Greer Theater

103 E. Jefferson Street,
Mangum, OK 73554

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Griffith Amusement Company, Video Independent Theaters Inc.

Functions: Bar

Styles: Art Deco, Spanish Colonial

Previous Names: Empress Theatre

Nearby Theaters

Greer

The second Empress Theatre opened on November 7, 1919 with Ruth Roland in “The Tiger’s Trail”. It was closed on June 15, 1929. In 1937 it was purchased by the Griffith Amusement Company, who remodeled it in a Spanish-Art Deco style. It was renamed Greer Theatre on its reopening on November 11, 1937 with Joan Blondell in “Stand-In”. Taken over by an independent operator in the 1950’s it was later closed.

It was taken over by Video Independent Theatres and reopened on September 25, 1955 with James Stewart in “The Naked Spur” & Robert Taylor in “Ride, Vaquero!”. It was closed on January 20, 1957, possibly screening Elvis Presley in “Love Me Tender”. Exterior and interior photographs reveal the Greer Theater to be a slick little cinema.

Contributed by Harley

Recent comments (view all 8 comments)

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on April 17, 2009 at 12:16 am

From 1948 a photo of western star Tim Holt making an appearance at the Greer and another photo of Tim signing autographs in front of the Greer in Mangum.

Don Lewis
Don Lewis on April 17, 2009 at 6:23 pm

Correction to above comment: The second photo of Tim Holt was taken in front of Mangum’s Temple Theater.

raybradley
raybradley on July 14, 2010 at 11:00 pm

This interesting site has vintage photos and a little information regarding the Greer Theatre,
GREER THEATRE, 105 E. Jefferson, Mangum, OK

http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/436

raybradley
raybradley on March 14, 2011 at 7:41 pm

To view 1938 views of the Greer Theatre, go to below link type in “mangum theatre”,
View link

raybradley
raybradley on March 14, 2011 at 7:55 pm

This is a recent view of the Greer Theatre (photo left), 103 E. Jefferson,
View link

dallasmovietheaters
dallasmovietheaters on January 11, 2021 at 10:23 pm

This building was home to the second location of the Empress Theatre which opened November 7, 1919 with Ruth Roland in “The Tiger’s Trail.” The Empress fulfilled a ten-year leasing period and went dark when operator Sam Fringer decided to let the lease lapse and move to the new Masonic Temple Building. The Empress Theatre closed on June 15, 1929 with “The Air Circus” with the equipment moving to the new Temple. The Temple Theatre opened along with the well-placed Temple Soda Shoppe next door on July 1, 1929. The theatre was hurt by a ban placed on Sunday movies by the town in 1929 which was partially released to allow Sunday matinees in 1930.

But Griffith Amusements decided to purchase the venue in October of 1937 and equip it with sound. It became the Greer Theatre named after the county and opening November 11, 1937 with Joan Blondell in “Stand-In.” The Greer went independent and closed in the 1950s due to the impact of television. However, Video Independent Theatres Circuit equipped the Greer with widescreen and a Grand Re-Opening on September 25, 1955 with “Naked Spur” and “Ride Vaquero.” But patronage even with widescreen and Technicolor was poor and the theatre closed January 20, 1957 as it approached its 20-year lease expiration.

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