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. It is a theater known for its unique Art Moderne style. This style was popular in the 1930s and 1940s. The theater is so special that it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Over the years, it has shown many motion pictures and has been updated several times.
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The Theater's Early Days
The Murray Theater was built in 1938. It is located at 4961 South State Street in Murray, Utah. Two people, Tony Duvall and Joseph L. Lawrence, worked together to build it. They had both built other theaters before. The Murray Theater first opened its doors on October 28, 1938.
First Movies Shown
When the theater first opened, it showed two popular films. These were "Alexander's Ragtime Band" and "Hawaiian Holiday." Local newspapers from that time show that the theater also screened some of Hollywood's first major color films. 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 with modern fluorescent lights. The sign outside was trimmed in ruby red. The ticket booth and entrance were made of shiny stainless steel. Inside, the lobby had soft, indirect lighting. This lighting matched the delicate wall decorations and the thick red carpets.
The main seating area was very comfortable. It had chairs with soft padding. These chairs were placed so everyone could see the screen clearly. The aisles were wide, making it easy to move around. The theater also had the newest sound and projection equipment. It even had air conditioning and large, comfortable restrooms.
Changes Over the Years
In September 1964, a person named Art M. Jolley bought the Murray Theater. By January 1965, he spent about $15,000 to make the theater more modern. Later, in 1981, Mr. Jolley sold the theater. However, he ended up taking it back.
New Owners and Live Shows
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. The larger stage allowed for live performances. A hypnotist named Vandermeide then moved his show to the Murray Theater. However, in October 1999, the Murray Theater suddenly closed. It was planned to be sold at an auction in February 2000.
A New Purpose
In October 2001, the Murray Unity Spiritual Center bought the theater. They changed the inside of the building. It became a place for their community. They added a bookstore, a Sunday School area, and a prayer room. There was also a new coffee shop. The main auditorium became a large meeting space with 550 seats.
The Unity Spiritual Center moved out in the summer of 2004. In early 2006, the theater was changed again. It became a place for live entertainment and dancing. A new stage was built, and it got new sound, light, and video technology. There were also tiered seating areas and a large dance floor. A pizza restaurant next door became part of the theater business.
In December 2007, the theater was called the Murray Super Theater. It hosted many different events. These included musical acts, cultural events, private parties, and even wrestling matches. However, the owners stopped operating the theater during the Great Recession, a time when the economy was difficult.
Murray City's Plans
In 2015, Murray City bought the theater. They made it part of their plan to improve the Murray City Center District. In 2018, the City announced big plans. They would invest money to renovate the theater. The goal was to make it a place for both films and live performances again.
Renovation Challenges
The renovation work by Murray City faced some delays. There were funding issues and other problems. The city had hoped to open the theater at different times between 2020 and 2025. There was even hope it would be ready for the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. However, more problems came up. Water was found under the stage and the main seating area.
The current plan is for the Murray Theater to open on July 4, 2025.
