Victory Theatre
607 E. Douglas Avenue,
Wichita,
KS
67202
607 E. Douglas Avenue,
Wichita,
KS
67202
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If anyone has any stories about going to/ working at this threatre in its adult days, I would love to hear them. I am chronicling the histories of adult theatres in the US. Please contact me at Thanks!
Miss Melba, According to local legend Gypsy Rose Lee did her first routine on the Orpheum Theatre’s stage. Many believe instead of the Orpheum she first did her routine at the old Marple Theater at 417 east Douglas.
Seymour,
The Victory Theater was originally named the New Theater and was built in 1939. It was renamed the Victory Theater in 1943. It converted to art cinema in 1967. Ten years later it was razed for Naftzger Park.
A gentleman who grew up in Wichita recently told me that the Victory, though not identical, was quite similar to the Empire in Grand Forks, ND. While the Victory decor had a silver & wine color scheme, the Empire was decked out in tan & wine.
Buchner & Orth could have designed both theatres, though it is most likely that the Victory was a Boller Bros. creation.
http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/10110.html
Do any of you theatre buffs know in which Wichita theatre a juvenile vaudivillian named Louise Hovick developed her stip tease routine and changed her name to Gypsy Rose Lee?
I’ll bet ten to one that the Victory Theatre opened around 1918 to honor battles won WWI!
This is a fun web-site devoted to Kansas classic theatre history, with lots of vintage images. It mentions the Victory;
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