Orpheum Theatre

F.H. Cassill launched the Orpheum Theatre in the existing Newhouse Building on March 1, 1916. The Newhouse was built in 1888. Cassill lined up a series of feature films supported by shorts which included serials to try to beat the competing, Tepee Theatre. Opening night featured Clara Kimball Young in “Camille”. A five-piece orchestra provided live accompaniment. It’s also possible that the short, “Custer’s Last Fight”, was screened.

The Orpheum Theatre booked live vaudeville and local acts and offered sermons on Sundays. The Orpheum Theatre went out of business with vaudeville at the end of a five-year leasing agreeing on January 30, 1921 when the traveling show, “Keep to the Right”, advertised “temptation prices” of 30 cents for kids and 55 cents for adults and featured, “Their Own Orchestra.” The Orpheum Theatre’s equipment was sent to the theatre in McCook, Nebraska. The space was converted to retail usage. The Newhouse Building was still active in downtown Red Cloud in the 2020’s though not again as an entertainment venue.

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