Comments about Gaslight Theatre in Enid, OK

50sSNIPES on November 12, 2024 at 3:17 pm

The Billings Theatre was first constructed in April 1920 with an estimate $125,000 under the direction of Walt Billings, and opened its doors on February 22, 1921 with Agnes Ayres in “Forbidden Fruit” with no extras. It was renamed the Criterion Theatre on March 31, 1922.

After a short remodel, the theater reopened as the Chief Theatre on May 21, 1940 with Joan Blondell in “2 Girls From Broadway” along with a travelogue short on New Hampshire and a March Of Time reel on the mounting war fever on the Philippines.

Joe Vogel on February 27, 2016 at 3:10 am

Several photos of this house over the years can be seen on this page of the Downtown Enid History web site.

northenidirregular on February 27, 2016 at 1:53 am

I remember when this was still called the chief and was one screen. I remember when they closed it for remodeling (seems like a fire happened in the back)and they changed it to two screens. One of the first movies they played after remodeling was Hurricane 1979.

DavidZornig on November 15, 2015 at 9:00 pm

Circa 1967 photo added, photo credit Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, csrhc.org Re-release of “Gone With The Wind”, with `60’s cars in the reflection.

DavidZornig on October 14, 2015 at 9:06 pm

1936 photo added, photo credit Oklahoma Historical Society. Via the Enid Oklahoma Old Post Cards Facebook page

Joe Vogel on February 13, 2012 at 5:41 am

If the report in the February 9, 1921, issue of The Film Daily is anywhere near accurate, this theater has lost most of its seats:

“Enid, Okla— The new Billings has had its opening date set as Feb. 15. It will cost approximately $200,000, and will seat 1,400.”

JudithK on January 28, 2012 at 7:57 pm

I was in this theatre only once, during the period when it was the Chief Theatre. It was an older one, with lots of trim. The sound and sight lines were pretty good; glad to hear it’s still being used as the Gaslight Theatre.

raybradley on March 8, 2011 at 5:11 pm

This link has a June, 1966, newpaper ad for the Chief.
http://www.enidbuzz.com/businessphotosvintage.htm

raybradley on March 8, 2011 at 4:54 pm

Here is what the former Cheif Theatre (AKA-Gaslight) looks like now. This theatre has a good size stagehouse!
View link

raybradley on July 13, 2010 at 11:35 am

This site has color photos and a brief history of the lovely Gaslight Theatre …
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/365

seymourcox on August 7, 2009 at 8:39 am

Talk about Hollywood giving a film a politically incorrect title.
That photo was obviously snapped on a cold, snowy day, yet kids still rode their bike to see a movie.

Don Lewis on January 1, 2009 at 5:07 pm

A view of the Gaslight when it was the Cinema 1 & 2 from 1987.

drivein2001 on November 10, 2007 at 12:50 pm

A Nice looking theatre with a LONG History! I have 2 photos on flickr.com if interested. The direct link is:

View link

Enjoy!
Randy A. Carlisle
Historical Photographer
“Preserving AMERICAs History Thru Photography”

seymourcox on October 7, 2007 at 9:34 pm

Originally known as the Billings Theatre, see a sharp 1940 exterior photo of this Italian Renaissance style cinema when it was known as Chief type in word ‘theatre’, then go search …
View link

Ken Roe on July 9, 2006 at 12:54 am

A Wurlitzer organ Opus #759 was installed in this theatre on 12/31/1923.

xxx on July 8, 2006 at 6:22 pm

Yes, it would be one and the same.

xxx on July 8, 2006 at 4:43 pm

Originally called Billings Theatre, this movie house was also known as Criterion, Chief, Cinema Twin, and Gaslight. Go into this link for a vintage picture;
http://www.gaslighttheatre.org/history.html

Ken Roe on July 24, 2005 at 9:06 am

The Film Daily Yearbook’s give varying seating capacity in different editions; 1941=400, 1943=600 and in 1950=726.

Gaslight Theatre

221 N. Independence Avenue, Enid, OK 73701

221 N. Independence Avenue,
Enid, OK 73701