Broncho Theatre
1 S. Broadway,
Edmond,
OK
73034
1 S. Broadway,
Edmond,
OK
73034
1 person
favorited this theater
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Though it mispells the theater’s original name as Bronco, the October 2, 1972, issue of Boxoffice ran an item noting that this house had reopened as the Academy Theatre following a $75,000 remodeling. The Academy was operated by a new theater circuit based in Okalhoma City called the Heisman Theatre Corporation. Heisman was soon to open new four-plexes in Norman and Stillwater.
That’s an interesting idea, Lucky. I’ll start poking around. Those yearbooks aren’t difficult to locate.
Thanks, Lucky, but I already have those. They show the outside and ticket booth. There are also two shots of people at the concession stand. So, my quest for lobby, auditorium and other photos continues.
Okie, where did you get the information about the lobby? That is very interesting. Do you other interesting things about the Broncho?
Lauren, “broncho” isn’t a mispelling. It is a less common, but legitimate, alternate spelling. In fact, there is another “Broncho Theatre” in Indiana or Illinois.
Raybradley, That site no longer has any photos at all. They refer you back here. Were the photos the same few that are in the Max Chambers library? It was only the Academy for a short while before it closed. The type of photos I am searching for are ones that show the entire lobby (or at least just more than the concession stand)or the screen/curtains/auditorium.
My above request also applies to the later years, when it was known as The Academy."
I’m on a personal quest to find photos of the auditorium, lobby, booth and exterior of The Broncho, other than the ones mentioned above and the one I just added to this site. I’ve had no luck with the members of the Spearman family that I know. If anybody visiting this site has a lead on any, I’ll be very grateful.
On this site it is listed as the Acadamy Theatre. Included are clear vintage photos, recent snapshots, and a brief history …
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/338
Some additional information:
The theater, opened on Jan 10, 1936, was located at 1 S. Broadway (Main & Broadway) on the former location of the Joyland Theatre Airdome. It advertised carpeted aisles, draperies, restrooms and two projection booths with synchronized sound.
The theater was built by W.Z. Willie Spearman who operated it until it was taken over by his son. The younger Spearman operated the theater until he sold it to R.R. McCoy. The theater operated on and off until the 1970s.
The hospital was opened on the second floor on February 2, 1947.
The Broncho Theatre and Gem Theatre were two separate theaters. The Gem was located at two different places on Broadway over its lifespan.
As for the Broncho mis-spelling, I was told that the wife of one of the early presidents the Territorial Normal School/Central State/UCO came up with the mascot and spelled the name of the animal incorrectly. Apparantly it stuck.
To clear up correct picture pages, here is a list;
Page 12-concession stand image,
page 15-exterior shots, and
page 17-boxoffice view
Thanks, Okie, for the correct web address. Be sure to check out page 12 for Broncho pix.
For a typical small cinema the Broncho’s L shaped lobby was rather spacious, due to the fact that restrooms and offices were located in the basement area. Above mentioned UCOK image gallery has a picture of the concession stand on page 12, and an under the marquee shot on page 17;
View link
Oklahoma Central University, Chambers Library (image gallery, page 15) has several nostalgic photographs of Edmond’s Broncho Theatre @
View link
Any ideas as to why they would spell Bronco incorrectly? Maybe the hospital treated patients with bronchitis.
The Film Daily Yearbook;1950 edition lists two seperate theatres in Edmond, OK. The Broncho Theatre, Main Street with 590 seats and the Gem Theatre, Main Street with 324 seats.