Diana Theatre
309 SW D Avenue,
Lawton,
OK
73501
309 SW D Avenue,
Lawton,
OK
73501
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By 1963 the Diana Theatre was part of the Griffith/Video Independent Theatres chain.
The Dome Opened Its Doors On May 7, 1916 With “The Ballet Girl”.
Boxoffice, Dec. 17, 1973: “Video (Theatres)’s Lawton manager Clyde Walker reports that a wave of downtown urban renewal in Lawton is about to sweep away three circuit houses there - the Diana, Rita and Lawton … Walker expects the Diana Theatre will be torn down soon after January 1.”
Early `50s and 1961 photo as Dome Theatre added courtesy Marian Lynne Kirchner-Rohanand. December 1962 photo added courtesy Matt Walker. Open House with “In Search of the Castaways” as the grand opening film.
remodeled in 1962 by chapman const. owned by Margaret day and dewey Sutton who inherited from miss day. had colored balcony from 62-64. had brass statue of indian holding spear.
December 19th, 1962 opening announcement (As Diana) in the photo section.
Here is what the neighborhood is like these days, the Dome Theatre was razed long ago!
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This site has a clear 1962 photo of the Dome when it was still known as the Diana Theatre
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/429
This theater had a balcony in it and a back entrance during the days of Jim Crow segragation. By the late 1960’s the back entrance was no longer in use and the balcony was used by black and white patrons alike. The presence of the US army and the efforts of forward looking post commander at nearby Fort Sill was one of the factors driving desegragation in public accomodations in Lawton.
SEE a 1962 image of the Diana Theatre dressed in circus attire by typing in word “diana”, then search -
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This theatre was razed in 1971.
This theatre was re-named the Diana Theatre during a major renovation by owner Video Independent Theatres of Oklahoma City in the late 50’s/early 60’s.
Various seating capaicties are given in different editions of Film Daily Yearbook for the Dome Theater; 1940 and 1943=800, 1950=1,000