McClain Theater
225 W. Main Street,
Purcell,
OK
73080
225 W. Main Street,
Purcell,
OK
73080
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The Cinema Section of Roadside Oklahome is closed, they no longer have theatre photos according to the site. Go to their home page for further details.
roadsideoklahoma link has recent and antique pictures
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/618
roadsideoklahoma link has recent and antique pictures
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/618
Went in it today; It is the office of the Purcell Register. They allowed to to have a look inside. It bears no resemblance to a theatre at all from the interior. The owner said it has been a newspaper office for about 65 years.
There is still a stairway to the projection room, and what appears to be a film vault near the old stage area.
The exterior is Spanish style. Buildings on each side of it have the same theme.
In this group of vintage photos can be seen in the top picture a theatre, perhaps it is an image of the Dooley or Ritz-
http://www.bcclark.com/p/4368/Default.aspx
This article claims the following about the Dooley/McClain Theater:
“During his early years in Purcell, he and his family owned and operated several theaters. Not only did they own the Ritz, but purchased the Metro Theater in 1935. Around 1939 the Metcalfs joined the K. Lee Williams Chain Circuit and later purchased the Dooley Theater. The Metcalfs renamed the Dooley the McClain. This theater remained opened until 1948. It was located where The Purcell Register is now, Metcalf said. In 1945 Metcalf and his brother purchased the old Brown Opera House, converting it to a deluxe theater with a seating capacity of about 600 and calling it the Canadian”.
If this theater “was located where The Purcell Register is now”, the address would be:
225 W Main St
Purcell, OK 73080
The theatre building is now used for office space.
Listed as the Dooley Theater in the Film Daily Yearbook;1941 edition with a seating capacity of 450. By the 1943 edition of F.D.Y. it has been re-named the McClain Theatre with seating still at 450.
It is still listed as being open in the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. with a seating capacity now reduced to 382.