Ritz Theater
205 W. Main Street,
Durant,
OK
74701
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Rowley United Theatres Inc.
Functions: Retail
Previous Names: Queen Theater
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The Queen Theater opened January 24, 1920 with Dorothy Phillipsd in “Paid in Advance”. It was located next door to the Colonial Theater. It was the second theater for the Davidge family father son partnership. It suffered a small fire on January 14, 1928.
Following a long period closed, it was remodeled and reopened as the Ritz Theater on December 18, 1931 with Loretta Young in “I Like Your Nerve”. It had been equipped with a Western Electric sound system. It became one of the more famous and memorable of Durant’s movie houses. By 1957 it was operated by Rowley United Theatres Inc. who closed it on March 26, 1957 with Willard Parker in “Naked Gun”. Babcock’s Auto Store occupied the location from August 1961 and for many years. By 2008 it was operating as a gift shop and tea room. By 2018 it had become an office supply shop.
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Here is a modern day look at both the Ritz and Colonial,
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The Queen Theatre was crowned with public favor opening January 24, 1920 with Dorothy Phillips in “Paid in Advance.” She suffered a minor fire following the January 14, 1928 showings of Art Acord in “Hard Fists” and Julia Faye in “Turkish Delight” but appears to have closed thereafter without converting to sound.
But the venue was overhauled and relit as the Ritz Theatre, playing Western Electric talkies beginning on December 18, 1931 with Loretta Young in “I Like Your Nerve.” It last advertised on March 26, 1957 with “Naked Gun” and, though the venue hosted events in its lobby, its cinematic days had passed. In August of 1961, the venue was remodeled for Babcock Brothers Aut