Ownership of Ritz Theatre (aka Radio, New Radio)
John Clark, 1922
Cecil “Lefty” Seff, 1922-1928
Cecil & Everett St. Peters, 1928-1929
L. W. Splichal, 1929-1939
Richard (Dick) DeVries, 1939-1951
Edward Osipowicz, 1951-68 (?)
This theatre location was known as the Scenic, located between the Columbia Opera House (also used as a theatre) and the Weeks drug store (then operated by C. C. Yockey). The building was originally the New Hardware store, but it was converted into a full-time theatre in 1913 (I’ve attached a photo circa 1920) with “a slant floor, plush chairs and a musician’s balcony in the city style,” as reported in the Correctionville News. After a fire in 1927, the Scenic closed permanently, leaving the New Radio theatre (renamed The Ritz in 1928) as the only full-time theatre building in the vibrant little city. The Ritz building is still standing, though it ended its life as a movie theatre in 1968.
Joe Vogel: Thanks for your post. The building that housed “The Ritz” was built in 1922 and was first called The Radio. The Radio (later, New Radio) was a competitor to the Scenic. The Scenic closed permanently after a fire in 1927.
The Ritz theatre was one of several theatre buildings in Correctionville, Iowa. When it was built in 1922, it was first known as The Radio Theatre, and later, New Radio Theatre. “The Ritz” was the name given by new owners and brothers, Cecil & Eli St. Peters, in 1928. They met tragedy when their mother took the wrong door past the concession stand and fell down the basement stairs and died. There have been many owners and operators over the years, but Joe Vogel (comment above) rightly notes that R. P. (“Dick”) Devries sold it to Eddie Osipowicz in 1951. He and his family were the last operators, with full-time scheduled showings ending in 1966. The chairs and equipment were removed in the 1980s and since then it has been gutted and used for storage. I’d be happy to answer any questions or share more details, thanks for the opportunity to comment. B.R. Hoffman
Sources: 150th Anniversary History, Correctionville, Iowa; The Correctionville News; Interview with Denny Osipowicz; and “Bailey: A Wonderful Life.”
Ownership of Ritz Theatre (aka Radio, New Radio) John Clark, 1922 Cecil “Lefty” Seff, 1922-1928 Cecil & Everett St. Peters, 1928-1929 L. W. Splichal, 1929-1939 Richard (Dick) DeVries, 1939-1951 Edward Osipowicz, 1951-68 (?)
This theatre location was known as the Scenic, located between the Columbia Opera House (also used as a theatre) and the Weeks drug store (then operated by C. C. Yockey). The building was originally the New Hardware store, but it was converted into a full-time theatre in 1913 (I’ve attached a photo circa 1920) with “a slant floor, plush chairs and a musician’s balcony in the city style,” as reported in the Correctionville News. After a fire in 1927, the Scenic closed permanently, leaving the New Radio theatre (renamed The Ritz in 1928) as the only full-time theatre building in the vibrant little city. The Ritz building is still standing, though it ended its life as a movie theatre in 1968.
Joe Vogel: Thanks for your post. The building that housed “The Ritz” was built in 1922 and was first called The Radio. The Radio (later, New Radio) was a competitor to the Scenic. The Scenic closed permanently after a fire in 1927.
The Ritz theatre was one of several theatre buildings in Correctionville, Iowa. When it was built in 1922, it was first known as The Radio Theatre, and later, New Radio Theatre. “The Ritz” was the name given by new owners and brothers, Cecil & Eli St. Peters, in 1928. They met tragedy when their mother took the wrong door past the concession stand and fell down the basement stairs and died. There have been many owners and operators over the years, but Joe Vogel (comment above) rightly notes that R. P. (“Dick”) Devries sold it to Eddie Osipowicz in 1951. He and his family were the last operators, with full-time scheduled showings ending in 1966. The chairs and equipment were removed in the 1980s and since then it has been gutted and used for storage. I’d be happy to answer any questions or share more details, thanks for the opportunity to comment. B.R. Hoffman
Sources: 150th Anniversary History, Correctionville, Iowa; The Correctionville News; Interview with Denny Osipowicz; and “Bailey: A Wonderful Life.”