A good (even if it is small) photo of the COZY can be found here; www.yellowpadinc.com
The COZY Theater was situated on an overpass which arched steeply above railroad tracks. Like the Uptown Theater, located atop the same viaduct, the Cozy’s long auditorium had a steeply sloped floor in order to accommodate ground level, rear exit doors.
B. Gaylord Noftsger was a talented architect who knew how to produce impressive results on a limited budget. For OKC’s VILLA Theater the architect skilfully diguised an “economy” auditorium with decorative drapery interlaced with strands of shimmering beads, and careful placement of a few colorful, lighted niches here and there, while keeping the remainder of the space in dramatic shadow. Noftsger cleverly enhanced a drab ceiling by installing soft lighting effects behind three massive “bullseye” HVAC grills. All this put together created a striking illusion that the entire auditorium was ornately decorated, when in acutality it was not.
The VILLA was very popular with teenagers because it was located midway between two large high schools, and near a junior high. The balcony was a favorite “make out” spot for teens who did'nt have cars.
Dallas Architect Jack Corgan also designed (in OKC) the Knob Hill, May, and Will Rogers theaters. Judging from structure style, I suspect the Lakeside Theater may too have come from his drawing board.
Old timers used to tell about a fun feature of when the PLAZA Theater first opened. A brightly lighted, colorful Rock-Ola Jukebox (a new inovation in 1935) majestically rose from a hidden compartment onto a scalloped draped stage, and played amplified music during intermissions. Instead of records, this jukebox delivered the latest hit parade tunes via telephone line, while festive “dancing” lights kept time with the melody.
When the Overholser opened in 1903 it had three shallow balconies, and four tiers of box seats, with a total seating capacity of 2400. John Eberson’s 1920 Adamesque remodel for Kieth Albee replaced the three balconies with one long, steeply sloped, cantilever balcony which reduced seating to 2200. Warner Brothers gained control in 1928 and installed new, wider chairs, and expanded leg room between seats, which caused a reduction of 200 chairs. Cinerama installation resulted in an even further reduced capacity.
The STATE Theater opened 1937, and (as mentioned above) was designed by Architect W.T. Vahlberg, who later became a prominent political figure in local government.
I should mention, the rust decor resulted in complete remodel after smoke damage from a 1948 interior fire. Original 1937 colour scheme was salmon and soft yellow.
As mentioned by Mr. Jones, for a long period during the 1950s the State featured a shocking pink motif. Then it converted over to a subdued “white” look.
The STUDIO ONE ADULT CINEMA was built to replace the Majestic Art Theater after it burned in the late 1960s. It catered to the “rain coat crowd” well into the 1980s. I have been told that Studio One was constructed inside existing retail space, and that this was a small cinema (maybe 200 seats), very dark, and other than many yards of scarlet drapery, it was sparse in decor.
Architect for the VILLA Theater was officially B. GAYLORD NOFTSGER, as reported in several 1937/38 news articles concerning the Villa Building in the Daily Oklahoman Newspaper. My notes have been recovered.
Bryan, your updated information is very much appreciated. My sources were 1927/28 news articles and grand opening ads obtained from the ‘Oklahoman Archive’ web pages.
Architect for the UPTOWN Theater was positively W.H. SCHUMACHER, as documented by the Daily Oklahoman Newspaper c1940. My lost notes have finally been located!
TOWER Theater opened 1930, and near the end of the 1960s was an off and on operation until it closed completely. Structure sat empty many years and finally was razed 1977.
Alhambra Theater operated from 1924 through 1928, then closed. It reopended 1930 with a complete modernization and new name-PLAZA, which operated as a B Movie house until at least 1949. After that it was known as Tulsa Little Theater.
From a 2005 calendar ‘TULSA, SEE YA AT THE MOVIES’, ALHAMBRA Theater opened 1924, and closed 1928. Reopend in 1930 with a complete renovation and new name- PLAZA and continued as a movie house until at least 1949. After that it operated as Tulsa Little Theater, a live stage show venue.
Sincerely I apologize for any incorrect information provided by my-self; Indepth research has revealed that VILLA Theater architects were NOT Jay McKay nor Pat McGee. Jay McKay was interior decorator for the Plaza Theater. Pat McGee was a Paramount Theatres General Manager, also involved with the Plaza. But neither man helped design the Villa.
Please remove my Aug 7, 2005. comments.
When OKC’s Will Rogers Theater opened in 1946 it was billed as sister to Tulsa’s WILL ROGERS. Though both structures were designed by Dallas Arhitect Jack Corgan, and were very similar in design, they were in no way identical.
Actually the VICTORIA Theater opened in mid-1928 and closed early-1953. Dallas Architect Clarence Bulger was responsible for the Gothic design, strongly influenced by London’s Victoria Station. Seating capacity was 1500, not 806, and was stadium style. The Victoria opened with a $35,000 Robert Morton “Wonder” Organ.
Again I must eat incorrect information reported by myself; Hill, Sorey, and Hill were not the architects of the UPTOWN Theater. Unfortunately I can’t at this time locate my notes as to whom the official architect was. It may have been Robert Shumacher, but I’m not sure.
Here I have to eat words I previously wrote; As it turns out, research from the ‘Oklahoman Archives’ web site proves that famed Architect W. SCOTT DUNNE drew the blueprints for the unique TOWER Theater. News articles of that period make no mention of Jay McKay being connected in any way with this theater design. Pat McGee was a Paramount Supervising Director for the Tower Theater, he was not an architect.
For easier navigation here is a more direct path to Cozy Theater images-
View link
This will take you to a photo of the Belleaire;
http://tulsatvmemories.com
A good (even if it is small) photo of the COZY can be found here;
www.yellowpadinc.com
The COZY Theater was situated on an overpass which arched steeply above railroad tracks. Like the Uptown Theater, located atop the same viaduct, the Cozy’s long auditorium had a steeply sloped floor in order to accommodate ground level, rear exit doors.
There is a clear ALHAMBRA image here;
www.yellowpadinc.com
B. Gaylord Noftsger was a talented architect who knew how to produce impressive results on a limited budget. For OKC’s VILLA Theater the architect skilfully diguised an “economy” auditorium with decorative drapery interlaced with strands of shimmering beads, and careful placement of a few colorful, lighted niches here and there, while keeping the remainder of the space in dramatic shadow. Noftsger cleverly enhanced a drab ceiling by installing soft lighting effects behind three massive “bullseye” HVAC grills. All this put together created a striking illusion that the entire auditorium was ornately decorated, when in acutality it was not.
The VILLA was very popular with teenagers because it was located midway between two large high schools, and near a junior high. The balcony was a favorite “make out” spot for teens who did'nt have cars.
Dallas Architect Jack Corgan also designed (in OKC) the Knob Hill, May, and Will Rogers theaters. Judging from structure style, I suspect the Lakeside Theater may too have come from his drawing board.
Old timers used to tell about a fun feature of when the PLAZA Theater first opened. A brightly lighted, colorful Rock-Ola Jukebox (a new inovation in 1935) majestically rose from a hidden compartment onto a scalloped draped stage, and played amplified music during intermissions. Instead of records, this jukebox delivered the latest hit parade tunes via telephone line, while festive “dancing” lights kept time with the melody.
When the Overholser opened in 1903 it had three shallow balconies, and four tiers of box seats, with a total seating capacity of 2400. John Eberson’s 1920 Adamesque remodel for Kieth Albee replaced the three balconies with one long, steeply sloped, cantilever balcony which reduced seating to 2200. Warner Brothers gained control in 1928 and installed new, wider chairs, and expanded leg room between seats, which caused a reduction of 200 chairs. Cinerama installation resulted in an even further reduced capacity.
Further research reveals the UPTOWN was converted into office space in late 1955. Today it is used as a medical research laboratory.
The STATE Theater opened 1937, and (as mentioned above) was designed by Architect W.T. Vahlberg, who later became a prominent political figure in local government.
I should mention, the rust decor resulted in complete remodel after smoke damage from a 1948 interior fire. Original 1937 colour scheme was salmon and soft yellow.
As mentioned by Mr. Jones, for a long period during the 1950s the State featured a shocking pink motif. Then it converted over to a subdued “white” look.
Again, I apologize for any erroneous information submitted by myself!
PLEASE! Does anyone have interior photos of that tall lobby with a mezanine surrounding three sides, and that unique atmospheric auditorium?
The STUDIO ONE ADULT CINEMA was built to replace the Majestic Art Theater after it burned in the late 1960s. It catered to the “rain coat crowd” well into the 1980s. I have been told that Studio One was constructed inside existing retail space, and that this was a small cinema (maybe 200 seats), very dark, and other than many yards of scarlet drapery, it was sparse in decor.
Architect for the VILLA Theater was officially B. GAYLORD NOFTSGER, as reported in several 1937/38 news articles concerning the Villa Building in the Daily Oklahoman Newspaper. My notes have been recovered.
Bryan, your updated information is very much appreciated. My sources were 1927/28 news articles and grand opening ads obtained from the ‘Oklahoman Archive’ web pages.
Architect for the UPTOWN Theater was positively W.H. SCHUMACHER, as documented by the Daily Oklahoman Newspaper c1940. My lost notes have finally been located!
TOWER Theater opened 1930, and near the end of the 1960s was an off and on operation until it closed completely. Structure sat empty many years and finally was razed 1977.
Alhambra Theater operated from 1924 through 1928, then closed. It reopended 1930 with a complete modernization and new name-PLAZA, which operated as a B Movie house until at least 1949. After that it was known as Tulsa Little Theater.
From a 2005 calendar ‘TULSA, SEE YA AT THE MOVIES’, ALHAMBRA Theater opened 1924, and closed 1928. Reopend in 1930 with a complete renovation and new name- PLAZA and continued as a movie house until at least 1949. After that it operated as Tulsa Little Theater, a live stage show venue.
Sincerely I apologize for any incorrect information provided by my-self; Indepth research has revealed that VILLA Theater architects were NOT Jay McKay nor Pat McGee. Jay McKay was interior decorator for the Plaza Theater. Pat McGee was a Paramount Theatres General Manager, also involved with the Plaza. But neither man helped design the Villa.
Please remove my Aug 7, 2005. comments.
When OKC’s Will Rogers Theater opened in 1946 it was billed as sister to Tulsa’s WILL ROGERS. Though both structures were designed by Dallas Arhitect Jack Corgan, and were very similar in design, they were in no way identical.
Actually the VICTORIA Theater opened in mid-1928 and closed early-1953. Dallas Architect Clarence Bulger was responsible for the Gothic design, strongly influenced by London’s Victoria Station. Seating capacity was 1500, not 806, and was stadium style. The Victoria opened with a $35,000 Robert Morton “Wonder” Organ.
Again I must eat incorrect information reported by myself; Hill, Sorey, and Hill were not the architects of the UPTOWN Theater. Unfortunately I can’t at this time locate my notes as to whom the official architect was. It may have been Robert Shumacher, but I’m not sure.
Here I have to eat words I previously wrote; As it turns out, research from the ‘Oklahoman Archives’ web site proves that famed Architect W. SCOTT DUNNE drew the blueprints for the unique TOWER Theater. News articles of that period make no mention of Jay McKay being connected in any way with this theater design. Pat McGee was a Paramount Supervising Director for the Tower Theater, he was not an architect.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful photo of the STAR Theater.