RKO Palace Theater
310 W. Sheridan Avenue,
Oklahoma City,
OK
73102
310 W. Sheridan Avenue,
Oklahoma City,
OK
73102
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In 1909 Keith-Albee opened Oklahoma City’s Metropolitan Theater to showcase Orpheum vaudeville and touring stock.
Pre-opening news announcements mentioned that the Metropolitan Theater was in Federal (Colonial) Revival Style, designed by architect and producer Frank William Sanger, and went on to say that Sanger had also had the Empire Theatre and Broadway Theatre in New York City’s Times Square district.
By 1920 the name had changed to Palace Theater. In the late-1920’s the bill changed to combo talkies/vaudeville, with an updated name of RKO Palace Theater.
Union stage labor conflicts forced RKO to “temporarily” shut down the Palace Theater in late-1937. It never reopened.
At the link below can be found a circa-1930 snapshot of Oklahoma City’s Palace Theater.
Contributed by
J.D. Chapman
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
Ninety-eight years ago today, March 31, 1909, Grand Opening ceremonies were held for Oklahoma City’s new Metropolitan Theatre. Seven big acts of Orpheum Circut Vaudeville filled the bill.
http://www.newsok.com/theoklahoman/rchives
Don’t let the above 1930 photo mislead you, old time theatre folk tell that this theatre was always kept in first class condition.
To read the history and see a wonderful color postcard view (plate #34) of the new Metropolitan Theatre go to your local library and check out the fun coffee table book “THE VANISHED SPLENDOR – Postcard Views of Early Oklahoma City”, by Jim Edwards & Hal Ottaway
Postcard colour views of the Palace Theater can be seen on this fine site;
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Here is a 1912 (photo right) shot of when this theatre was still known as Metropolitan -
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Nice view of Lady Liberty atop the Met in that 1912 picutre!
This antique color picture postcard (when this house was still known as Metropolitan) comes courtesy of Doug Loudenback and his fantastic link. On either side of the theatre remained traces of the old west.
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That is a nice shot Cosmic.
thanks C Ray.
Modern civilization was quickly taking over OKC’s old west look. To see a 1913 view of the Metropolitan Theatre and roof sign on Grand Ave. off Harvey St. (photo ID mistakingly listed this view as Main St) go to this link and type in “miller bros department store"
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1911 photo when this theatre was still known as Metropolitan,
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