Canton’s Lyric actually operated from January 1910 until 1918, and its Empress operated from November 5, 1915 until around October 1918. I think the Lyric also managed to briefly operate as a special events theater in the early-1920s, but that remains unconfirmed at this time.
The Kennedy Opera House opened its doors by C.B. Kennedy on November 10, 1911 with a live presentation of “The Servant In The House”. It was renamed the Lowell Theatre after W.P. Lowell purchased the theater building in late-1924, and was renamed the Canton Theatre on March 18, 1937. The Canton Theatre closed for the final time on January 28, 1979 with “Wilderness Family Part 2” and was dismantled in July 1983.
The Suurvik Cinema opened its doors on July 4, 2014 with “22 Jump Street” in Screen 1 and “How To Train Your Dragon 2” in Screen 2. The Suurvik was the first movie theater to operate in Bethel since the early-1980s closure of the Swanson’s Theatre.
The reason why it originally closed on September 4, 1989 is because of declining ticket sales. I was trying to find the last film that closed the Okla, but I cannot find it at all. Maybe Dallas will help me figure it out.
However, I can confirm is that in 1990, the Okla Theatre was bought by Kiamichi Actors Studio Theatre Incorporated, a local performing arts group. KAST intended to restore the theater, but was unable to raise the funds and surrendered the deed to the bank. It was then purchased from the bank by the Ardeneum of Oklahoma Charitable and Educational Foundation Incorporated.
Opened on June 29, 1951 with Lon McCallister in “The Big Cat” along with the Tom And Jerry cartoon “The Cat And The Mermouse” and the RKO short “Prize Maids”.
This theater was short-lived, but I cannot confirm if it continued operating under a different name after Jerry Lewis’s bankruptcy. The theater was destroyed by a fire on August 6, 1977, caused by arson led by 42-year-old Vincent Fardella of Ocean City, Maryland. He later served 15 years at a Pennsylvania prison.
The actual opening date is November 13, 1941 with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in “Great Guns” along with an unnamed cartoon, a sports reel, and a RKO “Picture People” reel. It was closed on November 17, 1955 with “Headline Hunters” and “The Scarlet Claw” (unknown if extras added) and was converted into an ASC Office in December 1962.
The Varsity Theater opened its doors on September 20, 1948 with the Texas premiere of Sammy Baugh in “Triple Threat” (unknown if extras added).
Closed 1984, not 1985.
Closed on September 28, 1987 with “Project X” and “Hoosiers”. Moyer Theatres was its last operator.
Closed on January 1, 1984 with Walt Disney’s “The Rescuers” and “Mickey’s Christmas Carol”. Both films were moved to the nearby Pix after closure.
Opened with “Airport”. Current function is first-run.
Later operated by Cineplex Odeon.
1983
Actual opening date is May 2, 1927.
Filmack
Canton’s Lyric actually operated from January 1910 until 1918, and its Empress operated from November 5, 1915 until around October 1918. I think the Lyric also managed to briefly operate as a special events theater in the early-1920s, but that remains unconfirmed at this time.
The Kennedy Opera House opened its doors by C.B. Kennedy on November 10, 1911 with a live presentation of “The Servant In The House”. It was renamed the Lowell Theatre after W.P. Lowell purchased the theater building in late-1924, and was renamed the Canton Theatre on March 18, 1937. The Canton Theatre closed for the final time on January 28, 1979 with “Wilderness Family Part 2” and was dismantled in July 1983.
Still open in 1988.
Opened as early as 1912.
Once operated by Tom Moyer Luxury Theatres. It was also once known as just simply “Kambe Theatre”.
The Suurvik Cinema opened its doors on July 4, 2014 with “22 Jump Street” in Screen 1 and “How To Train Your Dragon 2” in Screen 2. The Suurvik was the first movie theater to operate in Bethel since the early-1980s closure of the Swanson’s Theatre.
Still showing first-run films into as late as mid-1978.
May 1958
It was renamed the LaFayette Plaza Cinema on November 23, 1982.
The reason why it originally closed on September 4, 1989 is because of declining ticket sales. I was trying to find the last film that closed the Okla, but I cannot find it at all. Maybe Dallas will help me figure it out.
However, I can confirm is that in 1990, the Okla Theatre was bought by Kiamichi Actors Studio Theatre Incorporated, a local performing arts group. KAST intended to restore the theater, but was unable to raise the funds and surrendered the deed to the bank. It was then purchased from the bank by the Ardeneum of Oklahoma Charitable and Educational Foundation Incorporated.
Opened on June 29, 1951 with Lon McCallister in “The Big Cat” along with the Tom And Jerry cartoon “The Cat And The Mermouse” and the RKO short “Prize Maids”.
This theater was short-lived, but I cannot confirm if it continued operating under a different name after Jerry Lewis’s bankruptcy. The theater was destroyed by a fire on August 6, 1977, caused by arson led by 42-year-old Vincent Fardella of Ocean City, Maryland. He later served 15 years at a Pennsylvania prison.
The actual opening date is November 13, 1941 with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in “Great Guns” along with an unnamed cartoon, a sports reel, and a RKO “Picture People” reel. It was closed on November 17, 1955 with “Headline Hunters” and “The Scarlet Claw” (unknown if extras added) and was converted into an ASC Office in December 1962.
The actual opening date is May 11, 1951 with Rod Cameron in “Panhandle” and Robert Cummings in “Free For All” (unknown if extras added).
Opened in early-September 1941.
Also closed with “Moonwalker” in Screen 1 and “Like Father Like Son” in Screen 2. “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” was screened in Screen 3 before closing.