Sophisticate's X Twin Cinemas
13 N. Lewis Avenue,
Tulsa,
OK
74104
13 N. Lewis Avenue,
Tulsa,
OK
74104
1 person favorited this theater
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Again Mike: One man’s trash is another man’s (Cinema) Treasure!
I don’t knock ANY of the theaters listed on this site. This theater is still movie theater history. Lumps and all.
Sure it was no great loss to see this one go.
Here is another fine example of 1950s beefcake footage often shown at this adult cinema,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNKGN5GMw4s
These sites feature atypical beefcake film clips;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMhjsxEABJM
In auditorium-B, films starring Joe Dallesandro sold a lot of admission tickets, and usually played extended engagements. In particular, Andy Warhol/Paul Morrissey’s “LONESOME COWBOY”, “FLESH”, and “HEAT” were brought back again and again on a triple feature bill.
Following sites illustrate the popularity of Little Joe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkdWn10GJ7Y
and
View link
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/D8221.jpg
Several old queens have informed me that those arcade glory holes were keyhole shaped.
From Tulsa County Public Library comes this c1940 snapshot, after the bakery vacated, an appliance store moved in, then Sophisticate’s X utilized this space.
http://www.tulsalibrary.org/JPG/B9292.jpg
Listed here are links to the kind of gay films shown at Sophiticate’s X-
View link
http://www.briansdriveintheater.com/beefcake.html
http://www.vintagegaymale.com/
http://www.bigkugels.com/content/BeefFrame.html
Auditorium-B was decorated with a red/black checkerboard floor, wide striped red/yellow curtains tuffted into large fan shapes, a black ceiling, and seating for around 100.
As mentioned, this theatre showcased films from beefcake producers; AMG, Apollo, Bruce of L.A., and Spectrum. Occasionally an Andy Warhol flick, or product from some other bold independent, would be the second half of the bill.
At this theatre I saw a shock movie entitled “Johnny Got His Gun”, along with an hour long co-feature of gorgeous nude models striking classic poses. One of these muscle men was Billy Joe Carr who moved with the grace of a wild animal. This guy had to be the best looking male I had ever seen before, or since!
During intermissions, slide shows of 1940’s, 1950’s, & 1960’s body builders, with and without posing straps, were flashed across the screen.
The front book store sold copies of the slides and films shown inside their theatres.
While the front portion of this building (where the adult news stand stood) still stands, the rear area where the cinemas & arcade were located was razed many years ago.
This porn emporium was shut down by the law shortly after glory holes were cut between arcade booths.
Sophisticate X was located at 13 North Lewis Avenue, & Admiral Place. The structure was razed during construction of the M.L. King Crosstown Expressway.
This porn emporium was shut down by the law when they cut glory holes between arcade booths.