Royal Theatre
119 S. Grand Street,
Enid,
OK
73701
119 S. Grand Street,
Enid,
OK
73701
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Griffith Amusement Company, Video Independent Theaters Inc.
Functions: Retail
Previous Names: Gray's Theatre
Nearby Theaters
The Gray’s Theatre was opened on July 14, 1935 with Jack Oakie in “Uptown New York”. It initially catered for a mixed audience. It was renamed Royal Theatre in December 1937 and from 1949 it became an African American theatre. It continued until at least 1955.
Contributed by
Lauren Grubb
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
Listed in the Film Daily Yearbook’s 1941 and 1943 editions as having a seating capacity of 300. It is listed in Film Daily Yearbooks 1949-1955 as operating as a Negro theatre. The 1950 edition gives a seating capacity of 339.
Seems the simpler the design the grander the name. To see vintage interior/exterior photos of this plain theatre type in word “Royal” …
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This is what the former Royal Theatre looks like nowadays, facade covered over by sheet metal. Former Cherokee Theatre stands left of the Royal.
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The address for the current occupant is 119 S. Grand. One can just barely see the top of the original facade peeking out of the ugly metal sheeting.
The Royal Theatre was in business from 1938 to 1950. It was operated by the Griffith Amusement Company in 1945 and Video Independent Theaters, Inc. in 1950.
The 1913 Enid City Directory lists a Royal Theatre (single screen, 300 seats) at 124 N. Independence (one block west and one block north of the Royal on S. Grand. The Quill ad may be referring to that theatre. The only other city directory I could find was dated 1926-27 and it doesn’t have a listing for a Royal Theatre.
That does sound like the Royal on the west side of the square (Independence St.) in downtown Enid. Thanks for the additional information. I wouldn’t have even thought of looking in the yearbooks so please continue to provide information as you find it. This is great!
1939 & 1944 photos added, photo credit Oklahoma Historical Society. Via the Enid Oklahoma Old Post Cards Facebook page
The Gray’s Theatre opened its doors on July 14, 1935 with Jack Oakie in “Uptown New York” along with an unnamed comedy. It was renamed the Royal Theater in December 1937. This started off as a movie theater for both white and black patrons, but was unknown why the Royal dropped white patrons later in its history.
Grand opening ad and AI enhanced image posted.
Gray’s Theatre opening 11 Jul 1935, Thu The Enid Events (Enid, Oklahoma) Newspapers.com