Phoenix Theater

Here is a vintage postcard view of the Dorris Opera House (called the Elks Opera House on the postcard).

After looking at my photos of this theater, I see that the three sided marquee had phoenix birds rising from flames at the top. It must have been something else lit up at night.

This 1938 image is supposed to show the auditorium of the Phoenix Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona. But I don't see any American Indian maidens on the ceiling, so it could be of some other theatre. However, the gals could have been removed for what might be a "modernization" of the original auditorium:
www.i8.photobucket.com/albums/a18/Warrengwhiz/phoenix01.jpg

When I was a youing kid my parent would sometimes take us to the Phoenix Theatre. It had to be the early/mid fifties. The theatre had past its prime by then and was somewhat grungy and just plain in need of a good cleaning. I remember it was the only one we could afford. Little kids were 10 cents and adults were 25 cents. Sometimes we walked; must have been winter. Sometimes we must have been wealthy and drove in our old Model A Ford.

It was cool inside and I remember the Indian Maidens on the ceiling. That was a true work of beautiful art except I remember a long crack going through the art work. I wondered forever how they painted that, why and how scary it must have been to be working at such a height.

I remember movies I did not really care for at that tme such as Dancing In The Rain, Meet Me In St. Louis, Wake Of The Red Witch (that one really scared me). I have since come to admire and greatly appreciate these wonderful movies!

Here is another photo of the Dorris Opera House:
http://tinyurl.com/6aw6xo