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Madison County Theatre History |
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For more historical information on Madison County theatres, click here
THEATRE NEWS CLIPPINGS
ALTON - TEMPLE THEATER DEDICATION Source: New York Clipper, April 6, 1890 The Temple Theater, Alton, Ill., was dedicated April 6 with Roland Reed as the attraction. The building is a modern structure, first class in every respect, with a seating capacity of one thousand. *******************************
ALTON THEATRE NEWS Source: New York Clipper, January 25, 1907/1908
At the Temple, W. M. Sauvage, manager)
the Burgess Stock Co. closed a successful week Jan. 10. "Sis in New
York" drew well 11. "We Are King" pleased good business 12. Frank
Mahara'a Minstrels 16. "Jesse James, the Missouri Outlaw," 17.
Stetson's "U. T. C." 18. "When Knighthood Was in Flower" 19,
Williams' Ideals Co. 21. The Smart Set 23. **********************************
ALTON THEATRE NEWS Source: New York Clipper, August 10, 1907/1908 At Rock Springs Park (W. M. Sauvage, manager) Prof. Hill with his balloon is the feature attraction this week. The Rock Springs Theatre had a splendid bill week of July 28, including Jeanette Adler and company, Romaine and Campbell, Claude Austin and Hutchison and Lusby. Note - a new concern has been added to Rock Springs Park, called 'The Congress of Novelties.' *********************************
ALTON THEATRE NEWS Source: New York Clipper, August 17, 1907/1908 At the Temple (W. M. Sauvage, Manager), "No Mother To Guide Her" opened the season here, August 11. At Rock Springs Park (W. M. Sauvage, manager), Prof. Hill's slide for life is the free attraction. In the theatre, vaudeville hill for week of 4 included: Bates and Ryan, La Belle, [unreadable], Casey and Craney, and Mexican Hermann, the magician. This park closes 9. All the remaining vaudeville booked for the season will be transferred to the Temple Theatre. The Temple Theatre, during the summer months, has been in the hand of decorators, painters, etc.; they having removed and refurnished it completely. Much credit is due W. M. Sauvage, the manager, and the work will be highly appreciated by his patrons. *********************************
ALTON SKATING RINK OPENS Source: New York Clipper, November 16, 1907/1908
The Crawford Skating Rink has opened its
doors for the season.
ALTON THEATRE NEWS Source: New York Clipper, May 22, 1908/1909
The Royal Amusement Carnival Co. opened
its season here May 15. Manager Sauvage inaugurated one of his many
enterprises on 11, that of steamboat excursions on the Str. W. W.
The Crawford *********************************
ALTON THEATRE NEWS Source: New York Clipper, August 28, 1908/1909 The Biograph is drawing good business with songs and pictures. The Nixon closed this week for remodeling. It will open again Sept. 1. The Temple opens its season on Sept. 4. Mgr. Sauvage promises his patrons a big season. He has booked an excellent list of attractions. Eddie Burns, monologist at the Airdome, and [unreadable] Pells of Chicago, were married in this city by Judge [unreadable] on Aug. 16. *********************************
ALTON - AIRDOME Source: New York Clipper, May 9, 1909 Work was recently started on a monster Airdome to be erected at Alton, Ill., by the Hippodrome Amusement, Inc. at Springfield, Ill. for $5,000. The leading promoter is W. M. Sauvage, manager of the Temple and Lyric Theaters, Alton. The stage will be [unreadable] ft. wide, and the seating [unreadable], which will be in the open air and have capacity of 2,000. In front there will be a penny arcade, which will be painted pure white. The Airdome will be in the heart of the city, and has excellent railroad facilities. According to the contract, the work must be completed in twenty one days. The season is expected to begin about May 22. ***************************************************
LYRIC THEATRE - ALTON Source: New York Clipper, April 16, 1909/1910 Manager W. M. Sauvage, of Alton, Ill., has had plans drawn for the handsome new Lyric Theatre to be erected on Piasa Street, Alton, on the property sold recently to a syndicate consisting of W. M. Sauvage, Geo. A. Sauvage and Charles Seibold. The plans for the new theatre indicate that Alton will have a fine addition to its amusement places. The new Lyric will have no gallery, but will have a balcony. There will be 750 seats downstairs and 250 in the balcony, and 24 in the boxes, giving a seating capacity of 1,024. The theatre will be 75 feet wide and 125 feet deep, and two stories in height. The stage will be 75 feet wide by 60 feet deep. There will be six exits on the main floor and three from the balcony, permitting of quick egress from the theatre. The floor of the theatre will be sloping, and will be wood laid on a concrete base. The plans call for beautiful art decorations inside as well as outside. The new Lyric will present vaudeville, but it will be possible to play much larger companies there, in case it is desired, than at the Temple, in that city. ***********************************
ALTON THEATER SCHEDULE Source: New York Clipper, June 20, 1909/1910
Aug. 15. At the Airdome (W. M.
Sauvage, manager) the bill for week of June 8: Carita and her
Dancing Girls, Pries-Taylor Troupe, O'Brien and O'Brien, and others.
ALTON THEATERS SCORE WELL Source: New York Clipper, October 3, 1909/1910
At the Temple (W. M. Sauvage. manager)
"Brown's In Town" scored well Sept. 17. "Capt. Clay of Missouri"
proved an excellent show, 20. "The Cow Puncher" 26, "Jane Eyre" 27,
Howe's moving pictures Oct. 2, "Meadow Brook Farm" 3.
ALTON THEATER NEWS Source: New York Clipper, December 26, 1909/1910 At the Tempel (W. M. Sauvage, manager), "Under Southern Skies" had excellent business Dec. 13. "The Flaming Arrow" 19, "From Broadway to the Bowery" 20, Monte Carlo Girls Burlesquers, 24, Latimore & Leigh Stock Co., 25, 26. The Biograph continues to draw big. **********************************
THE ELECTRIC THEATER Source: April 18, 1909/1910 The Electric moving picture house is drawing big houses every day. *********************************
THE ELECTRIC THEATRE AT ROCKS SPRINGS PARK BURNS Source: New York Clipper, May 16, 1909/1910 The Electric, a moving picture house, was partially destroyed by fire April 23, owing to the exploding of the film. The damage done was about $500. It happened during a performance, but fortunately, no one was injured getting out, as the house has many exits. The owner has presented Rock Springs Park to the city of Alton, and therefore it will discontinue being an amusement park. **********************************
ALTON THEATRE NEWS Source: New York Clipper, July 11, 1909/1910 The Lyric has closed for remodeling, preparatory to opening for vaudeville about Sept. 1. The old Electric, under new management, will be called the Victory, and will present moving pictures and a skating rink adjoining. ********************************
ALTON HIPPODROME Source: New York Clipper, April 30, 1910/1911 The Hippodrome, Alton, Ill., will be opened by Manager W. M. Sauvage, May 15. Vaudeville, drama, opera, and band concerts will be the offerings. ******************************
ALTON THEATRE NEWS Source: New York Clipper, June 4, 1910/1911
Airdome (W. M. Sauvage, mgr)
Rentfros Jolly Pathfinders had excellent business May 15-29.
Vaudeville 29-31. Peizer and Whyte, Floyd Mack, Robiach and
Childress, and the White Hussar Band.
ALTON THEATRE NEWS Source: New York Clipper, September 10, 1910/1911 The Biograph reports good business. After a thorough refurnishing and renovating, the Temple will open Sept. 4 with "The Girl in the Kimona." Manager Sauvage has made many decided improvements for this season, chief among them being a row of large electric arc lights in front of the house which, when lit, makes a very brilliant appearance. *************************************
ALTON THEATRE NEWS Source: New York Clipper, May 14, 1910/1911 H. A. Worthey, manager of the Bijou, left this city April 25. The theatre has been closed. The Temple Theatre closed its season on May 1, with Gertrude Quinlan in "Miss Patsy," as the attraction. Manager Sauvage states it proved to be a highly successful season. The Airdome, with W. M. Sauvage as manager, opens on Sunday, May 13, with a high class vaudeville bill. ***************************************
ALTON THEATRE NEWS
Source: New York Clipper, March 25,
1911/1912
WILDEY THEATRE, EDWARDSVILLE - NEW MANAGER Source: New York Clipper, September 2, 1911 The Wildey Theatre, Edwardsville, Ill., which last season was managed by William Sauvage of Alton, is now under management of the Wildey Theatre Company, and has been since June, although the fact was not made public until a few days ago. This season, once a week on Sunday, is to be the rule, with as few exceptions as possible. The theatre is equipped with a moving picture machine, and pictures are shown at night when regular attractions are not booked. ************************************
ALTON THEATRE NEWS
Source: New York Clipper, September 30,
1911/1912
ALTON THEATRE NEWS Source: The New York Clipper, November 11, 1911/1912
The Lyric, Princess and Crescent are
drawing big business. Jack Allen manager of the Allen Stock Co., and
Ethel May, the "Lady of Mystery," of the same company, were married
in East St. Louis. Ill., at the home of G. Haynes, Oct. 25, by Rev.
Gus Merz.
THE CRESCENT CLOSES Source: New York Clipper, November 25, 1911/1912 ALTON - The Crescent closed 10, owing to poor business. The Princess, Lyric and Biograph continue to do good business. ************************************
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Source: New York Clipper, December 9,
1911/1912
ALTON'S HIPPODROME Source: New York Clipper, October 5, 1912/1913 The new Hippodrome Theatre at Alton, Ill., was formerly opened Monday evening, Sept. 23. W. M. Sauvage, sole owner and manager, has leased the McPike property on the corner of Second and Piasa Streets, and has built one of the prettiest houses in the State. The playhouse, rebuilt by Frank Cox of Chicago, includes a balcony, two boxes, and with the lower floor, has a seating capacity of 1,200. The stage measures 54 by 32 feet, and the lobby 54 by 12 feet. The scenery and curtains were painted by Eugene Cox and staff of Chicago, as were the beautiful interior decorations. The entire exterior is [unreadable] white and the base surrounded with marble slabs ten feet from the ground. The playhouse was opened addresses by Mayor Fauistich (sp?), G. H. Mosser, secretary of the board of trade, W. H. Joesting, of the Retail Merchants, Manager Sauvage, and Frank Cox, the builder. Many floral tributes were received by Mr. Sauvage. The new house will be devoted to vaudeville and moving pictures. The opening bill included Walter Petroval (sp?) and company, in "The Choice of Carletta" and four reels of pictures. *************************************
ALTON THEATERS' RECORD YEAR Source: New York Clipper, May 11, 1912/1913 All records for local theatricals were broken by the Alton Council, Knights of Columbus, when they presented their annual minstrels at the Temple Theatre, April 25, 26. The grand first part, entitled "An Evening on the Lawn with the K. of C.'s," was a scene of beauty and gorgeousness, being a view of clubhouse exterior, with all the members seated around tables in full dress and blackface. The soloists and end men, comprising the cream of local talent. Included: J. J. Hammond. John Braunagle, John Eckhard, Jos. Shotkey, John Maloney. Jos. Crivello, Geo. Long, John Buese, Walter Green, Theo. Timper, and Aug. Crivello, and The Clipper correspondent. The olio consisted of numbers by the K. of C. Quartette. and the afterpiece, entitled "Chasing the Rainbow," a musical comedy burlesque. The music and entire libretto was composed by Dr. A. Don Stocker, a local composer of prominence. The production was a great financial success, the proceeds, above all expenses, amounting to $800. *************************************
WILLIAM SAUVAGE - THEATRE MANAGER AND STEAMER AGENT Source: New York Clipper, May 31, 1913/1914 W. M. Sauvage, local excursion steamer agent, reports great success with his fleet of popular boats. He is also manager of the Temple, Hippodrome, and Airdome Theatres. The Illinois Billposters' Association convention, in Alton, drew many heads of billposter companies from all over the State. Much credit is due W. M. Sauvage, the local member, who entertained the guests. ************************************
ALTON THEATER NEWS Source: New York Clipper, June 7, 1913/1914
Hippodrome (W. M. Sauvage. mgr.) for May
26-28: Milton and Dolly Nobles. Gorden Bros, and boxing kangaroo,
and new pictures. ***********************************
ALTON GRAND THEATER INCORPORATED FOR LEASING Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 7, 1923 John Jianakopolis, manager of the Grand theater, today explained the incorporation of the Alton Grand Theater Company for $5,100 by saying that it was a move to prepared for leasing the theater to someone else. Mr. Jianakopolis said that he had been considering several proposals to lease the theater, and in order to get the management into legal position to transact business, he had incorporated. The incorporators are given as John J. Jianakopolis, John Pano and John Karran. Each carries $1,700 stock in the new corporation. Mr. Jianokopolis said today that he is trying to bring to Alton a representative of the International Union of Musicians to settle the trouble in his theater. Last night he gave a musical comedy with a few musicians who came here with the company, and there was a rule that would prevent them playing in the Alton house, regardless of the refusal of the local musicians to work when they could not reach an agreement with the management as to the new schedule of hours they were asked to work. The management of the Grand Theater said that his purpose was to cut out the unprofitable business and by so doing reduce the expense of operating the house. The matinees, he planned, to cut out except on Saturday and Sundays. He failed to reach an agreement that was satisfactory all around with the musicians and so the musicians quit work. There are several parties who have had under consideration the leasing of the property from the present lessees. The present arrangement at the Grand is a partnership between the three men named as incorporators of the new Alton Grand Theater Company. As partners there might be some question as to their ability to transfer a lease, but as a corporation some of the difficulties of such a change would be obviated. The Grand was being operated today without musicians, operators or stage hands. Mr. Jianokopolis was operating the picture machine. *****************************************************
SAUVAGE ENDS FIFTY YEARS IN THEATRES Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 12, 1931 After a half-century in the amusement business, during which he rose from a boy usher to acquaintance and association with some of the world's outstanding producers and performers, William M. Sauvage, former mayor of Alton, has retired. His retirement had been hinted for several weeks but not until today did Mr. Sauvage admit that it had transpired and that the man whose name has been synonymous with the theatres in Alton had actually come to the place to which he had looked forward for years - to retire. Retirement had been in the mind of Mr. Sauvage since completion of the negotiations by which his two Alton theatres - the Grand and the Hippodrome - joined the Great States (now Publix) chain. Mr. Sauvage still remained in a directorial position and was the Publix representative for a large section of Illinois, but once ownership and complete control had passed from his hands, and he was no longer arbiter of the amusement business, the veteran theatrical man began to think "50 years is enough," and concluded to "turn it over to the younger ones." Retirement of Mr. Sauvage ends the active career of a man who conducted the Temple as a "legitimate" theatre when the theatre - particularly the "road show" was in its hey-day. Many great stars were brought here by Mr. Sauvage - Walker Whiteside, E. H. Sothern, Alexandra Salvini, Margaret Anglin, Bert Williams, Al G. Fields, to mention only a few. Symphony orchestras, opera companies, great productions - he brought here many times at the loss of money, but Sauvage loved the theatre and suffered blows at his pocketbook just so he could say he had brought a great troupe to Alton. Once an express wagon driver, whose foot was cut off by a train, he entered the theatre business as a boy and rose to a high place. Sauvage, as a boy, had served in a menial capacity in the old city hall, which was the "opera house" of Alton for years. There he was an usher. Later, he went to the Root's "opera house" on Belle street, which became a rival of the old city hall "opera house." He remained as an usher there. When Mr. Sauvage lost his foot in a railroad accident, he had to do something that was within his ability to get around. He became treasurer 40 years ago at the new Temple theatre under B. H. Wortmann, the first manager, and sold tickets there. In 18 months, Mr. Wortmann had retired, unable to make the Temple theatre pay, and Mr. Sauvage became the manager. Alton was not ready for a regular theatre, and Mr. Sauvage did not make a success of it, either, though he stuck it out for some years. He always had confidence that Alton would be a good amusement town, so when he left to take a place as road manager for a hypnotic show, he always reserved the right to come back. The theatre here went to lower financial depths in his absence. He came back, finally and resumed the position of Temple theatre manager. He stayed on and made a success of it. Later, he realized the possibilities and started the first motion picture show in Alton, making a great success of the venture. He continued in the legitimate line at the Temple as long as he could, but high costs of putting on shows, the rapidly dwindling number of available shows, and other factors, caused him to give it up. Still, he occasionally signed up some good road show and let it break in on his picture show programs. He still sighs for the good old days of the legitimate theatre. He operated first the Lyric, the little motion picture show, then enlarged it into the Hippodrome. When the Grand theatre failed, he took that over and conducted both the Grand and the Hippodrome. Then came the sales to the chain theatre organization, in which Mr. Sauvage was retained as local manager and adviser. Now he is out of the theatre altogether, the change taking effect Saturday night. "I think I need a rest," Mr. Sauvage said, "after 50 years of active service in the amusement business of Alton. I have met and known intimately some of the greatest stars in the theatrical business. The list I have brought to Alton is a long one and includes many who perhaps not famous at the time, later rose to fame and fortune. I always did my best to elevate the stage in Alton by bringing in big stars when I could get them. I oftentimes lost money in doing it, as the patronage would not cover my guarantee and expenses, but I kept on, hoping the time would come when I would prosper. The most expensive star I ever brought here, Richard Mansfield, played to a small house and it cost me hundreds of dollars for the seat my wife occupied. I didn't go in to see that show. It was costing me too much." Mr. Sauvage is being succeeded by John Mitchell, who is being promoted from the Edwardsville house. Russell Sauvage, son of W. Sauvage, is remaining as assistant to the city manager. The management takes in the Grand, Princess and the Wood River theatre. The Hippodrome has been closed and dismantled and probably will not be reopened as an amusement place, at least by the present leasees. *******************************************************
SEEK TRUCE ON THEATER PAY SLASH Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 18, 1931 Two out of three motion picture houses in Alton and Wood River, owned by the Publix Corp., may be closed as the result of a difference of opinion on the part of some of the employees and the corporation as to what wages should be. The company accompanied its demand for a wage reduction with the alternative that in case of refusal of employees to accept a cut in wages, the Princess theatre and the Wood River theatre would be closed in two weeks. The demands of the Publix corporation have been only partially met. It is understood that the ultimatum to the employees held out the hope that if they acceded to the demand of their employers to accept a salary cut, the Princess and the Wood River theatres "might" be saved. When the reduction in pay of 20 percent was demanded by the Publix corporation from the motion picture operators employed in the Grand and Princess theatres in Alton and the Wood River theatre yesterday, the men came back with a counter proposal for a 10 percent reduction as being acceptable to them, on condition. The condition was that all three theatres be kept open as now, and that the Publix corporation sign a contract on that basis for next year, beginning with the month of September. The owners of the three theatres involved demanded a cut of 10 percent only from all other employees in their service in the Grand, Princess and Wood River theatres. The operators union at first flatly refused to consider any proposal for reduction in pay, but later, when the matter was laid before them by William Sauvage, former proprietor, who is still in the Publix service as local adviser, the men said they would compromise and take a 10 percent reduction, but only on condition that there would be no closing of any of the theatres. It may be known in a few days what action the Publix people will take on this compromise proposition. It is understood that the 10 percent reduction is to apply to all the other employees regardless of what the operators may do. There has been some sharp retrenchment in the last six months in these theatres and more is said to be in sight. Publix corporation paid a big price for the Princess after having previously taken over the Grand and the Hippodrome. The Hippodrome was closed permanently and the equipment removed there from. The Princess has had spotty business, some good and some bad, but mostly bad. The Wood River theatre has not been productive of profits commensurate with the investment the house represents to the company. The Grand theatre has been doing fairly well, but not enough to carry the load of sustaining the investment in the properties, which are, as in the case of the Hippodrome, either non-productive, or not profitable. The ultimatum to the local employees was to the effect that unless the proposal for salary reduction was accepted, the Princess and the Wood River theatre would be closed in two weeks. There are seven operators in the three theatres, three of whom are at the Grand. They draw $1.25 an hour. The theatres, as in the case of the Grand, are open 140 hours a week. At the Grand, the three operators divide the 140 hours. Four of the seven operators would be thrown out of work if the Princess and the Wood River houses are closed. The decision of the Publix organization as to the compromise action taken by the operators on the wage proposition is being awaited with interest. The same corporation demanded and obtained a reduction of 10 percent from operators at East St. Louis, where the wage scale is about twice that of the Alton-Wood River theatres. *****************************************************
SAUVAGE LEASES HIPPODROME BUILDING Source: The Telegraph, June 20, 2008 (as published June 20, 1933) William M. Sauvage had leased the old Hippodrome building at Broadway and Piasa streets. The former mayor had leased the building, which housed the vaudeville-motion picture house, offices, and Brown's Business College. That lease had expired and the place was vacant. The building, about 75 years old, was erected during the same period as the old city hall, and had been occupied for many years by a wholesale drug store. It had twice been the home of newspapers, The Telegraph and the Sentinel-Democrat. ****************************************************
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR WRECKING HIPPODROME Source: Alton Telegraph, July 25, 1933 William M. Sauvage awarded the contract for wrecking the Hippodrome building at Broadway and Piasa streets to William Adams. Sauvage had taken a long-term lease on the property, and intended to erect a new building on the site, but had not disclosed any definite plans. **************************************************
HIPPODROME RAZED Source: The Telegraph, August 31, 1933 The razing of the Hippodrome building at Piasa and West Broadway stirred memories of previous occupants of the building. The site had been used by the Washington volunteer fire company; a wholesale house; the Alton Evening Telegraph, and the Alton Democrat; original home of the YMCA; and retail businesses, including the Boston Store. The theater, owned by William M. Sauvage, had a capacity of 750, and it was estimated that the Hippodrome had more than 7.8 million patrons in its 18 years of operation. *************************************************
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