 E. Choctaw, McAlester
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering
Architect, builder, or engineer: Dunne, W. Scott, Cowen Construction Co.
Architectural Style: Art Deco
Area of Significance: Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Theater
Current Function: Work In Progress

posted by Lost Memory on Jan 12, 2005 at 6:56am

An address search of 18 E. Choctaw Avenue shows the following:

Category: Promoters of Performing Arts
Kiamichi Actors Studio Theatre
18 E.Choctaw Ave
Mcalester,OK 74501
918-426-9516

posted by Lost Memory on Jan 12, 2005 at 10:20am

The Okla Theatre was a member of the United Artist Chain. Though a little shop worn, that fantastic Art Deco, atmospheric auditorium is still classy!

posted by ___ on May 22, 2005 at 7:23pm

PLEASE! Does anyone have interior photos of that tall lobby with a mezanine surrounding three sides, and that unique atmospheric auditorium?

posted by ___ on Sep 19, 2005 at 12:49pm

Look into historic photo pages to see following theaters- - -
BUSBY (exterior/interior), OKLA (exteriors), V (exterior);
http://www.mcalester.lib.ok.us/
http://www.dancingrabbitgallery.com

posted by ___ on Oct 23, 2005 at 4:36pm

Here are vintage pix of several McAlester theaters;
1898 PALACE-
http://mcalesterphotos.com/4DACTION/mp_mpc_Ger_Rec/4088/View?@@/2/793
FORUM (aprox c1907)-
http://mcalesterphotos.com/4DACTION/mp_mpc_Ger_Rec/4790/View/@@/2/1369
1927 PALACE (AKA-Grand, Okla)-
http://mcalesterphotos.com/4DACTION/mp_mpc_Ger_Rec/4144?View/@@/2/838
CHIEF-
http://mcalesterphotos.com/4DACTION/mp_mpc_Ger_Rec/459/View/@@/2/145

posted by ___ on Nov 4, 2005 at 3:38pm

I'm sorry for the above incorrect information. Here are correct web addresses;
1898 PALACE. . .
http://mcalesterphotos.com/4DACTION/mp_mpc_Get_Rec/4088/View/@@/2/793
FORUM (aprox c1907). . .
http://mcalesterphotos.com/4DACTION/mp_mpc_Get_Rec/4790/View/@@/2/1369
1927 PALACE (AKA-Grand, Okla). . .
http://mcalesterphotos.com/4DACTION/mp_mpc_Get_Rec/4144/View/@@/2/838
CHIEF. . .
http://mcalesterphotos.com/4DACTION/mp_mpc_Get_Rec/4159/View/@@/2/145
Let's croxx our fingers and press enter!

posted by ___ on Nov 4, 2005 at 3:58pm

posted by ___ on Nov 4, 2005 at 4:00pm

posted by ___ on Nov 4, 2005 at 4:02pm

posted by ___ on Nov 4, 2005 at 4:03pm

McAlester's OKLA Theatre was operated by United Artist Theatres Circuit.

posted by Okie Medley on May 27, 2006 at 8:14am

Here is another photo of the Okla Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Aug 14, 2006 at 4:10am

what is the current status on this theatre? thanks in advance

posted by calc on Oct 12, 2006 at 5:31am

Some recent photos I have taken:
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/cinemas/Oklahoma/McAlester/

posted by roadsideok on Oct 31, 2006 at 12:06pm

This is a 2007 photo of the Okla Theater.

posted by Lost Memory on Sep 5, 2007 at 6:43pm

1952 view . . .
http://www.mcalester.lib.ok.us/hisphotos/hisphoto21.htm

posted by Seymour Cox on Nov 10, 2007 at 3:13pm

Another recent photo showing the Okla Theater can be seen here.

posted by Lost Memory on Dec 2, 2007 at 8:02pm

This is another photo of the Okla.

posted by Lost Memory on Mar 21, 2008 at 3:40pm

Another photo showing deteriation
http://www.flickr.com/photos/reweston-sat/3371348909/sizes/l/

posted by Chuck1231 on Mar 22, 2009 at 11:40am

1985 photo of the Okla Theatre. When you google the theatre it is still there with all the doors papered over and a few panels out of the marquee but still don't look like its in bad shape.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c36%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=32517

posted by Chuck1231 on Apr 8, 2009 at 11:02pm

1985 night photo of the Okla theatre.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&txtSearch=CATAdvancedSearch1%2c36%2c3%2c-1&ProductID=32519

posted by Chuck1231 on Apr 8, 2009 at 11:03pm

Another 1985 photo is here.

posted by Lost Memory on May 2, 2009 at 4:37pm

This is a close-up shot of the Okla.

posted by Lost Memory on Jul 29, 2009 at 10:02am

Concession stand 2004 shot of the Okla Theatre. Modern dropped ceiling hid Art Deco detailing and the encirling mazzanine.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/racphotography/491791124/

posted by Cosmic Ray on Oct 11, 2009 at 1:24pm

In the late-1920's this theatre was known as the Palace Theatre.

posted by Chuck1231 on Nov 20, 2009 at 10:12pm

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