With that Beaux-Arts terra-cotta facade one wondered what the interior was like. Surprisingly auditorium detail did not contain the typical theatre look, but was fashioned to resemble a stately hotel ballroom. See for yourself by typing in word “theatre”, View link
View link
At some point in time Paramount must have given their theatre an Art-Deco facelift. Above 1936 photos exhibit the original Spanish Colonial look. Type in word “paramount”,
Lost:
Some clues are visible in your photos. The Marquee has an “R” in the center, so don’t think this theatre would have been named Meta. Those two letters hanging on marquee left spell “EL” which indicate this was a Spanish language house (I wonder if Lamont has a large Latino community?). Ground floor walls are covered in pink/maroon tile. Griffith Bros. were well known for using cheap bathroom tile for “redecoration” purposes, so this could have been one of their movie houses.
Perhaps you should go ahead and post this cinema under the name “Lamont Cinema” until the actual name can be uncovered.
That mighty Wurtlitzer is visible in one of those 1939 auditorium views.
Oilman and Governor mentioned above by Rance was Ponca City resident William H. “Alfalfa Bill” Murray. Alfalfa Bill was a fabulously wealthy, rugged, take control type man who caused a nationwide scandal when he married his own adopted daughter. Fortunately for him, Mrs. Murray earned vindication for the newly weds when her beauty, wit, and charm won over the hearts of most everyone.
During the 1940s Mrs. Murray’s name again hit nationwide headlines when her sudden disappearance caused speculation of kidnapping. Several months later the former First Lady of Oklahoma was found living in quiet seclusion in a guest house on the grounds of a convent that had once been one of her mansion, an estate donated to the church by her husband.
Of interest to you former Video dawgs, to see vintage photos of a great many Griffith Bros cinemas go to 08/07/07 post above web site and type in word “theatre”, View link
Of special note is the Grand Opera House, San Marcos, TX. This was Griffith Bros very first theatre acquisition.
Claremore, Oklahoma, is an interesting and picturesque place.
This was Will Rogers birth place, hometown, and where he is entombed.
Claremore is the setting for two succesful Broadway plays that were also made into Hollywood films; “OKLAHOMA!”, and “Dark at the Top of the Stairs”.
Oklahoma Military Academy is located here.
Claremore, Oklahoma, is an interesting and picturesque place.
This is Will Rogers birth place, hometown, and where he is entombed.
Claremore is the setting for two Broadway plays that were also made into Hollywood films; “OKLAHOMA!”, and “Dark at the Top of the Stairs”.
Oklahoma Military Academy is located here.
Claremore, Oklahoma, is an interesting place.
This was Will Rogers birth place, hometown, and where he is entombed.
Claremore is the setting for two Broadway plays that were also made into Hollywood films; “OKLAHOMA!”, and “Dark at the Top of the Stairs”.
Oklahoma Military Academy is located here.
Actually the Campus Theatre design could be classified as International Moderne. It reminds me of a Worlds Fair pavilion!
Wonder if a prof from the School of Architecture created this little masterpiece?
Oklahoma Historical Society web site remarks that the Cameo Theatre (a probable former nickelodeon) originally occupied this site. In 1940 Griffith Bros Theatres bought the Cameo and replaced it with the (cheaply built) Rita Theatre. Because of its blah appearance, when the Rita burned down most Tulsans felt no sense of loss.
See 1936 interior/exterior photos by typing word “folly”,
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See 1936, 1941, & 1963 interior/exterior photos by typing word “palace”,
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See 1942 interior/exterior images by typing in word “trail”,
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View 1937 excellent interior/exterior photos by typing in word “tower”,
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Within the Oklahoma Historical Society Archives are 1963 photos. See them by typing in word “redland”,
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With that Beaux-Arts terra-cotta facade one wondered what the interior was like. Surprisingly auditorium detail did not contain the typical theatre look, but was fashioned to resemble a stately hotel ballroom. See for yourself by typing in word “theatre”,
View link
View link
At some point in time Paramount must have given their theatre an Art-Deco facelift. Above 1936 photos exhibit the original Spanish Colonial look. Type in word “paramount”,
Lost:
Some clues are visible in your photos. The Marquee has an “R” in the center, so don’t think this theatre would have been named Meta. Those two letters hanging on marquee left spell “EL” which indicate this was a Spanish language house (I wonder if Lamont has a large Latino community?). Ground floor walls are covered in pink/maroon tile. Griffith Bros. were well known for using cheap bathroom tile for “redecoration” purposes, so this could have been one of their movie houses.
Perhaps you should go ahead and post this cinema under the name “Lamont Cinema” until the actual name can be uncovered.
That mighty Wurtlitzer is visible in one of those 1939 auditorium views.
Oilman and Governor mentioned above by Rance was Ponca City resident William H. “Alfalfa Bill” Murray. Alfalfa Bill was a fabulously wealthy, rugged, take control type man who caused a nationwide scandal when he married his own adopted daughter. Fortunately for him, Mrs. Murray earned vindication for the newly weds when her beauty, wit, and charm won over the hearts of most everyone.
During the 1940s Mrs. Murray’s name again hit nationwide headlines when her sudden disappearance caused speculation of kidnapping. Several months later the former First Lady of Oklahoma was found living in quiet seclusion in a guest house on the grounds of a convent that had once been one of her mansion, an estate donated to the church by her husband.
From Oklahoma Historical Society comes this clear shot. To view image type in words “opera house”,
View link
The earliest view found so far of this historic theatre can be seen on below site by typing in words “opera house',
View link
Of interest to you former Video dawgs, to see vintage photos of a great many Griffith Bros cinemas go to 08/07/07 post above web site and type in word “theatre”,
View link
Of special note is the Grand Opera House, San Marcos, TX. This was Griffith Bros very first theatre acquisition.
Claremore, Oklahoma, is an interesting and picturesque place.
This was Will Rogers birth place, hometown, and where he is entombed.
Claremore is the setting for two succesful Broadway plays that were also made into Hollywood films; “OKLAHOMA!”, and “Dark at the Top of the Stairs”.
Oklahoma Military Academy is located here.
Claremore, Oklahoma, is an interesting and picturesque place.
This is Will Rogers birth place, hometown, and where he is entombed.
Claremore is the setting for two Broadway plays that were also made into Hollywood films; “OKLAHOMA!”, and “Dark at the Top of the Stairs”.
Oklahoma Military Academy is located here.
Claremore, Oklahoma, is an interesting place.
This was Will Rogers birth place, hometown, and where he is entombed.
Claremore is the setting for two Broadway plays that were also made into Hollywood films; “OKLAHOMA!”, and “Dark at the Top of the Stairs”.
Oklahoma Military Academy is located here.
To see interior/exterior vintage photos of the Chief, Esquire, and/or Palace type in word “theatre”,
View link
To view 1936 interior/exterior images of the La Nora type in word “theatre”,
View link
To view 1930 photos of the Granada exterior and sky job auditorium type in word “theatre”,
View link
To see 1964 image type in word “theatre”,
View link
To see vintage images type in word “theatre”,
View link
SEE 1947 interior/exterior photos by typing in word “theatre”,
View link
View 1964 interior/exterior photos by typing in word “theatre”,
View link
Actually the Campus Theatre design could be classified as International Moderne. It reminds me of a Worlds Fair pavilion!
Wonder if a prof from the School of Architecture created this little masterpiece?
On the above Oklahoma Historical Society web pages, that photo of a narrow, vaulted ceiling auditorium is actually an image of Cameo Theatre seating.
Oklahoma Historical Society web site remarks that the Cameo Theatre (a probable former nickelodeon) originally occupied this site. In 1940 Griffith Bros Theatres bought the Cameo and replaced it with the (cheaply built) Rita Theatre. Because of its blah appearance, when the Rita burned down most Tulsans felt no sense of loss.