Arcada Theater
323 New York Avenue,
Holton,
KS
66436
323 New York Avenue,
Holton,
KS
66436
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Moving pictures apparently began at the Perkins in 1908, as noted in this item from the May 7 issue of The Holton Recorder that year: “The Perkins theatre management has installed a moving picture machine of the latest make and will give popular exhibitions in the theatre at the price of 10 cents for adults and 6 cents for children. The moving picture craze is on in Holton, and the advantage of seeing them In the beautiful Perkins theatre will appeal to the public.”
Tonight I saw the 1953 documentary on TCM about the financial difficulties of movie theatres in the late'40’s to early ‘50’s caused by a series of taxes. It was a treat to see the owners of various Holton, KS businesses talk about their town. Having lived most of my in small town Kansas and traveled through Holton many a time on motorcycle trips I enjoyed the short history lesson on Holton.
This theater was featured in a 1953 theater owners' documentary about the financial devastation wrought by the 20% federal tax, plus other encroachments on the box office, such as television.
The doc is called “The Case Against the 20% Federal Admission Tax on Motion Picture Theaters” and is a treasure trove of theaters operating but in imminent trouble, including long looks at their still-open theaters, marquees, etc., and interviews with the owners.
There are also plenty of shots of already-closed theaters; the writing was really on the wall already.
TCM ran this movie on 11/1/09 at about 6am and I stumbled upon it by accident; I don’t know when it will screen again but it is well worth seeking out.
In this case the theater had burned down and I don’t think it ever re-opened as a theater.
This theater was discussed in a 1953 documentary about how the city of Holton, Kansas is surviving since the Arcada was closed down a year or two before. Several business owners, including the grocery store owner who states his business has gone down because mothers would send their children to the Saturday matinee and shop at his store, then pick up the kids on their way out. Since the theater closed, they go elsewhere.
The Boller Brothers re-modelled the theatre in 1935-6.
The Film Daily Yearbook 1941 gives a seating capacity of 408. In the 1950 edition of F.D.Y seating is given as 468.
The theater building now houses a liquor store. The marquee is intact the store uses it for advertising.