Centre Theater
415 Couch Drive,
Oklahoma City,
OK
73102
415 Couch Drive,
Oklahoma City,
OK
73102
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Hosted actor George Peppard for an 8pm, Wednesday, May 12, 1971 live appearance to introduce his latest film, ONE MORE TRAIN TO ROB (following the regularly scheduled feature, THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS). Earlier in the day, as part of a national publicity tour he met with the Lt. Governor and Spectro Theaters officials and spoke of current movie industry challenges. [“Peppard Encourages State in Movie Industry Push”, Oklahoma Journal, Thursday, May 13, 1971, pp. 5]
This opened on December 25th, 1947. Grand opening ad posted.
Not sure where the page creator got their information about a 1980 closing. The last ad ever for this theater (with an “Ends Tonite!” by-line) in either OKC newspaper was Friday, April 30, 1976, with a double feature of Ossie Davis' film COUNTDOWN AT KUSINI (aka COOL RED) and Yul Brynner in THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR.
Uploaded Stage Pic.
Centre Theater Pic added to Photo Section with Theater top sign.
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Centre Theatre 1947 construction photos can be seen by typing in the search ares of above site the word “theater” (has to be ‘er’ spelling).
Nice Centre Theatre exterior & auditorium views can be seen on the following site by typing in name “Centre” -
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OKLAHOMA CITY â€" The Oklahoma City Museum of Art is looking for submission of stories, photographs and memories of the Centre Theatre, in honor of the 60th anniversary of the theaters opening on Christmas day, 1947
The theatre had a long run from its opening in 1947 to the mid 1970’s when it was eventually closed down. Throughout its operation, the theatre was more than just a movie theatre; it was a venue for sports telecast, civic fundraisers, religious lectures, and even the site for a square dance. It was a special place for many people.
To celebrate the history of the theater, the Museum of Art is looking to create a history of the theater with the help of those who grew up with the Centre Theatre. The museum will be taking 200 words or less short essays describing experiences and stories of the theater. In addition, the museum is also looking for old photographs taken of or at the Centre Theatre.
To submit click here
http://okcmoa.com/p/14371/Default.aspx
Original Deco glass railings are preserved inside the museum, along with the grand staricase. Unfortunately those glorious murals are forever gone. Hopfully someone will come up with interior photographs.
Were the spectacular black light murals in the Center/Centre Theater preserved? If so, I would really like to see photos of those displayed. Also photos of the magnificent Deco glass and aluminum stair railings. That was a lovely old theater as were the Midwest, Warner (built as the Overholser Opera House if memory serves), Harbor, and Criterion — all destroyed during the madness of the 1960s “urban renewal” debacle. – OKC ex pat Scott Foster, Honolulu.
Photo gallery of the Centre Theatre during convertion to an art museum.
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This creative website contains shots of the former Centre Theatre.
http://www.agilitynut.com/theatres/ok.html
Some pics taken 11/5/06:
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For an outstanding architectural drawing of the Centre Theatre design go to oklahoman archive site and check this issue; August 21, 1946.
Photos & info can be found here on OKC’s Centre Theatre. A list of what was left intact after conversion to an art museum is included.
http://www.okcartmuseum.com/film_centretheatre.htm
The San Antonio ALAMEDA Theater auditorium, murals, and lobby are extremely similar to that of Oklahoma City’s CENTRE Theatre.
The San Antonio ALAMEDA Theater auditorium, murals, and lobby are extremely similar to that of Oklahoma City’s CENTRE Theatre.
Actually, the Centre wasn’t razed but it did become the kernel for the much larger Oklahoma City Museum of Art. The picture here shows the final 2002 product: http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/okc24.htm and the picture here shows the earlier form: View link
In the project, many of the fixtures, stairways, etc. of the original art deco Center were restored.
Wasn’t the Centre razed a while back and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art built on this site?
From the pictures of the place,it had a full stage set up, some great architectural features.The “retail"use doesn’t tell anything about what is left intact.