07. USO and the Building of a Theater

During World War II, a USO opened in downtown Chandler.  The USO was heavily used by pilots from Willie, but there was still demand for a movie theater.  Theater owners Joe and Alice Woods bought a building in downtown and converted it to the Parkway Theater.  Because building supplies were only available for the war effort, the Woods applied for, and were awarded, a special grant through the USO to convert the building.  The photo above shows exterior renovation work being done to the building.  In addition to having to build a screen, a projector booth, and install seating, the floor had to be excavated to create a slope.  The photo below shows interior work being done to the building with a dump truck visible in the darkness in the background.