American Theatre
W. Elm Street,
Canton,
IL
61520
W. Elm Street,
Canton,
IL
61520
No one has favorited this theater yet
Showing 2 comments
Sorry - did some further research….
Charles Kuchan, Sr. opened the IdylHour Theatre on March 30, 1912 in a conversion of the existing Savil & Rafferty Cigar Factory building. The silent movie house was such a success that Kuchan would move to larger digs. He completed a ten-year leasing agreement with the IdylHour on March 30, 1922 before moving on to create the Capitol Theatre in the venerable Opera House location on September 9, 1922.
The Idyl didn’t remain so for long finding a new exhibitor in Joe Ross who renamed the venue as the American Theatre in April of 1922. The American was apparently unable to make the transition to sound and appears to have ended operations in 1931 with films ending two years prior.
Should probably be listed as the American Theatre formerly known as the IdylHour Theatre.
An item in the April 7, 1917 issue of Motion Picture News gives the location of the Idylhour Theatre as West Elm Street. Manager Charles Kuchen had just renewed the lease on the building for five years, and had installed a new Motiograph projector.