Ritz Theatre
307 W. Chickasha Avenue,
Chickasha,
OK
73018
307 W. Chickasha Avenue,
Chickasha,
OK
73018
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Griffith Amusement Company
Functions: Furniture Showroom
Styles: Art Deco
Nearby Theaters
The Ritz Theatre was opened on September 27, 1928. By 1941 it was operated by Griffith-Consolidated Theaters, a subsidiary of Griffith Amusement Co. Glazed terra-cotta sheathed the sleek façade of the Ritz Theatre, while bright marquee lights lent a sophisticated flair that attracted attention of passers by. Though the auditorium was the usual “Griffith Bros. cookie cutter deco” theme, it was still pleasing to the eye.
Contributed by
Levi
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 9 comments)
Type in word “ritz” to view 1930s images,
View link
To vew both recent color snapshots and vintage B&W images of the former Ritz Theatre see site below;
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/277
Standing two doors left of the former Pix Theatre, and across the street from the old Midwest Theatre, the Ritz Theatre has now been converted into M & M Furniture sales,
View link
Though Chickasha has many theaters listed at Cinema Treasures, the only one I can find mentioned in the Boxoffice archive is the Rialto, which is either not listed here or is listed under another name and missing its aka. A Rialto is listed for Chickasha at both CinemaTour and Roadside Oklahoma, but without an address.
The brief Boxoffice item, from October 9, 1954, says that Rialto manager Horace Clark had re-roofed the building, and had installed CinemaScope and 300 reconditioned seats.
A theatre was at the location described above after 1928 according to fire insurance maps. Address is 307 W. Chickasha.
1941 photo added, courtesy of Billy Ray Merritt. It is the left building of the two that M & M Furniture currently inhabits. 307 W. Chickasha is the correct address for the Ritz.
M & M uses 309, because their entrance is in the right hand building, next door to where the Ritz was. As they now have a combined storefront.
This link has a version of the 1941 photo that can bee enlarged.
http://picclick.com.au/OLD-LARGE-HISTORIC-PHOTO-OF-CHICKASHA-KANSAS-OPENING-291952014744.html#&gid=1&pid=1
October 1935 photo added credit Griffith Amusement Company Collection 21500.42.1, courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society.
Opened On September 27, 1928.