Because it was on the Columbia Burlesque Wheel was one reason OKC’s Gaiety Burlesque Theatre was immensely popular, another contributor to its success was a jazzy house orchestra, and the fact that strip shows were risque fun.
Since the Gaiety held only five-hundred seats their strip-tease queens and skit comics often performed before sold out audiences. These SRO crowds thereby enabled neighboring Reno & Joy burlesque houses to cash in on Gaiety’s overflow, even though these two other strip joints usually played second rate acts accompanied by three piece bands.
Presented on Library of Congress Photo Archive site is a 1977 snapshot when this theatre was known as MELBA. Film title on marquee was “Adventures of the Wilderness Family”. View link
Shown here is a vintage snapshot of this theatre when it was known as MELBA. Film listed on marquee is “Adventures of the Wilderness Family”. View link
In 1917 photo journalist Lewis W. Hine exposed child labor through pictures. Some of his prints also captured OKC theatre history. Here one of Hine’s pictures illustrates a coming attractions poster for Overholser Opera House (AKA-Orpheum, Warner); View link
Basically the Vitagraph Theatre was a tiny nickelodeon nestled inside the NW corner of that Colonial style building. Above the man crossing the street can be seen a scalloped sign marking the Vitagraph Nickelodeon location.
Do think it closed long before the 1920’s rolled around.
The former Vitagraph Booking Office and Film Exchange Building still stands in downtown OKC on the NW corner of California at (I think) Hudson St.
Close study of these photographs indicate that perhaps signage from the Plaza were later moved over to the Roxy. Notice that the Roxy and 1960 Plaza exterior pictures have the same rough quarried stone exterior and matching upper story windows.
Click here to see Jeff Chapman photograph of this theater when it was known as Cooper Cinerama. This is a 1972 picture, not 1960 as listed on this site; View link
And a colour postcard shot when it was named Harber; View link
Photo Journalist Lewis Wickes Hine took these 1917 snapshots to protest child labor in Oklahoma City. Inadvertantly Hine also captured a little theatre history. From Library Congress Photo Archives.
Newsie at Folly Theatre entrance- View link
Western Union Messenger at Folly stage door- View link
Folly poster ad- View link
From C.F. Donald’s 1908 panoramic view of Enid, Oklahoma, can be seen the Court Saloon which was later renovated into the Arcadia Theare. Photo courtesy Library of Congress Photograph Archive- http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pan.6a15474
Try this link for a Capitol image (hope this one works)-
View link
and here for more detailed photograph-
View link
To view image of above mentioned ad curtain click here;
View link
“Spirit of Lafayetee” was a silent picture released in 1919.
When Jay Leno first took over NBC’s “The Tonight Show”, behind Jay’s desk could be seen an exact replica of the OKC Tower neon upright sign. Remember?
Here is a route to the cute nickelodeon mentioned above.
View link
Because it was on the Columbia Burlesque Wheel was one reason OKC’s Gaiety Burlesque Theatre was immensely popular, another contributor to its success was a jazzy house orchestra, and the fact that strip shows were risque fun.
Since the Gaiety held only five-hundred seats their strip-tease queens and skit comics often performed before sold out audiences. These SRO crowds thereby enabled neighboring Reno & Joy burlesque houses to cash in on Gaiety’s overflow, even though these two other strip joints usually played second rate acts accompanied by three piece bands.
Surf this clever web site for recent ALLRED snapshots, and be sure to explore their roadside images pages too;
http://www.agilitynut.com/theatres/ok.html
Brooks Opera House address was 116 East Harrison, Guthrie, OT.
Presented on Library of Congress Photo Archive site is a 1977 snapshot when this theatre was known as MELBA. Film title on marquee was “Adventures of the Wilderness Family”.
View link
Shown here is a vintage snapshot of this theatre when it was known as MELBA. Film listed on marquee is “Adventures of the Wilderness Family”.
View link
From Library of Congress Photo Archives.
View link
Click here to view a fine vintage photograph of Cushing’s Dunkin Theatre;
View link
Click here to see (near bottom of page) a recent picture of Sapulpa’s Tee Pee Drive-In Theatre;
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/OK-Sapulpa.html
Please excuse above typo. Click this address for image-
View link
In 1917 photo journalist Lewis W. Hine exposed child labor through pictures. Some of his prints also captured OKC theatre history. Here one of Hine’s pictures illustrates a coming attractions poster for Overholser Opera House (AKA-Orpheum, Warner);
View link
Basically the Vitagraph Theatre was a tiny nickelodeon nestled inside the NW corner of that Colonial style building. Above the man crossing the street can be seen a scalloped sign marking the Vitagraph Nickelodeon location.
Do think it closed long before the 1920’s rolled around.
The former Vitagraph Booking Office and Film Exchange Building still stands in downtown OKC on the NW corner of California at (I think) Hudson St.
Close study of these photographs indicate that perhaps signage from the Plaza were later moved over to the Roxy. Notice that the Roxy and 1960 Plaza exterior pictures have the same rough quarried stone exterior and matching upper story windows.
Click here to view outstanding photo of OKC’s Criterion Theater;
View link
Click here to see Jeff Chapman photograph of this theater when it was known as Cooper Cinerama. This is a 1972 picture, not 1960 as listed on this site;
View link
And a colour postcard shot when it was named Harber;
View link
Click here to view colour postcard images of OKC’s State Theater;
View link
Click here to view Jeff Chapman photos of the Midwest Theater;
View link
Click here to see result of John Eberson’s 1920 renovation;
View link
Photo Journalist Lewis Wickes Hine took these 1917 snapshots to protest child labor in Oklahoma City. Inadvertantly Hine also captured a little theatre history. From Library Congress Photo Archives.
Newsie at Folly Theatre entrance-
View link
Western Union Messenger at Folly stage door-
View link
Folly poster ad-
View link
From C.F. Donald’s 1908 panoramic view of Enid, Oklahoma, can be seen the Court Saloon which was later renovated into the Arcadia Theare. Photo courtesy Library of Congress Photograph Archive-
http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pan.6a15474