Ritz Theatre
110 Dewey Avenue,
Poteau,
OK
74953
110 Dewey Avenue,
Poteau,
OK
74953
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Formerly occupied by a Central National Bank, this short-lived Ritz Theatre was operated by Spencer Kyle, and opened on March 23, 1944 (originally scheduled to open a week prior but rescheduled for unknown reasons), running an all-western film format.
The Ritz closed for the final time by O.K. Kemp due to price admission issues on November 1, 1947 after more than three whomping years in operation. After being leased by the Poteau Jewelry company on July 7, 1949, the 25x90 building was remodeled.
This was one of three downtown movie theaters on Dewey Ave during the 1940s. Just North of the Ritz theater was the Camp Theater. I must have been about 106 or 108 Dewey Ave. Closed about the same time as the Ritz. The other was the Victory Theater which closed much later due to a fire.
I remember this theater from back in the 40s. They usually had a mystery or romance movie playing. I think it closed before 1950..