As of May 1946, the theaters in Sheboygan were the Rex, State, Strand, Majestic, Sheboygan and Wisconsin. The last three were owned and operated by Warner Brothers.
Here is an article from the Sheboygan Press dated 5/28/41:
Majestic Theatre All Set For Grand Opening
Majestic, Now Redecorated And Remodeled Throughout, Most Modern House In City
What’s happened to the Majestic? This question is volleying around in Sheboygan from one theater-goer to anotherâ€"all of them amazed at the transition that has made the Majestic the most
modernistic and up to date movie palace in the city. Following the main question is a trail of minor queriesâ€"what is in that new type of front? What kind of an idea is that canopy? How has the lobby been changed? What are the new seats like?
Settle back in your chair and take an imaginary trip through the new theatre, starting from across the street to get a full view of the new bright spot on N. Eighth Street’s famed 500 block. Originally there were six windows across the front of the building. These have been covered and sealed tight to eliminate dirt and drafts. The entire front of the building has been covered with porcelain enamel in two tones of brown with a cream trim.
The new style canopy has two signs each 30 inches tall on either side of it that display the letters “MAJESTIC” in red neon. Sides of the canopy form a background of light for silhouetted letters. The
canopy holds 1,390 light bulbs. Two “attraction lines” are underneath it. At street level, the box office is built in on curved designs at the right of three sets of double doors. Complementing the box office at the left of the doors is a curved display case, to be illuminated by flourescent lighting. Poster cases are attractively installed on each side of the front.
At the far left is a door leading from the balcony. The first lobby, located inside the front door, has an attractive terrazzo floor. Birch doors match the outer doors, and the ceiling is illuminated by concealed flourescent lighting. Outer lobby walls are painted in rising blends of light blue. The office and entrance to the box office are located at the right of the outer lobby. In the inner lobby, solid birch doors open to the auditorium. They replace the glass doors formerly used there. A graceful stairway leads to the balcony at the right of the lobby.
The manager’s office, men’s and ladies' rooms are located on the second floor. The ladies' powder room has been greatly enlarged, and has an anteroom, or powder room, decorated in peach. A large mirror graces one wall, and beneath it is “powder puff shelf”. Old rose decorates the lavatory room, in which the latest miracles of plumbing have been installed.
The door leading to the men’s room has a picture of a man puffing on a pipe decorating it. Facilities in the men’s room have been greatly enlarged. A composition floor in both rooms is harder than
concrete, and is easily cleaned. New lighting fixtures have been put in the balcony, and the entire auditorium walls have been redecorated. The ceiling is light blue, the walls dark blue, and panels decorated in rising blends of light blue.
All seats have been replaced with the latest, typesâ€"the only theatre seats in Sheboygan boasting cushion backs. The seats are metal constructed with natural wood arms. The backs are cushioned
with rugged mohair of the same type used in the more expensive automobiles. The seats are constructed so that it’s virtually impossible to tear clothing on them. The resilient cushions are covered with dark green leather, and the aisle standards are trimmed with double lines of cream. Seating capacity of the Majestic has been reduced by 76 chairs in a move sacrificing quantity for comfort.
Manager of the Majestic Theatre since 1932, Leo Schuessler was born and raised in the city, and is a graduate of Central High school. Mr. Schuessler is married, the father of a 3-year-old daughter and makes his home at 1320 N. Tenth Street. His hobbies are hunting and fishingâ€"when he can find the time.
If anyone is an expert on Paterson theaters, I have some information on a building at 47-49 Albion Avenue that was a theater in the 30s, then a poolroom and warehouse in the 40s. The building was destroyed in a fire on 3/19/48. I have no clue as to the identity of this former theater.
On 4/27/55, the Suburbanite Economist was advertising these theaters: Southtown, Avalon, Capitol, Highland, Rhodes, Ogden and Shore. There was also a listing for the Twin Open Air Drive-In at 87th and Cicero. In the same issue, Vic Short mentions the Boulevard in his “Through the Keyhole” column:
NOW IT CAN BE SAID that the recent rumors about the Ogden being converted from a movie theater into a ballroom are quite without foundation. As a Stanley Warner showhouse, it is doing right well… . The Boulevard theater about a mile away is, however, being transformed and should be ready in maybe a month, maybe more, for a gala grand opening as a terpery, but of course I’ll have all the details on that matter in due time… . Stan Kenton has given up his old band and right now is breaking in his all-new ork of 20 pieces… . Remember when Joe Maize and his 4 Cordsmen played Kentucky lounge? They’re clicking this week in a big way at the Palace in New York.
In 1945, a handicapped patron bought a ticket and was told that “cripples are not admitted to the theater on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays”. He sued and was awarded $250: http://tinyurl.com/yknbch
The 10/22/49 edition of the Fort Dodge Messenger and Chronicle lists the Park, Rialto, Strand, Dodge and Iowa theaters. It may be that the Varsity didn’t want to advertise, but that wouldn’t make much sense.
According to this 1959 suit, the owner of the Glen and the Cove sued the owner of the Glen Cove alleging that the new theater would cause confusion amongst the theater going populace. Plaintiff lost: http://tinyurl.com/y6p5b4
It looks like the plaintiff in this suit was headed to the outhouse one night when she was accidentally shot by the projectionist at the adjacent drive-in: http://tinyurl.com/yan43b
There was a Roxie Theater in Miami that was damaged by a fire in 1945. The Roxy listed here was built in the sixties, according to the caption, so there may be some confusion between the two theaters. Note that Al Alvarez mentions a 1934 listing in the Motion Picture Year Book.
After some improvements, the Malek re-opened on 1/11/66 with a showing of “Clarence the Cross-Eyed Lion”, which incidentally was my favorite movie as a child:
Grand opening of the Malek Theater in Independence will be held Tuesday afternoon and evening, Jan. 11 with the showing of a free movie, “Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion.” This was the
announcement made this week by Jerry Reiter, manager, and Don Yoerger and Charles Houston, new owners. Three movies are planned for families in the area on Tuesday: 5:15, 7:15 and 9:15 p.m. Adults and youngsters will be guests of the new management which took over operation of the Malek on Sept. 1, 1965 from the former owners, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Malek. During the past several months the theater has had a number of improvements made. A new concession stand and cold drink dispenser have been added. This week a colorful mural was installed. Also last year the Maleks put in new carpeting. The theater today is the largest new theater built in Iowa since World War II.
Yoerger and Houston and their wives and families are both residents of LeMars and own the Palace Theater at Alton, Iowa. Reiter was named manager of the Malek last September and he and his wife
and two children moved here from LeMars. The three men and their wives will be hosts and hostesses at the grand opening event on Tuesday afternoon and evening. The local theater was sold to Yoerger and Houston by Mr. and Mrs. Malek who last year ended 25 years in the motion picture business. They formerly owned and operated the Grand and Iowa theaters and built the Malek Theater in 1946. The theater can accommodate 820 persons.
There is an article in the Council Bluffs Nonpareil dated 7/13/50 which discusses the opening of a new drive-in in the city. I’m not sure if it’s the same as the one listed as they just call it “The Drive-In”. Here is an excerpt from the article:
The new Drive-in theater here â€" one of the most modern in the middle west â€" will celebrate its grand opening at 7 p.m. Friday, William Miskell, Omaha district manager of Tri-States Theatres announced. It is located on a 12-acre tract on Highway 275 at Eleventh Street, immediately west of the closed Stork club. B.J. Dudgeon of Omaha will manage the enterprise. He also manages another Tri-States Drive-in at Omaha. Opening feature, which will begin at dusk Friday, is “The Big Wheel.” It’s a midget auto racing story starring Mickey Rooney. Free souvenirs will be distributed at the opening.
Here is a stock scam suit involving the Million Dollar in the eary 20s:
http://tinyurl.com/yaahkq
Alexander Pantages sued to deduct the expenses of his rape trial in 1929:
http://tinyurl.com/ybex7j
Here is a 1917 lawsuit involving the College:
http://tinyurl.com/y8yp89
This was a Warner Brothers theater in 1946, as was the Majestic and the Sheboygan.
As of May 1946, the theaters in Sheboygan were the Rex, State, Strand, Majestic, Sheboygan and Wisconsin. The last three were owned and operated by Warner Brothers.
Here is an article from the Sheboygan Press dated 5/28/41:
Majestic Theatre All Set For Grand Opening
Majestic, Now Redecorated And Remodeled Throughout, Most Modern House In City
What’s happened to the Majestic? This question is volleying around in Sheboygan from one theater-goer to anotherâ€"all of them amazed at the transition that has made the Majestic the most
modernistic and up to date movie palace in the city. Following the main question is a trail of minor queriesâ€"what is in that new type of front? What kind of an idea is that canopy? How has the lobby been changed? What are the new seats like?
Settle back in your chair and take an imaginary trip through the new theatre, starting from across the street to get a full view of the new bright spot on N. Eighth Street’s famed 500 block. Originally there were six windows across the front of the building. These have been covered and sealed tight to eliminate dirt and drafts. The entire front of the building has been covered with porcelain enamel in two tones of brown with a cream trim.
The new style canopy has two signs each 30 inches tall on either side of it that display the letters “MAJESTIC” in red neon. Sides of the canopy form a background of light for silhouetted letters. The
canopy holds 1,390 light bulbs. Two “attraction lines” are underneath it. At street level, the box office is built in on curved designs at the right of three sets of double doors. Complementing the box office at the left of the doors is a curved display case, to be illuminated by flourescent lighting. Poster cases are attractively installed on each side of the front.
At the far left is a door leading from the balcony. The first lobby, located inside the front door, has an attractive terrazzo floor. Birch doors match the outer doors, and the ceiling is illuminated by concealed flourescent lighting. Outer lobby walls are painted in rising blends of light blue. The office and entrance to the box office are located at the right of the outer lobby. In the inner lobby, solid birch doors open to the auditorium. They replace the glass doors formerly used there. A graceful stairway leads to the balcony at the right of the lobby.
The manager’s office, men’s and ladies' rooms are located on the second floor. The ladies' powder room has been greatly enlarged, and has an anteroom, or powder room, decorated in peach. A large mirror graces one wall, and beneath it is “powder puff shelf”. Old rose decorates the lavatory room, in which the latest miracles of plumbing have been installed.
The door leading to the men’s room has a picture of a man puffing on a pipe decorating it. Facilities in the men’s room have been greatly enlarged. A composition floor in both rooms is harder than
concrete, and is easily cleaned. New lighting fixtures have been put in the balcony, and the entire auditorium walls have been redecorated. The ceiling is light blue, the walls dark blue, and panels decorated in rising blends of light blue.
All seats have been replaced with the latest, typesâ€"the only theatre seats in Sheboygan boasting cushion backs. The seats are metal constructed with natural wood arms. The backs are cushioned
with rugged mohair of the same type used in the more expensive automobiles. The seats are constructed so that it’s virtually impossible to tear clothing on them. The resilient cushions are covered with dark green leather, and the aisle standards are trimmed with double lines of cream. Seating capacity of the Majestic has been reduced by 76 chairs in a move sacrificing quantity for comfort.
Manager of the Majestic Theatre since 1932, Leo Schuessler was born and raised in the city, and is a graduate of Central High school. Mr. Schuessler is married, the father of a 3-year-old daughter and makes his home at 1320 N. Tenth Street. His hobbies are hunting and fishingâ€"when he can find the time.
This is my gym now. No trace of the theater remains. I saw JFK there (the Oliver Stone film) as well as the Sixth Sense.
If anyone is an expert on Paterson theaters, I have some information on a building at 47-49 Albion Avenue that was a theater in the 30s, then a poolroom and warehouse in the 40s. The building was destroyed in a fire on 3/19/48. I have no clue as to the identity of this former theater.
On 4/27/55, the Suburbanite Economist was advertising these theaters: Southtown, Avalon, Capitol, Highland, Rhodes, Ogden and Shore. There was also a listing for the Twin Open Air Drive-In at 87th and Cicero. In the same issue, Vic Short mentions the Boulevard in his “Through the Keyhole” column:
NOW IT CAN BE SAID that the recent rumors about the Ogden being converted from a movie theater into a ballroom are quite without foundation. As a Stanley Warner showhouse, it is doing right well… . The Boulevard theater about a mile away is, however, being transformed and should be ready in maybe a month, maybe more, for a gala grand opening as a terpery, but of course I’ll have all the details on that matter in due time… . Stan Kenton has given up his old band and right now is breaking in his all-new ork of 20 pieces… . Remember when Joe Maize and his 4 Cordsmen played Kentucky lounge? They’re clicking this week in a big way at the Palace in New York.
In 1945, a handicapped patron bought a ticket and was told that “cripples are not admitted to the theater on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays”. He sued and was awarded $250:
http://tinyurl.com/yknbch
The 10/22/49 edition of the Fort Dodge Messenger and Chronicle lists the Park, Rialto, Strand, Dodge and Iowa theaters. It may be that the Varsity didn’t want to advertise, but that wouldn’t make much sense.
Stella and James Yiannias in 1942:
http://tinyurl.com/y4vvc5
Here is a 1953 lawsuit against the Lenox:
http://tinyurl.com/yx3smu
According to this 1959 suit, the owner of the Glen and the Cove sued the owner of the Glen Cove alleging that the new theater would cause confusion amongst the theater going populace. Plaintiff lost:
http://tinyurl.com/y6p5b4
It looks like the plaintiff in this suit was headed to the outhouse one night when she was accidentally shot by the projectionist at the adjacent drive-in:
http://tinyurl.com/yan43b
This lawsuit states that the drive-in had space for 1500 cars:
http://tinyurl.com/yktja5
Here is a 2005 article about the demolition:
http://tinyurl.com/yyczc8
Here is a June 2006 article about the fire:
http://tinyurl.com/y44fee
Closed in August 2000.
Here is an article about the Stage 4:
http://tinyurl.com/y5ama4
There was a Roxie Theater in Miami that was damaged by a fire in 1945. The Roxy listed here was built in the sixties, according to the caption, so there may be some confusion between the two theaters. Note that Al Alvarez mentions a 1934 listing in the Motion Picture Year Book.
This patron went to a premiere and ended up with a broken leg:
http://tinyurl.com/yheo9j
On 6/17/73, the Paramount was showing an x-rated film called “Sex and the Office Girl”.
After some improvements, the Malek re-opened on 1/11/66 with a showing of “Clarence the Cross-Eyed Lion”, which incidentally was my favorite movie as a child:
Grand opening of the Malek Theater in Independence will be held Tuesday afternoon and evening, Jan. 11 with the showing of a free movie, “Clarence, the Cross-Eyed Lion.” This was the
announcement made this week by Jerry Reiter, manager, and Don Yoerger and Charles Houston, new owners. Three movies are planned for families in the area on Tuesday: 5:15, 7:15 and 9:15 p.m. Adults and youngsters will be guests of the new management which took over operation of the Malek on Sept. 1, 1965 from the former owners, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Malek. During the past several months the theater has had a number of improvements made. A new concession stand and cold drink dispenser have been added. This week a colorful mural was installed. Also last year the Maleks put in new carpeting. The theater today is the largest new theater built in Iowa since World War II.
Yoerger and Houston and their wives and families are both residents of LeMars and own the Palace Theater at Alton, Iowa. Reiter was named manager of the Malek last September and he and his wife
and two children moved here from LeMars. The three men and their wives will be hosts and hostesses at the grand opening event on Tuesday afternoon and evening. The local theater was sold to Yoerger and Houston by Mr. and Mrs. Malek who last year ended 25 years in the motion picture business. They formerly owned and operated the Grand and Iowa theaters and built the Malek Theater in 1946. The theater can accommodate 820 persons.
There is an article in the Council Bluffs Nonpareil dated 7/13/50 which discusses the opening of a new drive-in in the city. I’m not sure if it’s the same as the one listed as they just call it “The Drive-In”. Here is an excerpt from the article:
The new Drive-in theater here â€" one of the most modern in the middle west â€" will celebrate its grand opening at 7 p.m. Friday, William Miskell, Omaha district manager of Tri-States Theatres announced. It is located on a 12-acre tract on Highway 275 at Eleventh Street, immediately west of the closed Stork club. B.J. Dudgeon of Omaha will manage the enterprise. He also manages another Tri-States Drive-in at Omaha. Opening feature, which will begin at dusk Friday, is “The Big Wheel.” It’s a midget auto racing story starring Mickey Rooney. Free souvenirs will be distributed at the opening.