Some of these mighty structures have been destroyed others have been refurbished and are open for business. If you have any information regarding Kansas theaters, opera houses or drive in theaters but they are not listed or you have additional information or pictures for a theater please

Information
Website
Picture

Quick navigation by town name.
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

Arcadia Theater
Looking southeast at the Forum on Water Street between William and English. The entire building developed in stages over the years. The first section, on the south end officially opened in 1911. The Exposition Hall and Arcadia Theater on the north end were completed by 1918. At the time it was built, other proposed names for the facility included Hippodrome, Wigwam, and Wichitorium. The Forum hosted a range of public events from Pavlova and Paderewski to circuses and auto shows. It was demolished in 1965 to make way for the Century II Convention Center.

Boulevard Theater
Movie-goers line up at Boulevard Theater located at southwest corner of George Washington Boulevard and Lincoln Street. Theater was part of Boulevard Plaza Shopping Center which opened in December 1951. View is looking east from frontage road called George Washington Drive.

Civic Playhouse Theater
Anniversary celebration of local radio quiz show called “Quizzer Baseball.” The show was broadcast by KFH radio station from the Civic Theatre, located at 725 West Douglas Avenue. (see photo)

Corral Theater
No history available at this time.

Crawford Theater
The New Crawford Theatre opened in 1910 on Topeka Street near Williams Street. The 800-seat theater was named after a late 19th century Crawford Theatre which had been a legitimate house. Later, the New Crawford became just the Crawford Theatre. It was later remodeled by the firm of the Boller Brothers. It has since been demolished, and a parking lot is on the site today.

Colonial Theatre
No history available at this time.


Crest Theater
Opened in 1948 no other history available at this time.


Fox Boulevard Theater
Opened in 1944 no other history available at this time.
 

Holland Theater
No history available at this time.
 

Kansas Theater
No history available at this time.


K 42 Drive-In
No history available at this time.

Louise C. Murdock Theatre
The theatre was built in 1931 for $50,000. At the time the exterior was
described as “pleasingly artistic and of moderate Spanish influence”. It
was said the the interior presented a “symphony of simplicity” in its
color scheme of natural stone walls, rusty-red curtains, pearl gray back
curtains and dark green seats. The original seats are still in use and
the Club’s original logo can be seen on the front curtain.


Marple Theater
No history available at this time.
 

Meadowlark Drive In
Night view of marquee for the Meadow Lark Drive In Theatre at 4445 East Harry. The motion pictures “Flame of Araby” and “Cattle Drive” were released in 1951. No other history available at this time.


Miller Theatre
The Miller opened in 1922 with a seating capacity of 2000. In 1928 it presented the first “talking” motion picture to be shown in Wichita. In addition to films, live stage shows, music programs, and celebrity appearances were also featured at the theater. The movie house closed in 1970 and was razed in 1972. The restaurant at right is Garvie’s at 117 North Broadway, which opened in 1940.


Nomar Theater
Opened in 1928 no other history available at this time.

Orpheum Theater
The Orpheum Theatre opened on Sept. 4, 1922, it was the first atmospheric theatre in the United States. The theatre was conceived as a garden of old Andalusia. It's entire design was that of a Spanish garden or court.

The magnificent proscenium arch is the main feature of the auditorium. The sidewalls of the auditorium were accented by niches with mock tile roofs and grills and wooden lattice work arches across the ceiling to create a courtyard effect.

The Wichita Orpheum was an integral part of the famous "Orpheum Circuit" and in its heyday, virtually every major star of vaudeville graced its stage. During this period, more than 17,000 acts appeared with the playbill changing three times each week.

 In 1982, the Orpheum was designated a National Landmark. It is now owned and operated by the Orpheum Performing Arts Centre, Ltd., a non profit corporation which is dedicated to the preservation, restoration and ongoing utilization of this important part of our cultural and architectural heritage. Today the 1328 seat theatre hosts a variety of acts from concerts to movies and plays.

The Orpheum Theatre was originally conceived by a group of local investors and constructed for use by Carl Hobitzelle the operator of a $6,000,000 theatre chain. It opened in Labor Day, 1922. It was an integral part of the famous "Orpheum Circuit" and in it's heyday almost every major star of vaudeville appeared on it's stage including such luminaries as Eddie Cantor and Fannie Brice. During it's vaudeville period over 17,000 acts appeared with the playbill changing three each week.

The Orpheum Theater in Wichita has been a cornerstone building in the Downtown area since 1922. This Historic Theater is undergoing complete restoration and Waldinger accomplished the first step. A new boiler for the heating system and new chiller to provide cooling were installed in a redesigned water tight Mechanical Room. The theater is now able to heat and cool patrons adequately and is enjoying renewed interest.

Orpheum Theater employees in costume promoting "Invasion U.S.A." movie. They pose in front of one of Wichita's air raid sirens in lobby of theater. Photograph taken February 1952.

Civil Defense Rescue Service truck in front of Orpheum Theater as part of "Invasion U.S.A." movie promotion. Photograph taken February 1952. View is looking north toward building from East 1st Street.


Palace Theater
Opened in 1915 no other history available at this time.


Plainview Theater
No history available at this time.


Princess Theater
Opened in 1908 no other history available at this time.
 

Rainbow Drive-In
Stood at the site of the current landmark Starlite drive in and was torn down to make way for what was originally named the landmark twin drive in.
 

Sandra Theater
No history available at this time.

Southern Theatre
Night view, exterior of Southern Theatre, 408 East Harry Street. The feature film “Cattle Drive” was released in 1951. (see photo)


Star Theater
Opened in 1921 no other history available at this time.
 

Sunset Theater
No history available at this time.

Terrace Drive In
No history available at this time.
 

Tower Theater
No history available at this time.
 

Turner Opera House
An international organization which included most of the city's German residents, was the Turnverein Society. They built the Turner Opera House, at the southwest corner of Market and First Street. It opened November 6, 1879. Many theatrical productions were held here.


Uptown Theater
Opened in 1927 - Played 3-projector Cinerama from October 25, 1961 to Feb. 11, 1964, and was then fitted with 70mm projection equipment. The theater is now named the Crown Uptown Professional Dinner Theatre and is Wichita's only year round professional theatre as well as Wichita's most popular. They bring to the stage the finest professional talent from across the country. Come for the singing, come for the dancing, come for the comedy and come for the best entertainment and dining in Wichita. No other history available at this time.

Wichita Theater
Opened in 1918 no other history available at this time.

Warren Theatre
No history available at this time.


Westport Drive In
No history available at this time.
 

Pawnee Drive-In
No history available at this time.


Landmark Twin Drive In (aka StarLite Drive In)
Wichita is among a dwindling number of cities which still offers it's lucky families the casual, relaxing experience of sharing DOUBLE and TRIPLE FEATURE MOVIES under the stars.  While economic factors steadily cause other cities' drive-ins to be replaced with new businesses, Wichita families strongly support their remaining drive-in.  Why do they? A one-of-a-kind facility is one of the nicest built anywhere.  One parent who often bring her children called it a "nostalgic treasure"  Kids LOVE It!  No babysitter needed, bring the jammies for the tots. With family, friends, or a date, we invite you to enjoy this delightfully unique and Double or Triple Feature Value tonight at our beautiful, immaculate, facility.
 

Victory Theater
No history available at this time.
 

Wonderland Park Theater
Located on Ackerman Island. The Theater seated 800 on main floor and 300 in balcony.
 

54 Drive-In
Night view of drive-in movie theatre, located at 6251 East Kellogg, was named for US Highway 54 that crossed Wichita east to west. The motion picture “Girl On The Bridge” was released in 1951; “Phone Call From A Stranger” appeared in 1952. (see photo)
 

81 Drive In Theatre
Wichita’s first drive-in theater. It opened in August, 1946. The theater was located north of the city limits at 6250 North Broadway. It took its name from US Highway 81, which coincided with Broadway as it crossed Wichita north to south. The motion picture “The Hurricane” was first released in 1937 as displayed in photo.