There are several entries–notably by “Coate” and “JoelWeide”–on the 1983 theft of a print of STAR WARS: EPISODE VI-RETURN OF THE JEDI from the Glenwood during its initial engagement. The resulting story is rather involved but based on the Kansas City Times reportage of the case’s first day of presentation in court–Thursday, September 15, 1983–and surrounding Glenwood ad listings, this is what happened…
The Glenwood had been showing JEDI on one screen (there is no indication in the Glenwood’s ads this was a 70mm print, only that its showings did not allow use of free passes) and TWILIGHT ZONE–THE MOVIE on the other screen.
An 18-year old Kansas University freshman, Larry DeWayne Riddick (there is no mention in the story that Riddick was or had been a Glenwood or Dickinson Theatres employee), waited in the Glenwood’s parking lot in his van after closing on the night of Tuesday, July 5, 1983 and upon seeing the theater’s projectionist, walked to him and threatened him with an unloaded .22 caliber pistol. The two waited in the projectionist’s car until all other staff had left, entered the theater, and after making three full trips, Riddick locked the projectionist in his own booth and drove a complete 7-reel edition of JEDI to his unaware parent’s local home, hiding it in the basement. (70mm prints are notoriously large, bulky & heavy especially in their steel lock-clip transport canisters so even one reel would be impossible to move or hide easily, much less seven).
After several days Riddick contacted a local TV & video store to offer a complete film version of JEDI for sale. The management instead contacted the FBI. On Thursday July 22 Riddick was called by an interested buyer to meet at a local hotel. The buyer was a couple who offered $10,000 for the film print, and that same evening Riddick arrived with the film by taxi to the hotel. After examining and confirming Reel 1 was legitimate, the couple revealed themselves as FBI agents and arrested Riddick.
Riddick later pled guilty with possible maximum sentencing of a $10,000 fine and ten years imprisonment. [“‘Jedi’ Thief Tells Judge Robbery Began as Stunt”, KCT, Friday, September 16, 1983, pp. B-2] The Glenwood did soon gain access to a 70mm JEDI print for its showings but without anything exhibited on its other screen.
Very minor correction to 50sSNIPES information–Screen 2 did indeed have TOOTSIE showing: however according to Kansas City Times 8/31/1983 listing, its co-feature was actually multiple Razzie Award nominee YOR: THE HUNTER FROM THE FUTURE starring Reb Brown (pp. 14-B).
Preliminary announcement for Screen 2 appeared Wednesday, March 14, 1973 (“Oops! We’ve juzt had twins!”) [Kansas City Star, pp. 22]. Identical ad appeared opening day Friday the 16th, Screen 1 showing Peter Sellers in WHERE DOES IT HURT?, LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS, and David Niven in the barely-remembered THE STATUE, while Screen 2 inaugurated with WHAT’S UP, DOC?, PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM, and the Marlo Thomas/Alan Alda 1970 melodrama JENNY [KCS, pp. 28].
On cusp of demolition, December 3 vote by city council will decide on allowing expansion but current owner reportedly will tear down if denied (paywalled story in today’s Wichita Eagle although the local KSN-TV website has a free
November 21 2024 feature on the situation).
Additional (but non-operational) info regarding the Trocadero’s connection to Beatles history is two of Julia (Stanley) Lennon’s usherette workmates accompanied her to her wedding to Alfred “Freddie” Lennon (who turned 26 that month) on Saturday, December 3, 1938 [Albert Goldman, “The Lives of John Lennon,” Wm. Morrow & Co., pp. 22]. The newlyweds–according to Mark Lewisohn’s 2013 Beatles bio “Tune In” [Crown, pp. 24]–took in a celebratory movie afterwards, Pathe’s ALMOST A HONEYMOON but if the “picture houses” sub-section of the Friday, December 2 edition of the Liverpool Echo is accurate for Saturday, the duo went instead to the local Forum Cinema (later Cannon Liverpool) for it along with an MGM co-feature, Mickey Rooney in LORD JEFF (UK title: THE BOY FROM BARNARDO’S) [pp. 1].
At least a third of Kansas City’s movie theaters shut down within 1957 through mid-1958 and as rivest266 mentions, the Southtown appears to have been one of the casualties, closing permanently on Monday, September 2, 1957 with Susan Hayward in I’LL CRY TOMORROW and Jimmy Stewart in STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND (Kansas City Star, pp. 6).
Showed the 1967 West German production HELGA on Wed. November 13-Sat. November 16, 1968. But the unrated film, released in the US by American International, was also privately exhibited at the Fox Theatre in special screenings for local high school students (separated by gender) during school hours on Monday, November 25, at which their parents or guardians were also invited to attend (“Parental permission…Sex Education movie schduled [sic] for students”, Joplin News Herald, Thursday, November 21, 1968, pp. 2A). The screening, allowing for a few catcalls from the audience, received a post-show report. (“Students witness ‘Helga’”, JNH, Monday, November 25, 1968, pp. 2).
Closed as a movie theater under Mann Theaters ownership on Tuesday, May 7, 1974 with THE LAST DETAIL, running 7pm and 8:45pm showings almost without intermission (Joplin Globe, pp. 10A). Sold to the local Central Assembly of God Church, the Fox’s closing was first announced two months prior (“Church Acquiring Fox Theater, Seeks Former Penney Building”, Joplin Globe, Sunday, March 10, 1974, pp. 4A) and merited both a verge-of-closing story (“Last Film Showing at Fox”, JG, Saturday, May 4, 1974, pp. 1) and a story on projectionist Roy Long’s six-decade local career (“Closing of Fox Also Brings End To Projectionist’s 60-Year Career”, JG, Saturday, May 11, 1974, Cue Magazine section, pp. 23).
One exhibition factoid for the French Market Twin: presented the 1977 science-fiction film DAMNATION ALLEY in its authentic “Sound 360” multi-speaker process. It was fairly impressive; as the film’s Landmaster vehicle was introduced on-screen and “rolled over” the camera, the respective audio channels steadily roared from one end of the auditorium to the other.
Hosted actor George Peppard for an 8pm, Wednesday, May 12, 1971 live appearance to introduce his latest film, ONE MORE TRAIN TO ROB (following the regularly scheduled feature, THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS). Earlier in the day, as part of a national publicity tour he met with the Lt. Governor and Spectro Theaters officials and spoke of current movie industry challenges. [“Peppard Encourages State in Movie Industry Push”, Oklahoma Journal, Thursday, May 13, 1971, pp. 5]
The screening room at the nearby Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art will be re-named as the Tivoli, scheduled for an October 21, 2019 contributor’s re-opening featuring Keaton’s THE GENERAL (admittedly a very funny but rather over-utilized silent-era war horse; my own vote would have been for the more manic and personable SEVEN CHANCES). No word on the digital projector model type to be installed, or if the reported upgrades will include a multi-channel sound system, or exactly how regularly connected this new version will be to legitimate commercial and classic cinema. There are several KC news stories on this now available to read online; page creator will need to determine if this ‘new’ Tivoli merits its own CT page or changing the address and status for this one.
The Oklahoman story yesterday reported the North Park has ceased operations (it had a roadside marquee with all the current films it was showing but I had noticed on a recent OKC visit the sign was blank). Page creator may want to change this theater’s status to ‘closed.’
This theater stopped advertising movies in either of St. Louis' largest newspapers on Wednesday, January 16, 1974, with Fred Williamson in THAT MAN BOLT.
In response to bigrose’s inquiry of what was showing at the Ambassador the extraordinary night of Tuesday, August 14, 1945, the theater itself was having quite a stacked marquee that day. In addition to its regular double-feature of teen star Peggy Ann Garner in JUNIOR MISS and Gloria Jean & WIZARD OF OZ canine Toto in EASY TO LOOK AT, there was a 8:30pm sneak preview of Cornel Wilde in A THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS along with the recent Columbia musical-comedy TEN CENTS A DANCE (not to be confused with a 1931 version starring Barbara Stanwyck).
Since it appears that many downtown St. Louis theaters, including the Ambassador, had gone towards blaxploitation-genre films during the 1970s, and a CT contributor going by the name ‘Noir’ on several theater pages here had opinions as to why this had occurred, I would also refer to a article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Black Trend in City Theaters,” from the Sunday, January 2, 1972 edition, pp. 4I. Although ultimately the article presents nothing new, it does quote local theater company staff and discusses the wider range of African-American film types and personnel that were then being introduced into the commercial film market.
Temporarily closed/temporarily retired the name “Tivoli” on Monday, September 1, 1969, with Sidney Poitier in THE LOST MAN and Richard Widmark in MADIGAN. Re-opened on Monday, September 15, 1969 as the Magic Lantern with a “New British Talent” festival featuring the Peter Collinson films THE PENTHOUSE and UP THE JUNCTION. (St. Louis Globe-Democrat)
Architect: Joseph D. True, Jr. Construction: Don Mitchell. The business-pages opening announcement stated the Village would be “the first indoor theatre constructed at Bloomington in many years.” (St. Louis Globe-Democrat, Sat.-Sun., September 13-14, 1969, pp. 2E)
JAlex appears to be correct with the Sunday ½/1972 closing date of the Gravois, finishing off with a Roger Corman triple-feature of THE RAVEN, HOUSE OF USHER, and PIT & THE PENDULUM. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
For those with Netflix the Sepulveda is (quickly) visible during the introductory ‘bus ride’ in the newly-released Orson Welles film THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WIND. (A different portion of the film was reportedly photographed inside of the nearby Reseda Drive-In.)
Some of this info may have been bouncing around on somebody’s Facebook page the past few days but—Wichita Eagle (KC Star also mirroring on their website) reports today the Starlite is now closed for good. (Page creator can change status to ‘Closed’ perhaps?) Link here
The highway sign for this theater is visible during an establishing long-shot for Sheriff Justice’s (Jackie Gleason) “F.O.” speech to an Alabama state trooper (Quinnon Sheffield) in 1977’s SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT.
The Linda appears to have closed for good on Sunday, September 28, 1952 with the Bowery Boys in CRAZY OVER HORSES and Dana Andrews in I WANT YOU. [Kansas City Star]
On Thursday, March 20, 1947, the list of Barton Theaters added the Agnew with the statement, “Watch this space for announcement of the Grand Opening/Free Parking/Cry Room.”
The Sunday listing of March 23 elaborated: “Free Parking/Friday, March 28, 5 o'clock/Hiram Higsby and the KOMA-CBS Oklahoma Roundup Gang/On the screen, Two Hits— Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire in BLUE SKIES, Roy Rogers with ‘Gabby’ Hayes in ROLL ON TEXAS MOON, with a "Jack Armstrong, All-American Boy” serial chapter."
Opened as announced on Friday, March 28, 1947.
Shut down for good on Monday, April 29, 1957 with Audie Murphy in THE GUNS OF FORT PETTICOAT and the 1939 film THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL with John Garfield and Claude Rains. [Daily Oklahoman]
Unless it soldiered on as a purely neighborhood theater with no newspaper advertising, the Rodeo’s earlier incarnation closed on Saturday, January 31, 1953, with Sterling Hayden in HELLGATE and radio comedienne Judy Canova in THE WAC FROM WALLA WALLA. [Daily Oklahoman]
The Penn was ‘closed’ on Saturday, June 22, 1963, with Disney’s MIRACLE OF THE WHITE STALLIONS and a 1961 Italian peplum, THE CONQUEROR. The following day, an small block-ad stated, “Temporarily CLOSED for Remodeling/WATCH FOR GRAND OPENING.” The Penn’s ads then disappeared.
On Wednesday, August 21, 1963—with no further reference to the Penn except the address—a small ad appeared for the Trend with its new typeface and slogan (“Films of Distinction”) and announcing its first marquee, Pietro Germi’s DIVORCE ITALIAN STYLE on the 28th (subsequent days until the 27th carried an identical ad, then a larger ad explaining the Trend’s art/foreign film policy). Re-opened as announced on Wednesday evening, August 28, 1963 (the local temperature was 102 degrees). By early 1971 they were showing conventional features such as MAS*H and PATTON (I hope to soon confirm the actual closing date, as the Trend didn’t advertise every day near the end.). After its closing, the Tower Theater and the nearby Oklahoma City University attempted foreign-film series. [Daily Oklahoman]
Now the Trolley Stop Record Shop, photos and rotating videos of the latest interior can be found online. But have posted one photo just to confirm on CT the current interior of the former Penn Theater.
An etiquette argument between customers on Tuesday, September 26, at this location allegedly descended into an altercation outside the theater afterwards. News link
There are several entries–notably by “Coate” and “JoelWeide”–on the 1983 theft of a print of STAR WARS: EPISODE VI-RETURN OF THE JEDI from the Glenwood during its initial engagement. The resulting story is rather involved but based on the Kansas City Times reportage of the case’s first day of presentation in court–Thursday, September 15, 1983–and surrounding Glenwood ad listings, this is what happened…
The Glenwood had been showing JEDI on one screen (there is no indication in the Glenwood’s ads this was a 70mm print, only that its showings did not allow use of free passes) and TWILIGHT ZONE–THE MOVIE on the other screen.
An 18-year old Kansas University freshman, Larry DeWayne Riddick (there is no mention in the story that Riddick was or had been a Glenwood or Dickinson Theatres employee), waited in the Glenwood’s parking lot in his van after closing on the night of Tuesday, July 5, 1983 and upon seeing the theater’s projectionist, walked to him and threatened him with an unloaded .22 caliber pistol. The two waited in the projectionist’s car until all other staff had left, entered the theater, and after making three full trips, Riddick locked the projectionist in his own booth and drove a complete 7-reel edition of JEDI to his unaware parent’s local home, hiding it in the basement. (70mm prints are notoriously large, bulky & heavy especially in their steel lock-clip transport canisters so even one reel would be impossible to move or hide easily, much less seven).
After several days Riddick contacted a local TV & video store to offer a complete film version of JEDI for sale. The management instead contacted the FBI. On Thursday July 22 Riddick was called by an interested buyer to meet at a local hotel. The buyer was a couple who offered $10,000 for the film print, and that same evening Riddick arrived with the film by taxi to the hotel. After examining and confirming Reel 1 was legitimate, the couple revealed themselves as FBI agents and arrested Riddick.
Riddick later pled guilty with possible maximum sentencing of a $10,000 fine and ten years imprisonment. [“‘Jedi’ Thief Tells Judge Robbery Began as Stunt”, KCT, Friday, September 16, 1983, pp. B-2] The Glenwood did soon gain access to a 70mm JEDI print for its showings but without anything exhibited on its other screen.
Very minor correction to 50sSNIPES information–Screen 2 did indeed have TOOTSIE showing: however according to Kansas City Times 8/31/1983 listing, its co-feature was actually multiple Razzie Award nominee YOR: THE HUNTER FROM THE FUTURE starring Reb Brown (pp. 14-B).
Preliminary announcement for Screen 2 appeared Wednesday, March 14, 1973 (“Oops! We’ve juzt had twins!”) [Kansas City Star, pp. 22]. Identical ad appeared opening day Friday the 16th, Screen 1 showing Peter Sellers in WHERE DOES IT HURT?, LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS, and David Niven in the barely-remembered THE STATUE, while Screen 2 inaugurated with WHAT’S UP, DOC?, PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM, and the Marlo Thomas/Alan Alda 1970 melodrama JENNY [KCS, pp. 28].
On cusp of demolition, December 3 vote by city council will decide on allowing expansion but current owner reportedly will tear down if denied (paywalled story in today’s Wichita Eagle although the local KSN-TV website has a free November 21 2024 feature on the situation).
Additional (but non-operational) info regarding the Trocadero’s connection to Beatles history is two of Julia (Stanley) Lennon’s usherette workmates accompanied her to her wedding to Alfred “Freddie” Lennon (who turned 26 that month) on Saturday, December 3, 1938 [Albert Goldman, “The Lives of John Lennon,” Wm. Morrow & Co., pp. 22]. The newlyweds–according to Mark Lewisohn’s 2013 Beatles bio “Tune In” [Crown, pp. 24]–took in a celebratory movie afterwards, Pathe’s ALMOST A HONEYMOON but if the “picture houses” sub-section of the Friday, December 2 edition of the Liverpool Echo is accurate for Saturday, the duo went instead to the local Forum Cinema (later Cannon Liverpool) for it along with an MGM co-feature, Mickey Rooney in LORD JEFF (UK title: THE BOY FROM BARNARDO’S) [pp. 1].
At least a third of Kansas City’s movie theaters shut down within 1957 through mid-1958 and as rivest266 mentions, the Southtown appears to have been one of the casualties, closing permanently on Monday, September 2, 1957 with Susan Hayward in I’LL CRY TOMORROW and Jimmy Stewart in STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND (Kansas City Star, pp. 6).
Omaha local news reports this theater has closed. https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-movie-theater-westwood-cinemas-8-closes/39750988
Showed the 1967 West German production HELGA on Wed. November 13-Sat. November 16, 1968. But the unrated film, released in the US by American International, was also privately exhibited at the Fox Theatre in special screenings for local high school students (separated by gender) during school hours on Monday, November 25, at which their parents or guardians were also invited to attend (“Parental permission…Sex Education movie schduled [sic] for students”, Joplin News Herald, Thursday, November 21, 1968, pp. 2A). The screening, allowing for a few catcalls from the audience, received a post-show report. (“Students witness ‘Helga’”, JNH, Monday, November 25, 1968, pp. 2).
Closed as a movie theater under Mann Theaters ownership on Tuesday, May 7, 1974 with THE LAST DETAIL, running 7pm and 8:45pm showings almost without intermission (Joplin Globe, pp. 10A). Sold to the local Central Assembly of God Church, the Fox’s closing was first announced two months prior (“Church Acquiring Fox Theater, Seeks Former Penney Building”, Joplin Globe, Sunday, March 10, 1974, pp. 4A) and merited both a verge-of-closing story (“Last Film Showing at Fox”, JG, Saturday, May 4, 1974, pp. 1) and a story on projectionist Roy Long’s six-decade local career (“Closing of Fox Also Brings End To Projectionist’s 60-Year Career”, JG, Saturday, May 11, 1974, Cue Magazine section, pp. 23).
The screen itself was still up as of today (new picture in the photo section). “Mostly' demolished, I guess….
One exhibition factoid for the French Market Twin: presented the 1977 science-fiction film DAMNATION ALLEY in its authentic “Sound 360” multi-speaker process. It was fairly impressive; as the film’s Landmaster vehicle was introduced on-screen and “rolled over” the camera, the respective audio channels steadily roared from one end of the auditorium to the other.
Hosted actor George Peppard for an 8pm, Wednesday, May 12, 1971 live appearance to introduce his latest film, ONE MORE TRAIN TO ROB (following the regularly scheduled feature, THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS). Earlier in the day, as part of a national publicity tour he met with the Lt. Governor and Spectro Theaters officials and spoke of current movie industry challenges. [“Peppard Encourages State in Movie Industry Push”, Oklahoma Journal, Thursday, May 13, 1971, pp. 5]
The screening room at the nearby Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art will be re-named as the Tivoli, scheduled for an October 21, 2019 contributor’s re-opening featuring Keaton’s THE GENERAL (admittedly a very funny but rather over-utilized silent-era war horse; my own vote would have been for the more manic and personable SEVEN CHANCES). No word on the digital projector model type to be installed, or if the reported upgrades will include a multi-channel sound system, or exactly how regularly connected this new version will be to legitimate commercial and classic cinema. There are several KC news stories on this now available to read online; page creator will need to determine if this ‘new’ Tivoli merits its own CT page or changing the address and status for this one.
The Oklahoman story yesterday reported the North Park has ceased operations (it had a roadside marquee with all the current films it was showing but I had noticed on a recent OKC visit the sign was blank). Page creator may want to change this theater’s status to ‘closed.’
This theater stopped advertising movies in either of St. Louis' largest newspapers on Wednesday, January 16, 1974, with Fred Williamson in THAT MAN BOLT.
In response to bigrose’s inquiry of what was showing at the Ambassador the extraordinary night of Tuesday, August 14, 1945, the theater itself was having quite a stacked marquee that day. In addition to its regular double-feature of teen star Peggy Ann Garner in JUNIOR MISS and Gloria Jean & WIZARD OF OZ canine Toto in EASY TO LOOK AT, there was a 8:30pm sneak preview of Cornel Wilde in A THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS along with the recent Columbia musical-comedy TEN CENTS A DANCE (not to be confused with a 1931 version starring Barbara Stanwyck).
Since it appears that many downtown St. Louis theaters, including the Ambassador, had gone towards blaxploitation-genre films during the 1970s, and a CT contributor going by the name ‘Noir’ on several theater pages here had opinions as to why this had occurred, I would also refer to a article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “Black Trend in City Theaters,” from the Sunday, January 2, 1972 edition, pp. 4I. Although ultimately the article presents nothing new, it does quote local theater company staff and discusses the wider range of African-American film types and personnel that were then being introduced into the commercial film market.
Temporarily closed/temporarily retired the name “Tivoli” on Monday, September 1, 1969, with Sidney Poitier in THE LOST MAN and Richard Widmark in MADIGAN. Re-opened on Monday, September 15, 1969 as the Magic Lantern with a “New British Talent” festival featuring the Peter Collinson films THE PENTHOUSE and UP THE JUNCTION. (St. Louis Globe-Democrat)
Architect: Joseph D. True, Jr. Construction: Don Mitchell. The business-pages opening announcement stated the Village would be “the first indoor theatre constructed at Bloomington in many years.” (St. Louis Globe-Democrat, Sat.-Sun., September 13-14, 1969, pp. 2E)
JAlex appears to be correct with the Sunday ½/1972 closing date of the Gravois, finishing off with a Roger Corman triple-feature of THE RAVEN, HOUSE OF USHER, and PIT & THE PENDULUM. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
For those with Netflix the Sepulveda is (quickly) visible during the introductory ‘bus ride’ in the newly-released Orson Welles film THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WIND. (A different portion of the film was reportedly photographed inside of the nearby Reseda Drive-In.)
Some of this info may have been bouncing around on somebody’s Facebook page the past few days but—Wichita Eagle (KC Star also mirroring on their website) reports today the Starlite is now closed for good. (Page creator can change status to ‘Closed’ perhaps?) Link here
The highway sign for this theater is visible during an establishing long-shot for Sheriff Justice’s (Jackie Gleason) “F.O.” speech to an Alabama state trooper (Quinnon Sheffield) in 1977’s SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT.
The Linda appears to have closed for good on Sunday, September 28, 1952 with the Bowery Boys in CRAZY OVER HORSES and Dana Andrews in I WANT YOU. [Kansas City Star]
On Thursday, March 20, 1947, the list of Barton Theaters added the Agnew with the statement, “Watch this space for announcement of the Grand Opening/Free Parking/Cry Room.”
The Sunday listing of March 23 elaborated: “Free Parking/Friday, March 28, 5 o'clock/Hiram Higsby and the KOMA-CBS Oklahoma Roundup Gang/On the screen, Two Hits— Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire in BLUE SKIES, Roy Rogers with ‘Gabby’ Hayes in ROLL ON TEXAS MOON, with a "Jack Armstrong, All-American Boy” serial chapter."
Opened as announced on Friday, March 28, 1947.
Shut down for good on Monday, April 29, 1957 with Audie Murphy in THE GUNS OF FORT PETTICOAT and the 1939 film THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL with John Garfield and Claude Rains. [Daily Oklahoman]
Unless it soldiered on as a purely neighborhood theater with no newspaper advertising, the Rodeo’s earlier incarnation closed on Saturday, January 31, 1953, with Sterling Hayden in HELLGATE and radio comedienne Judy Canova in THE WAC FROM WALLA WALLA. [Daily Oklahoman]
The Penn was ‘closed’ on Saturday, June 22, 1963, with Disney’s MIRACLE OF THE WHITE STALLIONS and a 1961 Italian peplum, THE CONQUEROR. The following day, an small block-ad stated, “Temporarily CLOSED for Remodeling/WATCH FOR GRAND OPENING.” The Penn’s ads then disappeared.
On Wednesday, August 21, 1963—with no further reference to the Penn except the address—a small ad appeared for the Trend with its new typeface and slogan (“Films of Distinction”) and announcing its first marquee, Pietro Germi’s DIVORCE ITALIAN STYLE on the 28th (subsequent days until the 27th carried an identical ad, then a larger ad explaining the Trend’s art/foreign film policy). Re-opened as announced on Wednesday evening, August 28, 1963 (the local temperature was 102 degrees). By early 1971 they were showing conventional features such as MAS*H and PATTON (I hope to soon confirm the actual closing date, as the Trend didn’t advertise every day near the end.). After its closing, the Tower Theater and the nearby Oklahoma City University attempted foreign-film series. [Daily Oklahoman]
Now the Trolley Stop Record Shop, photos and rotating videos of the latest interior can be found online. But have posted one photo just to confirm on CT the current interior of the former Penn Theater.
An etiquette argument between customers on Tuesday, September 26, at this location allegedly descended into an altercation outside the theater afterwards. News link