You can leave that as is. But an alternate view suggests that the Auditorium was part of the Community Hall addition built in 1926. It was equipped with a projector in 1927 according to the trade press and booking contracts show a very low licensing fee for the town which never reached 450 residents. Size reports rabge from 126 to 208 in the trade press.
The films first appear to have ended silently in 1930 with the venue’s continuation for events. It was equipped for sound in 1936, closed and reopened in 1937 continuing into the 1950s.
The Empress opened on November 13, 1915 with “The Romance of a Traveling Man.” It closed just a little over a year later but was reopened in 1917 by J.C. “Doc” Marsh who closed it again in early May 1918. J.E. Ringheim took on that space in November of 1918 for a dry cleaner, The Suitatorium.
Sullivan & Collins opened in the Syndicate Block that formerly housed the Boys Club on March 25, 1908. The Dreamland closed in 1913 likely at the end of its 5-year lease.
The Lyric Theatre opened June 10, 1909 with Edwin S. Porter’s “A Dumb Hero,“ and two Pathé films, “Mysterious Correspondent” and “Two Very Unlucky Thieves.” The Lyric’s de facto concession stand was Al’s Confectionery. The theatre closed February 9, 1918. (Al’s continued to 1929 before becoming the long-running LewDoc Café with the Canton Theatre not far away.)
William P. Lowell took over the KOH on April 1, 1926 as the Lowell Theatre. He equipped it for sound at some point. E.D. “Red” Nash took on the venue giving it a streamline makeover with its new Canton Theatre moniker with Roscoe Karns as “Clarence” on March 18, 1937. It got another streamline makeover and better sound system at a December 1, 1946 reboot with Jackie Jenkins as “Butch!”
The Lucky 13 Drive-In opened on Missouri Highway 13 on June 13, 1952 with “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.” It looks like they operated until June of 1987 - likely the end of a 25-year leasing agreement.
Name was changed to the Royal on November 19, 1918 w/ Will Rogers in “Laughing Bill Hyde” supported by Harold Lloyd in “Kicking the Germ out of Germany” and a live orchestra.
The $75,000 Wilcoxson Opera House opened elsewhere in town on April 22, 1898 with Clay Clement in “The New Dominion.” That was an above average price for an opera house as it vied for major acts after Kansas City playdates about 70 miles away. The theatre was beautiful by all reports and pictures. By World War I, Opera Houses were under financial pressure in smaller cities such as Carrollton. The Wilcoxson burned down on February 23, 1912 avoiding what was certain demise business-wise. And yet, the town decided it needed a new Opera House and built right here.
The New Opera House had iron support beams and, learning from its predecessor, was built to last more than a thing of beauty. In its opening ad, the second line under New Opera House was “Absolutely Fire-Proof.” Its opening programming on Nov. 9, 1914 was a hybrid live vaudeville with The Aerial Kesters of Ringling Circus fame and the three-reel film, “Shadows of the Past.” It didn’t work out well for the New Opera House. At a dime a head (a nickel for kids), the economics didn’t work out.
The venue had one full year of operation and then scuffled under two other operators not able to come close to filling a single season - combined. Percy Jones took the venue on November 19, 1918 renaming it as the Royal Theatre with Will Rogers in “Laughing Bill Hyde” supported by Harold Lloyd in “Kicking the Germ out of Germany” and a live orchestra. In 1929, the Royal was adding Western Electric sound-on-film to present talking pictures. And then it was subject to liens and back mortgage issues - which at the outset of the Depression - the end of the line for the Royal.
However, the first woman exhibitor in Carrollton’s movie industry, Ethel Jones, took on the mess that was the Royal late in 1929. She got help from beyond in Tip-Top Theatre operator’s Mr. Jarboe’s will about the building’s purpose as a theatre. So Ethel Jones installed the Western Electric sound on film technology for Thanksgiving of 1929. It was an expensive undertaking as the more expensive of the options at that time. And she put the family name on the building calling it the Jane Johnson Theatre in honor of her actress daughter who had moved to New York City.
Johnson was no pushover as she was mugged by two men as she carried the box office take to the bank. They got no money for their efforts. And she gave money to save the City Park from further dilapidation. People called it the Ethel Johnson Theatre in her honor although it went by Johnson Theatre. (Ethel claimed that the venue was always the Jane Johnson Theatre.) The Johnson Theatre closed on December 7, 1936 with Shirley Temple in “Dimples” as it was sold to Commonwealth Amusement two weeks earlier on November 26, 1936. Commonwealth had the entire face of the theatre removed to make a new, streamline moderne front as the Uptown Theatre. Old seats were donated to the high school.
Commonwealth launched the Uptown Theatre on December 19, 1936 with “Banjo On My Knee” supported by Popeye in “I’m In The Army Now”, an Our Gang comedy short, and “Hills Of Old Wyoming” with Robert Benchley. It was converted to widescreen in the 1950s. Additionally, Commonwealth took over the drive-in in 1969. They appears to have given up regular film exhibition in 1972 although the venue was used for Christmas screening in 1972, 1973, and 1974 to eke out a 60th Anniversary of operation. And it was demolished after its 100th birthday. Not bad.
The Bosworth Community Hall / Bosworth Theatre opened April 5, 1935. It was a new build facility costing all of $7,000. The first advertised show was Jean Arthur in “Have a Heart” supported by an Our Gang short, “Mike Fright.” Harold Wright was the final operator and appears to have closed it in December of 1954. The building was purportedly still around in 1988.
Opened June 1, 1955 with “Tonight’s the Night” starring Yvonne DeCarlo supported by Ralph Staub’s “Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Fathers” and the UPA cartoon, “Baby Boogie.” Its last advertised show was October 1, 1983: “Private School” and “Hot Dreams.”
Cyril E. Thomas launched the Star Theatre on December 8, 1910. Under new operators, it changed names to the Strand Theatre on January 16, 1918. The Strand added sound to remain competitive. Jess Remington and Kevin Dangerud closed it for the season on April 1, 1979 with “Carrie” while reopening the drive-in. The Strand didn’t reopen and was offered for sale.
Two ads for the Hettinger Drive-In. The one on the left addresses the question that everyone was apparently asking, “Is Tonight the Night?” And it is answered on the June 1, 1955 ad at left as the ozoner opens as tonight’s the night. The opening feature: “Tonight’s the Night” with Yvonne DeCarlo supported by Ralph Staub’s “Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Fathers” and the UPA cartoon, “Baby Boogie.”
That’s 1 W. Washington and 5 W. Washington as the first two buildings and still around in the 2020s. The Opera House is at the right - 15 W. Washington - which went down in a major fire in 1912.
A.B. Cantwell opened the Cantwell Theatre in Bucklin on February 15, 1923 with “In the Name of the Law” and “Detective.” Cantwell spent his money on a new theatre in nearby Marceline. The Bucklin Cantwell basically closed for movie on July 27, 1929 unable to convert to sound. The theatre scheduled live event programming until October 17, 1930. It was then converted on October 24, 1930 for a retail store and a dentist office.
The Isis and the Russell are two different theaters. The first movie house in town opened as the Isis Theatre with a benefit for the local football team on November 1, 1913 followed by its regular opening on March 4, 1913 with Barney Gilmore as “Kelly From Emerald Island.” The Isis closed April 4, 1925 with “Baffled” and was converted to a retail store.
This entry covers the Russell Theatre turned Roxy. The Russell opened on July 4, 1923 with “Safety Last” with Harold Lloyd. It was hailed as “the biggest picture ever shown in a country town” according to the proprietors. W.S. Owen was deliberate converting to sound to remain viable on February 28, 1930 - behind some of the nearby theaters in other communities.
Elmer and Jonnie Bills bought the Russell in 1935 from H.T. Till. It received a streamline makeover and relaunched on August 3, 1935 as the Roxy Theatre with W.C. Fields in “The Man on the Trapeze.” Just prior to showtimes on November 24, 1943, an explosion took out the Roxy and five adjacent buildings with “So Proudly We Hail” showtimes not taking place that night.
The theatre moved to temporary digs across the street in the Myer Building while the New Roxy - renamed the El-Jon prior to opening after a contest - was prepped for an early 1945 launch. I’d lean for status as mega-demolished.
Reboots as the Star Lite Outdoor Theatre on 1 & 2 on April 16, 1981. It remains the Star Lite Outdoor Theatre 1 & 2 for six seasons before closing.
A 1981 ad as the Star Lite Outdoor Theatre.
You can leave that as is. But an alternate view suggests that the Auditorium was part of the Community Hall addition built in 1926. It was equipped with a projector in 1927 according to the trade press and booking contracts show a very low licensing fee for the town which never reached 450 residents. Size reports rabge from 126 to 208 in the trade press.
The films first appear to have ended silently in 1930 with the venue’s continuation for events. It was equipped for sound in 1936, closed and reopened in 1937 continuing into the 1950s.
The Elgin Theatre closed on March 2, 1954. It was replaced by the new-build Carson Theatre which launched May 14, 1954.
The Empress opened on November 13, 1915 with “The Romance of a Traveling Man.” It closed just a little over a year later but was reopened in 1917 by J.C. “Doc” Marsh who closed it again in early May 1918. J.E. Ringheim took on that space in November of 1918 for a dry cleaner, The Suitatorium.
Sullivan & Collins opened in the Syndicate Block that formerly housed the Boys Club on March 25, 1908. The Dreamland closed in 1913 likely at the end of its 5-year lease.
The Lyric Theatre opened June 10, 1909 with Edwin S. Porter’s “A Dumb Hero,“ and two Pathé films, “Mysterious Correspondent” and “Two Very Unlucky Thieves.” The Lyric’s de facto concession stand was Al’s Confectionery. The theatre closed February 9, 1918. (Al’s continued to 1929 before becoming the long-running LewDoc Café with the Canton Theatre not far away.)
William P. Lowell took over the KOH on April 1, 1926 as the Lowell Theatre. He equipped it for sound at some point. E.D. “Red” Nash took on the venue giving it a streamline makeover with its new Canton Theatre moniker with Roscoe Karns as “Clarence” on March 18, 1937. It got another streamline makeover and better sound system at a December 1, 1946 reboot with Jackie Jenkins as “Butch!”
The Cass County Drive-In was opened on August 11, 1950 with Yvonne De Carlo in “Buccaneer’s Girl”.
The New Electric Theatre launched September 26, 1908. It closed on March 9, 1929 with Rex, King of Horses, in “The Devil Horse.”
The Lucky 13 Drive-In opened on Missouri Highway 13 on June 13, 1952 with “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.” It looks like they operated until June of 1987 - likely the end of a 25-year leasing agreement.
March 1, 1948 and the end of the line as the theatre is “closed for repairs” after “Captain from Castile” as the New Drake Theatre launches.
January 27, 1928 grand opening ad for the Ritz with “Adam & Evil” supported by Our Gang in “Spooks Spoofin'.”
Name was changed to the Royal on November 19, 1918 w/ Will Rogers in “Laughing Bill Hyde” supported by Harold Lloyd in “Kicking the Germ out of Germany” and a live orchestra.
The $75,000 Wilcoxson Opera House opened elsewhere in town on April 22, 1898 with Clay Clement in “The New Dominion.” That was an above average price for an opera house as it vied for major acts after Kansas City playdates about 70 miles away. The theatre was beautiful by all reports and pictures. By World War I, Opera Houses were under financial pressure in smaller cities such as Carrollton. The Wilcoxson burned down on February 23, 1912 avoiding what was certain demise business-wise. And yet, the town decided it needed a new Opera House and built right here.
The New Opera House had iron support beams and, learning from its predecessor, was built to last more than a thing of beauty. In its opening ad, the second line under New Opera House was “Absolutely Fire-Proof.” Its opening programming on Nov. 9, 1914 was a hybrid live vaudeville with The Aerial Kesters of Ringling Circus fame and the three-reel film, “Shadows of the Past.” It didn’t work out well for the New Opera House. At a dime a head (a nickel for kids), the economics didn’t work out.
The venue had one full year of operation and then scuffled under two other operators not able to come close to filling a single season - combined. Percy Jones took the venue on November 19, 1918 renaming it as the Royal Theatre with Will Rogers in “Laughing Bill Hyde” supported by Harold Lloyd in “Kicking the Germ out of Germany” and a live orchestra. In 1929, the Royal was adding Western Electric sound-on-film to present talking pictures. And then it was subject to liens and back mortgage issues - which at the outset of the Depression - the end of the line for the Royal.
However, the first woman exhibitor in Carrollton’s movie industry, Ethel Jones, took on the mess that was the Royal late in 1929. She got help from beyond in Tip-Top Theatre operator’s Mr. Jarboe’s will about the building’s purpose as a theatre. So Ethel Jones installed the Western Electric sound on film technology for Thanksgiving of 1929. It was an expensive undertaking as the more expensive of the options at that time. And she put the family name on the building calling it the Jane Johnson Theatre in honor of her actress daughter who had moved to New York City.
Johnson was no pushover as she was mugged by two men as she carried the box office take to the bank. They got no money for their efforts. And she gave money to save the City Park from further dilapidation. People called it the Ethel Johnson Theatre in her honor although it went by Johnson Theatre. (Ethel claimed that the venue was always the Jane Johnson Theatre.) The Johnson Theatre closed on December 7, 1936 with Shirley Temple in “Dimples” as it was sold to Commonwealth Amusement two weeks earlier on November 26, 1936. Commonwealth had the entire face of the theatre removed to make a new, streamline moderne front as the Uptown Theatre. Old seats were donated to the high school.
Commonwealth launched the Uptown Theatre on December 19, 1936 with “Banjo On My Knee” supported by Popeye in “I’m In The Army Now”, an Our Gang comedy short, and “Hills Of Old Wyoming” with Robert Benchley. It was converted to widescreen in the 1950s. Additionally, Commonwealth took over the drive-in in 1969. They appears to have given up regular film exhibition in 1972 although the venue was used for Christmas screening in 1972, 1973, and 1974 to eke out a 60th Anniversary of operation. And it was demolished after its 100th birthday. Not bad.
The Bosworth Community Hall / Bosworth Theatre opened April 5, 1935. It was a new build facility costing all of $7,000. The first advertised show was Jean Arthur in “Have a Heart” supported by an Our Gang short, “Mike Fright.” Harold Wright was the final operator and appears to have closed it in December of 1954. The building was purportedly still around in 1988.
Opened June 1, 1955 with “Tonight’s the Night” starring Yvonne DeCarlo supported by Ralph Staub’s “Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Fathers” and the UPA cartoon, “Baby Boogie.” Its last advertised show was October 1, 1983: “Private School” and “Hot Dreams.”
Cyril E. Thomas launched the Star Theatre on December 8, 1910. Under new operators, it changed names to the Strand Theatre on January 16, 1918. The Strand added sound to remain competitive. Jess Remington and Kevin Dangerud closed it for the season on April 1, 1979 with “Carrie” while reopening the drive-in. The Strand didn’t reopen and was offered for sale.
Two ads for the Hettinger Drive-In. The one on the left addresses the question that everyone was apparently asking, “Is Tonight the Night?” And it is answered on the June 1, 1955 ad at left as the ozoner opens as tonight’s the night. The opening feature: “Tonight’s the Night” with Yvonne DeCarlo supported by Ralph Staub’s “Screen Snapshots: Hollywood Fathers” and the UPA cartoon, “Baby Boogie.”
The Rainbow Drive-In Theatre opens with “Al Jennings of Oklahoma (Not a Western)” with supporting short subjects on June 17, 1951
December 15, 1950 grand opening of the New Belfield Theatre with “Duchess of Idaho” in photos.
December 15, 1950 grand opening of the New Belfield Theatre
That’s 1 W. Washington and 5 W. Washington as the first two buildings and still around in the 2020s. The Opera House is at the right - 15 W. Washington - which went down in a major fire in 1912.
A.B. Cantwell opened the Cantwell Theatre in Bucklin on February 15, 1923 with “In the Name of the Law” and “Detective.” Cantwell spent his money on a new theatre in nearby Marceline. The Bucklin Cantwell basically closed for movie on July 27, 1929 unable to convert to sound. The theatre scheduled live event programming until October 17, 1930. It was then converted on October 24, 1930 for a retail store and a dentist office.
The Isis and the Russell are two different theaters. The first movie house in town opened as the Isis Theatre with a benefit for the local football team on November 1, 1913 followed by its regular opening on March 4, 1913 with Barney Gilmore as “Kelly From Emerald Island.” The Isis closed April 4, 1925 with “Baffled” and was converted to a retail store.
This entry covers the Russell Theatre turned Roxy. The Russell opened on July 4, 1923 with “Safety Last” with Harold Lloyd. It was hailed as “the biggest picture ever shown in a country town” according to the proprietors. W.S. Owen was deliberate converting to sound to remain viable on February 28, 1930 - behind some of the nearby theaters in other communities.
Elmer and Jonnie Bills bought the Russell in 1935 from H.T. Till. It received a streamline makeover and relaunched on August 3, 1935 as the Roxy Theatre with W.C. Fields in “The Man on the Trapeze.” Just prior to showtimes on November 24, 1943, an explosion took out the Roxy and five adjacent buildings with “So Proudly We Hail” showtimes not taking place that night.
The theatre moved to temporary digs across the street in the Myer Building while the New Roxy - renamed the El-Jon prior to opening after a contest - was prepped for an early 1945 launch. I’d lean for status as mega-demolished.