Levi and W.D. Metcalf converted the retail Ambrister Building (aka George Schwartz Building) at 115 West Main Street in downtown Purcell to the Metro Theatre in 1935. The 300-seat theater was a discount house run in conjunction with Metcalf’s Ritz to blunt the competition from Pearl Dooley’s Dooley Theatre. The Metro opened on August 23, 1935 with Buzz Barton in “Saddle Aces” supported by the Clyde Beatty serial, “The Lost Jungle” and a comedy short.
The Metcalfs would buy out the Dooley Theatre converting it to the McClain Theatre opening it on December 13, 1940. The Metro was closed the night before on December 12, 1940 with Sidney Toler in “Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum.” The building was converted to Cobb’s Grocery Store.
Anderson’s Riverside Drive-In Theatre in Normal launched on May 21, 1948 just north of the Norman Bridge on Highway 9 by twin brothers, Emery and Elvin B. Anderson. The opening film was Ronald Reagan in “Stallion Road” supported by a Bugs Bunny cartoon and a newsreel. Elvin Anderson operated to closure at the end of its 33d season in 1980.
J.W. Fox and O.H. Maricle launched in the Princess Theatre in downtown Grandfield on Second Street in the former City Garage on March 15, 1920 with Lon Cheney in “The Miracle Man” supported by live music by Mrs. Holt. The Princess converted to a new sound system as the Ritz Theatre operating from April 3, 1931 to April 30, 1932. In September of 1932, the Princess name was removed in favor of the Fox Theatre.
Fox sold out the business to Philips and Lawson who took on the Fox Theatre and remodeled it as a streamline moderne venue. They also renamed it as the Rio Theatre and it launched for them on April 18, 1939 with Cary Grant in “Gunga Din.”
The theatre was converted to widescreen to accommodate CinemaScope presentations in the 1950s. The final operator of the Rio, Smokey Adams, announced that due to decreased patronage, the theatre would be closed permanently October 29, 1965 with Jimmy Stewart in “Shenandoah.”
Jim Kelley and W. Frank Deaton launched the Pix Theatre in 1945. The pair would then add the Alva Drive-In on June 14, 1950. Homer Jones then purchased both theaters in April of 1957. The theatre closed permanently on April 28, 1957 with Don Coates and The Bon-Aires in “Rock Baby - Rock It!”
The Alva Motion Picture Company opened the Majestic Theater opened in downtown Alva on April 1, 1906. Momand Theatrical Circuit took on the Majestic and sold off its equipment rather than make the transition to sound. The space was used by a grocery store.
But Homer C. Jones of Jones Amusement took on the former Majestic turned retail grocer and converted it to the Ranger Theatre. It relaunched on December 6, 1936 with Joe E. Brown in “Polo Joe.” The North side of the Square. The theatre closed January 30, 1954 with “Rod Cameron” in “Cavalry Scout.”
The original Rialto Theatre opened on April 25, 1927 with William Boyd in “The Yankee Clipper” on a 20-year lease. Three months after its 20th anniversary, the building but not the theater was damaged by a fire at the Rialto Cafe. The theatre had more screenings but was razed in July of 1948. In 1948 and 1949, a new building was constructed on the site of the Rialto by Homer C. Jones of Jones Amusement to the plans of architect Jack Corgan. The Rialto Theatre Opened On August 21, 1949 with Gary Cooper in “It’s A Great Feeling.“ The theatre had the state’s first air conditioned projection booth and an Otis elevator.
The Grand Opera House opened on January 3, 1908 with a live play, “The Isle of Spice.” Like many opera houses, Alva’s Grand would gravitate to lower risk and lower cost motion pictures. In 1918, the opera house was damaged by strong winds and was refurbished as a full-time movie theater. When it ws completed, the Liberty Theatre opened with a soft launch on April 21, 1919 with Margarita Fischer in “Molly of the Follies” and William Duncan in “A Fight for Millions” supported by live music by the Blue Grass Belles. A formal grand opening was scheduled shortly thereafter.
Ten years later, the theatre received Vitaphone sound premiering with “Alias, Jimmy Valentine” on June 7, 1929. A major refresh took place in 1932 bringing sound on film and cushioned seats. On April 26, 1933, the theatre suffered a major fire ending its life after its remains were razed.
Pix Theatre operators Frank Deaton and James Kelley launched the Alva Drive-In on June 14, 1950 on a 20-year lease with Abbott and Costello in “It Ain’t Hay. The ozone sported a 30x40' screen tower and had a drive-in restaurant in front called The Grill.
Pix Theatre operators Frank Deaton and James Kelley launched the Alva Drive-In on June 14, 1950 on a 20-year lease with Abbott and Costello in “It Ain’t Hay. The ozone sported a 30x40' screen tower and had a drive-in restaurant in front called The Grill.
In July of 2021 Golden Ticket Circuit announced it would take over the location as its 13th location after a conversion to lounge reclining seats and other improvements.
The Blue Moon launched March 22, 1940 with May Robeson in “Granny Get Your Gun” supported by the serial, “Overland with Kit Carson” and a cartoon. It closed in 1956.
Brown Bros. launched the Kozy Theatre on April 7, 1917 with six reels of moving pictures and music by Mrs. Ward’s Orchestra. In March of 1930, the theatre was equipped with sound starting with the film, “Murder on the Roof” to remain viable.
Operator Melville Danner got the Kozy’s only world premiere by suggesting a short idea pitched to Pete Smith of MGM. That short became “Movie Pests” premiering at the Granite on July 5, 1944 and the Mayor of the city proclaimed it Melville Danner and Pete Smith Day on July 8, 1944.
Under Raymond Burns, the theatre transitioned to widescreen projection to present CinemaScope titles beginning October 2, 1957 with June Allyson in “Woman’s World.” Ernest Wayne and Nancy Craig closed the Kozy Theatre following the November 20, 1965 showing of “Pillow Talk” which may have ended its 58 year run. The theatre was, however, used for sporadic screenings thereafter.
The Thompson Theatre opened with 464 seats in August of 1939 by Glen Thompson which replaced the original Thompson Theatre which had opened in 1936 but was burned on January 3, 1939. The 300-seat theatre was the Princess Theatre which Thompson also operated through October of 1950. On October 15, 1954, the theatre converted to widescreen projection to present CinemaScope films beginning with “The Robe.” It may mean little, but ads discontinue at the 20-year mark of the theater.
Early motion pictures were played in town at the Cox Opera House / Majestic Theatre.It would get competition from the Empress Theatre which appears to have opened in August of 1921. Mrs. Charles H. Gilliam operated the theatre until 1925 selling it to T. Miller Davidge and Fred T Gresham who changed the name to the Princess Theatre. The operators would close briefly late in 1930 to convert to sound reopening Thanksgiving Day with “Call of the Flesh” with Roman Navarro.
Glen Thompson built the new Thompson Theatre in 1936 and the town operated with two movie houses. Though the trade press erroneously reported that the Princess burned down in a January 4, 1939 fire, it was the not quite three-year old Thompson Theatre that was lost after a fire originated in a shoe store took out multiple Tishomingo businesses. All bookings played the Princess for seven months until Thompson rebuilt the theater relaunching in August of 1939. The two theaters operated together until October 28, 1950 when the Princess Theatre was closed permanently with Gene Autry in “Grand Canyon.” Seating from the venue was donated to the city’s court room for spectators.
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Martin began construction of the Joy Theatre in November of 1945. War shortages delayed its opening until August 8, 1946. The Martins continued operating the Palace Theatre making Coweta a two-theatre town - interesting for a town of just under 1,500 residents. The Palace folded on Thanksgiving of 1948. O.R. Beasley took on the Joy and gave it a new sound system in 1964. The Joy closed but it reopened for a period as the Coweta Theatre and appears to have since closed.
The Granada Theatre was a new-build facility that was constructed in 1992/3 to replace the former Oxford Auditorium that was in existence from 1917 to 1992. It will have its own CinemaTreasure page. The New Granada was built on the site of the former location. Its seating count was 152 at opening but replaced those seats in 2015 to its current auditorium count of 120. It closed for the pandemic in March of 2020 but reopened early in 2021 to resume current film offerings which were heavily family-centric.
Best known for a major obscenity case when local officials shut down the Heights Art Theatre for showing the film, “The Lovers" on November 13, 1959. Theater manager Nico Jacobellis showed the French film, landed himself in jail, and his case gravitated on appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court. Jacobellis v. Ohio (1964) overturned the Cleveland Heights' suspect enforcement and was one of several cases that led to major changes in obscenity law enforcement in the United States. The case indirectly led to the rise of the porno chic era of motion picture exhibition.
The Plaza Theatre was a new-build facility for T. Miller Davidge who held a naming contest to give a handle to the W. Scott Dunne architected venue. It launched as the Plaza Theatre which replaced the fire-damaged former Liberty/State Theatre which had been on the lot prior to its demolition. The fire took place on Halloween of 1934 closing the State Theatre permanently. It had become the State Theatre when John Terry took over the Liberty from Robb & Rowley and relaunched as the State Theatre on March 4, 1932 with “The Big Shot.” The Plaza opened July 3d, 1936.
Levi and W.D. Metcalf converted the retail Ambrister Building (aka George Schwartz Building) at 115 West Main Street in downtown Purcell to the Metro Theatre in 1935. The 300-seat theater was a discount house run in conjunction with Metcalf’s Ritz to blunt the competition from Pearl Dooley’s Dooley Theatre. The Metro opened on August 23, 1935 with Buzz Barton in “Saddle Aces” supported by the Clyde Beatty serial, “The Lost Jungle” and a comedy short.
The Metcalfs would buy out the Dooley Theatre converting it to the McClain Theatre opening it on December 13, 1940. The Metro was closed the night before on December 12, 1940 with Sidney Toler in “Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum.” The building was converted to Cobb’s Grocery Store.
1935
Called the Leonard Theatre 1950s-1960s to closing
Anderson’s Riverside Drive-In Theatre in Normal launched on May 21, 1948 just north of the Norman Bridge on Highway 9 by twin brothers, Emery and Elvin B. Anderson. The opening film was Ronald Reagan in “Stallion Road” supported by a Bugs Bunny cartoon and a newsreel. Elvin Anderson operated to closure at the end of its 33d season in 1980.
J.W. Fox and O.H. Maricle launched in the Princess Theatre in downtown Grandfield on Second Street in the former City Garage on March 15, 1920 with Lon Cheney in “The Miracle Man” supported by live music by Mrs. Holt. The Princess converted to a new sound system as the Ritz Theatre operating from April 3, 1931 to April 30, 1932. In September of 1932, the Princess name was removed in favor of the Fox Theatre.
Fox sold out the business to Philips and Lawson who took on the Fox Theatre and remodeled it as a streamline moderne venue. They also renamed it as the Rio Theatre and it launched for them on April 18, 1939 with Cary Grant in “Gunga Din.”
The theatre was converted to widescreen to accommodate CinemaScope presentations in the 1950s. The final operator of the Rio, Smokey Adams, announced that due to decreased patronage, the theatre would be closed permanently October 29, 1965 with Jimmy Stewart in “Shenandoah.”
The Lawton Theatre launched August 29, 1929 with a Western Electric sound system, a $250,000 venue, with Betty Compson in “On With the Show.”
Jim Kelley and W. Frank Deaton launched the Pix Theatre in 1945. The pair would then add the Alva Drive-In on June 14, 1950. Homer Jones then purchased both theaters in April of 1957. The theatre closed permanently on April 28, 1957 with Don Coates and The Bon-Aires in “Rock Baby - Rock It!”
The Alva Motion Picture Company opened the Majestic Theater opened in downtown Alva on April 1, 1906. Momand Theatrical Circuit took on the Majestic and sold off its equipment rather than make the transition to sound. The space was used by a grocery store.
But Homer C. Jones of Jones Amusement took on the former Majestic turned retail grocer and converted it to the Ranger Theatre. It relaunched on December 6, 1936 with Joe E. Brown in “Polo Joe.” The North side of the Square. The theatre closed January 30, 1954 with “Rod Cameron” in “Cavalry Scout.”
The original Rialto Theatre opened on April 25, 1927 with William Boyd in “The Yankee Clipper” on a 20-year lease. Three months after its 20th anniversary, the building but not the theater was damaged by a fire at the Rialto Cafe. The theatre had more screenings but was razed in July of 1948. In 1948 and 1949, a new building was constructed on the site of the Rialto by Homer C. Jones of Jones Amusement to the plans of architect Jack Corgan. The Rialto Theatre Opened On August 21, 1949 with Gary Cooper in “It’s A Great Feeling.“ The theatre had the state’s first air conditioned projection booth and an Otis elevator.
The Grand Opera House opened on January 3, 1908 with a live play, “The Isle of Spice.” Like many opera houses, Alva’s Grand would gravitate to lower risk and lower cost motion pictures. In 1918, the opera house was damaged by strong winds and was refurbished as a full-time movie theater. When it ws completed, the Liberty Theatre opened with a soft launch on April 21, 1919 with Margarita Fischer in “Molly of the Follies” and William Duncan in “A Fight for Millions” supported by live music by the Blue Grass Belles. A formal grand opening was scheduled shortly thereafter.
Ten years later, the theatre received Vitaphone sound premiering with “Alias, Jimmy Valentine” on June 7, 1929. A major refresh took place in 1932 bringing sound on film and cushioned seats. On April 26, 1933, the theatre suffered a major fire ending its life after its remains were razed.
Pix Theatre operators Frank Deaton and James Kelley launched the Alva Drive-In on June 14, 1950 on a 20-year lease with Abbott and Costello in “It Ain’t Hay. The ozone sported a 30x40' screen tower and had a drive-in restaurant in front called The Grill.
Pix Theatre operators Frank Deaton and James Kelley launched the Alva Drive-In on June 14, 1950 on a 20-year lease with Abbott and Costello in “It Ain’t Hay. The ozone sported a 30x40' screen tower and had a drive-in restaurant in front called The Grill.
aka Corral Auto Theatre
In July of 2021 Golden Ticket Circuit announced it would take over the location as its 13th location after a conversion to lounge reclining seats and other improvements.
CineStarz closed here permanently
The Blue Moon launched March 22, 1940 with May Robeson in “Granny Get Your Gun” supported by the serial, “Overland with Kit Carson” and a cartoon. It closed in 1956.
Brown Bros. launched the Kozy Theatre on April 7, 1917 with six reels of moving pictures and music by Mrs. Ward’s Orchestra. In March of 1930, the theatre was equipped with sound starting with the film, “Murder on the Roof” to remain viable.
Operator Melville Danner got the Kozy’s only world premiere by suggesting a short idea pitched to Pete Smith of MGM. That short became “Movie Pests” premiering at the Granite on July 5, 1944 and the Mayor of the city proclaimed it Melville Danner and Pete Smith Day on July 8, 1944.
Under Raymond Burns, the theatre transitioned to widescreen projection to present CinemaScope titles beginning October 2, 1957 with June Allyson in “Woman’s World.” Ernest Wayne and Nancy Craig closed the Kozy Theatre following the November 20, 1965 showing of “Pillow Talk” which may have ended its 58 year run. The theatre was, however, used for sporadic screenings thereafter.
The Thompson Theatre opened with 464 seats in August of 1939 by Glen Thompson which replaced the original Thompson Theatre which had opened in 1936 but was burned on January 3, 1939. The 300-seat theatre was the Princess Theatre which Thompson also operated through October of 1950. On October 15, 1954, the theatre converted to widescreen projection to present CinemaScope films beginning with “The Robe.” It may mean little, but ads discontinue at the 20-year mark of the theater.
Early motion pictures were played in town at the Cox Opera House / Majestic Theatre.It would get competition from the Empress Theatre which appears to have opened in August of 1921. Mrs. Charles H. Gilliam operated the theatre until 1925 selling it to T. Miller Davidge and Fred T Gresham who changed the name to the Princess Theatre. The operators would close briefly late in 1930 to convert to sound reopening Thanksgiving Day with “Call of the Flesh” with Roman Navarro.
Glen Thompson built the new Thompson Theatre in 1936 and the town operated with two movie houses. Though the trade press erroneously reported that the Princess burned down in a January 4, 1939 fire, it was the not quite three-year old Thompson Theatre that was lost after a fire originated in a shoe store took out multiple Tishomingo businesses. All bookings played the Princess for seven months until Thompson rebuilt the theater relaunching in August of 1939. The two theaters operated together until October 28, 1950 when the Princess Theatre was closed permanently with Gene Autry in “Grand Canyon.” Seating from the venue was donated to the city’s court room for spectators.
Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Martin began construction of the Joy Theatre in November of 1945. War shortages delayed its opening until August 8, 1946. The Martins continued operating the Palace Theatre making Coweta a two-theatre town - interesting for a town of just under 1,500 residents. The Palace folded on Thanksgiving of 1948. O.R. Beasley took on the Joy and gave it a new sound system in 1964. The Joy closed but it reopened for a period as the Coweta Theatre and appears to have since closed.
The Rex Theatre launched November 3, 1915 by Lloyd M. Drayton and Austin C. King, Jr.
The Granada Theatre was a new-build facility that was constructed in 1992/3 to replace the former Oxford Auditorium that was in existence from 1917 to 1992. It will have its own CinemaTreasure page. The New Granada was built on the site of the former location. Its seating count was 152 at opening but replaced those seats in 2015 to its current auditorium count of 120. It closed for the pandemic in March of 2020 but reopened early in 2021 to resume current film offerings which were heavily family-centric.
Best known for a major obscenity case when local officials shut down the Heights Art Theatre for showing the film, “The Lovers" on November 13, 1959. Theater manager Nico Jacobellis showed the French film, landed himself in jail, and his case gravitated on appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court. Jacobellis v. Ohio (1964) overturned the Cleveland Heights' suspect enforcement and was one of several cases that led to major changes in obscenity law enforcement in the United States. The case indirectly led to the rise of the porno chic era of motion picture exhibition.
The new-build Liberty Theatre is opened as another World War I Liberty location on August 14, 1917 with movies and live vaudeville in Durant.
The Plaza Theatre was a new-build facility for T. Miller Davidge who held a naming contest to give a handle to the W. Scott Dunne architected venue. It launched as the Plaza Theatre which replaced the fire-damaged former Liberty/State Theatre which had been on the lot prior to its demolition. The fire took place on Halloween of 1934 closing the State Theatre permanently. It had become the State Theatre when John Terry took over the Liberty from Robb & Rowley and relaunched as the State Theatre on March 4, 1932 with “The Big Shot.” The Plaza opened July 3d, 1936.