Boomer Theater
765 Asp Avenue,
Norman,
OK
73069
765 Asp Avenue,
Norman,
OK
73069
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Here is a recent image of the 1947 Boomer Theater from google maps,
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The first Boomer Theater can be seen across the street, now Apothem Sooner Sportswear.
This informative site has both vintage and modern shots of the first Boomer Theatre
First BOOMER THEATER 1942-1948, 784 Asp, Norma, OK.
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/466
And also views of the scecond Boomer Theatre built across the street from the first Boomer
Second BOOMER THEATER 1948-1981, 765 Asp, Norman, OK
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/467
Boomer Sooner Fight Song -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMT0NQOEReE
Photos of the Boomer and three other Corgan-designed theaters appeared in Boxoffice of December 6, 1947. The other houses featured in the article (on the two previous pages) are the Agnew and May theatres in Oklahoma City, and the Plains, Rosswell, New Mexico.
And for further transformations: the clothing retailers who used the venue for years filed bankruptcy in 2008; the Boomer is now to become a Chipotle Mexican Grill location:
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For those knowledgeable with the independent music scene in the late 1970s through mid-1980s, the Boomer Theatre was a dynamite concert venue in Norman. I worked at a south Oklahoma City mall then that sold tickets for the hall, and I attended many shows there. Talking Heads, The Specials, XTC, Buzzcocks, The Cramps, George Thorogood, Al DiMeola, Gentle Giant are a few of the shows I recall – not a bad seat in the house, but no air conditioning to speak of in the summer.
Google maps (street view) proves that the University Theatre was not at the same location as the Boomer Theatre. In downtown Norman the University Theatre Building still stands on the North side of E. Main St., just West of Crawford, but was converted to retail use many decades ago.
Below will bring up period images of the Campus (AKA-first Boomer) Theatre, and the second Boomer. Photo captions claim the first and second Boomer were one and the same. Obviously they were two different cinemas. In search field enter word “theatre”, then hit enter…
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There is a good possibility the second Boomer was built on the site as the University Theatre.
Cinema listed on this page is actually Norman’s second Boomer Theter.
As a warm up band for Jerry Jeff Walker my group also played onstage at the Boomer.
site of “midnight movies” in early 70’s and then rock shows promoted by z-ray, a-ray and others
This site has nice historic pictures of Norman’s first Boomer Theatre, c1943-
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Upstairs area of the Boomer had a good amount of non-public space. There was a reception office, managers office, locker room, generator room, projection booth, and a 15 seat, glassed in viewing room for employees.
The Boomer Theater also had a bright red, neon marquee that matched the tall upright sign.
Styling for the Boomer Theater was 1940’s modernist streamline. Exterior color schemes were cream and foam green, with gray star accents. Terrazzo sidewalks guided ticket buyers to a corner box-office, which led into a low ceiling, triangular shaped vestibule lined with coming attractions poster display cases.
A spacious oval shaped lobby was twenty-five feet high. Lobby walls were painted moss gold with foam green trim, and green cove lighting. Green velvet roping directed ticket holders to a brightly lighted concession stand. Lobby carpeting was in rich green with gray accents.
Seperating the lobby from the auditorium was a long standee area, also with green cove lighting. This space, as well as the back row, was known as a ‘cruise" area for gay men.
Moss gold auditorium walls were staggerd with indirect lighting inside indentations, and around ceiling coves. Oversized tufted plaster proscenium panels complemented heavy green stage curtains that were trimmed in zigzag gold fringe.
During the middle of a hot summer night in 1968 an unknown source caused stage drapes to catch fire. To hide resulting smoke damage the side walls were covered over by drab fiberglass curtains, which eliminated indirect lighting inlets, and new scarlet stage drapes replaced the fancier originals.
Installed throughout the theater was new carpeting with an abstract red/black/gold swirl pattern. RKO held a copyright on this carpet weave and used this same design in all its subsidiary Video Independent Theatres. RKO also had a copyrighted design on its drink cups and popcorn boxes, also used by (RKO) Video Theatres.
Explore this extensive web site for recent BOOMER pix-
http://www.agilitynut.com/theatres/ok.html
The Boomer Theatre was built by Griffith Theatres, later Video Independent Theatres of Oklahoma City circa 1947-48. I think the architect was Jack Corgan and Associates of Dallas, Texas, who designed many of the company’s theatres in those days. The Boomer—in the campus corner retail area—was a favorite of University of Oklahoma students for many years. I especially remember the Boomer as the home of art, specialty and foreign films in the mid to late sixties.