Built
in 1927, this atmospheric theatre was the grandest in town. Live performances
and silent features were accompanied by a Wurlitzer organ, two pianos and the
Poncan Orchestra. It was really an experience to visit the Poncan Theatre to see
such superstars as Ethel Barrymore and Will Rogers. Today, the Poncan has been
restored to its original glory and special events are scheduled regularly.
Designed by the Boller Brothers of Kansas City, it was the fifth and grandest
theatre in a town of 16,000 people. Several of the Boller Brothers' theatres,
including the Poncan are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
When constructed, the Poncan cost $280,000. It is one of the few surviving
atmospheric theatres in the country. The Poncan was Spanish Colonial Revival in
style and the interior was created to simulate an outdoor Mediterranean courtyard.
By 1929, when it was apparent that the "talkies" were here to stay,
the theatre was remodeled. The marquee was enlarged, seats replaced, and a
waterfall-type curtain replaced the original. The theatre was closed on October
11, 1985 after 58 years in operation. In 1989, a group was formed to restore and
operate the Poncan.
The grand reopening was held on September 11, 1994.
1st and Grand
(580)765-0943.
To Find Out More About The Poncan Theatre
Visit Their Website.
1927 - The headline in the Ponca City News on
August 7, 1927 read "NEW THEATER NEAR COMPLETION."
All but a small amount of painting, placing the seats, and stage
setting, is finished on the new theater at 102 East Grand Avenue,
which will be opened sometime in September, according to the
management. The theater has been cleared of all construction work
and the floors are being cleaned this week.
The Poncan Theatre opened on September 20. Thirty minutes before the
opening show, uniformed ushers led the sidewalk crowd into the
lobby. The 1200 seats filled fast. Tickets were $1.10 for the lower
floor and loges, while balcony seats were 50 cents. The short
subject reel featured "Our Gang," in Harvard vs. Yale, followed by
Shanghai Bound, a Paramount film. Added attractions were two
vaudeville acts.
The building was owned by the Poncan Theater Co., comprised of
Charles Calkins, George Brett, Eugene Wetzel, and Dr. JA. Douglass.
Calkins founded the C.F. Calkins Department Store. Brett had the
George H. Brett Implement Co. next door; Wetzel owned the Germania
National Bank and Dr. Douglass was a dentist.
The Poncan, designed by the Boiler Brothers as an "atmospheric
theater," had elaborate ceilings and ornamentation, giving one the
feeling of being somewhere exotic. The building cost $280,000
including equipment plus it had a new $22,500 Wurlitzer pipe organ.
Usher service at the Poncan was by far the most elaborate ever
offered in Ponca City and very unusual for a city of this size,
according to Fred Pickrel, the managing director of the new theater.
There was a footman at the main entrance, and maid service in the
women's restrooms.
In addition to movies on opening night, Vera Byerhoff, chief
organist for the Poncan, played an organ solo on the new Wurlitzer.
Troy Wideman (Joe Wideman's father) was the first projectionist.
While the theater was being constructed, Troy's job was to set up
the interior operation, including the stage, scenery, lighting,
sound system and other mechanical and electrical needs. Wideman's
crew did the gold leaf work on the ceiling, and Wideman himself
created the cloud ceiling and starlight effect.
The Poncan is one of the few its size that doesn't have pillars to
support the balcony. The support comes from a 5-foot thick "I-beam"
that spans the entire width of the building. The "I-beam" was
brought in on a series of flat cars, with a crane at each end.
Part of the vaudeville equipment was an on-stage elevator, which was
unheard of in those days. The elevator moved furniture up and down
for plays and was also used for magic acts.
In addition to movies, an outstanding list of road shows was booked
for the season. Top price for admission was $1.50. The live
presentations were one night stands.
1928 - Manager Fred Pickrel brought in musicals, plays, and famous
entertainers such as John Phillip Sousa Band, Sigmund Romberg &
Sally Rand, who appeared on stage with only her fans and a large
transparent bubble balloon.
Charles Curtis, a Kansas senator, spoke from the stage of The Poncan.
A Republican, Curtis visited Ponca City to campaign for Herbert
Hoover for president and for himself as a vice presidential nominee.
Francis Smith Carron, head of music for the Ponca City Schools and a
prominent Republican, introduced Curtis.
The theater was packed plus 500 more people stood outside the
theater listening to Curtis’ speech over a loudspeaker system. His
swing through the area on September 29 included the stop at the
Poncan, a trip to Kaw City, where he visited a relative, and then an
appearance in Pawnee. He came back to Ponca City the next day, and
spoke again at the Poncan. He then visited with Lew Wentz at the
Arcade Hotel. Wentz was the most prominent Republican in the state
at that time.
1929 - Sound was added for movies, and in April, the first talkies
were shown in Ponca City. Smitty's Boys and Men’s Wear staged their
first annual Kiddies Show.
1931 - Will Rogers performed on Feb. 5, and it was the largest
attendance they had ever had in the theater.
Mary Pickford bought up all other silent films. She felt that new
technical advances in the movies made actors in old films look
ridiculous.
On April 20, Ethel Barrymore appeared live in "The Love Duel" on the
stage of the Poncan.
1933 - Aug. 25, 1933, the Poncan closed due to two lawsuits - one by
lessors of the Poncan for back rent; and one by Pickrel to establish
a prior lien on Poncan equipment. The suits were dismissed and
Pickrel proceeded under a new agreement with the lessors. On Sept.
10, the Poncan reopened.
1934 - Movie attendance increased to 70 million people a week
throughout the United States.
The "Production Code" was introduced in Hollywood; setting
guidelines for every film's moral content.
Smitty's Boys & Men’s Wear sponsored an annual style show at the
Poncan. Admission was a lead pencil from each patron that Smitty
then donated to the schools. The audience watched film strips of
"Our Gang," "Three Stooges," and cartoons. The highlight of the show
was the Pie Eating contest.
1935 - Jan 2 - "The Green Pastures" a live Pulitzer Prize winning
play was presented on the Poncan stage. Tickets prices were $2.24,
$1.64, and $1.12, which included tax.
October - The Tovarich Road Show presented "Tobacco Road."
December - Jeanette MacDonald starred in "The Firefly" on the Poncan
stage.
1936 - Variety" listed America's most popular movie stars - #1 -
Shirley Temple; #2 – Clark Gable
1937 - Periodically, the theater sponsored "Bank Night" in an effort
to boost attendance. Each patron was given a number and the numbers
were drawn for a pool of money. If the winning number was not
present, the pot was increased. At times, it was as much as $600 and
the crowd was so large they had to stand outside and listen via a
loud speaker system.
Walt Disney released the first feature length cartoon - Snow White
1938 - MGM bought the movie rights to the famous children's book,
The Wizard of Oz. Some of the theater seats were upgraded.
On May 1, Fred Pickrel sold his three theaters - the Poncan, Ritz,
and Murray to the Griffith Amusement Co., operators of a large
"chain" theater system in Oklahoma and Texas. Pickrel told his
friends he might take a trip with the Ringling Brothers circus "for
a vacation."
1939 - A brilliant new marquee was installed on the front of the
theater. It was powered with neon lights that were maroon, yellow
and blue. It also had a three-sided; two row "letterboard," that
identified the movie title and the cast (The current marquee is
patterned after the 1939 one.) The inside and outside lobbies were
redecorated with new poster cases. Bob Browning was the manager,
employed by Consolidated Theaters, Inc., owners of the Poncan.
Mickey Rooney became the new #1 box office draw. His "Andy Hardy"
pictures for MGM were the biggest moneymakers in the studio's
history. Claudette Colbert & Bing Crosby was Hollywood's highest
paid actors, each earning $400,000 a year.
1947 - "The Red House", a terrific murder mystery, played at the
theater. It starred Edward G. Robinson, Lon McABester (he was "very
hot" in 1947), Rory Calhoun Julie London, and Dame Judith Anderson.
An 11 year old Ponca City girl who saw the film had nightmares about
it for years, but still wanted to see it again...which she finally
did on video in 1987.
In 1990, she wrote a letter to the Poncan, sharing her story and her
memories of the theater as a child.
1954 - New carpet was laid in the theater, and the seats were
upgraded, some being replaced.
1955 - In an attempt to revive interest in theater-going, the Poncan
was remodeled, the marquee was enlarged, and a flame-proof waterfall
type curtain was substituted for the original curtains. The original
heating and air conditioning system was replaced with a 68-ton air
conditioning system. There were newly tiled concession stands inside
the newly carpeted lobby and bright new uniforms for the staff. The
1,000 new posture-design theater seats were installed on the main
floor and the balcony. Original mezzanine furnishings were replaced
with new furniture from Jay G. Paris, who had furnished the Poncan
in 1927.
Mayor Herman Smith welcomed the patrons to the refurbished theater
on Christmas Eve. The featured movie was Artists and Models,
starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis.
1956 - A wide range of recently released films were offered,
enticing patrons to come back to the newly remodeled Poncan. These
shows included The Tender Trap starring Frank Sinatra and Debbie
Reynolds; All That Heaven Allows with Jane Wyman and Rock Hudson,
and The Atomic Monster starring Lon Chaney.
1957 - Children, together with a few parents, extended from corner
to comer on Saturday morning, April 6, as they waited for the
theater to open. It was the 28th annual Kid's Party sponsored by
Smitty's, and the boys and girls packed the theater. Following the
movie, the Boy Scouts advanced the colors, the audience sang
"America," and gave the Pledge of Allegiance. Three groups of dance
students performed, then an accordion solo, a comedy song and dance
number, and a fashion show. The hit of the day was the Pie Eating
Contest George Goldsmith, an Attacks student, successfully defended
his pie-eating title when he defeated eight boys and three girls.
The A&M Dairy furnished treats for the party.
1962 - The marquee was enlarged again, and downstairs restrooms were
added to the theatre.
1965 - On November 25, the Poncan advertised the movie "Monsters
Crash the Pajama Party."
The movie was to start at 11:30 p.m., and seats were 90 cents.
The ad read:
"So scary we dare you to attend...IF YOU HAVE THE NERVE, you win
FREE a 2 for 1 pass to a future movie."
"Movie monsters come alive; Monsters come out of the screen! Invade
audience!!
They carry girl victims back into the picture to become slaves in
the movie, never to be seen alive again! Beware…they might get you!"
Warning!! Monsters run loose, sit on your lap…Can You Take It??
Not 3-D - Real flesh and blood monsters alive in the audience!!!
For the horror thrill of your life, see what happens to the pajama
party girls when they meet the mad doctor's girl-crazed monsters.
Monsters capture beauties, 1001 exciting scenes.
Girls - bring your boyfriend to protect you. See if he's man or
mouse.
PLUS—second feature so shocking we can't advertise what's in it!
1974 - Reclining seats were installed on the ground level of the
theater.
1985 - The theater was placed on the National Register of Historic
Places. Ironically, the theater closed its doors.
1989 - The Convention & Visitors Bureau authorized $2500 toward a
feasibility study to determine if the theatre was worth saving.
1990 - The dream of restoring the historically significant Poncan
Theatre began in earnest in June, with the kickoff of a membership
drive. The goal was to raise $930,000 to restore the 1927 theater
and operate it as a performing arts center. The restoration was
slated be done in four phases:
- Replace the roof and update the
mechanical, electrical, and sound systems. Get new stage
lighting and architectural lighting. Update plumbing. Clean up
dressing rooms and fly loft.
- Have seats cleaned and repaired, clean
carpeting, address plaster work, revamp offices, update
concession area, remove plywood and ceiling tile in the lobby.
Also restore the floor, add furnishings, work on the orchestra
pit and hydraulic lift, the stage floor and the movie screen.
- The exterior package called for new
marquee, stained glass panels, cleaning and repairing masonry,
reworking windows and the ticket booth.
- The wish list included an organ, grand
piano, fire escapes, sprinklers, fire curtain, projector booth
and equipment, architectural interior signs, and backlighting
for stained glass.
Joe Harris of Muskogee donated renovated
projectors to the theater. The projectors had originally been in a
Tulsa theater. Don Dobbs, who worked for the OSU Educational
Television Department, spent months rejuvenating the projectors.
Barney and Geneva Alston, long time employees at the Poncan, donated
their American flag to the theater. It had flown over the building
on many special occasions, particularly on the 4th of July, marking
Independence Day and also the birthday of Don Hall, theater manager
for many years.
A Humphrey Bogart Classic Film Festival played during July,
featuring The African Queen with Kathryn Hepburn, The Treasure of
Sierra Madre with Walter Huston, To Have and Have Not with Lauren
Bacall in her film debut, and The Big Sleep, again with Bacall and
Casablanca with Ingrid Bergman. This summer was the 50th anniversary
of the making of the film.
1991 - In October, volunteers were chosen to participate in a local
fund drive. Team leaders were Jim McNeese, Charles Hollar, Charles
Casey, David Mills, and Tom Quillin.
On November 2, the theater presented "Bring Back the Magic...a
Preview of the Poncan."
Patrons filled the lower level of the theater, and most kept their
coats on all evening. The heating system was non-existent, and even
with all the warm bodies, the thermostat never registered above 50
degrees.
Tableaux with live mannequins were set up at the concession stand,
the box office in 1934, and the 1941 balcony. Mike Boettcher was the
emcee, and he entertained the audience with his memories of sitting
in the balcony as a teenager. Kevin Kem danced, Ponca Playhouse
performed excerpts from "Cotton Patch Gospel", the Po High Orchestra
played, and then everyone watched the silent film, "Cops" with
Buster Keaton. Tours of the theater followed the entertainment.
The Poncan Theatre Board named JoAnn Muchmore as director. Ms.
Muchmore indicated one of her principal reasons for returning to
Ponca City to assume the theater position was the importance of
saving the Poncan for generations to come.
"My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys" starring Ben Johnson played for
3 nights in August. Don Dobbs, projectionist, used the old
reel-to-reel projectors to show the film.
1992 - Restoration began in earnest and the original building was
brought back to life:
- The stage floor was replaced
- Hydraulics were added so the pit could be
raised and lowered
- A computerized lighting system and a new
sound system were added
- The concession area and restroom
facilities were enlarged.
It took 15 tons of new plaster to repair the
deteriorated interior.
Dupont reproduced the original carpet.
Ponca City Main Street awarded the "Best Renovation under $2,000" to
the theater, when the only completed area was the box office.
On March 28, Poncan Theatre Company "actors" presented the first
annual "Taste and Tasteless" performance.
In November, the Poncan closed to the public so professionals could
install all new mechanical equipment.
1993 - The theatre hosted a community telethon as a fund raiser, and
involved many city organizations and talent. On February 13, from
10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., the telethon was broadcast on Channel 2,
Post Newsweek Cable, and simulcast on WBBZ, who also hosted the
first two hours of the program. Jerry Webber, Channel 2 TV newsman,
former Ponca Citian, was the master of ceremonies. Other emcees
throughout the day were Mark Jordan, Sam Murray, Phil Bandy, and
Foster Johnson.
WBBZ employees commemorated the station's first broadcast in 1927
from the Poncan Theatre stage. Dave May and Joe Anderson were emcees
for the morning events. KPNC, KLOR, and KIXR radio stations also
participated.
The First Christian Church choir was first on the program, followed
by the library Children's Story, an Old Fashioned Radio Show
featuring WBBZ employees, ventriloquists, woodwind ensemble,
puppeteer, and a drill team. The Chamber of Commerce presented a
tourism video at noon. That afternoon included the Zen Okies
acoustic band; St. John's Baptist Church choir, a video of the Po-Hi
Highsteppers, Ponca Tribal dancing, Les Gilliam, and the high school
speech department presenting a reenactment of the Lincoln/Douglas
debates. Spectators and viewers at home also heard Cynthia Crowe,
country singer, followed by Lyda Maze clog dancing. Po Hi string
quartet and also the Civic Orchestra Brass Ensemble performed. The
Sweet Adelines, Ponca Playhouse with a tap dance number from "Nunsense,
and square dancers wrapped up the afternoon. The River Rats Jazz and
Comedy Concert took to the stage that evening.
Listeners in the community called in pledges on the air. Many people
came to the theatre and enjoyed the acts in person, and made
pledges. The telethon rose over $26,000.
Conoco announced a grant of $150,000 to the Poncan restoration fund
drive. The theater also received a $150,000 grant from the Mabee
Foundation in Tulsa, which the Poncan matched with incoming pledges
and "in kind" volunteer labor.
As a celebration of the Cherokee Strip Centennial, local actors and
musicians presented "The Gift of Willie Cry," an original musical
written by Earl Sutton with Leslie Rardin, and cowboy poet Dave May.
JoAnn Muchmore directed more than 45 cast members. The show played
to a full house for each of the three performances, June 25-27.
Another innovative "fund raiser" was created and crafted by Susan
Buck. She took material from the 1955 theater curtain and made 500
stuffed teddy bears. The "animals" were nicknamed "Boiler Bears,"
after the Poncan architects. Theater volunteers sold the bears for
$50 each—and they sold out!
In February, new air conditioning units were lifted through the hole
where the stained glass window would eventually be hung.
In March a new marquee was installed, constructed by Stolhand Heat &
Air, Ponca Glass, and Wally's Signs.
The stained glass round window was installed in October. Stolhand
did the metal work, and Joe Welch waterproofed the front of the
building.
The two six-foot chandeliers above the balcony were restored.
1994 - Audiences cheered an encore performance of "The Gift of
Willie Cry," with most of the same cast from 1993.
The Poncan held its grand reopening and open house on September 18.
For the first time in many years, visitors saw the hand painted
stage curtain that features an outdoor Mediterranean garden with the
ocean visible in the distance. The artists signed it "Kansas City
Scenic 1927." The million dollar restoration was complete.
1995 - A new Dolby sound system was installed in April.
The theater was awarded the best exterior renovation in the state at
the annual Oklahoma Main Street banquet.
1996 - "1964: The Tribute," the best-known group in the world who
imitates The Beatles, played at the Poncan on August 9.
The Poncan won a major award at the state Main Street banquet. It
was voted the best interior renovation in the state.
In July, the state conference of city managers convened in Ponca
City. The Poncan provided evening entertainment for the visiting
dignitaries. Volunteers produced a live vaudeville show with local
artists portraying Sally Rand, W. C. Fields and other famous stars
of the Roaring 20's.
In September, the Adult Literacy Council sponsored the second "Grate
Ponca City Spelling Bee" on the stage of the theater.
The gilded plaster strip above the front doors was painted three
times, after Kilz treatments, and each time, it came back greenish
black. Bobby Holroyd, an artist, treated it with "guaranteed poison"
for the fungus it seemed to have, and painted it a fourth time. And
it turned black again, with the splotches of green showing through.
Some thought it was the blood of the ghost seeping down from
upstairs. Or, does anyone know where they stored the popcorn oil in
the early days?
1997 - The theater received a $124,000 endowment from the estate of
Edythe DeMar, a longtime Poncan and Conoco employee.
On February 1st, Kenn Wessel was hired as the new Executive
Director, following JoAnn Muchmore's retirement.
1998 - Stars that performed as part of the season, "A Little Bit of
Country," included Riders in the Sky, Baxter Black, The Diamonds,
and The Lettermen.
1999 - Recording artists that appeared at the theater...Glen
Campbell, Hank Williams III, Asleep at the Wheel, Gary Puckett, and
The Diamonds.
2000 - 1964: The Tribute, a Beatles show, returned for an encore
performance. The season performers were Kathy Mattea, Oak Ridge
Boys, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, The Platters and The Marvelettes,
and Mitch Ryder. Michael Varnum was hired as Manager of the theatre.
Kenn Wessel had resigned to seek his fortune in Washington...state,
that is.
2001 - The theater expanded its live offerings. There were nine
artists who appeared during the season. Peter Noone of Herman's
Hermits, Charlie Daniels Band, Johnny Rivers, Bob Wills Texas
Playboys, Three Dog Night's Chuck Negron, Maynard Ferguson, Les
Gilliam, Crystal Gayle, and Little River Band.
2002 - Again, there were many live presentations for Poncan patrons
to choose from - The Kingston Trio, The Original Drifters, John
Mueller as Buddy Holly, Michael Martin Murphy, Larry Gatlin and the
Gatlin Brothers, 1964: The Tribute, The Lettermen, Bob Wills and the
Texas Playboys re-enactors, and Tony Orlando for the Christmas Show.
2003 - Live acts were The Lovin' Spoonful, Kathy Mattea, The
Association, Mel Tillis, Boots Randolph, and the Glenn Miller
Orchestra.
