For better identification, Empress Theatre is far left striped building (those were red/yellow stripes) with spread eagle statues atop support columns.
Looks as if another theatre is located (right) next door to the empress.
Apparently Muskogee had two Roxy theatres, the one listed here and another named Roxy Independent. From Library of Congress Archives is John Vachon’s 1942 photograph of the Art Deco Style ROXY INDEPENDENT Theatre;
I’m surprised at your goof, Cactus; Refer to your oft mentioned Oklahoman Archives web site to find that after the late 1940s when Paramount divested itself of this tiny house the PIX switched over to erotic fare. Newspaper ads blazed ADULTS ONLY across the top of PIX ads, and offered saucy titles such as “Him Against Her”, “Wife Swap”, “Under Cover Secretary”, etc.
And as Cactus said, the ISIS Theatre never slumped into showing skin films. Its one isle, ‘shooting gallery’ auditorium did indeed have a few cast plaster focal points, along with colorful Egyptian wall paintings, hyroglyphics, and quasi lotus theme stage drapes.
Joy Burlesque Theater opened in the early 1940s and was located on bawdy Reno Street where it competed with the Reno Burlesque and (immensely popular) Gaiety Burlesque, the Joy lasted only a few years until the WWII war time cash boom fizzled, then operated as a shady nightclub until razed in 1971. No newspaper ads have been located to indicate that the Joy ever showed motion pictures.
Five small theaters were located within a three block area on Reno Street- Gaiety, Isis, Joy, Pix, and Reno.
Click here to see noted Photographer Dorothea Lange’s 1937 print of the Pix, a Paramount theatre; View link
Reno Street was tough, after dark it could be dangerous. Drab hookers and gay hustlers gathered after dark on the dimly lit street corners of Reno. It was no accident that most Reno Street walk up hotels hung red curtains in their windows. Yes, this was the district to go slumming in if looking for something different.
Decorated with limited molded plaster Egyptian detail from a decorator’s supply catalogue, the Isis was a sweet little theatre that was somehow too clean to fit in on Reno Street. But Reno was where it was.
The Isis and Pix never showed skin flicks, but instead stuck with tried and true B Westerns and action packed drama movies. Here is a 1937 print of the Pix from noted Photographer Dorothea Lange.
Believe it or not, this dull little theatre belonged to Paramount/Publix. View link
Urban legend claims that the Gaiety Burlesque Theater was originally a fancy saloon. This could be true as the Gaiety can be traced back to at least 1907, and if it were previously a saloon it would proabably date back even further.
While the Gaiety facade was nondescript, its interior was done in brightly colored Japanese styling complete with pagoda box seats, faux rooflines with Oriental upturned cornices, and inticately embroidered silk drapery.
Known as a first class burlesque house the Gaiety occasionally exhibited adult films between live stage shows, and once in a great while featured mainstream movies. The Gaity remained a bump & grind house until closed around 1964, then was converted into a cut-rate furniture store until razed in 1970.
Other theatres on Reno Street were Isis, Joy Burlesque, Pix, and Reno Burlesque.
From Library of Congress Photo Archives is a 1937 print by noted Photographer Dorothea Lange of the PIX Theatre. Hard to believe, but this drab little movie house was a member of the powerful Paramount/Publix Ciruit. View link
Oklahoman Archive web pages have several pictures of the old Folly Theatre. Check these dates for clearest images- April 22, 1909, and September 23, 1913.
Look into oklahoman archive web site for pictures of the Villa Theatre.
Noftsger’s architectural drawing can be found on July 10, 1938, and an exterior photograph in the September 24, 1939 issue.
An architectural sketch of the Orpheum renovation, along with good shots of the newly remodelled interior, can be located on oklahoman archive web site, January 23, 1921. pages.
Reno Theatre opened December 25, 1930, as a movie house. During the mid 1930s the Reno became a burlesque theatre to compete with the hugely popular Gaiety Burlesque which was located one block West, also on Reno Street. After WWII the Reno alternated between live burlesque, adult films, and second run/double features. After being closed several yeats the Reno was razed early 1970.
December 25, 1930 issue found in Oklahoman Archive web pages show grand opening newpapaer ad with a good exterior shot of the Reno Theatre.
Reno Street was a tough area of downtown where roughnecks went to be “entertained”, in many different ways. Shoulder to shoulder saloons, greasy spoon cafes, adult theatres, and second story red-light hotels were the commerce of this dingy thoroughfare.
Check out Oklahoman Archive web site for clear images of the State Theater-
Architectural drawing (note clever use of marquee to slip in architect’s name)– January 03, 1937.
Exterior photo- April 18, 1937.
Check out the web site for Oklahman Archives to see great images of the Victoria Theatre. A fantastic architectural drawing of the Gothic auditorium is shown January 29, 1928, and an exterior photo can be seen July 4, 1928.
From Library of Congress Photo Archives, 1917 images of OKC Empress Theatre.
Photo left, Empress Theatre is structure with three arches running across building top. This view also shows poster ad for Overholser Opera House. View link
and a stage door view- View link
Architects for 1923 Shriners (AKA-Warner’s Auditorium, Home) Theatre were Layton, Smith, & Forsyth. Forsyth also designed Ponca City’s Poncan Theatre. View link
Recently an old timer told me that Tulsa’s Third Street Orpheum (AKA-Rialto) Theatre was created by famed Chicago Architect Louis Sullivan. This may possibly be true since the original 1907 “form follows function” design was pure Prairie School styling.
A couple of old timers claimed that the 1916 Liberty Theatre designer was famed Chicago Architect Louis Sullivan. This could well be as the Liberty’s original exterior & interior design were “form follows function” Prairie Style. View link
The name painted on the sidewall reads BROOKS Theatre, not Brook. Sure hope the facade was less messy than the rest of the building!
For better identification, Empress Theatre is far left striped building (those were red/yellow stripes) with spread eagle statues atop support columns.
Looks as if another theatre is located (right) next door to the empress.
Click here to view vintage images of;
GRAND (AKA-Ottowa) Theatre-
www.homestead.com/schehrer2/Miami_9.html
and-
www.homestead.com/schehrer2/Miami13.html
Apparently Muskogee had two Roxy theatres, the one listed here and another named Roxy Independent. From Library of Congress Archives is John Vachon’s 1942 photograph of the Art Deco Style ROXY INDEPENDENT Theatre;
View link
I’m surprised at your goof, Cactus; Refer to your oft mentioned Oklahoman Archives web site to find that after the late 1940s when Paramount divested itself of this tiny house the PIX switched over to erotic fare. Newspaper ads blazed ADULTS ONLY across the top of PIX ads, and offered saucy titles such as “Him Against Her”, “Wife Swap”, “Under Cover Secretary”, etc.
And as Cactus said, the ISIS Theatre never slumped into showing skin films. Its one isle, ‘shooting gallery’ auditorium did indeed have a few cast plaster focal points, along with colorful Egyptian wall paintings, hyroglyphics, and quasi lotus theme stage drapes.
Sorry! Try this address instead-
View link
Joy Burlesque Theater opened in the early 1940s and was located on bawdy Reno Street where it competed with the Reno Burlesque and (immensely popular) Gaiety Burlesque, the Joy lasted only a few years until the WWII war time cash boom fizzled, then operated as a shady nightclub until razed in 1971. No newspaper ads have been located to indicate that the Joy ever showed motion pictures.
Five small theaters were located within a three block area on Reno Street- Gaiety, Isis, Joy, Pix, and Reno.
Click here to see noted Photographer Dorothea Lange’s 1937 print of the Pix, a Paramount theatre;
View link
Reno Street was tough, after dark it could be dangerous. Drab hookers and gay hustlers gathered after dark on the dimly lit street corners of Reno. It was no accident that most Reno Street walk up hotels hung red curtains in their windows. Yes, this was the district to go slumming in if looking for something different.
Decorated with limited molded plaster Egyptian detail from a decorator’s supply catalogue, the Isis was a sweet little theatre that was somehow too clean to fit in on Reno Street. But Reno was where it was.
The Isis and Pix never showed skin flicks, but instead stuck with tried and true B Westerns and action packed drama movies. Here is a 1937 print of the Pix from noted Photographer Dorothea Lange.
Believe it or not, this dull little theatre belonged to Paramount/Publix.
View link
Urban legend claims that the Gaiety Burlesque Theater was originally a fancy saloon. This could be true as the Gaiety can be traced back to at least 1907, and if it were previously a saloon it would proabably date back even further.
While the Gaiety facade was nondescript, its interior was done in brightly colored Japanese styling complete with pagoda box seats, faux rooflines with Oriental upturned cornices, and inticately embroidered silk drapery.
Known as a first class burlesque house the Gaiety occasionally exhibited adult films between live stage shows, and once in a great while featured mainstream movies. The Gaity remained a bump & grind house until closed around 1964, then was converted into a cut-rate furniture store until razed in 1970.
Other theatres on Reno Street were Isis, Joy Burlesque, Pix, and Reno Burlesque.
From Library of Congress Photo Archives is a 1937 print by noted Photographer Dorothea Lange of the PIX Theatre. Hard to believe, but this drab little movie house was a member of the powerful Paramount/Publix Ciruit.
View link
For an outstanding architectural drawing of the Centre Theatre design go to oklahoman archive site and check this issue; August 21, 1946.
Oklahoman Archive web pages have several pictures of the old Folly Theatre. Check these dates for clearest images- April 22, 1909, and September 23, 1913.
Look into oklahoman archive web site for pictures of the Villa Theatre.
Noftsger’s architectural drawing can be found on July 10, 1938, and an exterior photograph in the September 24, 1939 issue.
An architectural sketch of the Orpheum renovation, along with good shots of the newly remodelled interior, can be located on oklahoman archive web site, January 23, 1921. pages.
To see an outstanding architectural rendering of the Liberty Theater go to the December 13, 1915 issue found within oklahoman archive web pages.
Oklahoman Archive web pages contain December 18, 1928. grand opening announcement ads with a sharp picture of the Tudor style Circle Theater exterior.
Reno Theatre opened December 25, 1930, as a movie house. During the mid 1930s the Reno became a burlesque theatre to compete with the hugely popular Gaiety Burlesque which was located one block West, also on Reno Street. After WWII the Reno alternated between live burlesque, adult films, and second run/double features. After being closed several yeats the Reno was razed early 1970.
December 25, 1930 issue found in Oklahoman Archive web pages show grand opening newpapaer ad with a good exterior shot of the Reno Theatre.
Reno Street was a tough area of downtown where roughnecks went to be “entertained”, in many different ways. Shoulder to shoulder saloons, greasy spoon cafes, adult theatres, and second story red-light hotels were the commerce of this dingy thoroughfare.
Check out Oklahoman Archive web site for clear images of the State Theater-
Architectural drawing (note clever use of marquee to slip in architect’s name)– January 03, 1937.
Exterior photo- April 18, 1937.
Above mentioned Oklahoman Archive images are listed below-
Architecural drawing of exterior-March 18, 1928.
Construction photo- December 11, 1928.
Check out the web site for Oklahman Archives to see great images of the Victoria Theatre. A fantastic architectural drawing of the Gothic auditorium is shown January 29, 1928, and an exterior photo can be seen July 4, 1928.
From Library of Congress Photo Archives, 1917 images of OKC Empress Theatre.
Photo left, Empress Theatre is structure with three arches running across building top. This view also shows poster ad for Overholser Opera House.
View link
and a stage door view-
View link
Architects for 1923 Shriners (AKA-Warner’s Auditorium, Home) Theatre were Layton, Smith, & Forsyth. Forsyth also designed Ponca City’s Poncan Theatre.
View link
Recently an old timer told me that Tulsa’s Third Street Orpheum (AKA-Rialto) Theatre was created by famed Chicago Architect Louis Sullivan. This may possibly be true since the original 1907 “form follows function” design was pure Prairie School styling.
A couple of old timers claimed that the 1916 Liberty Theatre designer was famed Chicago Architect Louis Sullivan. This could well be as the Liberty’s original exterior & interior design were “form follows function” Prairie Style.
View link
Sorry, wrong spelling. Try-
View link
Listed here are Architect O. Kubatsky other work …
View link