The Orpheum Theatre is closing in June 2025 to remodel the auditorium, the last major project. For its 102nd birthday on September 4, 2024 the asbestos fire curtain was lowered. The curtain is in good condition for being 102 years old. I included pictures of it in the photos section.
July 12, 1931 image of the Kansas Theater open in defiance of Wichita’s blue laws.
http://cdm15942.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15942coll10/id/56
Terrywade,
The original entrance with the neon marquee is not going away according to the article below.
http://www.kansas.com/2013/12/06/3164040/orpheum-theatres-30-million-campaign.html
If you look at the photo provided you will see the back of the neon marquee to the right of the building.
Glen Wood Dickinson III, I am doing my master’s thesis on Wichita theaters from 1900-2000 and I would love to talk to you about Wichita’s Dickinson Theatres. Thanks, Keith Wondra
O.F. Sullivan opened the West Theater in 1925. He also built the Civic Theater, 81 Drive-In Theater, 54 Drive-In Theater and the Crest Theater. Sullivan also owned the Crawford and Palace Theaters.
The Palace Theater opened January 17, 1916 with “The Coward,” a Civil War drama and “Fickle Fannie’s Fall,” a comedy. It was Lewis Miller’s second Wichita theater. The Princess Theater was his first and the Miller Theatre was his third. At the time of its opening the Palace was the biggest theater to open in Wichita. The Palace closed in 1961 and was razed 5 years later. It is now a parking lot.
Miss Melba, According to local legend Gypsy Rose Lee did her first routine on the Orpheum Theatre’s stage. Many believe instead of the Orpheum she first did her routine at the old Marple Theater at 417 east Douglas.
Seymour, The Victory Theater was originally named the New Theater and was built in 1939. It was renamed the Victory Theater in 1943. It converted to art cinema in 1967. Ten years later it was razed for Naftzger Park.
The Twin Lakes Theaters were never demolished as they were part of the Twin Lakes Mall.
The part of the mall where the theater was is still there. It is now offices.
Chuck,
The theater on the south side of Douglas Avenue in the image was the Marple Theater and later known as the Vogue Art Theater. Odd number buildings on are the south part of Douglas with the even numbers being on the north side.
The Orpheum Theatre is closing in June 2025 to remodel the auditorium, the last major project. For its 102nd birthday on September 4, 2024 the asbestos fire curtain was lowered. The curtain is in good condition for being 102 years old. I included pictures of it in the photos section.
I believe that this ad is not from a Wichita newspaper. Wichita never had a Apex, Gem, or Iris Theaters.
The Yale and the Novelty are two separate theaters. The Yale was at 504 E. Douglas Avenue while the Novelty Theater was at 410 E. Douglas Avenue.
Planeview is a neighborhood in SE Wichita that was built during WWII. It housed aircraft workers thus the name of Planeview not Plainview.
Planeview was one of four neighborhoods built to house all of the aircraft workers that came to Wichita during WWII.
It is Planeview not Plainview.
The Colonial was renamed the Regent in 1918.
The restoration is far from finished. The auditorium still needs a lot of work.
July 12, 1931 image of the Kansas Theater open in defiance of Wichita’s blue laws. http://cdm15942.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/p15942coll10/id/56
Terrywade, The original entrance with the neon marquee is not going away according to the article below. http://www.kansas.com/2013/12/06/3164040/orpheum-theatres-30-million-campaign.html
If you look at the photo provided you will see the back of the neon marquee to the right of the building.
Glen Wood Dickinson III,
I am doing my master’s thesis on Wichita theaters from 1900-2000 and I would love to talk to you about Wichita’s Dickinson Theatres.
Thanks,
Keith Wondra
Crest Theatre exterior photo from the Kansas State Historical Society: http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/204952/page/1
Crest Theatre lobby photo from the Kansas State Historical Society: http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/204953/page/1
Below are some photos I took of the Dunbar Theatre with its new marquee. http://www.flickr.com/photos/historian77/sets/72157632695967453/
Below is a link to interior and exterior photos I took of the Anthony Theater. Anthony Theatre – a set on Flickr
Here is a great link on the history of the Fox Theater: Colonial/Fox Theatre
The following link has several images and a lot of historical information on Pittsburg’s Orpheum Theatre: Orpheum Theatre
The Arcadia Theater was torn down in 1965 to make room for the Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center
O.F. Sullivan opened the West Theater in 1925. He also built the Civic Theater, 81 Drive-In Theater, 54 Drive-In Theater and the Crest Theater. Sullivan also owned the Crawford and Palace Theaters.
Mike,
The Pawnee 4 and Cinemas West 4 were two individual theaters.
The Pawnee 4 Cinemas was on Pawnee Street in Southwest Wichita. Cinemas West 4 was located near Central & Tyler in northwest Wichita.
The Palace Theater opened January 17, 1916 with “The Coward,” a Civil War drama and “Fickle Fannie’s Fall,” a comedy. It was Lewis Miller’s second Wichita theater. The Princess Theater was his first and the Miller Theatre was his third. At the time of its opening the Palace was the biggest theater to open in Wichita. The Palace closed in 1961 and was razed 5 years later. It is now a parking lot.
Now in the old West Theater building is a cycle parts store and TJ’s Burger House.
Miss Melba, According to local legend Gypsy Rose Lee did her first routine on the Orpheum Theatre’s stage. Many believe instead of the Orpheum she first did her routine at the old Marple Theater at 417 east Douglas.
Seymour,
The Victory Theater was originally named the New Theater and was built in 1939. It was renamed the Victory Theater in 1943. It converted to art cinema in 1967. Ten years later it was razed for Naftzger Park.
The Twin Lakes Theaters were never demolished as they were part of the Twin Lakes Mall. The part of the mall where the theater was is still there. It is now offices.
Chuck, The theater on the south side of Douglas Avenue in the image was the Marple Theater and later known as the Vogue Art Theater. Odd number buildings on are the south part of Douglas with the even numbers being on the north side.
Mike,
What are the names of the theaters? If you don’t mind I will do some research on them and get back to you on what I find out.