The Phoenix Theatre, Antlers, Oklahoma 74523 (580)-298-3927

THE PHOENIX THEATRE

We will be closed August 29th - Sept. 1st for the Labor Day weekend.

Now Showing We will be closed for the Labor Day Weekend CHECK FOR SHOWTIMES ON OUR SHOWTIMES PAGE. Anyone interested in purchasing this theatre and building, please contact the Bradys at 580-298-9820.“For A Good Time at the Movies”©

The Antlers' movie theatre was originally constructed in the 1940’s, near the end of World War II. A man by the name of James Elliot originally owned the property and also a brick manufacturing plant. Consequently, the existing three story building was made from those bricks. The Cooper family was the first people to use this building as a movie theatre, and gave it the name The Cooper Theatre. In addition, the third floor was used as government offices by The Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were the owners of the theatre business but, Mr. Elliot retained the ownership of the building. Operating as a family business, Mrs. Cooper controlled the box office and concession area while the boys supervised the projection of the films. When the theatre first opened the admission was between 5 and 10 cents. The Coopers came to own two additional theaters in Antlers, one was The Oklahoma Theatre located downtown and the Kiamichi Drive-In located 3 miles south of Antlers on Highway 271.

In the early seventies the theatre interior was destroyed by fire and all hope was lost of it ever being a theatre ever again. A few years later an ambitious older couple, named John and Mable McNutt rebuilt the entire interior largely single-handedly, enlarging the lobby area and adding much needed restrooms. They changed the name to The Pastime Theatre. The McNutt’s continued to improve the infrastructure of the building while trying to show reasonably current movies and attempted to maintain a peaceful ambience. In 2003 the McNutt’s retired to Arkansas and sold the business and building to Patricia and David Brady of the Fort Worth suburbs. After retiring to Arkansas, both Mr. & Mrs. McNutt have passed away.

Pat and Dave continue to improve the quality of movie presentations by getting more currently released movies while enhancing the concession experiences. The lobby abounds with sports and television memorabilia collected by the Brady's throughout their careers. For a spirited conversation ask Mrs. Brady about some of the celebrities or sports figures she has met. While the concession prices have continued to rise in other theatre markets, the Brady's have managed to keep the concession prices at "The Phoenix" reasonable. Stop by some time “For A Good Time At The Movies”.