Keith: Since the building still stands, is there anything left of the theatre auditorium?
Here is a great web site with lots of history on Kansas theatres, View link
I’m certain the Chieftain Cinema was not a twin when I went there during the winter of ‘77. Just a guess, but probably adjoining retail footage was converted into another auditorium, rather than twiining the original cinema.
Local legend claims that originally this drive-in theatre was planned to be placed atop Tiger Mountain, midway between Checotah and Henryetta. It was believed this choice location would benefit investors by attracting movie goers from both towns.
Excavation of the property commenced with the addition of a paved road that encircled the future theatre grounds, but before any structures were ever built, it was discovered that enormous swarms of lightning bugs invaded Tiger Mountain during Spring and Summer. Though fire flies are harmless to humans, and they do not fly far off the ground, their vast numbers of twinkling glow would have certainly interfered with outdoor movie watching. So, the original site was abandoned and the present day site of the 69 Drive-In was chosen instead.
During the early 1960’s the State of Oklahoma paid top dollar to acquire the original drive-in lot in order to install a rest area along I-40. Today the original drive-in theatre road is still used, and one can journey up to the North rest area on Tiger Mountain and still see the distinct outline of a drive-in theatre plan.
During Spring & Summer Eastern Oklahoma has an abundance of lightning bugs. I commented (on another drive-in) just how lovely this must have been after nightfall. Serveral persons have informed that in this region of Oklahoma theatre operators resented these fire flies because their flashing glow was so thick it often caused a distraction for outdoor movie viewing.
Okmulgee resident John Smith told me that nature gave the Tower Drive-In a lovely bonus, during warm months lightning bugs were plentiful after nightfall and gave a twinkling glow to the grounds.
Yesterday I phoned a NYC acquaintance who had been stationed at Altus Air Force Base during the late 1970’s. She considered the town of Altus an isolated bore, but also remembered the Drive-In-East as a fine example of High Tech design.
She thought probably this theatre dated back to the 1940’s, and had been way ahead of its time in its High Tech styling. Construction of screen tower, boxoffice, concession stand, and fencing consisted of cubes (made of slim pipe) by which sheet metal was hung to form structure.
She also stated that it was somewhat surreal to look at this drive-in because by that time RKO had given up maintenance of their property, and those stylistic drive-in pavilions were fast becoming run down, overgrown with weeds, at just the time when High Tech design was fast becoming all the rage in popularity.
Don:
Sorry it took two years to respond, but my interest in cinema history comes and goes.
I gathered a lot of info about Video theatres from morgue newspaper articles, ads, and also by word of mouth.
It would have been prior to 1968 when Video operated the Pix, Reno, and Midwest. These theatres were listed together within Video theatre block ads.
I believe Video operated the Circle Cinema in Tulsa because I have heard that it was managed by Ed Swallow who later transferred to Okmulgee (his home town) to manage the Orpheum.
Wish there were a date on the above photo. Piano to left indicates this must have been snapped during the silent era. Exactly what is that image on the asbestos curtain?
Once I saw a first rate (mid ‘70s) photo of this theatre snapped by Jeff Chapman. Wish he would allow it to be posted because it demonstrates just how classy this cinema really was.
Several folks have told me about the exceptional picture quality at this drive-in, and reasonable prices at the concession stand too.
Is Hertz mentioned above the Hertz Rent-a-Car Information Technology Center?
This site list lots of Kansas theatre history & images,
View link
Keith: Since the building still stands, is there anything left of the theatre auditorium?
Here is a great web site with lots of history on Kansas theatres,
View link
Here is an updated web link with Crawford Theatre history and images,
View link
This site has a sharp night veiw of the 54 Drive-In,
View link
Check out this web site on Kansas theatres too,
View link
Nice view of Lady Liberty atop the Met in that 1912 picutre!
This 1905 photo shows the Vitagraph Theatre site, but due to the long shot can’t tell if theatre is yet in operations,
View link
In 1956 this parking garage was constructed on the former Empress site,
View link
I’m certain the Chieftain Cinema was not a twin when I went there during the winter of ‘77. Just a guess, but probably adjoining retail footage was converted into another auditorium, rather than twiining the original cinema.
Local legend claims that originally this drive-in theatre was planned to be placed atop Tiger Mountain, midway between Checotah and Henryetta. It was believed this choice location would benefit investors by attracting movie goers from both towns.
Excavation of the property commenced with the addition of a paved road that encircled the future theatre grounds, but before any structures were ever built, it was discovered that enormous swarms of lightning bugs invaded Tiger Mountain during Spring and Summer. Though fire flies are harmless to humans, and they do not fly far off the ground, their vast numbers of twinkling glow would have certainly interfered with outdoor movie watching. So, the original site was abandoned and the present day site of the 69 Drive-In was chosen instead.
During the early 1960’s the State of Oklahoma paid top dollar to acquire the original drive-in lot in order to install a rest area along I-40. Today the original drive-in theatre road is still used, and one can journey up to the North rest area on Tiger Mountain and still see the distinct outline of a drive-in theatre plan.
Research reveals that the Plaza and Dollhouse were not in the same location. The old Paramount was remodeled into the Dollhouse Cinema around 1970.
Yes, the Paramount Theatre and the Dollhouse Cinema were one and the same.
During Spring & Summer Eastern Oklahoma has an abundance of lightning bugs. I commented (on another drive-in) just how lovely this must have been after nightfall. Serveral persons have informed that in this region of Oklahoma theatre operators resented these fire flies because their flashing glow was so thick it often caused a distraction for outdoor movie viewing.
Okmulgee resident John Smith told me that nature gave the Tower Drive-In a lovely bonus, during warm months lightning bugs were plentiful after nightfall and gave a twinkling glow to the grounds.
Yesterday I phoned a NYC acquaintance who had been stationed at Altus Air Force Base during the late 1970’s. She considered the town of Altus an isolated bore, but also remembered the Drive-In-East as a fine example of High Tech design.
She thought probably this theatre dated back to the 1940’s, and had been way ahead of its time in its High Tech styling. Construction of screen tower, boxoffice, concession stand, and fencing consisted of cubes (made of slim pipe) by which sheet metal was hung to form structure.
She also stated that it was somewhat surreal to look at this drive-in because by that time RKO had given up maintenance of their property, and those stylistic drive-in pavilions were fast becoming run down, overgrown with weeds, at just the time when High Tech design was fast becoming all the rage in popularity.
This is a duplicate listing of the Gaslight Theatre, Enid.
Should this listing be removed?
Oklahoma City Architectural Firm of Sorey, Hill, Sorey designed the Royal Theatre.
Don:
Sorry it took two years to respond, but my interest in cinema history comes and goes.
I gathered a lot of info about Video theatres from morgue newspaper articles, ads, and also by word of mouth.
It would have been prior to 1968 when Video operated the Pix, Reno, and Midwest. These theatres were listed together within Video theatre block ads.
I believe Video operated the Circle Cinema in Tulsa because I have heard that it was managed by Ed Swallow who later transferred to Okmulgee (his home town) to manage the Orpheum.
Movie stars Roy Rogers & Dale Evans were married in Durant, OK.
Wish there were a date on the above photo. Piano to left indicates this must have been snapped during the silent era. Exactly what is that image on the asbestos curtain?
Once I saw a first rate (mid ‘70s) photo of this theatre snapped by Jeff Chapman. Wish he would allow it to be posted because it demonstrates just how classy this cinema really was.
Several folks have told me about the exceptional picture quality at this drive-in, and reasonable prices at the concession stand too.
Is Hertz mentioned above the Hertz Rent-a-Car Information Technology Center?
Two vintage views c1960 -
View link
&
View link
Recently I crossed paths with an Altus citizen who said that locals always called this the Dollhouse, but actual formal name was Penthouse Cinema.