Sonny Hollingshead was asking about the address of the old Continental Theatre building in OKC

If I remember correctly, it is in the area of May and the Northwest Expressway. Been past it a couple of thousand times, but I never paid that much attention to it until this discussion started.

Seems like that the link that Mike had put in one of the previous GB's to "Cinerama" had the address of the OKC theatre in there.

I did find a site with a very complete listing of past and present movie theaters: CinemaTour.com. Here's a link to their page with OKC's Continental Theatre; it has a number of pictures. Be sure to check out their Tulsa list, too.

I talked to the curator of the Irving Museum in Ripley after the Webmaster was good enough to post the pics of my "Show Biz" cousins in the "Oklahoma Cowboy Band". The museum is located on the old Gray homestead between Ripley and Stillwater.

Seems there were at least a couple of other bands that used the same name, and it kept Otto Gray's lawyer busy sending out cease and desist letters to these bands, including the one that my cousins were involved in. (See further down in this Guestbook for the details.)

The one that I am looking for information on is the one that Keith "Ken" Hackley put together, and ran for a number of years, out of the Tulsa area and using the same name, "The Oklahoma Cowboys." Stealing a program format, like realiity shows today is nothing new; seems that Mr. Hackley copied the program format, even down to the dog in the band that barked on the air during the program.

Otto Gray's band was the first country -band apparently to be able to tour to any degree, and with the onset of radio and the strength of the KVOO clear-channel signal, he was able to go on to the "big time", touring the old vaudeville circuits and doing radio throughout the NE part of the U. S. this was ca. 1925, when Bill Skelly moved KFRU from Bristow to Tulsa.

But any input that anyone has would be appreciated.

Maybe we can prevail upon Zeb to give us the background on it.

Now, I'm pretty sure that I saw "Gone With The Wind" there around 1976-7 (which was the first time I'd seen it, so it sticks in my mind more accurately), years before it closed in 1981. Could 2001 have played in the mid-70s, too? (Sorry to get hung up on this.)

Great news about the Circle theater. I know that few now can imagine the strong middle class neighborhood that Whittier Square was in the 40's and 50's. It was a great place to grow up. I had totally forgotten about the orange juice!

Thanks,
Ron

Some time back I emailed you re: The Oklahoma Cowboy Band, which two of my cousins were members of, and which played and was based here in the Tulsa area.

In doing a lot of family history research, this keeps popping up, and Mom finally found some pictures of them, but no one really seems to know much about them, other than the fact that they were a "Country-Western Swing" band.

The interesting twist to this is that one of the gals in the picture of the two women, is my cousin, Nonie Burdette, who was a singer in various clubs around town and on the radio here in the area, and later got involved with Charles Campbell, who was a partner of Alvin "Creepy" Karpis and Ma Barker. That's another story, but I am trying to come up with some information on the band itself.

The photos, if the inscription isn't too clear, were done by Gullick Studios, which did a lot of the early Tulsa photos, and say "Oklahoma Cowboy Band-Skiatook, Oklahoma", which is where Art and Nonie's family lived.

The list, which is either from a radio program, or a souvenir program that was passed out at the various performances, lists the following members:

Bug-The Barks on the Air is real German Police Dog. Four years old.

Zeke Clements-The cowboy with the funny laugh-the laugh is natural. Sings lots of comical songs as well as old sad songs. Play any string instrument.

"Uncle Art" Burdette-Is acclaimed the champion cowboy musician-hails from Pawhuska, Oklahoma-Our chief fiddler-steel guitar-and all other instruments-sings-even write songs now.

"Whitey" Rheuby-Hails from Apperson, Oklahoma. Plays a lot of banjo-and is our stage comic-real funny-sings lots of comic songs, also old songs-plays all string instruments.

"Shorty" Hicks-Came to me heralded as "The Yodelling Cowboy". He is very popular on our program. Plays fiddle good or anything with strings on it.

"Dot" Hackley-Is the lady champion roper-sings once in a while- a sensation with her trick roping in our stage show. Yes, my wife.

"Ken" Hackley-Arranges programs-talks a lot-ropes some-nurse to the dog and furnishes money to keep our outfit going.

Note that the program guide page mentions "being on the air" and the dog barking on the air, so I am pretty sure that they had a program at one time or another.

Also, on the program guide page, Art Burdette is listed as coming from Pawhuska.

Zeke Clements is a legend in Country Swing, and was around for years, but the other names don't ring a bell.

The band played around the area, as nearly as I can figure, ca. '25 to '35 or, but I am not sure if this is the same Oklahoma Cowboy Band that Kelly Raines mentions on his website.

Kelly Raines mentions a band called the Oklahoma Cowboy Band.

"Although beginning in Oklahoma on KFRU, Otto Gray and His Oklahoma Cowboy Band enjoyed most of their popularity in the East. After honing his style on KFRU, Gray took his act to the vaudeville circuits in the Northeast. As the popularity of vaudeville faded, Gray performed on a variety of radio stations, promoting his highly popular public performances in the process. Although clearly ahead of his time, Gray was one of the first singers to integrate the imagery and music of the West in his show. Although Gray is a little known performer today, his show set the stage for the enormous popularity of the Singing Cowboy, as epitomized by another Oklahoman who began his career on KVOO, Gene Autry."

Can anyone add anything?

Any help is appreciated, believe me.

Here are the photos:

As a 4-piece group

As a 5-piece group

Ladies only

Program list

It was a great theater for wide screen and was the first theater to feature (what else?) Continental seating! Lots of leg room, no aisles.

One of the last movies shown and daring for the time, "Debbie Does Dallas." It would be considered even milder than some of HBO's current "soft porn" flicks. It may have been 3D.

I believe that was a live TV remote as were many of those old deals. I did live remotes from a lot of places in T-Town.

The mentioned Boman Twin Theater is now a "Laser Tag" camp.

Interesting connection to actor-producer John Ashley (Atchley) with that theater as well.

Mike Pacaud managed the Brook Theatre and was maybe the first PAC facility manager then he worked for Ice Capades. When his lifelong friend Bill Certain or I hung out with Mike - he knew almost every theatre manager in Tulsa. So getting a free pass or free show view was never a problem. Mike is another Tulsan who died too young.

With respect to the "Tulsa TV" theme, I remember watching my first television set at Whittier Square, Admiral & Lewis, back when the square was one of the first suburban shopping centers in the U.S. It was a little like transplanting the "East Coast" to the midwest. The neighborhood really lived around the "Square".

We walked to our food (the old Silver Castle for one), our shopping and our entertainment. I don't remember the store that would leave the TV on in their store front after they closed. But, it sure attracted us kids. It was midway down the Square, south side, just west of the alley.

The TG&Y was east of the alley (I worked there in the summer of 1958). And of course, there was the drug store on the SW corner of Admiral and Lewis,the shoe store next door, west, where we all had to go to get our feet X-rayed and the "Circle" theater next door, south (I saw every "B Western" ever made there for first 10 cents, then later a quarter) and then the hardware store.

Just south of the hardware was a butcher shop/storage locker where my dad had a meat locker for years. We bought our groceries a few blocks north at the old "Perry's". In the late forties, my dad sold home raised rabbits to their meat market. A life long addiction to "long johns" was started in their bakery dept.

I have recently been in Tulsa and understand that the "Square" and my old neighborhood is now a ghetto. It is sad for myself and for those who now have to live there. I'm sure that most have no idea that they live in an area that was once a prosperous and vibrant part of the community of Tulsa.

One recent piece of good news for the Kendall-Whittier area: the Circle Cinema is being restored to state-of-the-art status.

Thanks for the detailed post, Ron.

The Continental was another treat. We had to dress up to go there to see the latest James Bond flick. Saw Fiddler on the Roof when it premiered but it didn't generate near the discussions my dad and I had afterwards as the Andromeda Strain.

And wasn't Minnie Pearl's Chicken just the *greatest* thing? I loved it!

I only made it to the Continental a couple of times there at the very end, I saw the second ending (I think) of "Apocalypse Now" (which was very intense in the theatre, especailly the Tiger scene) and "Fiddler on The Roof" when it was rereleased. Growing up in Pawhuska, which had an art deco Opry House turned into a movie theater (then "The Kihekah," now it's been beautifully restored as "The Constantine") and our drive-in ("The Corral," which is long gone - a friend and I even looked into buying it when it closed) those two experiences at the Continental are really the only grasp I had of the classic Cinerama theatres (I rememember the Southroads Cinema, the Bowman Twin and a few others, but they all paled in comparison!)

I remember when it closed, there was a lot written about a 3D sex film they had played for one run, which was seen as symbolic of the end of an era (I sure wish I had seen it! Where was I, Mars?) The irony of course is that 3D sex films from the 1970s have a cult following while many of the mainstream ("respectable") films have been totally forgotten. Time heals all wounds and wounds all heels.

I remember seeing "Return of the Jedi" at the Southroads Cinema after they had split it in half. I had a backache all night because all of the seats were still positioned to face the middle of the screen, which was now a wall. I had to keep my head slightly turned to see the screen.

Now, with video, I seldom go to the theater, but when I do it's usally the AMC. It's nice, and I have yet to see a film on their biggest screen, but it's not even close to the mile long curved sceens from the golden days. Being able to eat whole meals while you watch a movie hardly makes up for it.

Tulsa's Continental had the exclusive on all of United Artists' films and would be packed out for every James Bond and Pink Panther film that came through town.

Unfortunately, as much as this was a plus for the theater owner, it was also a big minus. What drove the Continental out of business was a 6-week run with a monumental flop: Neil Diamond's Jazz Singer, which came out during the Christmas season in 1980. Since the Continental didn't have multiple screens to take up the slack, the theater closed soon after.

During more popular fare, the theater would cause gridlock in the eastbound lanes of I-44 (Skelly Drive), as drivers had to negotiate a hard-right at the end of the Memorial Drive exit ramp. The then-two-way access road off I-44 was the only way to get to the Continental.

And those who THINK they saw 2001: A Space Odyssey at the Continental are mistaken. The Continental never showed the film. The first run for 2001 was at the Orpheum theater downtown and the midnight-movie run for 2001 during the 1970s was at the Fox Theater at Country Club Plaza (the southeast corner of 51st and Harvard). The folks who owned the Fox specifically brought in 2001 as the last film they showed on their super-wide screen before they twinned the theater (and later quadrupled it). The Fox was cleared out last year and is now one of those dollar stores.

I am one of those (like Edwin) who think they saw "2001" at the Continental (though I may not have seen it as many "ways"). but it would have been in the 70s, not first-run. You've really got me questioning my memory on that one!

2001 was my favorite movie, and I usually saw it whenever it came to town. In the 70s, the Continental was the probably the best theater in town...I could swear I saw 2001 there, but the only way I know to check is to hit the microfilm at the library.

One thing I'm more sure of is that 2001 opened at the Fox. I still have a flyer for that event (at right). I also bought one of the souvenir books (in the super-wide Cinerama aspect ratio), which I still have.

The flyer lists the Tulsa opening date as June 26 (1968). I see on the internet that the final cut was first shown in New York on April 6th, so June 26 sounds about right for the Tulsa premiere.

I also remember seeing the movie at a Tulsa drive-in at some point. Not a good place to see 2001! (due to the tinny sound.) DVD has the sound but still not enough resolution to do it complete justice.

Long-running movies there: The Agony and the Ecstasy, The Graduate, Gone With The Wind, 2001, The Stewardesses...

I saw that even Lionel made the event! I don't know how he does it but he looks hardly a day older than he did when he started out in the business way back in the '50's.

Here are some snapshots, courtesy of Andrea Chancellor. There was quite a turnout. Lee was particularly funny as the "toastmaster"; he had a little zinger for each icon. Lionel relaxed in the lobby while Lee handled these duties. Doug Dodd introduced the honorees. Jack Morris is now around 80, but still looks much the same as when he was on the air. Don Woods (sorry he got caught in mid-blink) has been staying busy doing watercolors of Gusty. Betty Boyd and Bob Hower represent Clear-tone, the event sponsor. You can see the new display behind Bob Hower below. Clayton Vaughn (not in this group of photos) is head of the Tulsa Historical Society.

http://www.80stvthemes.com/promos/local.html

Jim Reid tells about overdosing on the "Hello package" in Guestbook 85. Good clip, though...a lot of Tulsans are seen. Thanks, Deric.

Mr. Gomi was first mentioned here in Guestbook 74. His son found the site in #83, then we heard directly from Mr. Gomi in #84.

I'd rather dance with a dolly with a hole in her stocking than shag with a hag with a shape like a bag.

At the time, there was a song that had lyrics referring to dancing with a dolly with a hole in her stocking. In WW II nylon stocking were generally not available and women wore what they had even if it had holes

One more: "Oh how I long to see my girl Flo again."

The question is: is there anywhere you can still get 2" tape dubbed over to a current format? I think she said they want it to go to beta. So if anyone has any ideas, you could contact Betty at bthompson@ktul.com. Or you can call her at 918-445-8888. Yep, that's the channel 8 line, so it's not like that's someone's home number.

Hello to all my friends and everybody I know. Hope all's well.

Dale

Is there a prize offered?

Surely, the silent but heartfelt applause of your readers is reward enough! (I know..."and don't call you 'Shirley'")

The same band here was also the house band for American Theater Co. and we did such shows as the Windbreakers and Joyce Martel. Observe a manly Les Ewing in the back row playing sax. I think he may still have a music store in Tulsa. I bought an old Vox Jaguar organ from him for $100 during those halcyon days (not the drug, but that's not to say that...)

And that's Bob Bethell as Eddie. The first scenes of Zeb's movie "Cole Justice" are shot in and around the Brook Theater; this Brookside area was redressed for the 1950s.

Texas Tamales went under a few months ago.

The Paul Rodgers / Kansas concert at the Brady was canceled because Rodgers broke his collarbone. They hope to make it up at the end of the summer.

The B.B. King concert was canceled due to poor ticket sales (And what's up with that?)

Tulsa Cityscape Magazine has gone out of business.

I'll keep you posted with more bad news as it comes...

Peeping throught the knot hole, in Grandpa's wooden leg
why do they put the shore so near the ocean?
Go grab an axe, there's a tick on Lizzie's ear
and a boy's best friend is his mother.

This song was sung by Bugs Bunny at one time.