While the exterior and main lobby were nicely decorated, the auditorium had a depressing “stripped down” look. Always wondered what it looked like before all ornamentation was ripped out.
Interior decor was obviousley somewhat all original when this house operated as the Bijou.
The raked lobby was long and narrow with recessed coming attractions display cases along the left wall, while a carnival type concession stand filled up the right side.
Ticket holders entered the auditorium up a steep ramp and proceeded to either walk down a long single center isle, or go right or left where the isle split into two isles running upward along the entrance ramp. Black painted walls were lined with cast plaster, rectangular yellow frames that concealed indirect lighting. Inside each frame was a large plaster bullseye circle (reminding one of the opening credits for WB cartoons in that these circles were painted bright orange, with red highlighted edges). In the center of each circle was a single 10-watt orange light bulb. Navy blue paint dulled an intricate pattern on a gently vaulted ceiling.
Strange as it may seem, the one and only exit consisted of a sheet glass door from which pedestrians could be seen walking past along Golden Gate Ave.
Allowing for colorful versatility, these frosted fixtures seemed to be popular amoung theatre operators. This style of lighting is also found inside the Art Theatre (AKA-Park), Champaign, IL. View link
and View link
This movie house was operated by Paramount. View vintage interior/exterior images of this interesting cinema by typing in word “Rocket” or “Empress” (OHS mislabelled Rocket Theatre name) , View link
See and compare; 1930 & 1945 photos of the OKC Warner Bros. Tower & Midwest Theater can be viewed by typing in “theater” or “Midwest”, then hit search - View link
Seems OHS corrected their error. Both the Shawnee Bison Theatre and Enid Aztec (minus balcony) were sister houses, designed by Carl Boller. To compare images, on above post type in name “Aztec”, “Bison”, or “Esquire”.
View link
These burlesque tunes are good examples of the type of rythm a small bump & grind orchestra can produce,
http://cdbaby.com/mp3lofi/ronniemagri-03.m3u
http://cdbaby.com/mp3lofi/ronniemagri-05.m3u
http://cdbaby.com/mp3lofi/ronniemagri-10.m3u
http://cdbaby.com/mp3lofi/ronniemagri-14.m3u
courtesy of this fine album -
http://cdbaby.com/found?soundlike=Burlesque+Music
These burlesque tunes are good examples of the type of rythm a small bump & grind orchestra can produce,
http://cdbaby.com/mp3lofi/ronniemagri-03.m3u
http://cdbaby.com/mp3lofi/ronniemagri-04.m3u
http://cdbaby.com/mp3lofi/ronniemagri-05.m3u
http://cdbaby.com/mp3lofi/ronniemagri-10.m3u
http://cdbaby.com/mp3lofi/ronniemagri-14.m3u
courtesy of this fine album -
http://cdbaby.com/found?soundlike=Burlesque+Music
atmos:
Rediscoverance of this long forgotten atmospheric is exciting. Do you have more info or interior photos?
Other vintage views as seen beside the California (AKA-State) Theatre -
View link
View link
View link
While the exterior and main lobby were nicely decorated, the auditorium had a depressing “stripped down” look. Always wondered what it looked like before all ornamentation was ripped out.
Interior decor was obviousley somewhat all original when this house operated as the Bijou.
The raked lobby was long and narrow with recessed coming attractions display cases along the left wall, while a carnival type concession stand filled up the right side.
Ticket holders entered the auditorium up a steep ramp and proceeded to either walk down a long single center isle, or go right or left where the isle split into two isles running upward along the entrance ramp. Black painted walls were lined with cast plaster, rectangular yellow frames that concealed indirect lighting. Inside each frame was a large plaster bullseye circle (reminding one of the opening credits for WB cartoons in that these circles were painted bright orange, with red highlighted edges). In the center of each circle was a single 10-watt orange light bulb. Navy blue paint dulled an intricate pattern on a gently vaulted ceiling.
Strange as it may seem, the one and only exit consisted of a sheet glass door from which pedestrians could be seen walking past along Golden Gate Ave.
Allowing for colorful versatility, these frosted fixtures seemed to be popular amoung theatre operators. This style of lighting is also found inside the Art Theatre (AKA-Park), Champaign, IL.
View link
and
View link
Fox Dome is #21 on this 1922 map -
View link
and a photo view -
View link
Rosemary Theater is #5 on this 1922 map -
View link
Vintage color picture postcard -
http://www.westland.net/venice/history2.htm
Starland is #16 in this 1912 map of Fraser’s Million Dollar Pier -
View link
1912 color picture postcard view -
http://www.westland.net/venice/history2.htm
1925 Venice map, Neptune is #31 -
View link
Didn’t they also use some of the Orpheum fixtures too?
This movie house was operated by Paramount. View vintage interior/exterior images of this interesting cinema by typing in word “Rocket” or “Empress” (OHS mislabelled Rocket Theatre name) ,
View link
See vintage interior/exterior shots of this cinema by typing in name “Empress”,
View link
Look at vintage interior/exterior images of this theatre by typing in name “Royal”,
View link
Vintage interior/exterior images of this cinema can be seen by typing in name “Fairfax”,
View link
Vitnage photos of the interior / exterior for this cinema can be seen by typing in name “Frederick”,
View link
Vintage interior and exterior images of this cinema can be seen by typing in name “Ritz”,
View link
Look at vintage photos of this cinema interior and exterior by typing in name “Plaza”,
View link
Vintage photos of the exterior & interior can be seen by typing in name “Ritz”,
View link
Vintage images of this cinema can be seen by typing name “Texan”,
View link
See and compare; 1930 & 1945 photos of the OKC Warner Bros. Tower & Midwest Theater can be viewed by typing in “theater” or “Midwest”, then hit search -
View link
View 1930 & 1945 photos of the Warner Bros. Office Tower and Midwest Theater by typing in word “theater” or “Midwest”,
View link
Seems OHS corrected their error. Both the Shawnee Bison Theatre and Enid Aztec (minus balcony) were sister houses, designed by Carl Boller. To compare images, on above post type in name “Aztec”, “Bison”, or “Esquire”.