The Ponca Plaza Twin was first opened by Video Independent Theatres of Oklahoma City. Architect Larry Blackledge squeezed two screens into a limited space. The booth was so tight it couldn’t accomodate two platters so one four deck platter served the two screens. Martin Theatre, later Carmike, took over operation when Video was purchased. After Carmike built the Northpark 4, they let the lease lapse and B&B took over operation, I believe.
Johnny H. Jones and Ruby Jones bought the theatre circa 1945, remodeled and re-named it the JAKE in honor of their father, Jake Jones, Sr. The Jones family also operated the Ritz Theatre, one block west on Main Street Shawnee at the same time.
Johnny and Ruby Jones of Shawnee, OK. indeed did purchase the Camera Theatre in 1951 changing the name to Crest. After a major remodel and overhaul, the theatre was operated by sister Rosalind Banks and husband Doyle. (The Jones family operated the Ritz and Jake Theatres in Shawnee at the same time).
In 1954, the Joneses became partners with Video Independent Theatres in Shawnee taking over all the Video operations in Shawnee and forfeiting the Crest in Stillwater. This satisfied Stillwater Video partner Claude Leachman.
Symco and Mr. Allbright…thanks for your comments about my father, Johnny Jones. You’ve made my day and told me a story I didn’t know. The Joneses are still in the theatre business beginning our 94th year. And yes, we’re still partners with Carmike in the same set-up that was once with Video. Thanks for bringing back some sweet memories of some great people. See the history page of our website www.jonestheatres.com
The Northpark Cinema 4 was originally operated by Ferris Shanbour. It was not built be Cinemark. Shanbour operated numerous theatres in OKC during the late 50’s, 60’s and 70’s including rennovating the Criterion downtown, the Tower, the Plaza and building the Park Lane, Northpark and Hillcrest Drive-In
The May Theatre, on May Avenue, was built by Griffith Amusement Company, later called Video Independent Theatres, as a suburban neighborhood theatre playing second run product. In the late 50’s and early 60’s the May was given a facelift and began playing upscale first run “adult/art” fare. “The Graduate” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” both had long and profitable runs at the May. The May was a sister theatre to Video’s Will Rogers, also a suburban neighborhood theatre in Oklahoma City. By the time Martin Theatres (Carmike) bought Video Theatres the May and Will Rogers were history. The May should not be confused with the Mayflower Theatre,
which was located on 23rd Street. The May is still standing, but is now an antique mall.
The Ponca Plaza Twin was first opened by Video Independent Theatres of Oklahoma City. Architect Larry Blackledge squeezed two screens into a limited space. The booth was so tight it couldn’t accomodate two platters so one four deck platter served the two screens. Martin Theatre, later Carmike, took over operation when Video was purchased. After Carmike built the Northpark 4, they let the lease lapse and B&B took over operation, I believe.
Carmike is playing Halloween circuit-wide as well. www.carmike.com.
Johnny H. Jones and Ruby Jones bought the theatre circa 1945, remodeled and re-named it the JAKE in honor of their father, Jake Jones, Sr. The Jones family also operated the Ritz Theatre, one block west on Main Street Shawnee at the same time.
Johnny and Ruby Jones of Shawnee, OK. indeed did purchase the Camera Theatre in 1951 changing the name to Crest. After a major remodel and overhaul, the theatre was operated by sister Rosalind Banks and husband Doyle. (The Jones family operated the Ritz and Jake Theatres in Shawnee at the same time). In 1954, the Joneses became partners with Video Independent Theatres in Shawnee taking over all the Video operations in Shawnee and forfeiting the Crest in Stillwater. This satisfied Stillwater Video partner Claude Leachman.
Symco and Mr. Allbright…thanks for your comments about my father, Johnny Jones. You’ve made my day and told me a story I didn’t know. The Joneses are still in the theatre business beginning our 94th year. And yes, we’re still partners with Carmike in the same set-up that was once with Video. Thanks for bringing back some sweet memories of some great people. See the history page of our website www.jonestheatres.com
The Northpark Cinema 4 was originally operated by Ferris Shanbour. It was not built be Cinemark. Shanbour operated numerous theatres in OKC during the late 50’s, 60’s and 70’s including rennovating the Criterion downtown, the Tower, the Plaza and building the Park Lane, Northpark and Hillcrest Drive-In
The May Theatre, on May Avenue, was built by Griffith Amusement Company, later called Video Independent Theatres, as a suburban neighborhood theatre playing second run product. In the late 50’s and early 60’s the May was given a facelift and began playing upscale first run “adult/art” fare. “The Graduate” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” both had long and profitable runs at the May. The May was a sister theatre to Video’s Will Rogers, also a suburban neighborhood theatre in Oklahoma City. By the time Martin Theatres (Carmike) bought Video Theatres the May and Will Rogers were history. The May should not be confused with the Mayflower Theatre,
which was located on 23rd Street. The May is still standing, but is now an antique mall.