State Theater
20 N. Robinson Street,
Oklahoma City,
OK
20 N. Robinson Street,
Oklahoma City,
OK
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The State was one of only a handful of theaters built to exclusively showcase Columbia Pictures. In fact, within the State’s logo design was the prominnent slogan “HOME TO COLUMBIA PICTURES!”
Architect W.T Vahlberg designed the State as Streamline/Moderne. At the far end of a Hollywood chic lobby was a dramatic, sunken lounge.
The auditorium carried a rust colour scheme, featured stadium style seating with gradual floor rake that became quite steep near the rear of the house, resulting in excellent sight lines. Gorgeous, heavy drapes adorned a grafully curved screen. Indirect lighting throughout the interior bathed the space in soft hues.
Shortsighted urban development caused the State Theater to be razed in 1971, a sad loss to downtown Oklahoma City.
Contributed by
Jeff Chapman
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Recent comments (view all 19 comments)
Below web site has a 1937 exterior photograph of the State Theatre. Once page downloads, type in word ‘theatre’, then hit enter -
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These vintage photos are not the OKC State Theatre.
Anyone out there know where this movie house was located?
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/C1494.jpg
and
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/C1493.jpg
Religeous picture featured on marquee was a cheapie product from gimmick producer Kroger Babb.
Babb usually pitched sexploitation pictures that hyped hot, graphic sex, but seldom lived up to its bold promise.
Good views of the State Theater can be seen on this updated site;
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During the summer of ‘45 lovely swimwear models were photographed inside the sunken lobby of the State Theater. The State usually kept their interior in “like new” condition, but wartime shortages may explain the rundown appearance of the area during this time frame. Note torn drapes and missing carpeting.
To see pictures type in word “swimsuit” –
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Roadside Oklahoma pages have vintage views of the old State Theater;
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/495
From Doug Loudenback’s fantastic link comes this demolition photo of the old State Theater,
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Rightside of this late-1930’s picture is the State Theater
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And in this picture the State Theater is leftside
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map of downtown Okla City
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Shown here are grand opening announcement newspaper ads for the State,
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Shown here are grand opening announcement newspaper ads for the State,
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