Sooner Theatre • Norman, Oklahoma

Thomas D. McKinnon
Norman, OK

"Submitted to The Sooner Theatre on October 14, 1998 -- I was often the film projectionist for the Wednesday morning children�s show than ran during the summer. The movie was free, but the children were required to pick up their free tickets at Goodno�s Jewelry Store. Mr. Goodno paid all the costs for the �free� movie. On Wednesday morning we would have the theatre filled with happily screaming, squirming children. When I looked down to the auditorium from the projection booth, I could swear I was watching a bed of ants. I once asked Mr. John Goodno why he would spend this money on children who are obviously too young to shop in his store. He said that he liked doing something nice for the children of Norman and when these children grow up and it comes time to buy jewelry gifts for sweethearts, they would feel comfortable coming into his store. I wonder how many adults living in Norman today remember this pleasant aspect growing up here. "

Betty Hooper Henson
Norman, OK

"Submitted to The Sooner Theatre on October 16, 1998 -- My memories of The Sooner Theatre are very precious to me. My twin brother, Billy and I were born in a rooming house at the corner of Peters and Tonahawa on December 8, 1924. I remember when the Siamese twins came to the Sooner Theatre and all the twins got to go upon the stage with them. Billy and I were so thrilled. Then in early December every year the firemen provided a morning of cartoons for all the children. The admission was any old toy in any condition, broken or even unrepairable. We stood in line down the street and around the corner with our battered toy; which we left in a box as we filed into the theatre. The firemen repaired the toys to give to the poor children the next year. It was a nice place until the lights were lowered and the cartoons appeared on the screen. After they were over we all filed out and the firemen handed each child a stack of candy, nuts, and fruit. That was a happy time in my life and even if it is changed I have but to close my eyes to remember how it was when I was a little girl. "

Mary Ann King
Norman, OK

"Submitted to The Sooner Theatre on December 31, 1998 -- My first memories of The Sooner Theatre, like many other Baby Boomers, are of films by Walt Disney, and the crisp air-conditioning that required a sweater for comfort in the middle of summer. Nevertheless, the memories are pleasant to recall. Through the years the memories associated with The Sooner Theatre must also have included tears. I was reminded of such memories by a sepia tone photo that my late grandfather, A.G. King, had saved of Will Rogers. I was too young to recall when the beloved photo had hung in the farm home of my grandparents south of Noble. It made the move with them in 1950 to an acreage where Norman�s Moose Family Center is now located along Highway 77. In my mind�s eye, I can still see it hanging there. The years passed without questions being asked of its history before it became part of our home. One day, while cleaning the glass, I took the smiling picture from its frame with the worn cardboard backing. Much to my surprise, in addition to nothing the photo was �Compliments of J.M. Acree Oil Co.� the printing on the back of the photo also stated, �Compliments of The Sooner Theatre.� The memento had come with the showing of �Steamboat Round the Bend� with Will Rogers �The Eternal Star� in the fall of 1935. It also mentioned that Will Rogers� last picture, �In Old Kentucky,� would be shown at The Sooner Theatre. "