State Theatre
20 N. Robinson Avenue,
Oklahoma City,
OK
73102
20 N. Robinson Avenue,
Oklahoma City,
OK
73102
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The State Theatre did had a very unique history because of its “movie studio focus” and not on placing a top hit one after another.
The State Theatre at first primarily showed Columbia films (yes because of its slogan), but would also add films by RKO, United Artists, and Selznick into its lineup during World War II. By the end of World War II, the State Theatre primarily showed RKO movies (including titles by its predecessor Liberty Films) despite the State Theatre being independently-operated and not owned by the chain, but the State Theatre would eventually bring back its original Columbia formula in 1949.
It continued into the 1950s alongside its CinemaScope installation during its boom, but it wasn’t until 1956 when the State Theatre tossed the table. The State Theatre then primarily screened United Artists films, and one of those titles ran at the State is the smash “Around The World In 80 Days” that same year. Another smash that ran during its time with UA is “West Side Story” in the Summer of 1962.
Finally in the mid-1960s, the State Theatre began showing MGM films until its closure on September 7, 1971 with “Fortune And Men’s Eyes” due to storm damage.
This opened on March 5th, 1937.
Pic added to Photo section of State Theater showing of 1937’s “DEAD END”
Pic added to photo section of 1953 fire.
Yeah, the steep seating was way tooo comfortable for the period…My buddy and I spent late hours on a Fri. nite and would go the to State on Sat. afternoon but, fell asleep in those seats often after a fun nite…It wAS A FIRST CLASS theater with the most comfortable seating of any theater at that time in OKC….Thanks
The last ever active listing for this theater was Tuesday, September 7, 1971, when it was showing MGM’s screen adaptation of John Herbert’s prison-set play FORTUNE AND MEN’S EYES. The next two day’s ads state “Temporarily Closed due to Storm Damage—OPEN SOON.” It never reopened. [Oklahoma Journal]
Oops, technology glitch earlier uploaded wrong photo’s..these are correct State Theater Photo’s in Pic Section.
1930’s Pic of North Robinson Street with State Theater added to Photo Section.
1937 grand opening ad in photo section.
1971 Pic of State Finale added to Photo Section
1965 Day Time Pic of State Theater added to Photo Section.
Early 60’s Night Time view of State added to Photo Section looking South on Robinson.
1953 Pic of State Theatre, Oklahoma City, added to Photo Section.
Shown here are grand opening announcement newspaper ads for the State,
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Shown here are grand opening announcement newspaper ads for the State,
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And in this picture the State Theater is leftside
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map of downtown Okla City
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Rightside of this late-1930’s picture is the State Theater
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From Doug Loudenback’s fantastic link comes this demolition photo of the old State Theater,
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Roadside Oklahoma pages have vintage views of the old State Theater;
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/495
During the summer of ‘45 lovely swimwear models were photographed inside the sunken lobby of the State Theater. The State usually kept their interior in “like new” condition, but wartime shortages may explain the rundown appearance of the area during this time frame. Note torn drapes and missing carpeting.
To see pictures type in word “swimsuit” –
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Good views of the State Theater can be seen on this updated site;
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These vintage photos are not the OKC State Theatre.
Anyone out there know where this movie house was located?
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/C1494.jpg
and
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/C1493.jpg
Religeous picture featured on marquee was a cheapie product from gimmick producer Kroger Babb.
Babb usually pitched sexploitation pictures that hyped hot, graphic sex, but seldom lived up to its bold promise.
Below web site has a 1937 exterior photograph of the State Theatre. Once page downloads, type in word ‘theatre’, then hit enter -
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Click here to view colour postcard images of OKC’s State Theater;
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Several exterior/interior photos of Shriners Theater can be found in the oklahoman archive web site, grand opening announcement-December 16, 1923, edition.