In the 50’s & 60’s auditorium main floor walls were lined with six Art Deco lighting fixtures identical to the one pictured here. Manager Ed Swallow would lamp these four-foot long fixtures to match the season. During cool winter months lighting colors were warm red, yellow, and orange. During hot summer seasons colors were cool blue and green.
My guess would be that these chandeliers were brought in from some other theatre. http://www.robbender.com/gallery/broadway/P5234446
This theatre is used as a scene backdrop in the 1950 Film Noir “Quicksand”, starring Mickey Rooney, Peter Lorre, Jeanne Cagney, and Barbara Bates. Many believe this film to be Rooney’s finest performance! www.amazon.com/Quicksand-Barbara-Bates/dp/6304680813
A long standing rumor has it that some of the ornate trim, statuary, and lighting fixtures inside Casa Bonita came from the downtown Ritz Theatre. Better images can be seen here … View link
and … View link
Construction shot of the Akdar going up on the Western edge of downtown - View link
A 1930 view illustrating how the theatre was twice as long as it was wide - View link
Because this cinema only screened soft porn it went out of business quickly. I was never inside. Can’t be certain, but above shot appears too old to be that of the Downtown, but does look a lot like the bar Inn of Three Sisters.
These 1926 photos reveal that the interior was much larger than the exterior sugested. Light reflected from the silver screen must have cst interesting shadows upon that fancy pressed metal ceiling … View link
Since in the above images a Tom Mix picture is playing, here is a site about the Tom Mix Museum … View link
Wonderful vintage interior/exterior photos show exactly what this frontier theatre was all about. To see these exciting images type in word ‘Guthrie’ … View link
Sharp 1940 exterior/interior photos of the Art Deco masterpiece Cherokee Theatre (and neighboring Royal) can be seen by typing in word ‘theatre’, then search … View link
Originally known as the Billings Theatre, see a sharp 1940 exterior photo of this Italian Renaissance style cinema when it was known as Chief type in word ‘theatre’, then go search … View link
Minus the balcony, this Carl Boller design was sister house to the Bison Theatre, Shawnee, OK. To see 1928 exterior/interior photos type in word “Aztec”, then search … View link
In the 50’s & 60’s auditorium main floor walls were lined with six Art Deco lighting fixtures identical to the one pictured here. Manager Ed Swallow would lamp these four-foot long fixtures to match the season. During cool winter months lighting colors were warm red, yellow, and orange. During hot summer seasons colors were cool blue and green.
My guess would be that these chandeliers were brought in from some other theatre.
http://www.robbender.com/gallery/broadway/P5234446
These maps show two theatres named (#21 & red dot between #13 & #26)Dome, and one (#18) Strand Theatre. Is this Strand listed on CT?
www.westland.net/venicehistory/histmaps.html
and
www.westland.net/venice/history.htm
This theatre is used as a scene backdrop in the 1950 Film Noir “Quicksand”, starring Mickey Rooney, Peter Lorre, Jeanne Cagney, and Barbara Bates. Many believe this film to be Rooney’s finest performance!
www.amazon.com/Quicksand-Barbara-Bates/dp/6304680813
This theatre is clearly seen in the 1950 film “Quicksand” starring Mickey Rooney (perhaps his finest performance ever) and Peter Lorre -
www.amazon.com/Quicksand-Barbara-Bates/dp/6304680813
A long standing rumor has it that some of the ornate trim, statuary, and lighting fixtures inside Casa Bonita came from the downtown Ritz Theatre. Better images can be seen here …
View link
and …
View link
Exact operation dates were 1910 – 1917, and the address was –
Orcutt Airdrome
1573 Swan Lake Drive
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120
Construction shot of the Akdar going up on the Western edge of downtown -
View link
A 1930 view illustrating how the theatre was twice as long as it was wide -
View link
The former Gem Theatre can be seen (photo left) of the Public Service Bldg -
View link
Recent photo with complete theatre history …
View link
Perhaps you’re right, Old Okie!
Here is a (not too recent) photo with complete history of this unique “Cinema Treasure” …
View link
Because this cinema only screened soft porn it went out of business quickly. I was never inside. Can’t be certain, but above shot appears too old to be that of the Downtown, but does look a lot like the bar Inn of Three Sisters.
Oh yes, to view images on above post type in name “Melba”!
On this site are vintage exterior shots, and a rare view of the handsome auditorium …
View link
Here is an interesting site on Dewey native & famed movie actor Tom Mix …
View link
These 1926 photos reveal that the interior was much larger than the exterior sugested. Light reflected from the silver screen must have cst interesting shadows upon that fancy pressed metal ceiling …
View link
Since in the above images a Tom Mix picture is playing, here is a site about the Tom Mix Museum …
View link
Wonderful vintage interior/exterior photos show exactly what this frontier theatre was all about. To see these exciting images type in word ‘Guthrie’ …
View link
Other vintage photos of the State can be seen by typing in word ‘theatre’ …
View link
View rare 1928 interior/exterior shots of this charming atmospheric by typing in name “Ramona” …
View link
Vintage shots of this drive-in can be seen by typing in word “theatre …
View link
Seems the simpler the design the grander the name. To see vintage interior/exterior photos of this plain theatre type in word “Royal” …
View link
Sharp 1940 exterior/interior photos of the Art Deco masterpiece Cherokee Theatre (and neighboring Royal) can be seen by typing in word ‘theatre’, then search …
View link
Originally known as the Billings Theatre, see a sharp 1940 exterior photo of this Italian Renaissance style cinema when it was known as Chief type in word ‘theatre’, then go search …
View link
Minus the balcony, this Carl Boller design was sister house to the Bison Theatre, Shawnee, OK. To see 1928 exterior/interior photos type in word “Aztec”, then search …
View link
Take a peek at a vintage shot of this Art Deco cutie by typing in “Arcadia” …
View link
See a vintage exterior photo by typing in word ‘Centre’ …
View link