Murray Theatre
4961 State Street,
Murray,
UT
4961 State Street,
Murray,
UT
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1983 photo of the Murray Theatre.
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1983 night photo of the Murray Theatre.
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Another 1983 night photo of the Murray Theatre.
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nostalged, I hear what your saying, when I was in college at the U 0f U I lived in Taylorsville at 1471 West 4180 South. We went during the week on dollar night to both the Murray and the Vista. The Vista was north of the Murray a little ways, but even on a week night both the theatres were packed.
The year given for this photo is 2003.
I have memories of being “dropped off” with my cousins when we were young to catch a double feature, I remember one movie was “The Watcher in the Woods” and I think it cost only a dollar. This was probably in the late 1970’s. It was the time that megaplexes were starting to pop up everywhere, and the Murray was starting to show wear and tear, even though the auditorium was very full. I believe I remember a similar theater elsewhere in Salt Lake, called the Logan?? I think same size, layout etc.
This is a 2009 photo of the Murray Theater.
Status should be open. Function is concerts. Theater is spelled with an “er” and here is the Murray Theater website.
Simon….the Murray Theater is now the Super Murray Theater. Its a dance club/concert venue. This is a photo and here is some additional information. That link gives the address as 4969 South State Street. Regardless of which numbers are used for the address, the street name is South State Street.
Thank you, “Lost Memory” for the Oct ‘06 photo of the facade… but what happened to the marquee? Was it wanton damage or just neglect by the stupid owner who won’t lease the place for a fair price???
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
Murray Theater (added 2001 – Building – #01000476)
4961 S. State St., Murray
Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Fors & Johnson, Paulsen, A.B.
Architectural Style: Moderne
Area of Significance: Entertainment/Recreation, Social History, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1925-1949, 1950-1974
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Commerce/Trade, Recreation And Culture
Historic Sub-function: Department Store, Professional, Theater
Current Function: Religion
Current Sub-function: Religious Structure
Sorry, I forgot to mention that everything was brought up to safety code and that that included the fire department; they had an extra fire exit installed leading from the auditorium onto a lovely sunny patio -just right for an over-flow reception. Mmmm good!
When the Murray Theatre was occupied by the Unity Church, I was purely involved as a volunteer producer of their productions and mainly for the “theatrics” of the Service.
The building was preserved as to the ability of limited funding as well as generous donations of equipment and supplies needed. Everywhere was completely cleaned and painted. A new HVAC system was also installed.
Both of the side shops were incorporated into use by the theater; one as a complete coffee shop and the other as a book store. The third building was ideal as classrooms complete with restrooms.
The red velvet curtains were in excellent shape but the electric motor needed replacing. But pulling by hand worked just fine! Gone were the footlights due to the stage apron cascading down in tiers of wide steps, thus removing several rows of seats.
I installed all new shelving for the marquee letters plus adding spots and floods to the newly updated stage lighting system. Normal projection had been removed ages ago but the screen was in very good shape along with the huge audio cables which traversed above the false ceiling. The blue and gold Neon surrounding the air ducts worked just fine.
In ending, my question question is “Why hasn’t the owner of the Murray used this venue for concerts, film festivals and stand-up comedy? Users could bring in their own equipment and the rent would keep the lights "ON”. As for almost no parking, I understand there is a huge lot within a block or two.
Let’s get it on boys and girls… and have some fun doing it!
Here is a recent photo of the Murray Theater.
Here are photos of the Murray Theater. Click on each photo to enlarge.
The Murray is now being used for live music acts. There is also a comedy hypnotist on Saturday night. Its great to see the Murray in use again! (The sign has not been lit since I was about 16, now it is again!
I went by the Murray a few days ago and the theater is up for sale. It appears to be still operating as a church at the moment. It’s too bad this theater doesn’t still have a parking lot.
The address for the Murray Theatre is 4961 State Street, Murray, Ut.
I hear MICHAEL has changed his name to MURRAY.
Michael, not all theatres had the beauty and eleggance of the old movie palaces, but many smaller neighborhood theatres such as the Murray served their purposes as the local movie theatre.
The Murray was rather ornate for being just the neighborhhod theatre and led a very prosperous life until all the megaplexes came into the picture. The Murray ran first run movies and had buck night on Tuesdays. The Murray served its purpose well.
The Murray Theatre is still a church the last time I went by. I believe they purchased the building, and they got it on the National Register of Historic Places and did a lot of remodeling. It doesn’t look like they’re going anywhere soon.
As of today, the theater is now up for sale.