Well … it’s official. The Rodeo Theatre burned down on Monday, February 26, 1962. The fire started about 12:25 a.m. in the morning and it took two hours to control the blaze. The fire apparently started somewhere in the stage area. The building was owned by Andy Moore and leased to J.C. Drake. There was very little smoke damage to the two building on the sides and some water damage to both. The estimated loss was $75,000.00 to the building, furnishings, and equipment. Extensive repairs were made in August and September of 1961 in the amount of $12,000.00 to open the Rodeo.
The Ritz theatre was established about 1928 at 828 West Main in Duncan. In 1938, the Ritz Theatre moved to 15 North 8th in Duncan. The Theatre was remodel in 1952. The Ritz fell out of the Duncan telephone book in 1963.
The 1950’s photo of the Home/Ritz Theatre in Rush Springs, Oklahoma. It is located in the 200 block of West Blakely on the North side of the street. The building has been torn down.
The Palace Theatre opened about the same time the building was built in 1922 at 926 West Main in Duncan. The Paul Hotel is seen in the 1940 picture posted. The Palace is still showing shows as of this post.
Looked at some old Marlow Reviews today. Noticed that name change from Whiteway to Mar did not occur until the fall of 1949. I thought earlier that the McKelroy’s changed the name but now I think the Smith’s changed the name perhaps when he bought the two theatres.
The Alamo Theatre located at 305 West Main in Marlow, opened about 1935. Don’t know the original owner. In 1946, Hurshel and Vincie McKelroy bought the Whiteway and the Alamo. Prior to 1954, O.L. Smith buys the Mar (was Whiteway) and the Alamo until they closed.
The Longhorn Drive-In opened about 1955 at the NE corner of U.S. 81 and Ballpark Road in Marlow, Oklahoma. It is across the street from the Marlow High School baseball field.
The Folly Theatre was in operation by 1923 at 713 West Main in Duncan. It left the Duncan telephone book in 1954. The back of the theatre is raised to support a curtain system. Wonder if live performances occurred.
The Trail opened between 1942 and 1946. It was located at 806 West Main Street in Duncan. It closed about 1950. Abbie’s women’s wear moved to the location in 1951.
The Tower / Moore Theatre started out as the Tower Theatre after 1942 but before 1946. It became the Moore Theatre in 1951. It disappeared from the Duncan telephone book in 1956. The address was 720 West Main.
Well … it’s official. The Rodeo Theatre burned down on Monday, February 26, 1962. The fire started about 12:25 a.m. in the morning and it took two hours to control the blaze. The fire apparently started somewhere in the stage area. The building was owned by Andy Moore and leased to J.C. Drake. There was very little smoke damage to the two building on the sides and some water damage to both. The estimated loss was $75,000.00 to the building, furnishings, and equipment. Extensive repairs were made in August and September of 1961 in the amount of $12,000.00 to open the Rodeo.
The Ritz theatre was established about 1928 at 828 West Main in Duncan. In 1938, the Ritz Theatre moved to 15 North 8th in Duncan. The Theatre was remodel in 1952. The Ritz fell out of the Duncan telephone book in 1963.
The 1950’s photo of the Home/Ritz Theatre in Rush Springs, Oklahoma. It is located in the 200 block of West Blakely on the North side of the street. The building has been torn down.
Photo above from a Movie Theatre magazine that lists the Rex Theatre in 1928 along with the Liberty Theatre.
The Tall Rex first appears in a Movie magazine in 1929 along with the Liberty Theatre.
The Palace Theatre opened about the same time the building was built in 1922 at 926 West Main in Duncan. The Paul Hotel is seen in the 1940 picture posted. The Palace is still showing shows as of this post.
Looked at some old Marlow Reviews today. Noticed that name change from Whiteway to Mar did not occur until the fall of 1949. I thought earlier that the McKelroy’s changed the name but now I think the Smith’s changed the name perhaps when he bought the two theatres.
The Alamo Theatre located at 305 West Main in Marlow, opened about 1935. Don’t know the original owner. In 1946, Hurshel and Vincie McKelroy bought the Whiteway and the Alamo. Prior to 1954, O.L. Smith buys the Mar (was Whiteway) and the Alamo until they closed.
The Longhorn Drive-In opened about 1955 at the NE corner of U.S. 81 and Ballpark Road in Marlow, Oklahoma. It is across the street from the Marlow High School baseball field.
The Folly Theatre was in operation by 1923 at 713 West Main in Duncan. It left the Duncan telephone book in 1954. The back of the theatre is raised to support a curtain system. Wonder if live performances occurred.
The Trail opened between 1942 and 1946. It was located at 806 West Main Street in Duncan. It closed about 1950. Abbie’s women’s wear moved to the location in 1951.
The Tower / Moore Theatre started out as the Tower Theatre after 1942 but before 1946. It became the Moore Theatre in 1951. It disappeared from the Duncan telephone book in 1956. The address was 720 West Main.
Duncan Drive In was in operation in 1949 and left the Duncan telephone book in 1984. First Bank and Trust Co. has a building on the corner now.
North 5th Street Drive In was in the Duncan telephone book in 1951 and drop in 1956. Duncan Iron and Metal is in the background.