La Nora Theatre
114 N. Culyer Street,
Pampa,
TX
79065
114 N. Culyer Street,
Pampa,
TX
79065
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Celebrated a transformation by Griffith Amusements to widescreen and presentation of CinemaScope films on November 4, 1954
I worked at the La Nora Theater in the ‘50s where I met Mr. H. A. Gilliland who owned the theater building and a theater building in Borger. Both were managed by Video Independent Theatres. As you entered the La Nora Theater a mosaic tile floor in the lobby contained his name – H A Gilliland – within a circle. It was a very nice theater. In addition to the lower level concession and seating area, two spiraling stairs lead from the lobby to a large mezzanine before continuing to a large balcony seating area. The large window area in the picture looked out from the theater offices which were to the front of the mezzanine.
My father was also a manager at the La Nora. He worked for Griffith Amusement Company for years. He managed the La Nora from 1941 thru most of 1943. He was into marketing the movies and took lots of pictures of the artwork. He would have been the manager when this picture was taken. Of all the theaters he managed in Texas and Oklahoma, I think this theater is the most beautiful.
My father was a manager for Video Theatres, out of Oklahoma City, in Pampa for several years. I would occasionally go to hang out at the theatres while he worked. I would sneak onto the stage at the La Nora between shows and pretend I was conducting the orchestra the projectionist would have to come to get me down so he could start the next film. I have numerous childhood memories of the theatres in Pampa including the Top O Texas and Pampa Drive Ins, La Vista and Capri. We moved to New Mexico in the early 60’s, my Dad got a Drive In in Hobbs, NM.
December 29th, 1930 grand opening ad in photo section.
In one of the several articles about the new La Nora Theatre that appeared in the Pampa Sunday News-Post of December 30, 1930, the day before the theater opened, was this information:
The LaNora Theater was destroyed by fire in 1960. Consturction began on the Capri Theater that same year. Pampa had one other walk in theater at that time, the LaVista Theater, and two drive in theaters, the Pampa Drive In and the Top O Texas Drive In. I believe the Rex theater was remodeled and renamed the LaVista. These were last operated by Video Independent Theatres of Oklahoma City.
I see on GE what appears to be an old theater building at the corner of N. Cuyler and E. Francis. Labeled as the Knights of Columbus Hall. The marquee looks to have contained 5 letters, the last letter left on the old marquee is an E in the 5th position.
Could this be the State in the opening comments? If so, I don’t see an entry for this theater.
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The Capri theater is still staning in downtown Pampa. It operated briefly as The Cave gameroom but has been closed for years. Any info on this theater?
It’s the Lanora Theatre in 1941 & 1943 editions of Film Daily Yearbook, but La Nora Theatre in the 1950 edition of F.D.Y. Seating remains consistant at 1,048 in all editions.
To view 1936 interior/exterior images of the La Nora type in word “theatre”,
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