The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

Northwest Oklahoma 2

Related Photos

  • The 89’er Theater in downtown Kingfisher anchors the Main Street area and has become a popular destination for residents and visitors.

    Cover_89'er_Theater_1_SY.jpg

  • Carolyn Dalbow, general manager of 89’er Theater in downtown Kingfisher, prepares a movie poster advertising a film.

    89'er_Theater_2_SY.jpg

  • The 89’er Theater in downtown Kingfisher features three screens, stadium seating, a 3-D projector and, of course, popcorn.

    89'er_Theater_1_SY.jpg

Discussion

March 13, 2010

Lights ... camera ... action

Theater keeps movies showing in Kingfisher

By Joe Malan, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

KINGFISHER — Oklahoma City may be only an hour away, but Carolyn Dalbow hopes Kingfisher residents stay in town to go see their favorite movies.

Kingfisher’s 89’er Theatre, located at 304 N. Main in the heart of downtown, gives residents the opportunity to do just that, said Dalbow, who is general manager of the theater.

The theater opened in 2005, approximately one year after the old 89’er Theatre was destroyed by fire caused by a combination of a storm, Dalbow said, and old wiring.

The old 89’er had a western look, with several pictures and painted murals, Dalbow said. It only had one theater screen and sat around 350 people.

The new 89’er seats more and has three screens. Builders adopted the rustic, formal look the old theater building but added modern touches.

Dalbow says the theater has been successful so far.

“We’ve had people as far as Enid, Woodward, Watonga and El Reno,” she said. “We also get school groups from El Reno, Guthrie and Crescent, up to a 50-mile radius.”

The theater’s normal attendance for a weekend is between 350 and 400 people.

That number will change depending on the season.

Dalbow said during summer weekends or holidays the theater may attract more than 1,200 people.

There’s also a pretty good high school crowd, Dalbow said.

Last October, the 89’er Theatre added a 3D screen for one of its three individual screening areas. The addition helped ticket sales, Dalbow said.

“It brought the theater to life again,” she said. “There had been a slow period. Once we got it, it brought a lot of people in.”

Now, patrons can see movies such as the current “Alice In Wonderland” in 3D.

Ticket prices are approximately $2 more for 3D showings, as the ticket comes with the 3D glasses.

Adding 3D was costly, Dalbow said, but she knows it was worth it.

“I figured we can recoup a lot of (the cost) in three years,” she said.

The 89’er Theatre has one showing for each of the three movies Monday through Friday. There are late shows Friday and Saturday for each movie, and a matinee is offered Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Dalbow said she’s heard nothing but positive feedback from Kingfisher residents about the 89’er Theatre.

“I couldn’t imagine living in Kingfisher without the theater,” she said.

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