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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 - GRAND FAMILY MATINEE SATURDAY AFTERNOON AT THE TEMPLE THEATRE Source: Alton Daily Telegraph, February 28, 1893 "Paul Kauvar," Steele Mackaye's melodrama, will be performed at the Temple Theatre next Saturday, matinee and night. The play is a familiar one, which was in St. Louis last season, and appears there again next week. Mr. Mackaye's play has many stirring and well-written scenes, and its stage pictures give a graphic idea of incidents in the French Revolution. This American-made drama of the French Revolution has had great success. *******************************
ALTON - TEMPLE THEATER'S FUTURE Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 21, 1899 The future of the Odd Fellows Temple Association, the owner of the Temple building, was never so bright as it is just now. The association has begun in a most substantial way to feel the effect of returning prosperity in the place where prosperity counts for most - in the exchequer. Under the wise management of the board of directors, the association has safely passed through a time when the outlook was most gloomy, especially during the past year. Last season it was with difficulty that a lessee was had for the theater and then it was at a date long after the time when the place should have been open. This year there are already three bidders for the theater and the terms proposed by the bidders are good ones. The lease was to have been awarded last evening, but the matter was postponed for consideration to a later date. The theater is to be nicely fixed up this season either by the lessees or the Temple Association. One bidder offered to make repairs, but stipulated that he should receive therefore lower rate of rental. The Temple Association is to inaugurate a system of paying off the stock held by persons not connected with the Odd Fellows order. About $16,000 in stock of the capitalized amount is held by outsiders. This is to be paid off at the rate of $600 per annum and the first payment on such stock will be made in a short time. In addition to this, a dividend of 2 1/2 per cent or 3 1/2 per cent will be paid and it will be the first time a dividend has been declared in the history of the association. The association as originally organized was in debt to an extent of $36,000. Of this debt, all over the capital stock has been paid off and the total indebtedness is $25,000. When the association attacks this $25,000 it will be able to make systematic payments on it that will reduce it at both ends and will eventually place ownership of the Temple in exclusively Odd Fellows hands. **********************************
ALTON - TEMPLE THEATER IS LEASED Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 24, 1899 The long deferred lease of Temple Theater was made Tuesday evening at a meeting of the board of directors. The new board of directors, Dr. W. W. Halliburton, James Wilkinson, D. Tomlinson, B. Schless, William Sonntag, H. Watson, Julius Fritsch, F. W. Joesting and M. H. Boals unanimously voted to accept the proposition of W. M. Sauvage for the lease of the theater for five years and the deal was closed. There were four bidders for the theater, William Harrison, William King & Co., C. L. Adams of Peoria, and William Sauvage. Mr. Sauvage's offer for the theater was not the highest but his proposition was considered the best for the local theatrical interests, considering his former successful management of the property. He gave up the theater here two years ago because of an offer to manage the Flints and the poor business the theater was then doing. Theatrical business has improved in Alton since then and he is confident he can make a success of the property. The directors of the Temple Association agreed to put the theater in first class repair and to improve the heating facilities which have been unsatisfactory. The new manager wants the theater repainted in white and gold, and it is probable his preference will be considered. New scenery will be bought and the stage setting will be new. Manager Sauvage today stated his policy with reference to the Temple for the season. He will secure the best of attractions and all theater goers know his past reputation in this respect. He has played in the past at the Temple many of the leading players on the stage and has always endeavored to secure the patronage of the best class of theater-goers. Among the better class of players he has played at the Temple are Thomas W. Keene, Robin Hood Opera Company, Wang, Princess Bonnie, Morrison, O'Neill, Wilson Barrett, Mansfield, Primrose and West's white minstrels, Alexander Salvini, Robert Downing, all of Frohmans plays. Archie Boyd in Shore Acres and Old Homestead and many others of the best on the road. The popular price 15 to 50 cents will be continued, except in very high class plays where contracts call for higher prices. Better attractions will be played for popular prices, Mr. Sauvage says, than have heretofore appeared at the Temple at such prices. The improvements in the Temple will be begun about the middle of June and will be under the supervision of Manager Sauvage. The manager will begin booking attractions at once and will open the Theater to the public early in September. Mr. Sauvage has a contract to manage the Lees, Hypnotists, and has not decided whether or not he will continue his connection with them. ***************************************
ALTON - TEMPLE THEATER Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, Friday, June 16, 1899 W. M. Sauvage, the new manager and lessee of Temple theater, is booking first class attractions for the season at the local playhouse. He has booked Lewis Morrison, Robert Mantell "Brown's in Town," "Town Topics," "What Happened to Jones," Webber & Fields "Glad Hand," "The Guilty Mother," and Nat Goodwin's "Turned Up." The new manager will take possession of the Temple August 1, and in the meantime the work of repairing, renovating and improving the theater will be done. The theater will be opened about the first of September. *****************************************
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 PLAYHOUSE READY - HIPPODROME OPENING MONDAY Source: Alton Telegraph, September 19, 1912 The formal opening of the Hippodrome will take place Monday evening. Manager Sauvage was somewhat disappointed in not being able to open the Hippodrome sooner, as the past week the weather has been such as to discourage outside shows. Mr. Sauvage will open his new playhouse with an advanced price show, the price for the opening night to be fifty cents a ticket and a good show will be given. There will be some speeches by representatives of various bodies in Alton, the speakers to represent the city of Alton, the Manufacturers' Association, the Retail Merchants, the Trades and Labor Assembly, previous to the opening of the program. The program will begin at 8:10 p.m. Mr. Sauvage says that the regular popular prices will prevail. He plans to have a few reserved seats at 5 cents extra for the first evening performance only. All other entertainments will be ten cents. ***************************************
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 ESTIMATE DAMAGE TO THEATRE AT $50 Source: Alton Telegraph, May 8, 1913 Manager W. M. Sauvage of Temple Theater says that the worst crush in many respects that he even had for seat reservations was that yesterday when the seats were opened for reservations for the High School junior play. When Mr. Sauvage came down the rail in front of the wicket was torn loose from the floor and the glass in the window of the box office was smashed. Mr. Sauvage thinks that some of the early callers for tickets must have crawled up in the wicket and slept so they would be first at the wicket when the place was opened. The first ones who applied for tickets he questioned about the damage done, and they said that they did not know, he would have to ask someone else. Mr. Sauvage says that the people waiting for their seat reservations wrote on the walls and defaced the decorations there so that it will be necessary to have the walls redecorated. Mr. Sauvage says that hereafter the door to the lobby will be locked and that people waiting for seat reservations for high school plays will have to wait out in the open. ************************************
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. ***********************************
SAUVAGE NOT TO APPLY FOR TEMPLE THEATRE - SAYS IT'S LAST YEAR List Below Shows Performers at the Temple Theatre! Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, January 29, 1920 Mayor W. M. Sauvage said yesterday that this will positively be his last year as manager of the Temple Theatre. He declared that when his time is up at the end of this season he will not be an applicant for the house again. Because it is a long time ahead of this promise taking effect, the Mayor was asked if he was in earnest about his statement. "When I say so, I mean it," the mayor replied. He said that he had been in the Temple as manager for twenty-eight years. The Temple has not been a paying enterprise for him for a long time. Good shows are few and hard to get, and some he has brought to town have not yielded the revenue they should yield to make the theatrical business a good one. Mayor Sauvage thinks that with another theatre such as he has in mind, he could make a great success. He is planning a fire proof theatre of much greater capacity that will stand on the Airdome site. He believes that by having larger stage and larger seating accommodations, the theatre would be more attractive both to the patrons and to the theatrical companies, and he would be able to secure more and bigger attractions. He thinks that the amusement situation in Alton might be improved if he had the kind of theatre he has in mind and the construction of which he may decide to undertake this spring. Among the many stars that have played the Temple Theatre during W. M. Sauvage's management are the following, many of whom are dead: Alexander Salvini, Neil Burgess, Frank Q. Seabrooke, Ezra Kendall, Modjeska, Walker Whiteside, Grace Van Studdiford, Mme. Janeshek, Margaret Anglin, McIntyre & Heath, Rose Stahl, John Philip Sousa, Bostonians, Kyrle Bellew, Damrosch Orchestra, Theodore Thomas Orchestra, Nat C. Goodwin, William Courtenay, Herman the Great, May Robson, Thatcher, Primrose & West, Hyams & McIntyre, Al G. Fields, Eva Tanguary, Valeska Suratt, Constance Crawley, Frank Tinney, Marie Doro, Roland Reed, Della Fox, DeWolf Hopper, Wilson Barrett, Thomas Jefferson, Lewis Morrison, Mme. Schumann Heink, Blanch Bates, George M. Cohan, 4 Cohans, Chauncey Olcott, Alice Neilson, Herbert Kelsey, Vera Michelena, Ina Claire, Charles B. Hanford, Thomas W. Ross, Trixie Griganza, Richard Mansfield, William Rock, Leonore Ulrich, Neil O'Brien, Patricia Collidge, Creatore, Zelda Sears, Bert Williams, Stuart Robson, Gertrude Hoffman, Mme. Rhea, Frank Daniels, Raymond Hitchcock, Richard Carle, Joseph Jefferson, Louise Cunning, Virginia Harned, Margaret Illington, Weber & Fields, 4 Mortons, Eddie Foy, Henrietta Crossman, Effie Shannon, George Evans, Joseph Sheehan, Marguerite Clark, Thomas Wise, Madge Carr Cook, James O'Neil, Maud Fulton, Guy Bates Post, Lew Dockstader, William Hodge, Leo Carillio, Al Jolson, George Damerel, Kathryn Kidder, Robert B. Mantell, Frederick B. Warde, Louis James, and many others. **********************************
FIRE ALARM AT THE HIPPODROME Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, March 12, 1920 There was a fire alarm from the Hippodrome yesterday afternoon. The people in the house noticed the odor of wood smoke, and they noticed soon that the air was filled with smoke. A fire alarm was turned in. It developed that in the furnace room, under the sidewalk, walled off from the building, workmen had long ago laid a piece of lumber on top of the boiler. The heat of the boiler charred and finally fired the wood. The smoke from the burning wood was sucked through the cracks in a stone wall by the ventilating system and driven into the theater. There was no danger of fire whatsoever in the Hippodrome, the furnace being under the sidewalk on the south side of the building. *********************************
CAMERATA IN A BEAUTIFUL LIGHT OPERA AT THE TEMPLE THEATRE Featuring Alton Performers! Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 8, 1920 "The Chimes of Normandy" was presented at the Temple Theater Wednesday night by the Camerata and Auxiliary Chorus, under the direction of Miss Katherine V. Dickinson, before a large and appreciative audience. The opera is light, and contains more catchy music, which entertained and delighted those having the pleasure of being present. It was considered by all to be one of the best home talent ever given in Alton. The scenes of the opera are laid in Norman villages of the seventeenth century, and the setting of last night's entertainment was very becoming to the story, as were also the costumes worn by the participants. Henri, Marquis of Corneville, who has been since childhood, owing to civil war, an exile, returns to his ancestral home on the occasion of the great annual fair, which is being celebrated in the village that receives its name from his chateau. In the first act, the curtain rises on an assemblage of village gossips, discussing scandal and small talk. Serpolette, a good for nothing, is the topic of conversation among the belles of Corneville. She comes in just in time to turn the tables on the others, and changes their taunts into expressions of rage. Gaspard, an old miser, wishes to marry his niece, Germaine, to the principal magistrate of the district, the Baill. This arrangement does not suit Germaine, nor a young fisherman named Jean Grenicheaux, who pretends that he has saved her life from drowning on a certain occasion. To escape from the power of old Gaspard, Germaine takes advantage of the privilege of the fair (a similar scene to that in the first act of "Martha"), and becomes the servant of the Marquis. Her example is followed by Grenicheaux and Serpolette. The second act is taken up with the supernatural visitors who have made the Castle of Corneville so long an object of dread. Henri determines to find out the real character of these ghostly appearances, and discovers that it is all the work of the old miser, who has concealed his treasures in the chateau. The discovery drives Gaspard crazy, especially when he hears the bells of the chateau ringing for the first time since the flight of the old Marquis. The third act represents the grand fete given in honor of the return of Henri to his ancestral home. Serpolette arrives as a Marchioness, as some papers, found in the chateau, indicate that she is the lost heiress. The miser, however, recovers his reason, and shows that Germaine is the true Marshioness. A love duet between her and Henri, and the reconciliation of all the parties, bring the romantic story to a close. Miss Helen Irene Elder, Alton's favorite soloist, took the part of Germaine, the lost Marchioness, and as usual pleased her hearers. Her role of the "Bells," and "Let Our Torches" style, and her rendition of "Legend of the Bells," and "Let Our Aorches" and "By His Side," was very good. She appeared in a duet with Henri, in "'Tis She! A Happy Fate," and at the close in "My Lord! My Lord!" Miss Grace Lorene Gee, as Serpolette, the good for nothing, captured the audience from the moment she appeared until she learns, to her great disappointment, that she is not the lost Marchioness. Her voice carries well, and her interpretation of her part was one of the delights of the evening. Her stage presence is good, she appearing especially good when she comes on the scene attired as a woman of nobility, scorning to notice those whom she thinks beneath her. Miss Gee was considered one of the big successes of the evening. Andrew Leigh took the house by storm, appearing as Gaspard, the bent-over miser, and guardian of Germain. Leigh has had much experience on the stage, and last evening carried out his part as an insane lover of money to perfection. He reached highest ______ lost his mind upon hearing ______ in the chateau ring out...... [some of the article unreadable] ********************************
ALTON - NEW COMPANY ORGANIZED TO ERECT THEATRE - MODERN VAUDEVILLE & MOVIE HOUSE WILL BE ERECTED AT CORNER OF THIRD & MARKET STREETS (Grand Theatre) Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, April 17, 1920 A company composed of Alton business men, and capitalized at $75,000, will be incorporated under the laws of Illinois for the erection of a theater at Third and Market streets, on the corner west of the Illini Hotel. A meeting of the local business men was held last night. It was decided to boost the capital to $75,000. It had at first been intended, the Telegraph was told, to incorporate the company with a capital of $50,000, but in order to make the erection of a modern playhouse a certainty, the capital was boosted. All members of the company, it was said today, are Alton businessmen. It was also said that all stock of the new company has been subscribed. It is planned to erect a fireproof theater of the modern type. It will be a moving picture and vaudeville house. The policy of the theater will be similar to that of the theaters of other cities where vaudeville and movies are shown. The theater, it is said, will be a beautiful structure and will be one of the prettiest amusement houses in southern Illinois. High Class vaudeville and movies will be booked for the theater, say the men behind the proposition, who declare that Alton is large enough to support another first. ********************************
NEW THEATER TO BE NAMED BY PUBLIC (Later Became Grand Theatre) Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 25, 1920 The public will be given opportunity to choose a name for the new motion picture house to be erected by the Alton Amusement Co., at Third and Market streets. It was said today by L. J. Hartman, one of the directors, that the members of the board had decided to call for suggestions of names, and to the one offering the prize winner would be awarded a three months pass to the theater when finished. The Alton Amusement Co. has taken an option on the property of George F. Kirsch for a period of five years, the price named as the sale price being $85,000, and the company will have fifteen years to pay it off. It is the plan of the owners of the theater to purchase the property as they said they would not consider continuing under a lease. The statement was also made that the plans for the new theater will be completed tomorrow. It will be absolutely fire proof, it was said, and will have five offices on the second floor on the Market street front, and one small business room on the ground floor. The plan is to show no vaudeville, but there will be high class pictures and a high class orchestra. ********************************
POSTPONE NAMING NEW THEATER (Later Became Grand Theatre) Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 3, 1920 The directors and the building committee of the new theater that is being erected at Third and Market streets today announced an extension of time for giving of suggestions for a new name for the new motion picture house. It was said by L. J. Hartmann that a number of suggestions had been made, but it was desired to give further time to those desiring to have the privilege of naming the playhouse and winning the prize offered. The time was extended to next Wednesday. B. W. Plummer was selected for orchestra leader. It was said by Mr. Hartmann no manager has yet been chosen. The arrangements of seats was approved last night. The seats have been bought. Pictures are being contracted for, too, though the earliest it is hoped to have the theater ready is some time next November. *******************************
DR. STOCKER TO HAVE 2ND FLOOR OF THE GRAND THEATRE Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, July 29, 1920 Announcement was made this morning that Dr. A. Don Stocker would occupy the entire second floor of the new theater building which is being erected at the corner of Third and Market Street. The building will be ready for occupancy about the first of November. Dr. Stocker is an extraction specialist. Dr. Stocker now occupies quarters on the third floor of the Commercial Building, and while the present rooms are admirable for general practice, the requirements of an office for specialization in extraction and X-ray work are somewhat different. The suite will be built according to Dr. Stocker's own plans, which have the suite will cover a floor space of 1135 feet, and will consist of twelve rooms and two 25 foot hallways, divided into two departments, examination or consultation and operations. The examination or consultation department will consist of the following rooms, connected by a private hallway; anti-reception room and business office, main reception room, X-ray room, private office, ladies' dressing room and X-ray developing room. The operating department will be distinctly sanitary, with floors of tile, with marble baseboards and sanitary walls. The hall of this department will have arched ceiling. The department will include two operating rooms, two retiring rooms, nurses' room, and toilets. *********************************
700 BULBS FOR NEW GRAND THEATER SIGN Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 12, 1920 The electric sign for the Grand Theater, being erected at the corner of Third and Market streets, will contain 700 light bulbs, according to John Jianakoplis, one of the owners. The sign, he says, will be the largest in Alton, and as large, if not larger, than any..... [unreadable]. ********************************
CONTRACTS LET FOR IMPROVING HIPPODROME Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 14, 1920 Manager Sauvage has awarded the contract for extensive improvements at the Hippodrome. He said today that the contract for the interior decorations have been let to the Andrews Decorating Co., and will cost $2,300. In addition, he has let to Fred Buck the contract for painting the exterior of the building. The seats in the Hippodrome are to be upholstered again, this time in an imitation leather, the product of the Western Cartridge Co. This company is making in its Springfield plant a leather known under the trade name of Westex, which Mr. Sauvage decided to use. It is new on the market, but is said by experts to be one of the very best of all the imitation leather goods with which it must compete. The orchestra is being reorganized and strengthened. A. J. Barron, flutist, formerly with the Hippodrome, has returned, and will resume his old post. Mr. Sauvage says that he will have a high grade orchestra this year that will be a great feature in the Hippodrome. He has also contracted for some expensive illumination for the building and will make the place a blaze of light. **********************************
BRICKS WARM FROM THE KILN FOR [GRAND] THEATRE Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 8, 1920 One reason that the new Grand Theater walls went up so fast was that there was no delay in material deliveries, and one reason of good material deliveries so far as bricks are concerned was the activity of the Alton Brick Co. in handling the bricks. The brick supply ran very low at times, and bricks were taken red hot from the kilns at the brick company plant, loaded into trucks and brought down to the theater. When the bricklayers got them they were still warm. Had it been cool weather, the bricklayers would have enjoyed it, but as it was the thermometer was playing around a hundred, and the hot bricks only added to the heat of the job. But the walls kept going higher and the hot bricks was what caused them to keep on going up higher. ************************************
TEMPLE OWNERS WANT ALL PROPS BROUGHT BACK - SAUVAGE SAYS TOOK HIS OWN Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, September 10, 1920 Indications there would be litigation over the title to the stage "properties" that had been in use in Temple Theater was given yesterday when William Sonntag, acting for the Odd Fellows Temple Association, served a notice on William M. Sauvage, the former manager of the theater, to return certain articles he had removed from the place. It is understood that Mr. Sauvage has not assented to return the property, as he claims to have bought and paid for it, and that under the terms of the lease the property, he says, belongs to him. The removal of the property from the Temple by Mr. Sauvage when he vacated, August 1, makes it impossible to use the theater without heavy expense and some delay being entailed in providing new stage settings, scenery, and other equipment, including the necessary accessories for handling the curtains and scenery. The former manager is said to take the position that these properties always belong to the manager, but that in the lease he was required to furnish them. He left a curtain and certain possessions of his for which he paid, he said, because he did not care to cause the heavy expense and inconvenience to the owners of the theater to replace them. Among these was a switchboard which Mr. Sauvage said he bought and paid for, but he said that if he had removed it the owners of the theater would have been put to the expense of thousands of dollars to replace it. The indications are that with litigation in sight over possession of the stage properties, it will hardly be possible to reopen Temple Theater for some time. No manager has so far been secured for the theater, though the time is at hand when the theatrical season usually has opened. It is understood that it would take time to get the stage settings and equipment needed to make it possible for the theater to be opened for the year. The owners of the Temple Theater, it is reported on good authority, plan to enforce their claim on the stage properties in the courts, and the demand that has been served on. Mr. Sauvage was to pave the way for such litigation. **************************************
GRAND THEATER OPENING SET FOR THANKSGIVING Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 15, 1920 The Grand Theater will be ready for its opening on Thanksgiving day according to the contractor, H. H. Unterbrink, who has been rushing the construction work night and day. All day Sunday crews worked in the theater building putting in concrete floors and they carried their work on through Sunday night, and day crews came on today and were finishing the work. The decorators have been rushing their work and have nearly finished it. Contractor Unterbrink said that almost all the furniture, including the seats, has arrived. He said that he has given the owners of the new theater word that so far as he is concerned they will be able to open the theater on Thanksgiving day, and that it will be up to them to get installed equipment for which he is not responsible. The new fire proof theater is owned by a syndicate of business men. They plan to have a good orchestra and to put in their house the best of pictures. When they planned the building, they expected to get it built and opened for far less money than they have found is necessary to make the theater fire proof and equip it as they decided to do. Until recently it appeared there would be no chance of getting the building ready to receive its first crowd on Thanksgiving day, but when the owners insisted that this be done the contractor began rushing work by working more than one shift and speeding up in every line where additional energy could be applied. The equipment for the building was shipped and the announcement made that everything was in readiness to be placed as soon as the contractor could make ready to receive the equipment. Within a few days the greater part of the decoration work will have been completed. Simultaneously, the installing of the seats and the curtains and screens will be finished and the theater will be turned over. Some delay in the heating plant has caused some disappointment, but this should be ready on time. The new theater will be a handsome improvement to the neighborhood where it stands, as its owners are fixing up the surroundings in tidy shape. ***************************************
PAINT DELAYS GRAND OPENING ABOUT A WEEK Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 23, 1920 So that paint may be dried properly, the opening of the Grand Theatre must be deferred about a week, though the contractor and the owners of the building have not yet been able to agree on the date. The contractor, H. H. Unterbrink, refuses to give his assent to opening in less than a week after Thanksgiving day, as he says he wants the paint to dry properly. The owners are desirous of anticipating the date as much as possible, because they say, they have engaged pictures for a Thanksgiving day opening and have also engaged their help to begin at that time. The contractor insists however, that the decorations must be given a chance to dry out so that the public won't smear the paint when the opening takes place, and today there the situation was. Outside of the painting and decorations, the theatre would be ready, with the exception of some little details of the heating plant, but the contractor says that the painting being done must be given a chance to harden as each successive coat goes on and that it can't be hurried this kind of weather. *****************************************
GRAND THEATRE HAS BIG OPENING TO THE PUBLIC Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 4, 1920 The new Grand Theater at Market and Third streets was opened to the public at 2 o'clock this afternoon. The day could hardly have been more discouraging for an event of the kind. The management of the theater was unwilling to see anything bad in the outlook, as he was confidently expecting a big business on the opening day, regardless of weather conditions. He felt that the public would turn out to see the new playhouse regardless. The finishing touches were still being put on the place up to the time of opening. Little details here and there remained to be finished. The lighting arrangement in the front was the most important work that had to be finished up, the management having planned for a perfect blaze of light on the front of the Grand. The new manager said that Market street is not very well illuminated, otherwise, and he intends to make it light as day. A good program of pictures had been arranged for the afternoon and evening. As recognition of the opening there were some handsome floral pieces sent by friends of the owners and the management with their best wishes, and the new theater looked like a flower shop. The new theater has a big orchestra which made its bow to the Alton public today, and which will be in service constantly. The owners and managers of the theater believe that the desire for amusements in Alton is ever on the increase, and they think that the Grand will enjoy steady popularity. The handsome floral offerings sent by friends attracted much attention, due to their great beauty. Among the pieces received were many from St. Louis friends to Manager Oberstolz. Flowers were received from Alton Brick Company, Board of Directors, Alton Evening Telegraph, Princess Theater, J. J. Rielley, owner, George Palmer Electric Company, H. H. Unterbrink, Famous Players, Universal Film, Standard, Krug's Floral, Alton Daily Times. Miss Bertha Edwards, assisted by Mrs. W. A. Clark of Ouatoga Theater, was in the ticket office selling tickets. Francis Mills was at the door. Berg Plummer's Orchestra was a big feature of the opening. Fred Boem was stage manager. The Misses Nellie Neil, Julia Selhime, Helen Thomas, Ruth Simpson, Vera Kimmel, Velva Whecler, Eunice Crouse and Vera Herman were the ushers. The Western Military Acvademy attended in a body, and were the first to enter the Theater. ********************************************
SUNDAY MOVIES WILL BE BANNED IN UPPER ALTON - NEW OWNER OF OUATOGA WILL NOT PERMIT SABBATH SHOWS Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 13, 1921 The Ouatoga theater, Upper Alton's only movie house, has been closed and every indication is that it will remain closed as far as theatrical purposes are concerned. The new owner of the property, Frank Hussey, says there absolutely shall be no Sunday picture shows in the Ouatoga while he is the owner, and his position in this matter has caused all negotiations for the lease of the theater to be called off, as those who would like to conduct the theater business in the Ouatoga claim it would be useless to attempt such a thing if the best night of the week in the movie business must be sacrificed. W. H. Weigler of Staunton, who managed the Ouatoga theater a short time for W. A. Clark, before the latter sold the property, has closed up the theater and has left Alton, as he could make no agreement with the owner as to the Sunday night shows. Mr. Hussey said the theater was run one Sunday night after he had taken possession of the property on the first day of August, but Mr. Weigler was the manager of the theater at that time and he did not desire to cause any trouble as to the one night's run when the old manager's lease had not expired. After the one Sunday night, Mr. Hussey made it known to Weigler that the place positively could not be used on Sunday night for a theater. W. M. Sauvage was carrying on negotiations with Mr. Hussey for the lease of the Ouatoga. It was stated that Mr. Sauvage was very anxious to get hold of the Ouatoga, and it was good news to Upper Alton people generally when it became known that the [sic] was considering taking over the Ouatoga. The Sunday night question, however, blocked the whole deal. Several other people have been in Alton during the past ten days to lease the Ouatoga and to put up a first class picture house in Upper Alton, but the Sunday night question was a dead ender, and all negotiations for the lease of the show house are off. W. A. Clark, the man who built the Ouatoga and who has been conducting the business for a good many years past, sold the theater along with the business corner to Mr. Hussey, the purchaser taking charge the first of August. Mr. Hussey bought the property for investment. He is the son of a Baptist minister, the Rev. Simeon Hussey, was raised in Upper Alton, and is a Shurtleff college graduate. The young man is a teacher in Grover Cleveland high school in St. Louis. He is said to be among the leading instructors in the city. Hussey said today that his position on the Sunday question would no doubt result in the abolishing of the Ouatoga in Upper Alton. In fact, Mr. Hussey said, he has already made plans for using the property for other business purposes. The closing of Upper Alton's picture house is causing much comment there. Business men in that section of the city consider it a serious blow to the Seventh Ward. Programs were given on Wednesday and Saturday afternoon at the Ouatoga for the Western Military cadets and the picture show served to keep the cadets in Upper Alton on these two afternoons when they are out of school, officials of the institution not permitting the cadets to go down town or to get on a street car or other kind of carrier. With this rule in vogue, the Upper Alton business houses get the patronage of the cadets. With the cadets to go down town to a show, this will take the ice cream and candy trade of the cadets down town too, it is asserted. Hussey says he has been approached by numerous Upper Alton people who are very much interested in keeping the picture house going in the Seventh Ward. He says he feels that many owners of amusement places that are run on Sunday would like to close up their _______ on that day if all the others who run those places would do so, and he says he's going to be one of those who closes up whether the other fellow does or not. Mr. Hussey says he believes the time is not far away when the blue laws will go into effect the country over. He says he has offered many inducement to those who wanted to run the theater to run it through the week with no Sunday show, but he says they are all afraid of the proposition with no show on the night of the week they consider the best. ***********************************
UPPER ALTON MAY HAVE RELIGIOUS SUNDAY MOVIES ... DEAL FOR LEASING OF OUATOGA TO SYNDICATE IS ON Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 15, 1921 A deal is on for the leasing of the Ouatoga Theater to a syndicate that owns a chain of theaters through the country, and it was stated today by George Hall of the Hall Realty Company, agents for the Hussey property, that the deal is far enough along to guarantee its completion. A poster was placed on the theater this morning announcing the fact that it would open for business Thursday. Mr. Hall, who handles the property for the Hussey family, says there is a possibility of an arrangement being made by the syndicate taking the lease to run religious pictures on Sunday night. He thinks this arrangement could be made although it is understood that the syndicate is willing to take the theater with the understanding that there are to be no Sunday shows at all. It is believed religious pictures would be a great drawing card for the theater on Sundays, and that many people would attend then who never do otherwise. **********************************
THEATER FANS FACING A YEAR WITHOUT PLAYS - INDICATIONS ARE TEMPLE WILL NOT BE REOPENED Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, August 29, 1921 Alton, which not so many, many years ago saw Richard Mansfield play Shakespeare, heard symphony orchestras, grand opera companies, saw Joseph Santley and Robert Corthell in musical comedy, and in recent years saw Margaret Auglin in one of the leading comedies of the post-war period, will, according to all indications, pass its second year without a legitimate theater. Notwithstanding early reports that the Temple Theater would again be opened, nothing, so far as is known, has been done, and Alton's theater-going public will either have to concentrate on movies and vaudeville, or go to St. Louis. A few days ago one of the leading theater men of the city vouchsafed the opinion that the Temple will not be reopened for plays. With no legitimate house running, the city will see two vaudeville theaters vying for public favor. The Hippodrome will open its vaudeville season next Monday. First class attractions, with accompanying movies, and a complete orchestra, are promised by the management of that theater. Beginning September 4, the Grand will launch a four-act policy, with the vaudeville, accompanied by photoplays. Exclusive movie houses will be the Princess and the Ouatoga in Upper Alton. This year will be Alton's second without legitimate plays. For about 30 years the Temple Theater has housed plays, and before that the old opera house in the city hall and the Root opera house. *******************************
GRAND THEATRE - LION SHIPPED TO ALTON FOR ENGAGEMENT AT THE GRAND - HORSE BRAVELY PULLS WAGON ON ICY STREETS Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 22, 1921 The spirit of the jungle - the fear that instinctively rests in the breasts of all animals for the king of beasts, the lion - prevented an express wagon being overturned this morning and probably prevented the running at large of a lion. The lion was shipped to Alton for an engagement at the Grand. It was hauled from the express office on Front street to the theater. The horse drawing the express wagon was restless from the time the lion was placed in the wagon. The horse did not see the jungle beast, but he knew, as all animals know, that his enemy was near. The horse had never seen the jungle, had never probably ever run wild on American plains. He was a completely domesticated animal. But he had in his breast the fear given to him by heredity from an age centuries ago. When the horse began to pull the wagon carrying the lion, the ice did not daunt him. He knew but one thing, and that was to flee from the enemy of his fathers, the king and terror of the jungle - the lion. But the wagon came too, and the lion was always near. When the wagon had been pulled up Market street close to the theater, the driver with difficulty forced the horse to turn. The street slopes considerably at that point, and the wagon skidded to the curb. It struck the curb and seemed about to turn over. The lion's cage, it seemed, would be broken open and the beast released. But the horse still was in fear of the lion. He made an effort to do but one thing, and that was to flee. So he made a mighty effort to go forward, in spite of the slippery ice. And he succeeded. The wagon was righted, the lion was not released. Soon the cage was unloaded and the horse resumed his tranquil existence. ***********************************
GREAT FEAT TO BE PERFORMED OVER WIRELESS [RADIO] AT ALTON GRAND Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, May 11, 1922 Manager Reilly of the Grand Theater has arranged to bring Prof. Vishnu, one of the greatest living hypnotists to this city on next Monday and Tuesday, to perform this almost unbelievable feat, the greatest feat of the modern age, the casting of a hypnotic spell over a person via radio. Only twice before has this been fully accomplished, at Atlanta, Ga., and Kansas City, Mo. Alton will be the lucky third on Monday night. Miss Dolly Wecher will receive her sleep stuff through the ether waves detected by a large radio receiving set that will be in operation on the stage of the Grand. They will be sent out by Prof. Vishnu who will be in the broadcasting station in St. Louis, 24 miles away. After she dozes into fairyland, she will be placed on a stretcher and taken to the window of one of Alton's leading merchants, where she will remain in her comatose state 24 hours. On Tuesday evneing, she will be carried back to the Grand and placed on the stage in front of the receiving set and an unusually sensitive radio equipment will be used so that the audience will be enabled to hear every word of Prof. Vishnu as he speaks his hypnotic words miles away. **********************************
"CAMEO GIRL" HAS BIG HOUSE ON FIRST NIGHT AT THE TEMPLE THEATRE Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 21, 1922 "The Cameo Girl," given under the direction of Torrey McKenny for the benefit of the Alton Young Women's Christian Association, was presented last night to a crowded house at the Temple. The theater did not betray, in its appearance, that it had been a place of silence and darkness for so long, when the curtain rolled up on the first act of the play. The lack of stage settings had been made up by using some costly drops belonging to the company which has had charge of training the participants in the play. The preparation of the play had been short, and all who saw the first performance agreed that the very best advantage had been taken of the time, and that some great results were obtained. This was in part due to the fact that among those who took part were some of unusual talent. "The Cameo Girl" is a musical comedy without a serious thought. It is to amuse, not to instruct. It calls for much better talent in comedy, and it also needs some good singers, and both of these qualities were abundant in the show last night. The leading musical parts of the play were taken by Miss Adele Hildebrand, Miss Florence Rose, and Hal Redus. There were other musical numbers of the more pretentious sort, given by Mrs. Lucia Manbeck, Miss Ada Colgate, Winfield Farley, Miss Hildebrand and Miss Rose, carrying the two leading musical parts elighting their audience and displaying talents which are of no ordinary kind. Miss Hildebrand, especially, coupled with her singing and ability to dance, made a great hit. Miss Rose's part, rendering of one song with Hal Redus, "My Nursery of Love," drew for her a great bunch of roses in the last act of the show. The comedy end of the show was entrusted chiefly to Dr. James Coleman and Miss Maude Gillham, together with a funeral kind of comedy that was very effective, by the three so-called wise men, impersonated by Jesse R. Brown, Dr. Harry Middleton and Washington McDonald. Hal Redus sustained some of the most important male solo parts. The play is full of chorus numbers, and there was a great abundance of chorus members. They varied from tiny tots on up the scale. The dancing was of a high order, and at times brought forth uproarious applause from the audience. One noteworthy feature of the show was that there were no long waits. The show was pushed along with pep and the hour of closing was not late. It had started on time and it ended on time. A crowded house is insured for this evening, not only because the advance sale had been vigorously pushed, but because the merit of the show was such as to make it popular. ***********************************
OLD FILM SHOWS ALTON 10 YEARS AGO Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, October 31, 1922 James J. Reilly, motion picture house manager, is considering running over an old time homemade picture, which he thinks may be of interest to many Alton people. Mr. Reilly, a few days ago, dug out of a store room a film he had made when the steamer "Alton" was brought to this city. He had a motion picture man come here to make the film and he took crowds of children as well as crowds of grown people. He was saying today that he does not doubt that among the faces showing plainly in the picture are faces of boys and girls and others who have died, and whose families might be interested in seeing the motion picture. He says that there are many who have grown to be men and women now who would be interested in seeing their own faces as they were in childhood. He believes that when he gets ready to show that film, it will pack whatever picture house he decides to show it in. The thought struck Mr. Reilly as he was running the picture through, that there were many people in Alton who would perhaps be gladder to see it now than they were to see it when it was originally shown. The faces are distinct, he says, and there are hundreds and hundreds of them pictures who could easily be recognized. He further plans to keep the film and as long as he stays in business he will show it at stated periods, perhaps once every five years. As the persons pictured in it grow older, or as more and more of them pass away, he thinks that the film will have added value to the families who may wish occasionally to see the film picture of a member of the family circle who has died. In the film are pictures of the Alton High school football team of 1912, when it won the Southern and Central Illinois championship. Walter (Punk) Wood, now Shurtleff coach, was captain of the eleven, and Tom Henry, now in the army, was fullback. Other players were Harold Dodge, Lynn and Louis Beiser, Bert Busse, Edgar Degenhardt, the late Bert Russell, Courtney Perrin. One of the features of the film is that part showing the fire department in action. The hose wagon were run south on Henry street and turned west at the Sixth street corner, where the views were taken. Alton had no motor trucks then. One of the originators of the film was George H. Mosser, first secretary-manager of the Board of Trade. Mosser is shown in the film, and when the film was first shown at the Princess, Mosser was the "announcer." *********************************
LEASE ON ALTON TEMPLE THEATER SIGNED, WILL BE OPENED Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, February 3, 1923 Announcement was made today that negotiations for a lease on Temple Theater had been closed by the Odd Fellows Temple Association. The new manager of the theater is to be James M. Drake of St. Louis. He plans to open with motion pictures and will also have the legitimate drama. Members of the Temple Association said today that they were told by Mr. Drake that he expects to get the theater open soon. He plans to have some work done in the theater to make ready and this will take a little time. He plans to get the theater started at the earliest possible date. The Temple has been closed for going on to four years. It was occupied for nearly thirty years by W. M. Sauvage, who gave up his lease there to devote all his attention to the Hippodrome. The reopening of the Temple, it is expected, will make the place available for any entertainments or meetings that may be desired without so much trouble as has attended its use since the time it was closed. **********************************
ALTON GRAND THEATER NAMED IN SUIT OVER NEW SONG Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, June 27, 1923 The Alton Theatre Co., owning the Grand Theatre, are being sued for doing something they say they did not do. A damage suit for $5,000 has been filed against them by a publishing concern in New York City, whose name will be published at so much per line for advertising, on the allegation that the Alton Theatre Co., permitted to be played in their theatre on a certain date a certain song, whose name will be published at so much per line, and the parties filing the suit are the owners of the copyright on that song. Well, to make a long story short, it appears that the orchestral leader, Berg Plummer, never heard of the piece, did not play it at that time or any other time, and the belief is that the New York firm is seeking some publicity for its song, and chose that way to get it. The owners of the Grand theatre are notified to appear in the United States district court and answer the summons directed against them, in which the publishers of the song in question charge that by the unauthorized singing of that song in the Alton theatre, the publishers were damaged $5,000 worth. The Grand theatre owners say it will be a show down and the theatre owners will make the publishers prove up their charges in court. They don't intend to settle any other way. *************************************
ALTON HIPPODROME TO OPEN NEW POLICY MONDAY, SEPT. 3, 1923 Announcement of the winter policy of the Hippodrome was made today by Manager Sauvage. Beginning Labor Day - next Monday - the daily program will include four acts of vaudeville, a feature picture, comedy news and short subjects. Vaudeville will be from Western Vaudeville Managers' Association, with which the Hippodrome is affiliated, and the Junior Orpheum Circuit. St. Louis theaters affiliated with the same bodies are the Orpheum, Columbia, Grand and Riaito. The program will run from two and a half to three hours, Mr. Sauvage said. The theater is being redecorated for the fall and winter season. The interior has been redecorated in old ivory with a marble base. The pipe organ has been redecorated in old ivory and the keyboard has been moved to the left of the orchestra pit to make room for new members of the orchestra who will be added. The Gratian Organ Co. is adding new pipes and parts to the organ. New velvet carpets are being laid in the auditorium and the seats are being covered with stripped slip-covers. New seats have been placed in the balcony. New stage effects have been added. The exterior of the building has been repainted, with the color scheme cream and chocolate. The lobby also is being redecorated and new lights are being added. The Hippodrome virtually will be a new theater when the fall and winter policy is inaugurated next Monday. The same prices that prevailed last year will be in force: matinee 25 cents, nights 35 cents. ************************************
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. *****************************************************
ALTON GRAND THEATER MANAGER GIVEN ORDER TO MOVE Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, November 21, 1923 While negotiations were being made yesterday afternoon for the transfer of the lease of the Grand theater from the management to a firm of St. Louis men who operate a chain of picture houses, there was an interruption when Constable Hoffman formally served notice on John Jianakopolis that he had, no lease to transfer. The notice was given by the corporation owning the Grand Theater, who claim that Jianakopolis, by neglecting to do certain things, had rendered his own lease on the property null and void. Among those things they claim Jianakopolis failed to do, was to make payments he was supposed to make and in addition he failed to purchase an insurance policy to protect the property against damage suits. The corporation owning the Grand Theater have had negotiations under way for the sale of the property, but were unable to reach terms with Mr. Jianakopolis, who holds a lease on the theater, and was insisting that his terms be met before he would consent to the change. He is also a large owner of stock in the theater as well as being the possessor of a lease which has several years to run.... ******************************************************
ALTON HIPPODROME HAS SPECIAL SHOW FOR FIGHT PICTURES Dempsey-Firpo Movies to be Shown Source: Alton Evening Telegraph, December 10, 1923 Announcement was made today by Manager Sauvage of the Hippodrome that the moving pictures of Dempsey-Firpo bout for the championship of the world will be shown at that house next week. An innovation is being planned by Manager Sauvage for showing of the picture. In order not to interfere with the regular show, which now fills the full time, the fight pictures will be shown at 10 a.m. and at 11 p.m. One showing then will be before the regular performance, and the other after. Showing of the fight pictures will not interfere with the regular program, and will be separate in every way. The pictures of the Dempsey-Firpo bout are said to be among best fight pictures ever taken, slow motion pictures showing some of the more important parts of the bout. One point shown clearly, it is said, is Dempsey's falling from the ring after being hit by Firpo. Manager Sauvage announced that 55 cents would be the admission charge for the fight pictures. They now are showing in Chicago and will open here the same day that the showing begins in East St. Louis, next Monday. They will run for a week here. ******************************************************
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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