I worked there several years in the late 90s early 00’s as projectionist. There are 375 seats, as some rows in the front were taken out for parts for the seats. I have a photo of opening night, Sept 7, 1937. Much of the theater is original inside, even the wiring and heating system. The air washer cooling system doesn’t work, as water was left standing in it, and rusted the floor out of it, and ran down the screen. The projectors are from 1952, when the building was paid off, and the owner could purchase new machinery that came from the Old Ritz Theater that was 2 blocks away (building was torn down in late 70’s). The player piano that was used in silent days from the theater still works and was donated to the Benge Community Church when it was built in 1952 by the owner.
I worked there several years in the late 90s early 00’s as projectionist. There are 375 seats, as some rows in the front were taken out for parts for the seats. I have a photo of opening night, Sept 7, 1937. Much of the theater is original inside, even the wiring and heating system. The air washer cooling system doesn’t work, as water was left standing in it, and rusted the floor out of it, and ran down the screen. The projectors are from 1952, when the building was paid off, and the owner could purchase new machinery that came from the Old Ritz Theater that was 2 blocks away (building was torn down in late 70’s). The player piano that was used in silent days from the theater still works and was donated to the Benge Community Church when it was built in 1952 by the owner.