Warner Theatre

213 W. Sheridan Avenue,
Oklahoma City, OK 73102

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rivest266
rivest266 on October 28, 2022 at 11:42 am

Orpheum theatre opened on January 26th, 1921. Ad posted.

Broan
Broan on August 20, 2021 at 5:46 am

Original architect was George H. Johnston. John Eberson was learning the ropes with him at the time.

27 Jan 1903, Tue The Rock Island Argus (Rock Island, Illinois) Newspapers.com

Joe Vogel
Joe Vogel on December 1, 2014 at 5:59 pm

The opening as the Orpheum took place on February 3, 1921. This is an article from the March 1, 1921, issue of The Associated First National Franchise, the house organ of First National Pictures:

“Associated First National attractions have a new home in Oklahoma City, Okla.

“The Orpheum, seating 2200 people, has been opened to the public, and is declared by those who have seen it to be one of the finest motion picture theatres in the country. It represents an investment of $500,000, one-fifth of which is in furnishings.

“John Sinopoulo, long prominent in Oklahoma City as a showman, is one of the principal owners of the Orpheum. His brother, Pete, is manager of the house.

“‘Passion’ is one of the attractions which First National put into the Orpheum. On the opening day, February 3, seven thousand people paid admission at four shows, according to the local newspapers. One paper estimated that, judging by remarks made by patrons, many people would attend two and three times during the engagement, and that then all who wished to see the attraction would not be able to get in.”

The May 8, 1920, issue of The American Contractor said that plans for the rebuilding of the Overholser Opera House in Oklahoma City had been prepared by the St. Louis firm of Kennerly & Steigemeyer. George Hancock Kennerly and Oliver William Steigemeyer were in partnership from 1913 to 1933.

rivest266
rivest266 on April 6, 2014 at 12:57 pm

February 26th, 1937 grand opening ad in photo section.

Cimarron
Cimarron on March 16, 2014 at 6:59 pm

Warner Theater in 1945 was the largest seating capacity house in Oklahoma City with 1950 seats per Film Daily Yearbook.

Cimarron
Cimarron on February 20, 2014 at 8:01 pm

Pic of Newsboy with Overholser Bill Board nearby added to Photo Section.

Cimarron
Cimarron on January 25, 2014 at 7:45 pm

Two Article’s added to Photo Section re: Warner & Cinerama.

Cimarron
Cimarron on January 21, 2014 at 2:59 pm

Pic of Warner’s Mid 1950’s Install of Cinerama Equipment added to Photo Section

Cimarron
Cimarron on January 5, 2014 at 8:06 pm

Pic addition: Grand Ave street view looking east..Trolly Cars and Orpheum Theater (later Warner) Oklahoma City.

Cimarron
Cimarron on January 4, 2014 at 11:12 pm

1930’s Warner pic added to photo section.

Cimarron
Cimarron on October 4, 2013 at 5:45 pm

Warner Theater, Oklahoma City, 1961 photo placed in photo section.

Cimarron
Cimarron on May 2, 2013 at 6:00 pm

Photo of original Overholser Opera House under construction added to photo section.

Cimarron
Cimarron on March 23, 2013 at 6:56 pm

1920’s photo scene with the original Overholser Opera House looking east on Grand just included in photo section.

Cimarron
Cimarron on October 24, 2012 at 2:49 pm

Warner Theater Oklahoma City, Photo’s of original Overholser Opera House as well as the later conversion to Orhpeum Theater prior to becoming the Warner have been added to the photo section.

missmelbatoast
missmelbatoast on April 30, 2011 at 8:29 pm

c1930 photo of the Warner Theater with original lightbulb marquee,
View link

missmelbatoast
missmelbatoast on April 30, 2011 at 4:57 pm

Shown here are 1943 newspaper ads for the Warner,
View link

missmelbatoast
missmelbatoast on March 29, 2011 at 6:40 pm

‘SKATING VANITIES of 1947’ may have played the Warner Theatre since live stage productions were presented up till Cinerama euipment was installed in 1952. To have a look at a wall sign advertising this show go to oklahomo coboyz 08-07-07 post and type “421 w main, oklahoma city”

raybradley
raybradley on March 25, 2011 at 9:17 am

From Doug Loudenback’s fun web site come these vintage imges of the Warner
(AKA-Overholser, Orpheum) Theatre,
View link
and
View link

seymourcox
seymourcox on July 16, 2010 at 11:48 am

Roadside Oklahoma shows several vintage views of the old Warner Theatre;
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/487

raybradley
raybradley on June 27, 2010 at 1:15 pm

Other OKC theatres that contained full working stages (and multiple dressing rooms) behind their screens were the Capitol, Centre, Circle, Criterion, Delmar Garden, Empire, Empress, Folly, Home-State, Liberty, Majestic, Metropolitan, Midwest, Tower, and Victoria.

Cimarron
Cimarron on January 8, 2010 at 11:47 am

The Warner was a historical monument in the main vein of downtown OKC and was the only movie theater in OKC with an unbelivable history that grew with not only the City but, the state of OK. Also, it was the only theater that had not only a full stage behind the screen but, below the stage, multiple dressing rooms that were about
10x10 and each had hot and cold running water / sinks. There also was a trap door in the floor of the stage that opened to the basement. Too bad the City allowed it to be bull dozed!

raybradley
raybradley on September 3, 2009 at 11:17 am

http://schehrer2.homestead.com/Population.html
In 1922 Oklahoma City had a population of only 92,000. The Warner Theater was really the only “big time” theatre OKC had. Perhaps the Criterion and Liberty came close to first class, but neither had that extra pizzazz needed to rate top notch.

missmelbatoast
missmelbatoast on November 10, 2008 at 10:05 am

Several vintage views of the Warner Theater can be viewed on this updated site;
View link

seymourcox
seymourcox on September 9, 2007 at 4:06 pm

Also on the site posted just above this comment check out other interesting photographs.
Type in word ‘architecture’ or ‘drawing’ to see non theatre designs by noted theatre architects such as Layton, Smith, & Forsyth, Parr & Hawks, Leon Senter, and William Wells.
One of the images you’ll see is Springlake Ballroom which also contained a silent picture theatre.
Type in word ‘overholser’ to look at interior views of that fabulouse mansion.

Rodney
Rodney on August 7, 2007 at 1:58 pm

Better photos of the Warner Theater can be seen on the Oklahoma Historical Society pages. Type in word “warner”, then hit search.
View link