The Orpheum Theatre did NOT close in 1965. In 1969, I worked at the Miller Theatre, 1 block South of the Orpheum on Broadway. I was assigned to work several major events at the Orpheum: Indianapolis 500 & heavyweight boxing bouts were closedcircuit televised.
The Miller Theatre was the Queen of Wichita movie houses at that time, with seating for 2,000 including a Loge, First, Second & Third Balconies. A 3-story marble foyer w/chandielier (I know how high it was from changing light bulbs). The Miller debuted such 1969 blockbusters as “The Midnight Cowboy” and “The Love Bug” (got to drive the local Love Bug!!).
The Miller was also the Wichita office of National General Theatres (later NGC), where box office attendance was reported each evening. Other NG theatres at the time included the Orpheum, The Uptown, and The Boulevard. This was a time of transition for theatres in Wichita. The Wichita Theatre in the 100 block of E. Douglas was being razed, and by 1972 the Fox had been built to the West (on Waterman?) and shortly, the Mall Cinema was built on Harry St. The Miller was soon razed to become a bank parking garage!!!
While I worked at the Miller Theatre, Bill Warren, current Wichita Theatre mogul, was Manager. Additional theatres I worked at were The Boulevard, The Mall Cinema, The Uptown (Asst. Mgr.) and The Westway (House Mgr.).
The Orpheum Theatre did NOT close in 1965. In 1969, I worked at the Miller Theatre, 1 block South of the Orpheum on Broadway. I was assigned to work several major events at the Orpheum: Indianapolis 500 & heavyweight boxing bouts were closedcircuit televised.
The Miller Theatre was the Queen of Wichita movie houses at that time, with seating for 2,000 including a Loge, First, Second & Third Balconies. A 3-story marble foyer w/chandielier (I know how high it was from changing light bulbs). The Miller debuted such 1969 blockbusters as “The Midnight Cowboy” and “The Love Bug” (got to drive the local Love Bug!!).
The Miller was also the Wichita office of National General Theatres (later NGC), where box office attendance was reported each evening. Other NG theatres at the time included the Orpheum, The Uptown, and The Boulevard. This was a time of transition for theatres in Wichita. The Wichita Theatre in the 100 block of E. Douglas was being razed, and by 1972 the Fox had been built to the West (on Waterman?) and shortly, the Mall Cinema was built on Harry St. The Miller was soon razed to become a bank parking garage!!!
While I worked at the Miller Theatre, Bill Warren, current Wichita Theatre mogul, was Manager. Additional theatres I worked at were The Boulevard, The Mall Cinema, The Uptown (Asst. Mgr.) and The Westway (House Mgr.).
Joe B.