Comments about Rex Theatre in Keota, OK

dallasmovietheaters on June 9, 2022 at 12:18 pm

The Rex Theatre opened January 23, 1942 with Tom Keene in “Dynamite Canyon.”

Joe Vogel on October 5, 2016 at 2:51 am

I’ve found two earlier theater names in Keota. One of them might have been an aka for the Rex. A “Twenty Years Ago” feature in Boxoffice of November 20, 1948, says that “O. H. Smith has opened the Community Theatre at Keota. Recently the Rialto there, formerly operated by W. D. Tarkington, has been closed.”

This item from the April 7, 1928, issue of Motion Picture News notes the beginning of what turned out to be Mr. Tarkington’s brief career as an exhibitor in Keota::

“W. D. Tarkington is reported to be taking over the Miller Theatre at Keota, Oklahoma, and the Empress Theatre at McCurtain, Oklahoma, from Lester Miller.”

In the early 1950s the Rex was operated by someone with the surname Johnson, but I’ve been unable to discover their first name.

raybradley on March 25, 2011 at 2:53 pm

Only a few historic buildings still stand on Main St. Perhaps an old-timer can inform as to where the Rex Theatre stood.
View link

Ret. AKC (NAC) CCC Bob Jensen, Manteno, Illinois on March 25, 2011 at 12:08 pm

SEATS:

300

Could use an address or crossroads. More info and photos are always welcome.

Rex Theatre

Keota, OK 74941