Murray Theater (Murray, Utah) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Murray Theater
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Murray Theater
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 Location in Utah
Location in the United States
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| Location | 4961 South State Street Murray, Utah |
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| Area | .31 acres (0.13 ha) |
| Built | 1938 |
| Architectural style | Art Moderne |
| NRHP reference No. | 01000476 |
The Murray Theater is a historic building in Murray, Utah. Murray is a town close to Salt Lake City. This theater is a great example of the Art Moderne building style. It's so special that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For many years, the theater showed all kinds of motion pictures, from brand-new releases to older movies. It has been updated and changed many times throughout its history.
Contents
The Theater's Story
Building a New Theater
The Murray Theater was built in 1938. It's located at 4961 South State Street in Murray, Utah. Two people helped build it: Tony Duvall and Joseph L. Lawrence. Tony Duvall had built other theaters in Murray, and Joseph L. Lawrence had built theaters in Salt Lake City and Provo.
The theater first opened its doors on October 28, 1938. The very first movies shown were “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” and “Hawaiian Holiday”. Local newspapers show that the Murray Theater also screened some of Hollywood's first big color movies. These included Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz.
What the Theater Looked Like
The local newspaper, the Murray Eagle, described the new theater. It had a bright white front. The marquee (the sign outside) and the tall vertical sign were trimmed in ruby red. The ticket booth and entrance were made of shiny stainless steel.
Inside, the lobby and hallways had soft, indirect lighting. This lighting was designed to match the pretty wall decorations and the thick red carpets. The main room, where people watched movies, had comfy chairs. These chairs were placed so everyone could see the screen clearly. The aisles were wide, about five and a half feet across. The theater also had the newest sound system and projection equipment. Plus, it had air conditioning and large, modern restrooms, with a special lounge for ladies.
Changes Over the Years
In September 1964, a man named Art M. Jolley bought the Murray Theater. By January 1965, he had spent money to update the theater. Later, in 1981, Mr. Jolley sold the theater, but he ended up taking it back.
After Art Jolley passed away in 1989, his family sold the theater to his son-in-law, Steve Webb. Steve Webb ran the Murray as a "second-run" theater. This meant it showed movies that had already been released in other theaters. His family helped him run the business.
In October 1992, the theater closed for two days. This was so the stage could be made bigger for live shows. After this, a hypnotist show moved to the Murray Theater. In October 1999, the Murray Theater suddenly closed its doors. It was planned to be sold at an auction in February 2000.
New Owners and New Uses
In October 2001, the Murray Unity Spiritual Center bought the theater. They changed the inside of the building. It became a place with a bookstore, a Sunday School room, a prayer room, and a new coffee shop. The main auditorium became a large meeting space for about 550 people.
The Unity Spiritual Center moved out in the summer of 2004. In early 2006, the theater was updated again. It became a place for live music and dancing. It got a new stage and modern sound, light, and video equipment. There were also raised seating areas and a big dance floor. A pizza restaurant next door was also part of the theater business.
In December 2007, the theater was called the Murray Super Theater. It hosted many different events, like music concerts, cultural shows, private parties, and even wrestling matches. However, the owners had to stop operations during a tough economic time called the Great Recession.
The Theater Today
In 2015, the city of Murray bought the theater. They made it part of their plan to improve the Murray City Center area. In 2018, the City announced that they would be making big renovations to the theater. Their goal is for it to become a place for both movies and live performances once again.
