Victoria Theater
1901 N. Classen Boulevard,
Oklahoma City,
OK
73106
1901 N. Classen Boulevard,
Oklahoma City,
OK
73106
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Contributed by
Lauren Grubb
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
The Victoria Theatre was operated in the 1940’s by Paramount Pictures Inc. through their subsidiary Ed Rowley.
Actually the VICTORIA Theater opened in mid-1928 and closed early-1953. Dallas Architect Clarence Bulger was responsible for the Gothic design, strongly influenced by London’s Victoria Station. Seating capacity was 1500, not 806, and was stadium style. The Victoria opened with a $35,000 Robert Morton “Wonder” Organ.
Jeff, the Victoria must have originally seated 1500 but according to the 1945 Film Daily Yearbook, the seating was reduced to 806. On Cinema Treasures, we usually try to post the most recent seating capacity.
Bryan, your updated information is very much appreciated. My sources were 1927/28 news articles and grand opening ads obtained from the ‘Oklahoman Archive’ web pages.
The Robert-Morton organ Size 3/12 was installed in 1928.
Click here for 1955 photo of Victoria Theater after it had been converted into Television Station KTVO, channel 25-
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Check out the web site for Oklahman Archives to see great images of the Victoria Theatre. A fantastic architectural drawing of the Gothic auditorium is shown January 29, 1928, and an exterior photo can be seen July 4, 1928.
More recent photos of this beautiful building:
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Here is an article dated 1/8/50 from the Daily Oklahoman:
‘Claudia’ to Be first Stock Company Show at the Vogue
EXTENSIVE redecoration and refurnishing is under way at the
Vogue theater, formerly the Victoria and still later used as a church, which returns soon to the entertainment field. The neighborhood playhouse at Classen and NW 17 opens January
24 with a stock company presenting six shows a week, drawn from
the established hits of recent years. First offering of The Piper Players will be “Claudia,” long a favorite with theater goers. Succeeding productions will be of equal caliber.
The Piper Players, a company of 20, have had wide experience In
stage presentations on both coasts and are now on a successful road
tour of the midwest. Charles Freeman, general manager of The Cooper
Foundation theaters here, has booked them for an extended stay
on the theory the city is ready for legitimate theater again.
Price scales have not been decided, but they will be in the popular
price range.
Here’s a then and now shot of the building. The “then” was taken soon after it opened in 1928, and the now was taken in 2009:
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