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I have signified my willingness to become special representative for The Reporter, and am now in possession of credentials, of which I am quite proud. Not having noticed any news from this immediate vicinity in your valu able paper, my first efforts will be more of an introductory. Our very prosperous city claims about 20,000 population, and has been considered for years a great theatrical center. This has rapidly increased the past two or three years, and since the the opening of Booking Offices here by W. W. Bell, which is only recently, there is sure to be news of interest and importance to Reporter readers. I will endeavor from time to time, as often as possible, and convenient for me to do so, to acquaint you all with the happenings in this locality, and theatrical news in general. Our best theatre, the Orpheum, was destroyed by fire last November. There is a movement fairly well started now, to rebuild this in the next few months. The Orpheum will be remem bered by troopers, several years ago as The La Belle, owned and managed by W. W. Bell. He had disposed of his interests, however, and the McMullen Bros., own the site and had owned the theatre several months previous to its destruction by fire. Another theatre that is being rebuilt is the Electric; Klock Son are the owners, having purchased the interest of W.H. Daly some time ago. The elder Klock has owned the building for years. It was torn down and is being rebuilt from basement to roof, and will be a beauti ful little theatre when completed some time in September. They will offer high class vaudeville and feature pictures only. The other theatres in operation now are The Mystic, man aged by QO. A. Bandy, a harap gentlemen and a real manager. J. Bandy has owned and managed the atres in Little Rock, Ark., and in Memphis, Tenn., but for several years had been connected with the Pathe exchange, in Denver and Kansas City. Mr. Bandy bought The Mystic and took possession Jan. 1, 1916 and has met with marked success. He uses vaude ville from the Interstate Booking Of fices in St. Louis and they have proven high class in every instance except possibly two or three. Mr. Bandy set apace for the other managers here, until the picture business is something worth while. Our theatres are right up to date, in service, comfort and convenience—no old pictures, all late run stuff and from the best film pro ducers. It’s very seldom one can see a dull show at any of the theatres. Competition is keen and they have to keep up with the times. The Grand Theatre is owned by Bussey Bros. Barger, and managed by John Bussey. They use one act of vaudeville on Fri day and Saturday in conjunction with pictures. The Palace, managed b Frazier Nuttmann, is strictly a big class picture show, no vaudeville is used during any season of the year. The two open air houses, The Air dome, owned and managed by W. W Bell, and The Garden, by W.H. Daly, are attracting the large crowds during the warm weather. However, the at tendance is very good at the other shows. They are all well ventilated and supplied with plenty of fans. At the Bell Airdome the Van Dyke-Eaton company is in their sixth week and doing capacity business almost over night. The Messrs. Fred and C. Mack are the very capable managers of this company,and they know the business from A to Z. The leads are taken care of by Miss Bessie Jackson and Mr Cliff heme ve noXceptionally ; y People who have won their into the hearts of the Airdome DatenE. The bills are all hig igh class, of wholesome, and a very noticable fore ure is that there is no stammering or tingling of lines, they are all up in the parts they assume, and roles. The regula rs are Willard F at ease in their vaudeville perform aster in ballads, and James E. McCoy, the mystic. Both are well liked and it is always a pleasure to hear and see them. Miss Bessie Jackson assists Mr. McCoy in musica numbers and little Flora Marie McCoy is a decided favorite in songs 4D classic dances. The Garden hn the past two weeks the well known Mel ville’s Comedians No. 2, under manage ment of Pete Swan. They closed their engagement here the Sth and layed Girard, Kay., Aug. 7-12. The Garden was disappointed in the non-arrival of the Pat Patterson Musical Comedy, OB account of the illness of Mr. Patterson, I understand, so they are showing feat ure pictures only, Aug. 7-12. The manager, Mr. Daly, hopes to get in a No. 1 stock company very soon. Am afraid I’ve taxed the space limit now so will save the rest until next time. I carry credentials from other theatre magazines and have for nearly three peers. Am well acquainted and treated royally by all managers, 80 its no trouble to get the news. MARGARET M. SHARPE.
Newspaper Details
Opera House Reporter
Estherville, Iowa, US
Fri, Aug 18, 1916
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Alicia C.
USA 09 Jun 2026
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