Ray Theatre
108 S. Main Street,
Tonkawa,
OK
74653
108 S. Main Street,
Tonkawa,
OK
74653
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Thompson Theatres Circuit
Functions: Bowling Alley
Previous Names: New Criterion Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The New Criterion Theatre was opened on January 5, 1935 with Dick Powell in “Happiness Ahead”. It was renamed Ray Theatre on January 31, 1935. It was operated by the Thompson Theatres Circuit. They were still the operators in 1957.
Contributed by
Lauren Grubb
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
My father, Edwin Phillips, was the manager of the Ray Theater from about 1946 until May 1952. I think I do have some pics with the theater in it. I’ll do some searching.
Listed in the 1941 edition of Film Daily Yearbook with a seating capaity of 250. In the 1943 edition of F.D.Y. seating is given as 500. The 1950 edition of F.D.Y. gives a seating capacity as 485 and the location is Main Street.
The address is 108 S. Main Street. It’s currently a bowling alley.
A 1940 photo can be seen by typing in word “ray”,
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Here is 108 S. Main St. today
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Picture of the Ray Theatre in ‘85.
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modern pix, http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/668
This started life as the New Criterion Theatre for only a single week, opening on January 5, 1935 with Dick Powell in “Happiness Ahead” along with the technicolor Merrie Melodies cartoon “Mr. and Mrs. Is The Name” starring Buddy and Cookie, the Laurel & Hardy comedy “Peach Of A Pair”, and Paramount News. It was first owned by W.H. Williams who also operated the nearby Rialto, and featured sound installations of Western Electric.
The theater was renamed the Ray Theatre on January 31, 1935 exactly two weeks after a theater-naming contest as part of its Amateur Night hosted by Williams himself.