Though the Midwest Theatre opened as a “talkie” movie house, it still included a full stage, orchestra pit, and Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ a lot like the one played here – View link
The Home State Theater has a Kimball pipe organ quite similar to this one played by Simon Gledhill, on the 3/38 Kimball pipe organ inside the Oriental Theatre Milwaukee. View link
In auditorium-B, films starring Joe Dallesandro sold a lot of admission tickets, and usually played extended engagements. In particular, Andy Warhol/Paul Morrissey’s “LONESOME COWBOY”, “FLESH”, and “HEAT” were brought back again and again on a triple feature bill.
Following sites illustrate the popularity of Little Joe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkdWn10GJ7Y
and View link
Compare design similarities to Tulsa' Delman and Tower theatres, and one can see that it is quite likely that this this theatre came from the drawing board of W. Scott Dunne.
Here is a 1907 postcard view of the Busby Hotel. The horsedrawn bus was a free shuttle between the hotel and train depots. The theatre had not yet been built. View link
Inspection of this vintage snapshot indicates a wall poster advertising a movie “Queen of the Sea”, featuring Australian swimming star Annette Kellerman, 1918. If so, then the Busby
Theatre most certainly did persent film entertainment … http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellenmc/2648909484/
Upon closer inspection of the c1918 photo, that poster for “Queen of the Sea” may be an advertisement for the Busby Theatre in neighoring McAlester. Looks like the Palace is actually a cafe.
In this vintage snapshot the Caprice Theatre can be seen at the top of the hill. “Queen of the Sea,” starring Annette Kellerman, 1918, is playing at the Palace Theatre, also visible in this picture … http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellenmc/2648909484/
Looking at the aerial view found on google maps, it looks as if there might be another auditorium atop the six story office structure that houses the Fitzgerald Theatre lobby. Is this assumption correct?
Thank you! That helps a whole lot. It was further up the hill than I thought. Now, if I can only figure out which building housed the former Jewel Theatre …
Just tracked the hilltop building in question on google maps. The entire northside of the street has been cleared, and the possible theatre was replaced by a 1960s style building. Okemah sure has an old west look.
That building called the Oasis across the street from the Crystal Theatre (in the 1930 snapshot) looks like a theatre also. Still, it may have been a saloon.
LM:
Thank you! Tthis information is most interesting because the Jewel Drive-In entranceway has a marquee with an upright sign that looks as if it might have come from another theatre.
Wish I could get a a better enlargement of that 1930 photo as I suspect the theatre visible on top of the hill may be the (first) Jewel.
On this site Gene Kelly presents a tour of historic movie palaces –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5FZ6Ung6Ac
Though the Midwest Theatre opened as a “talkie” movie house, it still included a full stage, orchestra pit, and Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ a lot like the one played here –
View link
As mentioned above, originally the Orpheum Theatre had an Austin pipe organ. Hear a couple of those instruments on this site –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV5NwBNtamY
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXdOhGK1xxk
The Home State Theater has a Kimball pipe organ quite similar to this one played by Simon Gledhill, on the 3/38 Kimball pipe organ inside the Oriental Theatre Milwaukee.
View link
Here is a theatre pipe organ much grander than the one played inside the Ritz Theatre, but both instruments were produced by Robert Morton –
View link
Here is a entertaining demonstration of a Wurlitzer theater organ (along with photos) that is similar to one played inside the Criterion –
View link
Listen to Gaylord Carter demonstrate silent picture organ music, along with some vintage photos of Los Angeles & Chicago theatres –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOWOVJiV9cI&NR=1
Listen to Gaylord Carter demonstrate silent movie organ music, along with a vintage theatre photos –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOWOVJiV9cI&NR=1
From the above posted 1972 photo, was that arched front building on the left also once a movie house? It certainly looks like a nickelodeon facade.
In auditorium-B, films starring Joe Dallesandro sold a lot of admission tickets, and usually played extended engagements. In particular, Andy Warhol/Paul Morrissey’s “LONESOME COWBOY”, “FLESH”, and “HEAT” were brought back again and again on a triple feature bill.
Following sites illustrate the popularity of Little Joe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkdWn10GJ7Y
and
View link
Compare design similarities to Tulsa' Delman and Tower theatres, and one can see that it is quite likely that this this theatre came from the drawing board of W. Scott Dunne.
Architect W. Scott Dunne designed the Tower Theater.
Here is a 1907 postcard view of the Busby Hotel. The horsedrawn bus was a free shuttle between the hotel and train depots. The theatre had not yet been built.
View link
Inspection of this vintage snapshot indicates a wall poster advertising a movie “Queen of the Sea”, featuring Australian swimming star Annette Kellerman, 1918. If so, then the Busby
Theatre most certainly did persent film entertainment …
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellenmc/2648909484/
Upon closer inspection of the c1918 photo, that poster for “Queen of the Sea” may be an advertisement for the Busby Theatre in neighoring McAlester. Looks like the Palace is actually a cafe.
In this vintage snapshot the Caprice Theatre can be seen at the top of the hill. “Queen of the Sea,” starring Annette Kellerman, 1918, is playing at the Palace Theatre, also visible in this picture …
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellenmc/2648909484/
Sheridan Drive-In web page …
http://tulsatvmemories.com/sheridrv.html
51 (AKA- Broken Arrow) Drive-In web page …
http://tulsatvmemories.com/51drive.html
This web site is devoted the Airview Drive-IN …
http://tulsatvmemories.com/airview.html
A web site devoted to the Admiral Drive-In …
http://tulsatvmemories.com/admiral.html
In this c1930 snapshot the Jewel Theatre can be seen up the hill -
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/B9048.jpg
Looking at the aerial view found on google maps, it looks as if there might be another auditorium atop the six story office structure that houses the Fitzgerald Theatre lobby. Is this assumption correct?
Thank you! That helps a whole lot. It was further up the hill than I thought. Now, if I can only figure out which building housed the former Jewel Theatre …
Just tracked the hilltop building in question on google maps. The entire northside of the street has been cleared, and the possible theatre was replaced by a 1960s style building. Okemah sure has an old west look.
That building called the Oasis across the street from the Crystal Theatre (in the 1930 snapshot) looks like a theatre also. Still, it may have been a saloon.
LM:
Thank you! Tthis information is most interesting because the Jewel Drive-In entranceway has a marquee with an upright sign that looks as if it might have come from another theatre.
Wish I could get a a better enlargement of that 1930 photo as I suspect the theatre visible on top of the hill may be the (first) Jewel.