Strand Theatre

The Maro theatre was opened during the Gorman oil boom in 1918. It was located on the lot across from Smith Brothers Chevrolet where the Gulf Station stood in 1957. The theatre’s name was a combination of the first owners, M.E. Maddox and Mr. Rowsey. The MA for Maddox and the RO for Rowsey. Herschel Reynolds was the film operator.

In 1925, Fort Keith of Granbury bought the Maro Theatre, remodeled it to some extent, and renamed it Strand Theatre. The films were silent with a piano furnishing the music.

In 1926, J.W. Cockrell, owner, and publisher of The Gorman Progress newspaper leased the show from Mr. Keith. In 1928, Mr. Keith took the theatre back, and then on December 24, 1928, the building was partially destroyed by fire. Gorman was then without a theatre for a time. Mr. Keith decided to move the theatre to 118 S. Kent Street and rename it “The Ritz”. The new theatre opened on July 2, 1929, with a capacity crowd. (it has its own page on Cinema Treasures)

In 1934, H.L. Capers leased the show. He, Frank Gray, and Hubert Craddock ran the show. They decided to rename the theatre again to New Deal Theatre. In 1937 it was renamed King Theatre.

History of the King Theatre
by Harrell Craddock in 1957, the year he and George Hollifiled owned the King Theatre.

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