Royal Theatre

Mr. Stuart Walters opened the Vivo Theatre at the former site of the old Dreamland Theatre on August 2, 1930 with Charles Farrell in “Sunny Side Up” along with an unnamed Silly Symphonies short.

On October 16, 1938, the Vivo Theatre reopened as the Royal Theatre, reopening with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in “Carefree” along with a few short subjects and a Fox Movietone Newsreel. This came right after the Better Theatres Circuit Incorporated chain (which owned eight theatres in Western Illinois as of 1938) entered a long lease with the owner of the theater building, Mrs. McAdams.

The remodel of the 300-seat theatre features an updated box office at the sidewalk line and new doors and display boards. Above is the large neon marquee with letters that permit setting the name of attractions, and black Carrara glass outlined by electrical chasers. Inside features updated fully upholstered spring seats on the main floor (replacing the former tilted seats that was used since the Vivo Theatre’s opening in 1930), new carpeting, and large peerless lamps for projection as well as an overhauled sound system upgrade. There was also a larger foyer being arranged by an improvement in the seating, and the lobby features restrooms for both genders which were upgraded.

In connection to the opening of the new and larger Warsaw Theatre nearby, the Royal Theatre closed for the final time on September 28, 1947 with a one-day showing of Fred MacMurray in “Suddenly It’s Spring” plus a newsreel and a few unnamed short subjects.

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