Murray Theatre Renovation Breathes New Life and Purpose Into Historic Cinema BY FRAN PRUYN, CPSM On Oct. 28, 1938, when the Murray Theatre at 4961 South State Street opened, there were two ubiquitous forms of entertainment in the United States: radios — 80% of households had one — and motion pictures — cinemas could be found in most population centers, and “talkies” had become all the rage in the ’30s. Tony Duvall and Joseph Lawrence, who collaborated to build the Murray, also owned four other movie theaters in Utah. Duvall built the Gem and New Iris in Murray, and Lawrence built the Villa in Salt Lake City and the Academy in Provo. The opening film at the new Murray Theatre was “Alexander’s Rag Time Band,” Twentieth Century Fox’s highest-grossing film of the 1930s. It had recently premiered in August, starring Tyrone Power and Alice Faye, and clocking in at 106 minutes. There were also shorts, such as “Hawaiian Holiday.” The Salt Lake Telegram reported that: “Capacity crowds jammed into the new theatre when the doors were opened for the first time, and they were thrilled with the beauty and comfort of the building and the perfection of the project and sound equipment.”1 Recognized as one of the region’s best examples of Art Moderne2 theater architecture, the Murray Eagle reported that no expense was spared for this 700-seat movie theater: “The white front of this beautiful theatre will be amply lighted with the latest type of [fluorescent] lighting, and the marquee and vertical sign trimmed in ruby red. The box office and entrance has been furnished 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 microphonic sound system and projection equipment has been installed. The theater has been provided with air conditioning, as well as large rest rooms with an ‘ultra-modern’ lounge for the ladies.”3 Since then, the theater has changed hands several times and undergone numerous renovations for various purposes. The Murray was purchased from Fox-Intermountain Theatres by Art Jolley in 1964, who spent $15,000 to modernize it. In 1989, Steve Webb, a Jolley son-in-law, purchased the theatre and operated it as a second-run venue. In 1992, the theatre briefly closed to enlarge the stage, accommodating live performances, including a hypnotist, Vandermiere. The Murray Unity Spiritual Center purchased the building in 2001 and remodeled it for use as a Sunday school, bookstore, prayer room and coffee shop with a 550-seat sanctuary. In 2008, the theatre was transformed into an entertainment and dance venue featuring lights and video technology. The space hosted a diverse range of musical acts, cultural events, private parties and wrestling events. Even Adele played at the Murray Super Theatre 18 REFLEXION
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