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Exeter Opera House Water Street and Spring Street, Exeter, NH - 1916

Image & notes : EXETER HISTORICAL SOCIETY - Barbara Rimkunas

This advertisement for “The Battle Cry For Peace” ran in the Exeter Newsletter on Oct 20, 1916. The silent film was a warning to the United States to prepare for war.

1916 Exeter began the year with two theaters – the Exeter Opera House and the Ioka. By March, it was clear that the Ioka was in trouble. Edward Mayer, the man who built the theater, had left town followed by a trail of debt. The investors held the business together.

Silent Films

Silent films played at the Ioka throughout the year, and the Opera House clung to life for a few more years. Most films were light-hearted comedies, although in October the Opera House brought a frightening film called “The Battle Cry of Peace” to town. The film, lost to history today except for a few scenes, depicted a United States unprepared for war – complete with scenes of terrified citizens escaping New York City. Dystopian nightmares, it seems, are not unique to modern times. - Barbara Rimkunas

Contributed by Greg Lynch -