In these vintage aerial shots the Railto Theatre can be seen below and a little left of the B24 nose cone. Above the Rialto can be seen the Lyric Theatre. McDonald Douglas manufactured B24s in Tulsa. View link View link
Vintage aerial views, in both images the Akdar Theatre can be seen photo lower left. Just above the Akdar can be seen the Rialto Theatre, and in the far distance other downtown theatres.
Once image downloads, click on photo again for a much larger view. View link View link
Vintage views of Tulsa’s Grand Opera House. In the aerial view the Grand stagehouse can be seen lower photo center, left of Hotel Bliss. Careful study of this photo will reveal Main Street Cinema, State Theatre, and several other theatre stagehouses. http://tulsalawyer.com/page83.html View link
When Paramount acquired a large lot on NW 17th St and commissioned the Boller Bros Architectural firm to design their new Plaza Theatre to act as a move over house for the (1928) Victoria Theatre. At this time Northwest Sixteenth Street was upper scale “hot property” and real estate values along this popular business district had become quite costly, so only a few front feet were acquired for an entranceway.
For the narrow Plaza facade Boller Bros designed a classy Spanish Art Deco facade executed in tan and rust brick, with zig-zag cast cement detailing. An Art Deco bronze marquee and upright sign were also included in this design.
An unusually long lobby gradually flaired out into a large cul-de-sac chamber, accented by jazzy carpeting, stylized lightning bolt chandeliers, and a massive Spanish Deco fireplace.
Because a balcony was purposely omitted from the Plaza design Paramount advertised the comfortable 900 seat auditorium as “ALL LOGE SEATING”. Speed stripes raced up sidewalls and across a vaulted ceiling from which speed stripe chandeliers were suspended. The zig-zag stage was heavily draped in sparkling red dream clothe. Instead of a standard enclosed platform area, the stage “telescoped” into the auditorium causing the entire hall to become a dramatic proscenium arch.
All Plaza light fixtures were designed with milkglass panels so lighting colour schemes could be lamped to match the season; Spring- pink, Summer- blue, Autumn- orange, Winter- red.
After all grand opening pomp and ballyhoo died down, attendance fell off and stayed in a slump. Paramount felt that the narrow Plaza facade didn’t attract enough attention and decided that something drastic had to be done quick. A taller, new false front was installed composed of large red and yellow checkerboard enamalled panels, a new fire engine red upright marquee, and more colorful lighting. Complaints arose quickly as this section of NW 16th St was considered to sophisticated for such tawdry structure and surrounding merchants complained loudly of the red and yellow eye sore. So, Paramount had the false front edesigned to red and white squares and slightly reduced the height. Still gaudy, but complaints ceased, and ticket sales did pick up.
Because the ‘all loge’ policy gained favor with the movie going public the Plaza became the favorite first run neighborhood house of OKC’s Northside and eventually replaced the much grander, much larger Victoria Theatre which closed for good in 1953.
In 1970 the red/white checkerboard facade was finally replaced with a clean, white stucco look which blended well into the Sixteenth Street district. Currently the Plaza is undergoing renovation to be transformed into a local repertory company.
There is no description for a Boston Ave Lyric because there never was such a theatre. Tulsa had only one Lyric Theatre (aprox 1893-1972) and it was located on 103 S Main St.
I grew up not far from the Frontier Theatre which was located directly on Route 66. By the time I was old enough to realize what it was, the crumbling complex had already closed. Part of a tourist court built to resemble an old west town, the Frontier Theatre facade looked somewhat like a dance-hall saloon. I’ve been told the rustic interior always emitted an enjoyable cedar scent, and was very attractive by design.
Strange fact is, the Frontier seldom featured western pictures, but usually specialized in highbrow movies such as Orson Wells' Shakespearian films, dark melodramas, and foreign films.
W.J. Laws designed the 1928 Circle Theatre to resemble an English country manor house. An unfortunate result of this Tudor styling was that it tended to give the edifice the appearance of being much smaller than actual size, but it was cute.
Ambient waincoting and heavy oak furnishings enhanced a graceful, library “look” lobby, flanked by twin spiral staircases that climbed up to a spacious mezzanine area.
Designed as a conservatory, the vaulted mezzanine was furnished with delicate white wicker furniture and lush potted palms. During matinee hours, bright sunlight streamed in through high arched, frosted glass windows which gave this space a warm, comfortable feel.
A shocking departure from subdued British manors was the 1500 seat auditorium which was styled in 1920s razzle-dazzle Moderne fun. Colorful lighting effects radiated through oversized organ grills which exhibited a futuristic abstract design, while similar, smaller grills ran along sidewalls (During cold winter months backlighting behind these grills were bright orange, changed to cool green during the hot summer season). Yard upon yard of silver valour stage drapery, with long, shimmering silver fringe, zig-zag chandeliers, and loud carpeting matched the “aint we got fun” jazz age atmosphere. All in all, the busy auditorium was meant to put patrons in a festive mood, and it fulfilled its goal!
When Paramount-Publix closed their downtown Capitol Theatre in 1937, they moved the expensive signage to this location and the Circle became known as Capitol. Later it was renamed Capri. After sitting empty for many years this beautiful theatre was razed to make way for nothing. A weed eaten vacant lot now occupies this site.
Here is a facsimile image of the Rialto (nee-Orpheum) Theatre stage, before Boller Bros. modernization. Be sure to explore this great web site for color photo of historic stage backdrop scenery. View link
and View link
and View link
Sorry for any confusion, but the address listed above is for Oklahoma City’s Folly Theatre. Here is the CORRECT WEB ADDRESS for Tulsa’s Lyric Theatre; View link
A facsimile image of the Grand Theatre stage can be viewed here. Also on these wonderful web pages are colorful pictures of vintage stage backdrop scenery. View link
and View link
Here is a facsimile image of OKC’s Folly Theatre ad curtain. Also, on this fantastic web site are colorful pictures of stage scenery backdrops. View link
Designed by Alex Blue, the 1968 Village Cinema originally opened as a single screen, first run movie house. Seating capacity was (aprox) 1000. Sometime during the 1970s a wall was constructed down the middle of the auditorium and it became a twin cinema.
OKC’s 1920 Criterion Theatre was never known as Cooper. The 1916 Liberty Theatre, located around the corner from the Criterion, ended its days with the name Cooper Cinerama, but was also known as Harbor after a 1948 (Boller Bros) renovation.
1923 picture postcard view of Rialto Theatre;
http://www.tulsaarchitecture.com/1920s.htm
View link
Once these aerial photos download, click on large image again to get a super size view;
View link
In these vintage aerial shots the Railto Theatre can be seen below and a little left of the B24 nose cone. Above the Rialto can be seen the Lyric Theatre. McDonald Douglas manufactured B24s in Tulsa.
View link
View link
Vintage aerial views, in both images the Akdar Theatre can be seen photo lower left. Just above the Akdar can be seen the Rialto Theatre, and in the far distance other downtown theatres.
Once image downloads, click on photo again for a much larger view.
View link
View link
And;
View link
Vintage views of Tulsa’s Grand Opera House. In the aerial view the Grand stagehouse can be seen lower photo center, left of Hotel Bliss. Careful study of this photo will reveal Main Street Cinema, State Theatre, and several other theatre stagehouses.
http://tulsalawyer.com/page83.html
View link
When Paramount acquired a large lot on NW 17th St and commissioned the Boller Bros Architectural firm to design their new Plaza Theatre to act as a move over house for the (1928) Victoria Theatre. At this time Northwest Sixteenth Street was upper scale “hot property” and real estate values along this popular business district had become quite costly, so only a few front feet were acquired for an entranceway.
For the narrow Plaza facade Boller Bros designed a classy Spanish Art Deco facade executed in tan and rust brick, with zig-zag cast cement detailing. An Art Deco bronze marquee and upright sign were also included in this design.
An unusually long lobby gradually flaired out into a large cul-de-sac chamber, accented by jazzy carpeting, stylized lightning bolt chandeliers, and a massive Spanish Deco fireplace.
Because a balcony was purposely omitted from the Plaza design Paramount advertised the comfortable 900 seat auditorium as “ALL LOGE SEATING”. Speed stripes raced up sidewalls and across a vaulted ceiling from which speed stripe chandeliers were suspended. The zig-zag stage was heavily draped in sparkling red dream clothe. Instead of a standard enclosed platform area, the stage “telescoped” into the auditorium causing the entire hall to become a dramatic proscenium arch.
All Plaza light fixtures were designed with milkglass panels so lighting colour schemes could be lamped to match the season; Spring- pink, Summer- blue, Autumn- orange, Winter- red.
After all grand opening pomp and ballyhoo died down, attendance fell off and stayed in a slump. Paramount felt that the narrow Plaza facade didn’t attract enough attention and decided that something drastic had to be done quick. A taller, new false front was installed composed of large red and yellow checkerboard enamalled panels, a new fire engine red upright marquee, and more colorful lighting. Complaints arose quickly as this section of NW 16th St was considered to sophisticated for such tawdry structure and surrounding merchants complained loudly of the red and yellow eye sore. So, Paramount had the false front edesigned to red and white squares and slightly reduced the height. Still gaudy, but complaints ceased, and ticket sales did pick up.
Because the ‘all loge’ policy gained favor with the movie going public the Plaza became the favorite first run neighborhood house of OKC’s Northside and eventually replaced the much grander, much larger Victoria Theatre which closed for good in 1953.
In 1970 the red/white checkerboard facade was finally replaced with a clean, white stucco look which blended well into the Sixteenth Street district. Currently the Plaza is undergoing renovation to be transformed into a local repertory company.
There is no description for a Boston Ave Lyric because there never was such a theatre. Tulsa had only one Lyric Theatre (aprox 1893-1972) and it was located on 103 S Main St.
I grew up not far from the Frontier Theatre which was located directly on Route 66. By the time I was old enough to realize what it was, the crumbling complex had already closed. Part of a tourist court built to resemble an old west town, the Frontier Theatre facade looked somewhat like a dance-hall saloon. I’ve been told the rustic interior always emitted an enjoyable cedar scent, and was very attractive by design.
Strange fact is, the Frontier seldom featured western pictures, but usually specialized in highbrow movies such as Orson Wells' Shakespearian films, dark melodramas, and foreign films.
W.J. Laws designed the 1928 Circle Theatre to resemble an English country manor house. An unfortunate result of this Tudor styling was that it tended to give the edifice the appearance of being much smaller than actual size, but it was cute.
Ambient waincoting and heavy oak furnishings enhanced a graceful, library “look” lobby, flanked by twin spiral staircases that climbed up to a spacious mezzanine area.
Designed as a conservatory, the vaulted mezzanine was furnished with delicate white wicker furniture and lush potted palms. During matinee hours, bright sunlight streamed in through high arched, frosted glass windows which gave this space a warm, comfortable feel.
A shocking departure from subdued British manors was the 1500 seat auditorium which was styled in 1920s razzle-dazzle Moderne fun. Colorful lighting effects radiated through oversized organ grills which exhibited a futuristic abstract design, while similar, smaller grills ran along sidewalls (During cold winter months backlighting behind these grills were bright orange, changed to cool green during the hot summer season). Yard upon yard of silver valour stage drapery, with long, shimmering silver fringe, zig-zag chandeliers, and loud carpeting matched the “aint we got fun” jazz age atmosphere. All in all, the busy auditorium was meant to put patrons in a festive mood, and it fulfilled its goal!
When Paramount-Publix closed their downtown Capitol Theatre in 1937, they moved the expensive signage to this location and the Circle became known as Capitol. Later it was renamed Capri. After sitting empty for many years this beautiful theatre was razed to make way for nothing. A weed eaten vacant lot now occupies this site.
Here is another interesting birds eye view of the Busby Theatre-
View link
Also in this image can be seen McAlester’s Scottish Rite Masonic Temple which still maintains it’s original 1930 Kimball Organ with over 3100 pipes.
Two views that blended together above…
BUSBY THEATER 1908-1983
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Take a historic visual tour of the Busby Theatre in pictures- – -
BUSBY THEATER 1908-1983
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1983 Demolition Snapshots
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RIP
Here is a facsimile image of the Rialto (nee-Orpheum) Theatre stage, before Boller Bros. modernization. Be sure to explore this great web site for color photo of historic stage backdrop scenery.
View link
and
View link
and
View link
Sorry for any confusion, but the address listed above is for Oklahoma City’s Folly Theatre. Here is the CORRECT WEB ADDRESS for Tulsa’s Lyric Theatre;
View link
Check out these fun web pages for a facsimile image of Tulsa’s Lyric Theatre ad curtain, and other theatre scenery backdrops;
View link
A facsimile image of the Grand Theatre stage can be viewed here. Also on these wonderful web pages are colorful pictures of vintage stage backdrop scenery.
View link
and
View link
Here is a facsimile image of OKC’s Folly Theatre ad curtain. Also, on this fantastic web site are colorful pictures of stage scenery backdrops.
View link
Designed by Alex Blue, the 1968 Village Cinema originally opened as a single screen, first run movie house. Seating capacity was (aprox) 1000. Sometime during the 1970s a wall was constructed down the middle of the auditorium and it became a twin cinema.
Perhaps the map feature does pinpoint the correct address listed here. Could it be that the Rodeo Theatre address on this site was given incorrectly?
OKC’s 1920 Criterion Theatre was never known as Cooper. The 1916 Liberty Theatre, located around the corner from the Criterion, ended its days with the name Cooper Cinerama, but was also known as Harbor after a 1948 (Boller Bros) renovation.
View of a vintage colour picture postcard image – – -
http://tulsalawyer.com/page50.html
A more direct route to Rialto photo…
http://tulsalawyer.com/page45.html
Other vintage pictures of the Grand Theater…
http://tulsalawyer.com/page45.html
http://tulsalawyer.com/page46.html
http://tulsalawyer.com/page83.html
View link
View link