Tulsa Performing Arts Center
exhibit ‘Reel’-y retro

These colorful posters recall the era when the Oklahoma-born cowboy, newspaper columnist, radio pundit and actor on stage and screen, was the movie industry’s top male star and Hollywood’s highest paid actor. Kuntz, a native Tulsan, who lives in Minneapolis, became enthralled with Will Rogers while a student at Holland Hall. He later amassed an extensive collection of movie posters and memorabilia, which he turned over to the Museum for exhibition and a national tour. “Many are one-of-a-kind antiques,” said Joe Carter, former Memorial director and author of several books about Rogers. “The posters colorfully expose the powerful stardom of Will Rogers and the historical impact of his 71 movies.” Rogers starred in 50 silent films between 1918 and 1928 and made 21 “talkies” before his death in 1935. The Kuntz collection is housed the Museum theater and Gallery 9, opened on the 125th anniversary of Will Rogers birth Nov. 4, 1879, and includes more than 80 panels of colorful lobby posters, lobby cards and other cinema-related items. The latest addition is a morning coat worn by Will is in Judge Priest. The PAC Gallery is open during normal ticket hours 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and during Chapman Music Hall events. Admission to the Gallery is free.

Thirteen Will Rogers’ movie posters, part of the Gordon Kuntz collection on loan to the Will Rogers Museum, are on display at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Gallery. “Will Rogers: A Reel Retrospective” is timed to coincide “The Will Rogers,” starring Larry Gatlin Jan. 24 through 29 in the PAC’s Chapman Music Hall — and will remain through Feb. 7.