On Saturday, July 15, the hills of the Uptown 23rd District will be alive with The Sound of Music! For Tower Theatre's 80th birthday, a new generation of movie fans will get to experience the classic during a FREE outdoor screening in the parking lot directly across from the marquee. Attendees will need to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating, and coolers for water are highly encouraged. The film will begin at dusk, so arrive early for a good spot, and don't forget your white dress and blue satin sash!

In 1965, The Sound of Music was booked for a 10-week first run at Tower Theatre. Due to its immense popularity, it continued to run for another 72 consecutive weeks, becoming the longest-running movie in Oklahoma's history, viewed by over 200,000 people. Farris Shanbour, owner and operator of Tower Theatre at the time, received a plaque of recognition from 20th Century Fox studio representatives.

This special screening for Tower Theatre's 80th birthday marks a new era for the historic venue. Events, concerts and more will begin only three weeks later in August 2017. Film will once again be a part of life at Tower: auditorium construction plans include cinema-quality digital projection, sound and screen in the balcony. Additionally, owners are pursuing plans and options for restoring the classic Cinemeccanica 35/70mm projectors still housed in the original projection room.