Okla Theatre
18 E. Choctaw Avenue,
McAlester,
OK
74501
18 E. Choctaw Avenue,
McAlester,
OK
74501
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Robb & Rowley-United Inc., Rowley United Theatres Inc., United Artists Theater Circuit Inc.
Architects: W. Scott Dunne
Styles: Atmospheric, Streamline Moderne
Previous Names: Grand Theatre, Palace Theatre, Oklahoma Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Okla Theatre was built within the walls of the Palace Theatre which was destroyed by fire in December 1930. The Okla Theatre was opened July 10, 1931 with Robert Montgomery in “The Man in Possession”. The architect W. Scott Dunne designed a Moderne style partial Atmospheric style movie theatre, with $50,000. The side walls had stepped rectangular shapes and in between them were plant boxes containing imitation foliage. By 1957 it was operated by Rowley United Theatres Inc.
The Okla Theatre was sold to United Artists Theatres in December 1983 and it was closed by them on September 4, 1989. It is currently raising funds for renovations to be carried out to convert into a Community Arts Center.
Contributed by
Graeme McBain
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Recent comments (view all 21 comments)
1952 view …
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Concession stand 2004 shot of the Okla Theatre. Modern dropped ceiling hid Art Deco detailing and the encirling mazzanine.
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Here it is in 2010:
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And a detail shot of one of the letters in the neon sign:
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http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/440
From 2010 a photo of the Okla Theatre in McAlester.
Chuck, thanks for clarifying the theatre’s previous names. CT doesn’t list the alternate name PALACE for this hall. The Wurlitzer pipe organ factory records indicate their opus 1338, a tiny 2 manual, 4 rank (Style B) organ was installed in the Palace Theatre, McAlester, OK, in 1926.
Pic of front of theater added to Photo Section
I recently photographed the OKLA Theatre. Check out some photographs and a blog post on the theater here
This theater isn’t open.
The Okla is not open yet as a theater however the gift shop is open 3 days a week with free tours.