State Theatre
Oak Street,
Sallisaw,
OK
74955
Oak Street,
Sallisaw,
OK
74955
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Additional Info
Previous Names: New Wonderland Theatre
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No theaters found within 30 miles
The New Wonderland Theatre replaced an earlier Wonderland Theatre (1911-1926) which has its own page on Cinema Treasures. The New Wonderland Theatre was opened on February 19, 1926. On January 20, 1930 it was equipped with a sound system. It was closed on August 30, 1941 with Tex Ritter in “The Pioneers”. The 1942 Sallisaw High School Yearbook advertised the State Theatre, “The Friendly Theatre'.
Since the State Theatre and Ritz Theatre ran separate yearbook advertisements it can be safely assumed that they were independent of one another, although located on the same street.
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Kewpie
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Recent comments (view all 2 comments)
E. B. Bugher launched the Wonderland Theatre in downtown Sallisaw in 1911. It burned down in 1912. The same operator rebuilt a new Wonderland launching in January of 1916. On January 29, 1931, the theatre added sound with the film, “Moby Dick” becoming the New Wonderland Theatre. The New Wonderland ceased operations after showing Tex Ritter in “The Pioneers” on August 30, 1941 at end of lease.
On September 8, 1941, the “old” Wonderland re-emerged as the State Theatre with Abbott and Costello’s “Buck Privates.”
Actually dallasmovietheaters is mostly right about the Wonderland but he actually mentioned about 2 different Wonderlands mixed in. As of today, I found a lot of new information about this Wonderland that there are actually 2 Wonderland Theaters located in nearby sections of the city which both are on Oak throughout its history.
This Wonderland is the location that is relocated after the closing of the old Wonderland Theatre (opened on May 11, 1911) building in early February 1926, the theater relocated quickly down the street and the New Wonderland Theatre opened at the old Wolf-Meyer building on February 19, 1926 with the 1925 Vitagraph Company of America film “Wildfire” starring Aileen Pringle. Ray Brown continued to be the owner of the new Wonderland Theatre; among the former old Wonderland Theatre. The New Wonderland Theatre during the first year had a strong Pathe Films focus due to its popularity for the city of Sallisaw movie fans.
Like the old Wonderland Theatre in January 1912, terror passes by at both Wonderlands, which includes the new Wonderland Theatre.
The similar, more exact January 1912 incident of the “old Wonderland” occurred during December 1929 when the New Wonderland Theatre was under a Christmas nightmare, which was destroyed by a fire. The fire was caused by the projector while screening an unknown silent film. When 1930 rolled along, the theater was remodeled, and E.B. Bugher (former old Wonderland Theatre operator) became the owner once again and added a new projector. The theater reopened on January 20, 1930 when Jack Conway’s direction Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film “Our Modern Maidens” starring Joan Crawford became the first showing right after the devastating fire destruction.
And yes here’s the sound information; as we flash forward a year later to January 30, 1931 and at that time, the RCA Photophone Incorporated sound system was installed at the New Wonderland Theatre and began screening talkies. John Barrymore in Warner Brothers' “Moby Dick” became the first talkie at the New Wonderland. In a confusing note, popular company Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s sound films didn’t began running at the New Wonderland Theatre until April 10, 1932.
The Old Wonderland Theatre’s page is up but I forgot to add the statement on the January 1912 fire destruction among the reopening in January 1916, they will update it as soon as possible.