The Winter Garden Hall turned Winter Garden Theatre had been advertising at least from 1919 at 116 East Second Street. The former Winter Garden Theatre relaunched with new operators from Tulsa as the first of three buildings to house a Plaza Theatre. Plaza Theatre #1 opened on August 11, 1933 with the Marx Brothers in “Horse Feathers.” The Plaza Theatre burned down on January 27, 1946 in a fire that originated at the Brass Rail Taproom and took out the Plaza and three other businesses. (It could have a separate entry with that history if one wanted to be technical.)
The operator moved the Plaza nameplate to the Mystic Theatre at 112 East Second Street in Picher beginning with shows on February 10, 1946. It has its own entry. Video Independent Theaters reduced the town to just one theatre closing the Roxy in July of 1949 as the town’s economy was in decline. Unfortunately, the Plaza and the former Roxy were in the condemnation zone as the city feared a major cave-in at the Eagle-Picher Mining and Smelting Company.
This entry would be for Plaza Theatre “#3.” The final Plaza was created when Video Independent fashioned a new theatre gutting an existing building one block east of the former Plaza. But during that construction, the second and vacant Plaza Theatre/former Mystic Theatre also burned down on June 22, 1950.
The third and final Plaza Theatre location in downtown Picher opened on July 12, 1950 with “My Friend Irma Goes West” featuring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis and supported by a sports reel and cartoon. The operators stressed that this was a “new and safe area” away from the condemned part of the city. The building used cement fortification to try to avoid burning down a third time. And it achieved that goal although going out of business just over five years later in 1955.
However, “safe area” would prove to be a misnomer as the entire city of Picher was deemed too toxic to continue. The building as well as virtually every other building in town was razed when the town disbanded early in the 21st Century.
The Mystic Theatre launched on March 10, 1918 by J.D. Wineland and managed by C.A. Gordon. Based on little, it was likely opened temporarily in the location of the former Electric Theatre on South Columbus Street while the larger Mystic Theatre was being constructed. The Mystic likely moved to its new and expanded location at 12 East Second Street with 920 seats based on an article that says that patrons were wowed by the New Mystic at a grand opening on September 18, 1919. However, it may be the same building with a massive overhaul that simply still wowed its patrons.
Consolidated Theatres purchased the venue in December of 1945 which also operated the Plaza and the Roxy. It closed the Mystic for a refresh on December 23, 1945 and reopening it in January of 1946. On January 28, 1946, Plaza Theatre “#1” burned down so consolidated decided to move the Plaza nameplate to the larger, Mystic Theatre beginning with shows on February 10, 1946.
Video Independent Theaters reduced the town to just one theatre closing the Roxy in July of 1949 as the town’s economy was in decline. Unfortunately, the Plaza “#2”/former Mystic and the former Roxy were in the condemnation zone as the city feared a major cave-in at the Eagle-Picher Mining and Smelting Company. So the Plaza was closed for the final time prior to shows on February 8, 1950 making February 7, 1950 its final day of operation.
Video Independent fashioned a new theatre gutting an existing building one block east of the former Plaza. But during that construction, the second and vacant Plaza Theatre/former Mystic Theatre also burned down on June 22, 1950.
The third and final Plaza Theatre location in downtown Picher opened on July 12, 1950 although going out of business just over five years later in 1955. This entry should remain the Mystic Theatre to avoid confusion and because it was known as the Mystic for 30 years.
The Sooner Drive-In was damaged in a rain storm and appears to have been closed following the June 12, 1954 showing of Richard Widmark in “Take the High Ground!” An ad lists the theatre as closed indefinitely until the screen and the ramps can be repaired. Those repairs do not appear to have occurred and the sign was moved a decade later to the Tri-State location.
On March 11, 1955, the Tri-State converted its tower to widescreen to accommodate CinemaScope films beginning that night with Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe in “River of No Return.”
G.D. Hall launched his Dreamland Theatre here on September 3, 1913. It was renamed under new operators as the Grand Theatre on November 24, 1914. It was then renamed as the Ottawa Theatre on April 5, 1945 with Bing Crosby in “Goin' My Way.” The Ottawa closed August 6, 1955 with a double feature of “Gangbusters” and “Gun Fury.” In 1956, the theatre closed and Video Independent Circuit the seats were offered for sale.
The Glory B Theatre launched on October 10, 1917 with motion pictures. It closed in 1952 and reopened with a refresh as the Miami Theatre in 1953 and converted to widescreen. Video Independent Theatres closed the the theatre on April 30, 1961 after showing “Gone With the Wind.” The theatre was vacant thereafter and was reportedly razed in 1966 as part of an urban renewal project.
The Tilgham 8 cinema closed on March 18, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic along with theatres all over the world. Though hoping to reopen and connecting with its audience through social media into July of 2020, the theatre was closed permanently on July 13, 2020 when New Visions Circuit went out of business. All of its other locations were closed permanently, as well.
The Central Mall 12 closed on March 19, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic along with theatres all over the world. Though hoping to reopen and connecting with its audience through social media into July of 2020, the theatre was closed permanently on July 13, 2020 when New Visions Circuit went out of business. All of its other locations were closed permanently, as well.
The AMC Raleigh 15 was closed on March 16, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 20, 2020, AMC made the closure permanent as the AMC Raleigh 15 was one of many theatres closed permanently due to the pandemic.
In 2017, the theatre was part of the force sale of AMC locations following its merger with Carmike. New Visions Circuit took on the location. It closed the location on March 17, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic along with theatres all over the world.
Though hoping to reopen and connecting with its audience through social media into July of 2020, the theatre was closed permanently on July 13, 2020 when New Visions Circuit went out of business. All of its other locations were closed permanently, as well.
The AMC Classic Steubenville 6 closed on March 16, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 30, 2020, AMC announced it had made the closure permanent.
The Great Oaks appears to have launched in 1958 and – after more than 10 years of screening controversial X-rated fare – was closed first by police in 1981 and then the land owner.
Harold and Elizabeth Heyer of the Moroko Theatre in nearby Morocco opened the Rem Theatre on November 4, 1939 with “Espionage Agent” and “Bad Little Angel.” Vada and Charles E. Lane took on the theatre in 1953 and closed it at the end of lease in 1973.
Operator Donald R. Lancaster, Sr., ran this location for more than 30 years and was likely named after one of Detroit’s early female movie pioneers, Emma Lancaster.
Joseph L. Donahah and Edward Simonson purchased an old apartment building and knocked it over for the new-build Main Street Theatre in 1913. Bathed in dark green, the theater launched on January 3, 1914 on a 20-year lease with the live play, “The Red Widow.” In 1921, the Atlantic Theatre Company Circuit took over the theater converting it from a legit house to a photoplay and vaudeville house. Renamed the Strand Theatre, its Grand Opening took place on February 21, 1921 with Douglas Fairbanks in “The Mark of Zorro.” The Strand went out of business and was sold at a Sheriff’s Sale in 1925 and would be purchased by the Walter Reade Circuit.The Strand was remodeled in 1925 for its relaunch and would be equipped for Western Electric sound on June 7, 1929.
The theatre’s lease was renewed for 20-years in 1934 and got an entirely new front and streamlined interior that Fall. In 1947, the theatre got another major refresh by Walter Reade. In 1954, the theatre was renewed for a new 20-year lease and – after a summer refresh that year – re-emerged with a “Wide Vision” screen to present CinemaScope films beginning August 19, 1954 with the film, “The Student Prince.”
The final show for the Strand turned out to be “The 4th Horseman of the Apocalypse” on April 7, 1962. Just prior to matinee screenings the next day, a lunchtime fire at a neighboring pizzeria decimated the block ending the theatre. In 1963, the theatre-less community heard the announcement of a new theater that would launch in the Britt’s Shopping Center in January of 1964.
Harry L. Sellers of the nearby Standard Theatre launched the Strand Theatre opening on November 8, 1915 with Blanche Sweet in “Stolen Goods” supported by a Vitagraph comedy short, “Quoits.”
The Look Cinemas closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 16, 2020. In April and May, it offered concession sales and virtual cinema to try and stay afloat. But on June 29, 2020, the independent theatre made the closure permanent also closing its Ivy Kitchen. The theatre had Dolby Atmos capability and was one of the area’s few cinemas still able to present 70mm films. It was a significant loss to the presentation of films in the marketplace.
Ed Kuhn opened his Kuhn Theatre launched March 6, 1911 with “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and Pawnee Bill’s Far East.” The theatre was auctioned in 1914. Two Philadelphia operators purchased it and renamed it the Manor Street Theatre. In 1916, it received a refresh and under new operators became the Lancaster Theatre.
On April 19, 1920, it became the Strand Theatre under the operation of George Benthan. Harry M. Chertcoff took on the location in 1928 whose Chetco Circuit operated it to its closure. The theatre closed April 1, 1962 with “The Singer Not the Song.” Sadly, projectionist turned Mayor George B. Coe had ironically issued a proclamation earlier that week celebrating, “International Theatre Week.”
The Chetco Chain Theatre Circuit launched the Hill Theatre on February 19, 1947 with Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson in “The Time, the Place, and the Girl.” The streamline moderne theatre was one of twelve operated by Harry Chertcoff’s chain. The theatre appears to have closed on July 22, 1976 with Geraldine Page in “Hazel’s People” likely at the end of.a 30-year lease.
The New Fox Theatre launched on November 2, 1935 in downtown Plain Dealing. It was a converted retail space in the R.C. Purcell Building opening on a 20 year-lease. It replaced the Fox Tent Theatre used in the warm weather months when the city’s Electric Theatre closed. Cecil Kelly and J.M. Graham opened the venue and had a guest in “the Lonesome Cowboy” Roy McDaniel with an in-person visit in the theater’s first full weekend of operation.
The long-running venue renewed its lease and converted to widescreen. It appears to have concluded cinematic operations on August 18, 1969 with a 30th-anniversary screening of “Gone with the Wind.” It became a live music venue the following year closing in 1971. The City of Plain Dealing purchased the building 1976.
The trade press reports that the Electric Theatre was razed and the new Mystic Theatre was built on its spot.
The Winter Garden Hall turned Winter Garden Theatre had been advertising at least from 1919 at 116 East Second Street. The former Winter Garden Theatre relaunched with new operators from Tulsa as the first of three buildings to house a Plaza Theatre. Plaza Theatre #1 opened on August 11, 1933 with the Marx Brothers in “Horse Feathers.” The Plaza Theatre burned down on January 27, 1946 in a fire that originated at the Brass Rail Taproom and took out the Plaza and three other businesses. (It could have a separate entry with that history if one wanted to be technical.)
The operator moved the Plaza nameplate to the Mystic Theatre at 112 East Second Street in Picher beginning with shows on February 10, 1946. It has its own entry. Video Independent Theaters reduced the town to just one theatre closing the Roxy in July of 1949 as the town’s economy was in decline. Unfortunately, the Plaza and the former Roxy were in the condemnation zone as the city feared a major cave-in at the Eagle-Picher Mining and Smelting Company.
This entry would be for Plaza Theatre “#3.” The final Plaza was created when Video Independent fashioned a new theatre gutting an existing building one block east of the former Plaza. But during that construction, the second and vacant Plaza Theatre/former Mystic Theatre also burned down on June 22, 1950.
The third and final Plaza Theatre location in downtown Picher opened on July 12, 1950 with “My Friend Irma Goes West” featuring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis and supported by a sports reel and cartoon. The operators stressed that this was a “new and safe area” away from the condemned part of the city. The building used cement fortification to try to avoid burning down a third time. And it achieved that goal although going out of business just over five years later in 1955.
However, “safe area” would prove to be a misnomer as the entire city of Picher was deemed too toxic to continue. The building as well as virtually every other building in town was razed when the town disbanded early in the 21st Century.
The Mystic Theatre launched on March 10, 1918 by J.D. Wineland and managed by C.A. Gordon. Based on little, it was likely opened temporarily in the location of the former Electric Theatre on South Columbus Street while the larger Mystic Theatre was being constructed. The Mystic likely moved to its new and expanded location at 12 East Second Street with 920 seats based on an article that says that patrons were wowed by the New Mystic at a grand opening on September 18, 1919. However, it may be the same building with a massive overhaul that simply still wowed its patrons.
Consolidated Theatres purchased the venue in December of 1945 which also operated the Plaza and the Roxy. It closed the Mystic for a refresh on December 23, 1945 and reopening it in January of 1946. On January 28, 1946, Plaza Theatre “#1” burned down so consolidated decided to move the Plaza nameplate to the larger, Mystic Theatre beginning with shows on February 10, 1946.
Video Independent Theaters reduced the town to just one theatre closing the Roxy in July of 1949 as the town’s economy was in decline. Unfortunately, the Plaza “#2”/former Mystic and the former Roxy were in the condemnation zone as the city feared a major cave-in at the Eagle-Picher Mining and Smelting Company. So the Plaza was closed for the final time prior to shows on February 8, 1950 making February 7, 1950 its final day of operation.
Video Independent fashioned a new theatre gutting an existing building one block east of the former Plaza. But during that construction, the second and vacant Plaza Theatre/former Mystic Theatre also burned down on June 22, 1950.
The third and final Plaza Theatre location in downtown Picher opened on July 12, 1950 although going out of business just over five years later in 1955. This entry should remain the Mystic Theatre to avoid confusion and because it was known as the Mystic for 30 years.
The Sooner Drive-In was damaged in a rain storm and appears to have been closed following the June 12, 1954 showing of Richard Widmark in “Take the High Ground!” An ad lists the theatre as closed indefinitely until the screen and the ramps can be repaired. Those repairs do not appear to have occurred and the sign was moved a decade later to the Tri-State location.
On March 11, 1955, the Tri-State converted its tower to widescreen to accommodate CinemaScope films beginning that night with Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe in “River of No Return.”
G.D. Hall launched his Dreamland Theatre here on September 3, 1913. It was renamed under new operators as the Grand Theatre on November 24, 1914. It was then renamed as the Ottawa Theatre on April 5, 1945 with Bing Crosby in “Goin' My Way.” The Ottawa closed August 6, 1955 with a double feature of “Gangbusters” and “Gun Fury.” In 1956, the theatre closed and Video Independent Circuit the seats were offered for sale.
The Glory B Theatre launched on October 10, 1917 with motion pictures. It closed in 1952 and reopened with a refresh as the Miami Theatre in 1953 and converted to widescreen. Video Independent Theatres closed the the theatre on April 30, 1961 after showing “Gone With the Wind.” The theatre was vacant thereafter and was reportedly razed in 1966 as part of an urban renewal project.
The Tilgham 8 cinema closed on March 18, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic along with theatres all over the world. Though hoping to reopen and connecting with its audience through social media into July of 2020, the theatre was closed permanently on July 13, 2020 when New Visions Circuit went out of business. All of its other locations were closed permanently, as well.
The Central Mall 12 closed on March 19, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic along with theatres all over the world. Though hoping to reopen and connecting with its audience through social media into July of 2020, the theatre was closed permanently on July 13, 2020 when New Visions Circuit went out of business. All of its other locations were closed permanently, as well.
The AMC Raleigh 15 was closed on March 16, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 20, 2020, AMC made the closure permanent as the AMC Raleigh 15 was one of many theatres closed permanently due to the pandemic.
In 2017, the theatre was part of the force sale of AMC locations following its merger with Carmike. New Visions Circuit took on the location. It closed the location on March 17, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic along with theatres all over the world.
Though hoping to reopen and connecting with its audience through social media into July of 2020, the theatre was closed permanently on July 13, 2020 when New Visions Circuit went out of business. All of its other locations were closed permanently, as well.
The AMC Classic Steubenville 6 closed on March 16, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 30, 2020, AMC announced it had made the closure permanent.
The Great Oaks appears to have launched in 1958 and – after more than 10 years of screening controversial X-rated fare – was closed first by police in 1981 and then the land owner.
Harold and Elizabeth Heyer of the Moroko Theatre in nearby Morocco opened the Rem Theatre on November 4, 1939 with “Espionage Agent” and “Bad Little Angel.” Vada and Charles E. Lane took on the theatre in 1953 and closed it at the end of lease in 1973.
The new-build New Brook Theatre replaced the town’s previous Brook Theatre opening July 10, 1949 with “The Enchanted Valley”
Had an open house on March 26, 1938 and opened April 1, 1938 with Claire Trevor in “Walking Down Broadway” supported by a comedy short and newsreel.
Operator Donald R. Lancaster, Sr., ran this location for more than 30 years and was likely named after one of Detroit’s early female movie pioneers, Emma Lancaster.
Should be added to Alex Manta and Jack Rose’s Manta and Rose Theatre Circuit: M & R Theatres.
Joseph L. Donahah and Edward Simonson purchased an old apartment building and knocked it over for the new-build Main Street Theatre in 1913. Bathed in dark green, the theater launched on January 3, 1914 on a 20-year lease with the live play, “The Red Widow.” In 1921, the Atlantic Theatre Company Circuit took over the theater converting it from a legit house to a photoplay and vaudeville house. Renamed the Strand Theatre, its Grand Opening took place on February 21, 1921 with Douglas Fairbanks in “The Mark of Zorro.” The Strand went out of business and was sold at a Sheriff’s Sale in 1925 and would be purchased by the Walter Reade Circuit.The Strand was remodeled in 1925 for its relaunch and would be equipped for Western Electric sound on June 7, 1929.
The theatre’s lease was renewed for 20-years in 1934 and got an entirely new front and streamlined interior that Fall. In 1947, the theatre got another major refresh by Walter Reade. In 1954, the theatre was renewed for a new 20-year lease and – after a summer refresh that year – re-emerged with a “Wide Vision” screen to present CinemaScope films beginning August 19, 1954 with the film, “The Student Prince.”
The final show for the Strand turned out to be “The 4th Horseman of the Apocalypse” on April 7, 1962. Just prior to matinee screenings the next day, a lunchtime fire at a neighboring pizzeria decimated the block ending the theatre. In 1963, the theatre-less community heard the announcement of a new theater that would launch in the Britt’s Shopping Center in January of 1964.
Opened November 4, 1912 with motion pictures and vaudeville.
Harry L. Sellers of the nearby Standard Theatre launched the Strand Theatre opening on November 8, 1915 with Blanche Sweet in “Stolen Goods” supported by a Vitagraph comedy short, “Quoits.”
The Look Cinemas closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 16, 2020. In April and May, it offered concession sales and virtual cinema to try and stay afloat. But on June 29, 2020, the independent theatre made the closure permanent also closing its Ivy Kitchen. The theatre had Dolby Atmos capability and was one of the area’s few cinemas still able to present 70mm films. It was a significant loss to the presentation of films in the marketplace.
Ed Kuhn opened his Kuhn Theatre launched March 6, 1911 with “Buffalo Bill’s Wild West and Pawnee Bill’s Far East.” The theatre was auctioned in 1914. Two Philadelphia operators purchased it and renamed it the Manor Street Theatre. In 1916, it received a refresh and under new operators became the Lancaster Theatre.
On April 19, 1920, it became the Strand Theatre under the operation of George Benthan. Harry M. Chertcoff took on the location in 1928 whose Chetco Circuit operated it to its closure. The theatre closed April 1, 1962 with “The Singer Not the Song.” Sadly, projectionist turned Mayor George B. Coe had ironically issued a proclamation earlier that week celebrating, “International Theatre Week.”
The Chetco Chain Theatre Circuit launched the Hill Theatre on February 19, 1947 with Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson in “The Time, the Place, and the Girl.” The streamline moderne theatre was one of twelve operated by Harry Chertcoff’s chain. The theatre appears to have closed on July 22, 1976 with Geraldine Page in “Hazel’s People” likely at the end of.a 30-year lease.
The New Fox Theatre launched on November 2, 1935 in downtown Plain Dealing. It was a converted retail space in the R.C. Purcell Building opening on a 20 year-lease. It replaced the Fox Tent Theatre used in the warm weather months when the city’s Electric Theatre closed. Cecil Kelly and J.M. Graham opened the venue and had a guest in “the Lonesome Cowboy” Roy McDaniel with an in-person visit in the theater’s first full weekend of operation.
The long-running venue renewed its lease and converted to widescreen. It appears to have concluded cinematic operations on August 18, 1969 with a 30th-anniversary screening of “Gone with the Wind.” It became a live music venue the following year closing in 1971. The City of Plain Dealing purchased the building 1976.