The Ashland Street Cinemas closed following March 18, 2020 showings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It didn’t reopen with an announcement made by Coming Attractions Theatres on January 22, 2021 that the closure would be permanent.
Harry Musselman opened the Osceola Auditorium Theatre on June 19, 1915 to a crowd of 400. In 1931, Frank E. Klein purchased the Auditorium and changed its name to the Rivoli Theatre.
In 1937, Klein hired Omaha-based architect Leo J. Dworak who – after a major refresh – renamed it the Muse Theatre in April 22, 1937 launching with Robert Taylor in “Personal Property.” The new configuration of the venue removed the 100-seat balcony. Several operators later, Billie Zedicher purchased the theatre in 1956. He was the final operator running the Muse until closure in 1978.
In September of 1996, the former and dilapidated structure was razed. Its 200,000 bricks were purchased and used in a new home construction project. The Muse Theatre sign was preserved and was hanging on the Gathering Grounds Coffee House west wall in the 2020s.
Harold M. Schoonover launched the Mazda Theatre in the Cass Building on July 22, 1914 in Aurora. The opening film was “Her Mother’s Sins.” Just after World War I, the rival Victory Theatre was opened by C.M Grosvenor on the city’s east side. In March of 1924, Schoonover bought the Victory. He refreshed the theatre after closing it for two months. It re-emegred as the East Side Theatre on May 30, 1924. The 300-seat theatre then converted to sound later becoming the Pawnee Theatre.
As for the Mazda, it installed sound on February 1, 1929. At the theater’s 32d anniversary with Schoonover still in charge, Red Skelton wrote, “The first 32 years are the hardest. From now on, everything should almost manage itself.” Schoonover retired after 45 years and the theatre survived into the 1980s.
The Okeene Opera House opened on Main Street in 1907 with 250 seats and likely on a ten-year leasing agreement. Though mostly used for live events, traveling moving picture shows were interspersed in the opera house until a full time movie theater opened on May 15, 1913. It closed but the Majestic Theatre opened in 1915 in a converted retail location. With the opera house struggling, the Majestic Theatre then moved to the Opera House in 1917. The venue was renamed as the Majestic Theatre.
Roetzel sold the theatre in 1923 to W.S. Allen and A. C. Martz, editor of the Okeene Record. Martz renamed the venue as the Rialto Theatre on May 25, 1923 showing Richard Talmadge in “Taking Chances” supported by a comedy short starring Vera Reynolds, “Designing Husbands.” Under new operators, the Rialto wired for sound to remain viable. In 1936, new operators took on the location likely on a new 20-year lease and changed the name to the Roberta Theatre.
Orville Von Gulker took over the operation in 1938 but he became known for something far different in 1939 when he created the first ever Rattlesnake Roundup. Von Gulker’s snake roundup is a tradition that carried on into the 2020s. He also became head of the new Allied Theatre Owners of Oklahoma, a trade association.
In 1948, the Von Gulkers changed the name of the theatre to the Vee-Gee Theatre as they were often referred to by friends as the Vee-Gees. Regular movie screenings ended in September of 1956 at end of lease with the theatre ending up in the 1957 delinquent tax roster - never a good sign. However, the venue was used for special events and agricultural trade film screenings until at least 1962.
The Cardinal Drive-In launched with Susan Hayward and Robert Mitchum in “The Lusty Men” on July 3, 1953. It appears to have closed at the end of a ten-year lease with a double feature of “Night Creatures” and “The Bashful Elephant” on September 1, 1962.
The Ideal Theatre was listing as of January 1, 1915 - very likely its opening date - as the first dedicated movie theatre in town. However, Tedens Opera House was where movies first played in the city and continued doing so into the 1920s. The Ideal was equipped with a poorly functioning sound system in 1929 to show talkies. It appears to close on January 15, 1930 likely at the end of a 15-year leasing period.
Leon R. Jarusz of Chicago took on the Ideal equipping it with DeForest Phonofilm to play the talkie, “Caught Short” at the theatre’s rebirth as the Lemont Theatre on August 16, 1930. The theatre closed during 1937. Operators Arthur and Helen Lindenau took on the venue and relaunched it as the Arthur Theatre on January 1, 1938 on a 15-year lease with “Four Daughters” supported by a Disney cartoon and newsreel. They made improvements in 1948/9 to keep the theatre competitive. But three years later, Helen Lindenau closed the venue on December 12, 1952 as television was hurting business and at end of lease.
The Lemont Chamber of Commerce took on the venue because it felt that reopening the theatre would have a halo effect on the downtown business. The Chamber relaunched the Arthur with new hope beginning January 8, 1954 with Tony Curtis in “Houdini.” But the Chamber found what Lindenau had already discovered - residents weren’t going to the movies like they used to. The Arthur Theatre closed on June 6, 1954 with the Martin & Lewis comedy, “Money From Home.” The Chamber of Commerce said the Arthur would return in the Fall but - when it didn’t - it was taken over by the local newspaper, The Lemonter.
Leon R, Jarusz of Chicago took on the Ideal Theatre equipping it wit DeForest Phonofilm to play the talkie, “Caught Short” at the theatre’s rebirth as the Lemont Theatre on August 16, 1930.
Also the Wurlitzer E Pipe Organ destined for Hasting’s City Auditorium ended up at the Madison Square Theatre (turned Byrd Theatre in the sound era) in Chicago.
March 25, 1927 launch day for the Rivoli with Shirley Mason in “Sweet Rosie O'Grady and a Bobby Vernon comedy short, “Don’t Fire” supported by vaudville acts. The 1,500 seat theatre was said to be at capacity.
March 25, 1927 launch ad for the Rivoli with Shirley Mason in “Sweet Rosie O'Grady and a Bobby Vernon comedy short, "Don’t Fire” supported by vaudville acts. The 1,500 seat theatre was said to be at capacity.
Working backwards, Abbott & Costello and the Andrew Sisters launched the new State Theatre on January 1, 1942 an update to the Cornhusker Theatre building. The Cornhusker ran likely on a 10-year lease from January 21, 1931 to 1941 as Hastings' “Intimate Talkie Theatre” operating along with the Rivoli. Prior to that it appears to have been run as the Empress Theatre which opened in May of 1915 likely on a 15-year lease. It had converted to sound late in 1928 and shut down in 1930 likely moving the Vitaphone equipment elsewhere and closing with the silent exploitation film, “The Pace That Kills” on February 19, 1930.
The original Strand Theatre burned down in March of 1927. Run by W.L. Douglas, he replaced the theatre opening in July of 1927 as the Douglas Theatre. In 1928, Douglas sold the venue and it had six different operators into 1936 when the name was changed to the Strand Theatre with the theatre getting a deco makeover. The Strand was still operating in 1963.
On January 1, 1942, the Guy Henderson Building was purchased Ritz operator J.A. Guest who created the Tower Theatre. That became the Moore Theatre. Finally, the Moore Theatre was refrubished in 1961 under a new operator. The new Rodeo Theatre with 532 seats opened August 4, 1961 with Stereo Vision with “September Storm” supported by the Stereo Vision cartoon, “Space Attack.”
Oddly enough, the theatre was reportedly having financial difficulties in late February likely reaching the end of a 20-year leasing agreement and, then within a week of that report, burned down on February 26, 1962 ending the Guy Henderson Building and the Rodeo Theatre.
Closed permanently on January 18, 2021 with Backyard Wilderness", “The Living Sea”: “Born to Be Wild” and “Great White Shark.”
The Ashland Street Cinemas closed following March 18, 2020 showings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It didn’t reopen with an announcement made by Coming Attractions Theatres on January 22, 2021 that the closure would be permanent.
Harry Musselman opened the Osceola Auditorium Theatre on June 19, 1915 to a crowd of 400. In 1931, Frank E. Klein purchased the Auditorium and changed its name to the Rivoli Theatre.
In 1937, Klein hired Omaha-based architect Leo J. Dworak who – after a major refresh – renamed it the Muse Theatre in April 22, 1937 launching with Robert Taylor in “Personal Property.” The new configuration of the venue removed the 100-seat balcony. Several operators later, Billie Zedicher purchased the theatre in 1956. He was the final operator running the Muse until closure in 1978.
In September of 1996, the former and dilapidated structure was razed. Its 200,000 bricks were purchased and used in a new home construction project. The Muse Theatre sign was preserved and was hanging on the Gathering Grounds Coffee House west wall in the 2020s.
Reopened as a Studio Movie Grill on November 11, 2011. Closed in 2021.
Closed in January of 2021
Closed in January of 2021
Reopened briefly after COVID-19 and was closed permanently in January of 2021
Closed in January 2021
Closed January 2021.
Harold M. Schoonover launched the Mazda Theatre in the Cass Building on July 22, 1914 in Aurora. The opening film was “Her Mother’s Sins.” Just after World War I, the rival Victory Theatre was opened by C.M Grosvenor on the city’s east side. In March of 1924, Schoonover bought the Victory. He refreshed the theatre after closing it for two months. It re-emegred as the East Side Theatre on May 30, 1924. The 300-seat theatre then converted to sound later becoming the Pawnee Theatre.
As for the Mazda, it installed sound on February 1, 1929. At the theater’s 32d anniversary with Schoonover still in charge, Red Skelton wrote, “The first 32 years are the hardest. From now on, everything should almost manage itself.” Schoonover retired after 45 years and the theatre survived into the 1980s.
The Okeene Opera House opened on Main Street in 1907 with 250 seats and likely on a ten-year leasing agreement. Though mostly used for live events, traveling moving picture shows were interspersed in the opera house until a full time movie theater opened on May 15, 1913. It closed but the Majestic Theatre opened in 1915 in a converted retail location. With the opera house struggling, the Majestic Theatre then moved to the Opera House in 1917. The venue was renamed as the Majestic Theatre.
Roetzel sold the theatre in 1923 to W.S. Allen and A. C. Martz, editor of the Okeene Record. Martz renamed the venue as the Rialto Theatre on May 25, 1923 showing Richard Talmadge in “Taking Chances” supported by a comedy short starring Vera Reynolds, “Designing Husbands.” Under new operators, the Rialto wired for sound to remain viable. In 1936, new operators took on the location likely on a new 20-year lease and changed the name to the Roberta Theatre.
Orville Von Gulker took over the operation in 1938 but he became known for something far different in 1939 when he created the first ever Rattlesnake Roundup. Von Gulker’s snake roundup is a tradition that carried on into the 2020s. He also became head of the new Allied Theatre Owners of Oklahoma, a trade association.
In 1948, the Von Gulkers changed the name of the theatre to the Vee-Gee Theatre as they were often referred to by friends as the Vee-Gees. Regular movie screenings ended in September of 1956 at end of lease with the theatre ending up in the 1957 delinquent tax roster - never a good sign. However, the venue was used for special events and agricultural trade film screenings until at least 1962.
The Cardinal Drive-In launched with Susan Hayward and Robert Mitchum in “The Lusty Men” on July 3, 1953. It appears to have closed at the end of a ten-year lease with a double feature of “Night Creatures” and “The Bashful Elephant” on September 1, 1962.
The Ideal Theatre was listing as of January 1, 1915 - very likely its opening date - as the first dedicated movie theatre in town. However, Tedens Opera House was where movies first played in the city and continued doing so into the 1920s. The Ideal was equipped with a poorly functioning sound system in 1929 to show talkies. It appears to close on January 15, 1930 likely at the end of a 15-year leasing period.
Leon R. Jarusz of Chicago took on the Ideal equipping it with DeForest Phonofilm to play the talkie, “Caught Short” at the theatre’s rebirth as the Lemont Theatre on August 16, 1930. The theatre closed during 1937. Operators Arthur and Helen Lindenau took on the venue and relaunched it as the Arthur Theatre on January 1, 1938 on a 15-year lease with “Four Daughters” supported by a Disney cartoon and newsreel. They made improvements in 1948/9 to keep the theatre competitive. But three years later, Helen Lindenau closed the venue on December 12, 1952 as television was hurting business and at end of lease.
The Lemont Chamber of Commerce took on the venue because it felt that reopening the theatre would have a halo effect on the downtown business. The Chamber relaunched the Arthur with new hope beginning January 8, 1954 with Tony Curtis in “Houdini.” But the Chamber found what Lindenau had already discovered - residents weren’t going to the movies like they used to. The Arthur Theatre closed on June 6, 1954 with the Martin & Lewis comedy, “Money From Home.” The Chamber of Commerce said the Arthur would return in the Fall but - when it didn’t - it was taken over by the local newspaper, The Lemonter.
Leon R, Jarusz of Chicago took on the Ideal Theatre equipping it wit DeForest Phonofilm to play the talkie, “Caught Short” at the theatre’s rebirth as the Lemont Theatre on August 16, 1930.
Also the Wurlitzer E Pipe Organ destined for Hasting’s City Auditorium ended up at the Madison Square Theatre (turned Byrd Theatre in the sound era) in Chicago.
March 25, 1927 launch day for the Rivoli with Shirley Mason in “Sweet Rosie O'Grady and a Bobby Vernon comedy short, “Don’t Fire” supported by vaudville acts. The 1,500 seat theatre was said to be at capacity.
The Plaza Theatre now has its own CinemaTreasures page.
Sorry - shot from 1908.
March 25, 1927 launch ad for the Rivoli with Shirley Mason in “Sweet Rosie O'Grady and a Bobby Vernon comedy short, "Don’t Fire” supported by vaudville acts. The 1,500 seat theatre was said to be at capacity.
Working backwards, Abbott & Costello and the Andrew Sisters launched the new State Theatre on January 1, 1942 an update to the Cornhusker Theatre building. The Cornhusker ran likely on a 10-year lease from January 21, 1931 to 1941 as Hastings' “Intimate Talkie Theatre” operating along with the Rivoli. Prior to that it appears to have been run as the Empress Theatre which opened in May of 1915 likely on a 15-year lease. It had converted to sound late in 1928 and shut down in 1930 likely moving the Vitaphone equipment elsewhere and closing with the silent exploitation film, “The Pace That Kills” on February 19, 1930.
Abbott & Costello and the Andrew Sisters launch the new State Theatre on January 1, 1942 an update to the Cornhusker Theatre building
The original Strand Theatre burned down in March of 1927. Run by W.L. Douglas, he replaced the theatre opening in July of 1927 as the Douglas Theatre. In 1928, Douglas sold the venue and it had six different operators into 1936 when the name was changed to the Strand Theatre with the theatre getting a deco makeover. The Strand was still operating in 1963.
Opened as the Movieland Drive-in in September of 1948
On January 1, 1942, the Guy Henderson Building was purchased Ritz operator J.A. Guest who created the Tower Theatre. That became the Moore Theatre. Finally, the Moore Theatre was refrubished in 1961 under a new operator. The new Rodeo Theatre with 532 seats opened August 4, 1961 with Stereo Vision with “September Storm” supported by the Stereo Vision cartoon, “Space Attack.”
Oddly enough, the theatre was reportedly having financial difficulties in late February likely reaching the end of a 20-year leasing agreement and, then within a week of that report, burned down on February 26, 1962 ending the Guy Henderson Building and the Rodeo Theatre.
Ad as the Velma-Alma Drive-In Theatre