Murray Theater
About this property
The Murray Theater is a theater located in Murray, Utah. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is one of the area's best examples of the Art Moderne style in theater architecture. The theater operated as both a first-run and second-run venue for motion pictures, and has been extensively renovated and redesigned during its history. The Murray Theater, located at 4961 South State Street in Murray, Utah, was built in 1938 by Tony Duvall, who built the Gem and New Iris theaters in Murray, and Joseph L. Lawrence, who built the Villa and Southeast in Salt Lake and the Academy in Provo. It opened on 28 October, 1938, showing “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” and “Hawaiian Holiday”. Advertisements from local papers show that it screened two of Hollywood's first major color films: Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz. The Murray Eagle reported “The white front of this beautiful theater will be amply lighted with the latest type of tube lighting and the marquee and vertical sign will be trimmed in ruby red. The box office and entrance has been finished in stainless steel. The lighting in the foyer and inner lobby is all in indirect tubing and is designed to blend harmoniously with the delicate wall decorations and the heavy red floor carpets. The spacious auditorium is fitted with full upholstered chairs which are so situated that every patron may have an unobstructed view of the screen. The auditorium is also lighted with concealed tubing. The aisles are five and one half feet wide. The latest Mirrophonic sound system and projection equipment has been installed. The whole theater has been completely air-conditioned so that a complete change of air may be made every three minutes. A cooling system will provide for the comfort of the patrons in the summer months. The restrooms are large and nicely fitted with an ultra modern lounge provided for the ladies.” In September 1964, Art M. Jolley purchased the Murray from Fox-Intermountain Theaters. By the end of January 1965 he completed a $15,000 “modernization program” on the theater. In 1981, Mr. Jolley sold the Murray to another party, but later he took the theater back. In 1989, after the death of Art Jolley, the Jolley family sold the theater to his son-in-law, Steve Webb. Steve Webb operated the Murray as a second-run theater, with the help of his wife and children, and his brother. The Murray closed for two days, starting 28 October, 1992, so the stage could be enlarged to accommodate live performances. Vandermeide, who had been performing at the Avalon, then moved his hypnotist show to the Murray. In October 1999 the Murray Theater closed suddenly. The theater was to be auctioned in February 2000.
Location
Categories
Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).
Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Everything a full report reveals about Murray Theater
This page lists Murray Theater. A full Aubrey report for an address near it pulls together this listing alongside battlefield records, land patents, and every other historical record within a chosen radius:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Questions about this property
When was Murray Theater listed on the National Register?
Murray Theater was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 7, 2001.
What type of historic resource is Murray Theater?
Murray Theater is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.
What is the period of significance for Murray Theater?
The period of significance for Murray Theater is recorded as the industrial era.
Can I research the history near Murray Theater?
Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near Murray Theater will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.
More in Salt Lake County
Historic places, battles, and census history across Salt Lake County.
Explore Salt LakeCounty ›Research the history near this site
An Aubrey US report for an address near Murray Theater will include this listing alongside battlefield records and other historical sources within your chosen radius.