I attended the Zana in the late 40’s. Remember seeing Red Ryder and Little Beaver along with other westerns. Usually, though, I went to the Palace. Once Lash La Rue came to town to promote a movie and I saw him in person. I remember him as being rather small for a big star. I don’t remember the name of the movie.
I worked at the La Nora Theater in the ‘50s where I met Mr. H. A. Gilliland who owned the theater building and a theater building in Borger. Both were managed by Video Independent Theatres. As you entered the La Nora Theater a mosaic tile floor in the lobby contained his name – H A Gilliland – within a circle. It was a very nice theater. In addition to the lower level concession and seating area, two spiraling stairs lead from the lobby to a large mezzanine before continuing to a large balcony seating area. The large window area in the picture looked out from the theater offices which were to the front of the mezzanine.
I worked at the LaNora Theater in the ‘50s where I met Mr. Gilliland. He still owned the building and a theater building in Borger. Both were operated by Video Independent Theatres of Oklahoma City who had acquired management of them from Griffith Amusement Company. As you entered the LaNora Theater a mosaic tile floor in the lobby contained his name – H A Gilliland – within a circle. I was the projectionist at the LaNora the night it burned. Although it was just a burned out shell, the projection booth was fire proof and enough structure remained that I was able to retrieve the film which was not damaged.
This picture would have been taken after the Capri Theater opened. Sol Flowers transferred in to be projectionist at the Capri. Irene Rowe was cashier at the LaVista; Maude McVey worked the concession at the Top O Texas; Margret Arthur worked the concession at the Capri after the LaNora burned.
I began work as usher and doorman at the LaVista and LaNora; later, projectionist at LaVista/LaNora/Pampa and Top O Texas drive-ins. I removed the cans of film from the projection booth at the LaNora the day after the fire. I worked the Theaters in Lubbock as assistant to J B Rhea and filled in as vacation relief as manager in Pampa after Paul West went to Albuquerque. Would love to have copies of his pictures of the theaters in Pampa.
The LaNora Theater was destroyed by fire in 1960. Consturction began on the Capri Theater that same year. Pampa had one other walk in theater at that time, the LaVista Theater, and two drive in theaters, the Pampa Drive In and the Top O Texas Drive In. I believe the Rex theater was remodeled and renamed the LaVista. These were last operated by Video Independent Theatres of Oklahoma City.
I attended the Zana in the late 40’s. Remember seeing Red Ryder and Little Beaver along with other westerns. Usually, though, I went to the Palace. Once Lash La Rue came to town to promote a movie and I saw him in person. I remember him as being rather small for a big star. I don’t remember the name of the movie.
I worked at the La Nora Theater in the ‘50s where I met Mr. H. A. Gilliland who owned the theater building and a theater building in Borger. Both were managed by Video Independent Theatres. As you entered the La Nora Theater a mosaic tile floor in the lobby contained his name – H A Gilliland – within a circle. It was a very nice theater. In addition to the lower level concession and seating area, two spiraling stairs lead from the lobby to a large mezzanine before continuing to a large balcony seating area. The large window area in the picture looked out from the theater offices which were to the front of the mezzanine.
I worked at the LaNora Theater in the ‘50s where I met Mr. Gilliland. He still owned the building and a theater building in Borger. Both were operated by Video Independent Theatres of Oklahoma City who had acquired management of them from Griffith Amusement Company. As you entered the LaNora Theater a mosaic tile floor in the lobby contained his name – H A Gilliland – within a circle. I was the projectionist at the LaNora the night it burned. Although it was just a burned out shell, the projection booth was fire proof and enough structure remained that I was able to retrieve the film which was not damaged.
Wayne Matney
This picture would have been taken after the Capri Theater opened. Sol Flowers transferred in to be projectionist at the Capri. Irene Rowe was cashier at the LaVista; Maude McVey worked the concession at the Top O Texas; Margret Arthur worked the concession at the Capri after the LaNora burned. I began work as usher and doorman at the LaVista and LaNora; later, projectionist at LaVista/LaNora/Pampa and Top O Texas drive-ins. I removed the cans of film from the projection booth at the LaNora the day after the fire. I worked the Theaters in Lubbock as assistant to J B Rhea and filled in as vacation relief as manager in Pampa after Paul West went to Albuquerque. Would love to have copies of his pictures of the theaters in Pampa.
The LaNora Theater was destroyed by fire in 1960. Consturction began on the Capri Theater that same year. Pampa had one other walk in theater at that time, the LaVista Theater, and two drive in theaters, the Pampa Drive In and the Top O Texas Drive In. I believe the Rex theater was remodeled and renamed the LaVista. These were last operated by Video Independent Theatres of Oklahoma City.