Aldridge Theatre

303 NE 2nd Street,
Oklahoma City, OK 73104

Unfavorite 1 person favorited this theater

Showing 17 comments

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on January 5, 2023 at 9:26 pm

The Aldridge Theater appears to have closed following the June 6, 1964 double feature of “Jason & the Argonauts” and Ray Milland in “River’s Edge.”

Texas2step
Texas2step on December 10, 2017 at 1:07 am

This one was built in 1919 but it opened on February 2, 1920. The feature film was “Blind Husbands” starring Sam De Grasse.

pnelson
pnelson on November 10, 2015 at 1:36 am

Exterior pic of the Aldridge is very handsome. Neon and marquee is great. Art deco.

tynesferguson
tynesferguson on July 20, 2013 at 7:14 am

I am looking for information or photographs of my great grandfather, Thomas Pierson, who was manager of the Aldridge Theater from 1918 to about 1922. If anyone can help, please contact me at Thanks.

LouRugani
LouRugani on August 26, 2012 at 3:10 am

The Aldridge Theatre was slightly west of where the Haywood Building (Deep Deuce Grill) is today. Owned by Zelia Breaux and F.E. Withrow, the Aldridge opened in 1919. Big bands, vaudeville acts and movies were featured regularly. Music legends such as Cab Calloway, Billie Holiday, Count Basie and Duke Ellington appeared at the Aldridge.

missmelbatoast
missmelbatoast on April 3, 2011 at 5:14 am

From CardCow Postcards I found this old picture of the KBYE sign
View link

missmelbatoast
missmelbatoast on April 1, 2011 at 7:07 am

For a rare auditorium look see go above to April 23, 2007 post and enter “ALDRIDGE THEATRE interior THE DUKE IS TOPS”

missmelbatoast
missmelbatoast on March 30, 2011 at 7:18 am

As early as 1957 Oklahoma City had a black radio station, KBYE (AM-890). To see a downtown
billboard advertisement for station KBYE go above to Jeff Chapman’s 04-23-07 link and type in
“katz 1957”

seymourcox
seymourcox on March 3, 2011 at 11:55 pm

The site where the Aldridge Theatre stood is now an apartment complex,
View link

seymourcox
seymourcox on July 17, 2010 at 10:14 pm

Historic photos of the old Aldridge Theater can be viewed on this informative web site,
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/575

seymourcox
seymourcox on July 3, 2010 at 7:40 pm

Direct links to the Aldridge Theatre page can be found here;
View link
and
View link

missmelbatoast
missmelbatoast on July 29, 2007 at 5:50 pm

Don’t bother to look for black (Aldridge, Blue Moon, Carter, Eastside, Jewel) theatre ads in the Daily Oklahoman, or any other white newspaper. Afro-American theatres advertised exclusively in the Black Dispatch.
Don’t understand why the map on these links don’t mark the Jewel Theatre location on NE Third, one block North from the Aldridge.
Included is a breif bio of Zelia N. Page Breaux, beloved theatre owner and music teacher.
During the late 1960s the downtown Cooper Theatre began to book black films, which siphoned Afro patrons away from Negro neighborhood cinemas, this eventually forced their closing.
View link
View link
Above sites work best using dial-up connenction.

missmelbatoast
missmelbatoast on July 16, 2007 at 7:54 pm

Love the pictures posted on OHS site. So many black persons who were regular patrons of the Aldridge talk about this odeon with such loving memories. Seems the Aldridge and Jewel (both black owned and operated) were built not only as movie/vaude houses, but also pomp gathering places free from retraints found in churches, but not as worldly as night clubs.
Up to the end live acts were always included on the bill. One notable performer who was brought back most often was singer Little Richard.

jchapman1
jchapman1 on April 23, 2007 at 5:10 pm

Take this shorter route, then type in the word “theatre”. Once picture downloads click on it again for a large shot -
View link

seymourcox
seymourcox on January 21, 2007 at 6:10 pm

To see an excellent 1939 Aldridge vintage photograph click on below link, then enter Barney Hillerman Collection,
http://okhistory.cuadra.com/star/public.html

xxx
xxx on March 9, 2006 at 1:06 am

The Aldridge Theatre was razed in 1975.

Ken Roe
Ken Roe on July 6, 2005 at 6:49 pm

The Aldridge Theatre was built in 1920 and opened as a Vaudville and picture house for African American audiences. In the late 1920’s Count Basie and Gonzelle White’s band performed here.

It is listed in Film Daily Yearbooks 1931-1933 and 1940-1955 as being a Negro theater.