State Theater
20 N. Robinson Street,
Oklahoma City,
OK
20 N. Robinson Street,
Oklahoma City,
OK
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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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And in this picture the State Theater is leftside
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map of downtown Okla City
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Rightside of this late-1930’s picture is the State Theater
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From Doug Loudenback’s fantastic link comes this demolition photo of the old State Theater,
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Roadside Oklahoma pages have vintage views of the old State Theater;
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/495
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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Good views of the State Theater can be seen on this updated site;
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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.
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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Click here to view colour postcard images of OKC’s State Theater;
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Several exterior/interior photos of Shriners Theater can be found in the oklahoman archive web site, grand opening announcement-December 16, 1923, edition.
Check out Oklahoman Archive web site for clear images of the State Theater-
Architectural drawing (note clever use of marquee to slip in architect’s name)– January 03, 1937.
Exterior photo- April 18, 1937.
Also on the OKCPostcards site can be seen the HOME Theater. Opened in 1923 as Shriners Theater, it was acquired 1932 by Stanley/Warner Theaters and became Warner’s Auditorium. When Home State Insurance took control of the building in 1947 the name was changed to Home. I always thought the name Home sounded too small and cozy for a 2300 seat movie house.
Vintage postcard shot of State Theatre on N. Robinson St. Across from State can be seen Liberty Theatre;
http://www.tulsaarchitecture.com/OKCPostcards.htm
Vintage downtown album, in the background of the State Theater post card view, can be seen a sky scraper designed by Architect W.W. Ahlschlager who also created NYC’s Roxy Theater…
http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/
Color postcard views can be viewed in the downtown photo gallery;
http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/
The STATE Theater opened 1937, and (as mentioned above) was designed by Architect W.T. Vahlberg, who later became a prominent political figure in local government.
I should mention, the rust decor resulted in complete remodel after smoke damage from a 1948 interior fire. Original 1937 colour scheme was salmon and soft yellow.
As mentioned by Mr. Jones, for a long period during the 1950s the State featured a shocking pink motif. Then it converted over to a subdued “white” look.
If my memory serves, the state was the home of Todd-A-O in Oklahoma City. A series of roadshows followed in years to come. I remember seeing “My Fair Lady” at the State. The entire lobby and front was redecorated for the opening—-even the sidewalk was painted pink. The only candies sold in the concession were Mounds and Almond Joy because their packages were pink. (I think). I later remember seeing “El Cid” in 70mm at the state. What a grand and spectacular presentation. Too bad such a landmark is gone.