Ritz Theater
117 W. Main Street,
Ada,
OK
74820
117 W. Main Street,
Ada,
OK
74820
1 person
favorited this theater
This is a photo of the Ritz Theater in Ada, Ok. The movie on the marquee, “Navy Blue and Gold” is dated at 1937 by Imdb.
Contributed by
Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
In 1971 Sol Flowers, a former stagehand, took me on tour of the long shuttered Ritz Theater. A dollhouse theater, the Ritz had two seperate balconies, not one over the other as is usual, but side by side with a projection booth deviding them. The tiny stage (where once upon a time Republic stars Gene Autry, Andy Devine, Fred Hamilton, Roy Rogers and Trigger made personal appearances) still had all rigging, scenery, and drapes. In the basement were found dusty dressing rooms, with round mirrors surrounded by light bulbs.
Below site has good 1939 photos of the Ritz Theatre. Auditorium views exactly match above 2/6/06 description. In search area type in word “ritz”, then enter.
View link
The Ritz was operated by Video Independent Theaters, Inc. of Oklahoma City in the early sixties.
It was at the Ada Ritz Theatre where Paramount Pictures held their gala world premier showing of “FANCY PANTS”, staring Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, and Bruce Cabot.
The August 26, 1939, issue of Boxoffice reported that the remodeled Ritz was set to reopen that week.
The obituary of Foster McSwain published in Boxoffice, May 19, 1969, said that he had built the Ritz and Kiva theaters some time after building the McSwain, but didn’t give the years of their opening. McSwain operated theaters in Ada in partnership with Griffith United Theatres, later Video Independent Theatres.
Left of Subway Sandwich Shop (former Ada Theatre) can be seen the Ritz, marquee now covered over with gray sheet metal,
View link
Above statement should have read “right of Subway”.
Sorry!
Thank you XXX for your comment in Feb.2006. If You receive this message, I would like to converse more with You. Sol Flowers was my dad. I also appreciate all of the comments made on this cite. I would also appreciate any comments made on this cite. I did have a lot of good times at the Ritz. I also remember an incident when my friend and I were playing tag in the lobby. I was not watching when running,and ran through the plate glass on the left side of the door. I was not hurt; except, when punishment came. I do not remember dad called a stage hand—-he was the projectionist at the theater. Do not remember a basement either. Any commnts are welcome. Thanks, Roger.
This opened on September 12th, 1927 and reopened on August 21st, 1939 after renovations. Listings stopped in 1962. Both ads in photo section for this cinema.