In this aerial view (middle of block left of proposed office tower) can be seen the former Gem Theatre. Directly across the street from the Gem sat the Downtown Adult Cinema. http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/D9756.jpg
Regular updates on the Tulsa Lawyer web site causes their photos to constantly change pages. From the Tulsa Lawyer link comes this direct route to a 1950 color postcard of the Tulsa Theatre… http://tulsalawyer.com/img85.gif
Near photo center of this c1913 picture postcard is seen the Folly Theatre with its stud light arch entry way. After the Folly burned the Sooner was built on the same foundation, and utilized the Folly stagehouse. View link
Local theatre 101 historians claim this was a Warner Bros/Vitaphone disk sound house. Since the name was Movietone (NOT Viataphone) it obviousely would have had the Fox sound on film system.
1907 color picture postcard view… http://okielegacy.org/images/newoperahouse.jpg
Contemporary shot… View link
Alva theatre history… http://tinyurl.com/qodym
This 1909 picture postcard shows the Majestic when it was presenting Orpheum Circuit Vaude and still known as the Colonial Theatre, seen directly above the word “WEST”… View link
And here are color postcards from the same era… View link
Around 1913 the OKC Fair Grounds moved to NW 10th & May Ave, and the Eastside would have certainly been one of the left over theatre building. In this early 1900s color postcard view the Eastside Theatre and its large stagehouse can be clearly seen upper photo left background. View link
From the Oklahoma County Tax Assessor Office comes this vintage picture postcard view of the Folly Theatre (photo center), white structure with stud lighted, arched entrance. View link
From the Oklahoma County Tax Assessor Office comes this 1930s postcard view of the former Empire Theatre (phot left). Partial view of the Criterion Theatre can also be made out. View link
One note of interest; in John Ford’s “The Grapes of Wrath”, this is the street corner where the Jode’s truck turns onto when they set out for California.
Don’t know where Royce came up with that “twenty-three-story” number, but in this this vintage postcard view can be seen the Colcord Airdome atop the thirteen-story white structure. Left of the Colcord can be seen the Overholser Opera House, and photo center can be seen the Folly Theatre with its stud lighted, arched entryway. View link
Come 1920 the Rialto Theatre would be built this side of the Baum Bldg.
Ongoing research proves that the Gem Theatre was not located inside the Wright Bldg, though it is most likely that the Theatorium was here.
Through the courtesy of Oklahoma County Tax Assessor Office come these vintage picture postcards.
In this 1940s view the Gem marquee can faintly be seen (right of center) between the upright signs of WKY Radio and the hotel. View link
This 1950s color postcard shows the same view from the opposite direction. Gem Theatre was already gone, but had been inside the four story corner building (photo right). View link
My guess would be that it was the other way around, this photo was probably taken during the 1940s after the frantic jazz-age decor had been painted over, toned down, and “streamlined”. The isle carpet has a ‘40s pattern weave, and the auditorium does not look new.
After much research no trace of an “art theatre” ever being at this location has not been found.
This c1940 photo documents that Pride’s Cafeteria had moved into the old Broadway Theatre, utilizing the tall upright sign. http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/A0122.jpg
The marquee looks old, could it have been moved over from another movie house? If it turns out that the Boomtown does not qualify as a cinema, it is still a lovely little theatre and I’m glad to have had a chance to see those pretty pictures.
In the 1920s Ahlschlager also designed a couple of ten story buildings in Okla. City and one can’t help but wonder if on one of his visits to town he got the idea to place the Roxy projection booth at balcony base. OKC’s 1916 Liberty built its booth beneath the balcony, on loge level. This resulted in perfect picture image by eliminating keystoning. Site below contains Liberty pictures - View link
The c1915 Yale Theater in Okmulgee, OK, may have been the first theatre to install the booth into the balcony base.
Architect L. B. Senter must have also designed Palace Office Supply over on Sixth & Boston Ave.
Note similarities between the two structures - http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/A0599.jpg
In this aerial view (middle of block left of proposed office tower) can be seen the former Gem Theatre. Directly across the street from the Gem sat the Downtown Adult Cinema.
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/D9756.jpg
Tulsa Symphony Orchestra performing on Ritz stage…
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/C0127.jpg
Below is a (c1960) facade view of the former Lyric Theatre, steel marquee frame was still visible …
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/E0069.jpg
Regular updates on the Tulsa Lawyer web site causes their photos to constantly change pages. From the Tulsa Lawyer link comes this direct route to a 1950 color postcard of the Tulsa Theatre…
http://tulsalawyer.com/img85.gif
Near photo center of this c1913 picture postcard is seen the Folly Theatre with its stud light arch entry way. After the Folly burned the Sooner was built on the same foundation, and utilized the Folly stagehouse.
View link
acer42:
Have you also looked at the (Tulsa) Orpheum and (OKC) Orpheum pages? These were some of Eberson’s earlier works.
Local theatre 101 historians claim this was a Warner Bros/Vitaphone disk sound house. Since the name was Movietone (NOT Viataphone) it obviousely would have had the Fox sound on film system.
1907 color picture postcard view…
http://okielegacy.org/images/newoperahouse.jpg
Contemporary shot…
View link
Alva theatre history…
http://tinyurl.com/qodym
This 1909 picture postcard shows the Majestic when it was presenting Orpheum Circuit Vaude and still known as the Colonial Theatre, seen directly above the word “WEST”…
View link
And here are color postcards from the same era…
View link
Around 1913 the OKC Fair Grounds moved to NW 10th & May Ave, and the Eastside would have certainly been one of the left over theatre building. In this early 1900s color postcard view the Eastside Theatre and its large stagehouse can be clearly seen upper photo left background.
View link
From the Oklahoma County Tax Assessor Office comes this vintage picture postcard view of the Folly Theatre (photo center), white structure with stud lighted, arched entrance.
View link
In that stage door photo; do you suppose those are members of Baby June’s Newsboys?
From the Oklahoma County Tax Assessor Office comes this 1930s postcard view of the former Empire Theatre (phot left). Partial view of the Criterion Theatre can also be made out.
View link
One note of interest; in John Ford’s “The Grapes of Wrath”, this is the street corner where the Jode’s truck turns onto when they set out for California.
Don’t know where Royce came up with that “twenty-three-story” number, but in this this vintage postcard view can be seen the Colcord Airdome atop the thirteen-story white structure. Left of the Colcord can be seen the Overholser Opera House, and photo center can be seen the Folly Theatre with its stud lighted, arched entryway.
View link
Come 1920 the Rialto Theatre would be built this side of the Baum Bldg.
Ongoing research proves that the Gem Theatre was not located inside the Wright Bldg, though it is most likely that the Theatorium was here.
Through the courtesy of Oklahoma County Tax Assessor Office come these vintage picture postcards.
In this 1940s view the Gem marquee can faintly be seen (right of center) between the upright signs of WKY Radio and the hotel.
View link
This 1950s color postcard shows the same view from the opposite direction. Gem Theatre was already gone, but had been inside the four story corner building (photo right).
View link
I’m certain CR meant to write “Nineteenth Century opera houses” –
My guess would be that it was the other way around, this photo was probably taken during the 1940s after the frantic jazz-age decor had been painted over, toned down, and “streamlined”. The isle carpet has a ‘40s pattern weave, and the auditorium does not look new.
While drawing plans for the Norshore interior the brothers Rapp borrowed several design elements from their (1922) Akdar Theatre, Tulsa.
After much research no trace of an “art theatre” ever being at this location has not been found.
This c1940 photo documents that Pride’s Cafeteria had moved into the old Broadway Theatre, utilizing the tall upright sign.
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/A0122.jpg
Go to the map function to see a satellite view of the Chapman Theatre and Park, built where the Grand had formerly stood.
From Oklahoma Histerical Society come these Redskin contemporary color photographs. To view images type in word “theatre”, then search -
View link
The marquee looks old, could it have been moved over from another movie house? If it turns out that the Boomtown does not qualify as a cinema, it is still a lovely little theatre and I’m glad to have had a chance to see those pretty pictures.
Architect W.W. Ahlschlager designed the Ramsey Tower in Oklahoma City, seen (middle skyscaper)in below c1935 photograph -
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/B9329.jpg
In the 1920s Ahlschlager also designed a couple of ten story buildings in Okla. City and one can’t help but wonder if on one of his visits to town he got the idea to place the Roxy projection booth at balcony base. OKC’s 1916 Liberty built its booth beneath the balcony, on loge level. This resulted in perfect picture image by eliminating keystoning. Site below contains Liberty pictures -
View link
The c1915 Yale Theater in Okmulgee, OK, may have been the first theatre to install the booth into the balcony base.
Rialto Theatre shot taken shortly before the building came down -
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/E0127.jpg
Architect L. B. Senter must have also designed Palace Office Supply over on Sixth & Boston Ave.
Note similarities between the two structures -
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/A0599.jpg
Two exterior shots taken a year or two before the theatre came down. Note that the Orpheum preferred to keep its tracer light bulb marquee and blade sign, instead of neon -
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/E0084.jpg
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/E0057.jpg
Two more Majestic Theatre exterior shots, ten years apart -
c1948
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/B1354.jpg
c1968, after it had switched over to X-rated product. In those days it was best to remain discreet when promoting raunchy loops -
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/E0060.jpg