Gaslight Theatre
221 N. Independence Avenue,
Enid,
OK
73701
221 N. Independence Avenue,
Enid,
OK
73701
1 person
favorited this theater
Related Websites
Gaslight Theatre (Official)
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Griffith Amusement Company, Publix Theaters Corporation
Architects: Carl Boller, Robert O. Boller
Firms: Boller Brothers
Functions: Concerts
Styles: Italian Renaissance
Previous Names: Billings Theatre, Criterion Theatre, Chief Theatre, Cinema Twin
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
580.234.2307
Nearby Theaters
Opened on February 22, 1921 as the 900-seat Billings Theatre, screening Agnes Ayers in “Forbidden Fruit”. It was built by William S. Billings and his wife Henrietta, who lived in apartments above the theatre according to the 1933 Enid City Directory. He had previously managed the American Theatre at the American (Loewen) Hotel, a block and a half to the East of the Billings Theatre.
On March 31, 1922 it was renamed Criterion Theatre, it was operated by Publix Theatres from 1930 to 1934, and then the Griffith Amusement Company from 1935 to 1939. It was remodeled and reopened on May 21, 1940 as the Chief Theatre, screening Lana Turner in “Two Girls on Broadway” and finally in the 1980’s the Cinema Twin.
Today operating as the Gaslight Theatre offering concerts.
Contributed by
Lauren Grubb
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Recent comments (view all 19 comments)
This site has color photos and a brief history of the lovely Gaslight Theatre …
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/365
Here is what the former Cheif Theatre (AKA-Gaslight) looks like now. This theatre has a good size stagehouse!
View link
This link has a June, 1966, newpaper ad for the Chief.
http://www.enidbuzz.com/businessphotosvintage.htm
I was in this theatre only once, during the period when it was the Chief Theatre. It was an older one, with lots of trim. The sound and sight lines were pretty good; glad to hear it’s still being used as the Gaslight Theatre.
If the report in the February 9, 1921, issue of The Film Daily is anywhere near accurate, this theater has lost most of its seats:
1936 photo added, photo credit Oklahoma Historical Society. Via the Enid Oklahoma Old Post Cards Facebook page
Circa 1967 photo added, photo credit Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, csrhc.org Re-release of “Gone With The Wind”, with `60’s cars in the reflection.
I remember when this was still called the chief and was one screen. I remember when they closed it for remodeling (seems like a fire happened in the back)and they changed it to two screens. One of the first movies they played after remodeling was Hurricane 1979.
Several photos of this house over the years can be seen on this page of the Downtown Enid History web site.
The Billings Theatre was first constructed in April 1920 with an estimate $125,000 under the direction of Walt Billings, and opened its doors on February 22, 1921 with Agnes Ayres in “Forbidden Fruit” with no extras. It was renamed the Criterion Theatre on March 31, 1922.
After a short remodel, the theater reopened as the Chief Theatre on May 21, 1940 with Joan Blondell in “2 Girls From Broadway” along with a travelogue short on New Hampshire and a March Of Time reel on the mounting war fever on the Philippines.