The reason why it originally closed on September 4, 1989 is because of declining ticket sales. I was trying to find the last film that closed the Okla, but I cannot find it at all. Maybe Dallas will help me figure it out.
However, I can confirm is that in 1990, the Okla Theatre was bought by Kiamichi Actors Studio Theatre Incorporated, a local performing arts group. KAST intended to restore the theater, but was unable to raise the funds and surrendered the deed to the bank. It was then purchased from the bank by the Ardeneum of Oklahoma Charitable and Educational Foundation Incorporated.
Opened on June 29, 1951 with Lon McCallister in “The Big Cat” along with the Tom And Jerry cartoon “The Cat And The Mermouse” and the RKO short “Prize Maids”.
This theater was short-lived, but I cannot confirm if it continued operating under a different name after Jerry Lewis’s bankruptcy. The theater was destroyed by a fire on August 6, 1977, caused by arson led by 42-year-old Vincent Fardella of Ocean City, Maryland. He later served 15 years at a Pennsylvania prison.
The actual opening date is November 13, 1941 with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in “Great Guns” along with an unnamed cartoon, a sports reel, and a RKO “Picture People” reel. It was closed on November 17, 1955 with “Headline Hunters” and “The Scarlet Claw” (unknown if extras added) and was converted into an ASC Office in December 1962.
This was built on site of a 3-story building that housed T.C. Jasper’s store and a hardware store owned by a guy named Philpott, that was demolished before the Palace was built. The Palace building was demolished on September 21, 1963.
Closed on March 22, 1959 with Tony Randalls in “The Mating Game” along with the Mr. Magoo cartoon “Bwana Magoo” and a newsreel. It was destroyed by a fire the following morning.
Still showing first-run films into as late as mid-1978.
May 1958
It was renamed the LaFayette Plaza Cinema on November 23, 1982.
The reason why it originally closed on September 4, 1989 is because of declining ticket sales. I was trying to find the last film that closed the Okla, but I cannot find it at all. Maybe Dallas will help me figure it out.
However, I can confirm is that in 1990, the Okla Theatre was bought by Kiamichi Actors Studio Theatre Incorporated, a local performing arts group. KAST intended to restore the theater, but was unable to raise the funds and surrendered the deed to the bank. It was then purchased from the bank by the Ardeneum of Oklahoma Charitable and Educational Foundation Incorporated.
Opened on June 29, 1951 with Lon McCallister in “The Big Cat” along with the Tom And Jerry cartoon “The Cat And The Mermouse” and the RKO short “Prize Maids”.
This theater was short-lived, but I cannot confirm if it continued operating under a different name after Jerry Lewis’s bankruptcy. The theater was destroyed by a fire on August 6, 1977, caused by arson led by 42-year-old Vincent Fardella of Ocean City, Maryland. He later served 15 years at a Pennsylvania prison.
The actual opening date is November 13, 1941 with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in “Great Guns” along with an unnamed cartoon, a sports reel, and a RKO “Picture People” reel. It was closed on November 17, 1955 with “Headline Hunters” and “The Scarlet Claw” (unknown if extras added) and was converted into an ASC Office in December 1962.
The actual opening date is May 11, 1951 with Rod Cameron in “Panhandle” and Robert Cummings in “Free For All” (unknown if extras added).
Opened in early-September 1941.
Also closed with “Moonwalker” in Screen 1 and “Like Father Like Son” in Screen 2. “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” was screened in Screen 3 before closing.
Thanks for the correction!
This was built on site of a 3-story building that housed T.C. Jasper’s store and a hardware store owned by a guy named Philpott, that was demolished before the Palace was built. The Palace building was demolished on September 21, 1963.
This was once known as “Sandrews 1-2-3”.
This was also operated by Folkets Bio.
Opened with “The Odd Couple”.
Became a permanent movie house on September 16, 1932. It was once operated by Svensks Filmindustri.
This was also known as People’s Cinema Jönköping (in English). The current location opened its doors on November 25, 1987, housing 190 seats.
Became a Gold’s Gym after closure, but the gym closed around the start of the pandemic. As of 2025, the building is vacant.
Opened with “The Graduate”.
Closed with “El Dorado”, “Your Cheatin' Heart” and “The Rounders” as a triple feature.
Opened on July 15, 1930 with Ralph Forbes in “Mamba” (unknown if extras added).
Closed on March 22, 1959 with Tony Randalls in “The Mating Game” along with the Mr. Magoo cartoon “Bwana Magoo” and a newsreel. It was destroyed by a fire the following morning.
Opened on May 18, 1960 with “Please Don’t Eat The Daisies” (unknown if extras added).
The Walmart built on the site opened on July 17, 1984, but closed on October 26, 2004 when it relocated. The former Walmart now housed a church.
Closed in the late-1970s.