Here is a fantastic link that has a lot of classic Oklahoma theatres. Click below to read a brief history of Twilight Gardens Drive-in, with lots of photos. That grand opening ad doesn’t exaggerate the magnificence of the graceful entrance foujntain. View link
This multiplex had the charm of a bus station. It had cement block walls, and this was the first OKC cinema not to have curtains over the screen. Instead of drapes, it flashed advertising slides during intermission. Seats were most uncomfortable, and there was always sound bleedover from other auditoriums.
I took a friend there once, and upon exiting the theatre he said (no matter what was showing) he never wanted to go there again. And he didn’t!
One good reason ‘DILLINGER’ didn’t premier here at the Midwest was because by then it had become a porn house. American International was trying to ease into big budget productions and didn’t want any association with porn.
Another reason, at that time the Plaza was still a very classy movie house.
LIFE night shot of Arcade, 1952 –
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LIFE auditorium view, 1942 –
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1957 nighh shot from LIFE Magazine –
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These 1946 images come courtesy of LIFE …
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and
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This 1955 photo comes courtesy of LIFE …
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This 1953 photo comes courtesy of LIFE …
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This 1947 photo comes courtesy of LIFE. Though listed as being in Clarmore, it is actually the OKC Will Rogers Theater.
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This 1944 photo comes courtesy of LIFE …
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This 1951 photo comes courtesy of LIFE …
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These 1971 photos comes courtesy of LIFE,
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What a spooky looking old theatre!
Though not yet proven, it has been said that this is a photo of the Ritz basement smoking room,
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This photo is entitled “Tulsa Schools, Theatres, and Eateries of the 1930’s”,
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This photo is entitled “Tulsa Schools, Theatres, and Eateries of the 1930’S”,
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This photo is entitled “Tulsa Schools, Theatres, and Eateries of the 1930’s”,
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roadsideoklahoma web pages contain a brief history on the old 66 West Drive-In -
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A fine looking drive, even if it has been shuttered a long while.
More detail can be read here,
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Here is a fantastic link that has a lot of classic Oklahoma theatres. Click below to read a brief history of Twilight Gardens Drive-in, with lots of photos. That grand opening ad doesn’t exaggerate the magnificence of the graceful entrance foujntain.
View link
This multiplex had the charm of a bus station. It had cement block walls, and this was the first OKC cinema not to have curtains over the screen. Instead of drapes, it flashed advertising slides during intermission. Seats were most uncomfortable, and there was always sound bleedover from other auditoriums.
I took a friend there once, and upon exiting the theatre he said (no matter what was showing) he never wanted to go there again. And he didn’t!
Here is a 1912 (photo right) shot of when this theatre was still known as Metropolitan -
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I have been informed that during planning stages of this theatre the name Honey Springs Drive-In was seriously contemplated.
YES! That photo link posted 11-28-08 is an image of the OKC Will Rogers Theater located on Western Ave.
YES! This listing should be remvoed since this never was a theatre.
One good reason ‘DILLINGER’ didn’t premier here at the Midwest was because by then it had become a porn house. American International was trying to ease into big budget productions and didn’t want any association with porn.
Another reason, at that time the Plaza was still a very classy movie house.
Looks as though the Del Rio was designed with “forced perspective” in order to make it appear much larger than it actually was.