Ed,White launched the brand new $7,000 movie House, the Gem Theatre, on February 14, 1929 with Richard Dix in “Sporting Goods.” On May 1, 1929, the theater celebrated a second grand opening after installing Vitaphone to play sound films beginning with “The Canary Murder Case.” The operator appears to have left town taking the equipment. This left the theatre scheduling vaudeville and other live events in early 1930 before Reintroducing sound films on May 16, 1930. The theatre closed in 1933 and the Rialto in Hammon became the film destination for locals.
On Sept. 12,, 1946, the theater reopened under the moniker of the Butler Theatre with “Wanderer of the Wasteland.” It later,closed as television proved to be more popular.
The Princess Theatre was a movie theatre in downtown Custer City next to the Parker Hotel that launched on April 13, 1912 with Kathlyn Williams and Winifred Greenwood in “The Two Orphans.” J.R. Wilson sold the venue to Pearl White who refreshed the theatre which reopened September 1, 1916 as the Rex Theatre presenting Bluebird Studio photoplay supported by Monogram shorts.
Big news took place under operator Chester Kelley at the Rex on May 18, 1930 when sound films were shown beginning with Will Rogers in “They Had to see Paris.” The Rex nameplates ceased after the November 29, 1944 showing of Gary Cooper in “The Story of Dr. Wassell” supported by a cartoon. Kelley sold the theatre to Elmo C. Rankin who refreshed the venue with a streamline modern front reopening as the Elmo Theatre on January 4, 1945 with Doroth Lamour in “Rainbow Island” supported by.a Disney cartoon short and a newsreel. Both shows sold out for Rankin, who also operated the town’s mill and - in 1947 - taking on the town’s newspaper, the Custer City Courier.
In 1954, Elmo Rankin moved to Kansas and that appears to be either the end of the theatre or the end of the free newspaper ads - or, most likely, both. The last film does appear to be Judy Canova in “The WAC of Walla Walla” on May 29, 1954. For a town with fewer than 500 at that point, 32 years of movie theater operation was quite an achievement.
The theatre was on Main Street one building away from Broadway and appears to have been at 631 Main Street - since demolished - if that is correct.
The Fun locations all closed after screenings on March 16, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic along with many other theaters. Fun MacArthur Marketplace Irving was one of the first four hardtop theatres to relaunch in the DFW area on May 15, 2020 along with its Fun Carrollton, iPic Fairview and America Cinemas in Fort Worth. The Fun Carrollton closed permanently on October 31, 2020. The Fun Macarthur Marketplace soldiered on but closed abruptly after showings on July 23, 2021 promising to convert the theatre to half movie screens and have family entertainment including bowling, arcade and laser tag. With many auditoriums carrying very longstanding Hollywood titles with little chance of patrons since Fun took over the venue on June 22, 2019, the move - if it transpired - seemed sound.
aka Marquee Cinemas Macarthur Marketplace Previously operated by Marquee Cinemas
The Nusho opened November 3, 1935 with Will Rogers in “Steamboat ‘round the Bend.” It appears to have launched on a 25-year lease. It was the third theatre in town with the Crystal and Rialto which had each been open in the silent era.
The venue hosted the World Premiere of “Broken Arrow” starring James Stewart & Jeff Chandler on July 21, 1950 which started a minute later at selected Oklahoma theaters including the Criterion in Tulsa. In 1954, it was converted to widescreen to present CinemaScope titles. The Nusho closed with Walt Disney’s “White Wilderness” on February 15, 1959 citing that it lost its lease. Within months it was gutted and remodeled as a mortgage firm.
May 18, 1939 grand opening of the New Arrow Theatre with a streamlined makeover occurred with Robert Taylor in “Stand Up and Fight” supported by “Surf Heroes” and “Always Kicking.“ Burl Terrell was the architect.
Guessy dates in description are off. The Rialto Theatre opened April 10, 1922. It installed sound to remain viable for Griffith Amusements before closing for a major refresh under new operator Charles J. Oliver after the July 4, 1950 showing of Gene Autry in “Mule Train” supported by the Popeye cartoon, “A Dream Walking” plus a newsreel.
The new Redland Theatre then launches after an open house with its formal opening on September 15, 1950 with Joan Caulfield as “The Petty Girl.” The Electra Neon Sign Company’s $800 signage was an unbilled star that night, as well. In 1954, the theatre transformed to widescreen projection to present CinemaScope titles.
he Rex Theatre launched on September 10, 1923 during the fair by J.A. Sullivan at 119 South Wewoka Avenue. Strengths included Simplex projectors, good ventilation and lots of available seating. Fox Theatre Circuit took on the venue getting into hot water when protestors successfully blocked a newsreel from playing about the murder of Marian Parker in February of 1928. In 1937, the Pix opened and appears to have been in the same location as the Rex. It appears to have ceased operations on May 21, 1963 with John Wayne in “The Commancheros.”
The Liberty Theatre opened at this address in 1919. It closed as a silent theater on January 14, 1930 with the Howard Hawks' film “Fazil.” It was used sporadically in 1930 and 1931 as a venue for live events. It had one more brief chance at movie exhibition when it was wired for sound.
The theatre’s final day of operation was July 14, 1955 when a windstorm knocked down the tower. Unfortunately, a car full of people sought shelter at the tower and the car was crushed by the tower causing three of the storm’s six injuries. The theatre was demolished for a potential hospital site.
Ed,White launched the brand new $7,000 movie House, the Gem Theatre, on February 14, 1929 with Richard Dix in “Sporting Goods.” On May 1, 1929, the theater celebrated a second grand opening after installing Vitaphone to play sound films beginning with “The Canary Murder Case.” The operator appears to have left town taking the equipment. This left the theatre scheduling vaudeville and other live events in early 1930 before Reintroducing sound films on May 16, 1930. The theatre closed in 1933 and the Rialto in Hammon became the film destination for locals.
On Sept. 12,, 1946, the theater reopened under the moniker of the Butler Theatre with “Wanderer of the Wasteland.” It later,closed as television proved to be more popular.
The Princess Theatre was a movie theatre in downtown Custer City next to the Parker Hotel that launched on April 13, 1912 with Kathlyn Williams and Winifred Greenwood in “The Two Orphans.” J.R. Wilson sold the venue to Pearl White who refreshed the theatre which reopened September 1, 1916 as the Rex Theatre presenting Bluebird Studio photoplay supported by Monogram shorts.
Big news took place under operator Chester Kelley at the Rex on May 18, 1930 when sound films were shown beginning with Will Rogers in “They Had to see Paris.” The Rex nameplates ceased after the November 29, 1944 showing of Gary Cooper in “The Story of Dr. Wassell” supported by a cartoon. Kelley sold the theatre to Elmo C. Rankin who refreshed the venue with a streamline modern front reopening as the Elmo Theatre on January 4, 1945 with Doroth Lamour in “Rainbow Island” supported by.a Disney cartoon short and a newsreel. Both shows sold out for Rankin, who also operated the town’s mill and - in 1947 - taking on the town’s newspaper, the Custer City Courier.
In 1954, Elmo Rankin moved to Kansas and that appears to be either the end of the theatre or the end of the free newspaper ads - or, most likely, both. The last film does appear to be Judy Canova in “The WAC of Walla Walla” on May 29, 1954. For a town with fewer than 500 at that point, 32 years of movie theater operation was quite an achievement.
The theatre was on Main Street one building away from Broadway and appears to have been at 631 Main Street - since demolished - if that is correct.
Launched with Gene Kelly in “The Pirate” on Aug. 6, 1948.
The Fun locations all closed after screenings on March 16, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic along with many other theaters. Fun MacArthur Marketplace Irving was one of the first four hardtop theatres to relaunch in the DFW area on May 15, 2020 along with its Fun Carrollton, iPic Fairview and America Cinemas in Fort Worth. The Fun Carrollton closed permanently on October 31, 2020. The Fun Macarthur Marketplace soldiered on but closed abruptly after showings on July 23, 2021 promising to convert the theatre to half movie screens and have family entertainment including bowling, arcade and laser tag. With many auditoriums carrying very longstanding Hollywood titles with little chance of patrons since Fun took over the venue on June 22, 2019, the move - if it transpired - seemed sound.
aka Marquee Cinemas Macarthur Marketplace Previously operated by Marquee Cinemas
Status - I’d go for Closed / Renovating
The Nusho opened November 3, 1935 with Will Rogers in “Steamboat ‘round the Bend.” It appears to have launched on a 25-year lease. It was the third theatre in town with the Crystal and Rialto which had each been open in the silent era.
The venue hosted the World Premiere of “Broken Arrow” starring James Stewart & Jeff Chandler on July 21, 1950 which started a minute later at selected Oklahoma theaters including the Criterion in Tulsa. In 1954, it was converted to widescreen to present CinemaScope titles. The Nusho closed with Walt Disney’s “White Wilderness” on February 15, 1959 citing that it lost its lease. Within months it was gutted and remodeled as a mortgage firm.
No problem- Hans Teichert was the artist of this mural.
May 18, 1939 grand opening of the New Arrow Theatre with a streamlined makeover occurred with Robert Taylor in “Stand Up and Fight” supported by “Surf Heroes” and “Always Kicking.“ Burl Terrell was the architect.
Reopened after a streamlined moderne makeover as the Queen Theatre on February 23, 1939 for the K. Lee Williams Circuit.
The Pines Theatre launched May 11, 1939 with Peter Byrne’s “The Valley of the Giants.”
Style - Rustic (at opening)
Celebrated a transformation by Griffith Amusements to widescreen and presentation of CinemaScope films in November 1954
Celebrated a transformation by Griffith Amusements to widescreen and presentation of CinemaScope films on October 23, 1954
Celebrated a transformation by Griffith Amusements to widescreen and presentation of CinemaScope films November 1954
Celebrated a transformation by Griffith Amusements to widescreen and presentation of CinemaScope films on October 1954
Celebrated a transformation by Griffith Amusements to widescreen and presentation of CinemaScope films on October 1954
Celebrated a transformation by Griffith Amusements to widescreen and presentation of CinemaScope films on October 28, 1954
Celebrated a transformation by Griffith Amusements to widescreen and presentation of CinemaScope films on November 4, 1954
Celebrated a transformation by Griffith Amusements to widescreen and presentation of CinemaScope films on November 2, 1954
Celebrated a transformation by Griffith Amusements to widescreen and presentation of CinemaScope films on October 23, 1954
Celebrated a transformation to widescreen presenting CinemaScope titles on October 28, 1954
Guessy dates in description are off. The Rialto Theatre opened April 10, 1922. It installed sound to remain viable for Griffith Amusements before closing for a major refresh under new operator Charles J. Oliver after the July 4, 1950 showing of Gene Autry in “Mule Train” supported by the Popeye cartoon, “A Dream Walking” plus a newsreel.
The new Redland Theatre then launches after an open house with its formal opening on September 15, 1950 with Joan Caulfield as “The Petty Girl.” The Electra Neon Sign Company’s $800 signage was an unbilled star that night, as well. In 1954, the theatre transformed to widescreen projection to present CinemaScope titles.
The Clinton Drive-In launches for Griffith Amusements on August 17, 1949 with Oklahoma’s own Van Heflin in “Tap Roots.”
Architects Bryant and Balch
he Rex Theatre launched on September 10, 1923 during the fair by J.A. Sullivan at 119 South Wewoka Avenue. Strengths included Simplex projectors, good ventilation and lots of available seating. Fox Theatre Circuit took on the venue getting into hot water when protestors successfully blocked a newsreel from playing about the murder of Marian Parker in February of 1928. In 1937, the Pix opened and appears to have been in the same location as the Rex. It appears to have ceased operations on May 21, 1963 with John Wayne in “The Commancheros.”
The Liberty Theatre opened at this address in 1919. It closed as a silent theater on January 14, 1930 with the Howard Hawks' film “Fazil.” It was used sporadically in 1930 and 1931 as a venue for live events. It had one more brief chance at movie exhibition when it was wired for sound.
The theatre’s final day of operation was July 14, 1955 when a windstorm knocked down the tower. Unfortunately, a car full of people sought shelter at the tower and the car was crushed by the tower causing three of the storm’s six injuries. The theatre was demolished for a potential hospital site.