The new Majestic (now Harris) theater opened in Findlay on Friday night, August 24, 1906. The drama “The Umpire” was the opening attraction. Work had started the previous fall on the construction of the new playhouse, which was built by the Majestic Theater Building company, in which a number of prominent Findlay leaders were stockholders.
The new Majestic (now Harris) theater opened in Findlay on Friday night, August 24, 1906. The drama “The Umpire” was the opening attraction. Work had started the previous fall on the construction of the new playhouse, which was built by the Majestic Theater Building company, in which a number of prominent Findlay leaders were stockholders.
R.L. Heminger Historical HighliGHTS
The company leased the property to the Burt Amusement company for 10 years.
When the first year’s season closed the following May, with Vogel’s minstrels, there had been 112 different shows on the new theater’s stage since the opening Aug. 24, 1906.
To open the second season, a popular play, “Brewster’s Millions”. was secured, appearing Sept. 6. The initial manager, Lynn S. Nichols, had resigned and Harry Overton, of New York, came to head the theater staff.
***
MINSTRELS WERE always popular in Findlay and Hi Henry’s show of this variety launched the third season Aug. 28, 1908.
The Majestic Theater Building company had a new president in 1912, William J. Frey, prominent Findlay druggist and former county treasurer, became head of the company, succeeding S. L. Mckelvy.
He served for three years and was succeeded as president in 1915 by Charles Reick, prominent Findlay business leader and owner of the Rieck Wall Paper store.
In 1915, the Majestic became one of a number of theaters presenting Paramount films, under the management of H. L.Stewart, of North Baltimore.
Stage productions were to be presented from time to time, also.
In 1918, the board of directors of the building company consisted of Dr. Jacob A, Kimmell, Charles Reick, J. M. McClelland, John F. Hirschberger and John N. Doty.
Announcement was made on Jan. 17, 1919, that Homer W. Powell, of New Haven, Indiana, was acquiring a controlling interest in the theater building company and would operate the theater.
Mr. Powell had been in the theatrical business in Van Wert and Lima previously.
He planned a number of improvements in the Majestic. A marquee was erected in front of the theater extending to the curbing in August, 1920.
Associated with Mr. Powell in the theater business was H. F. McGovern.
On Feb. 1, 1922, Mr. Powell named W. K. Richards, manager of the New Royal movie house here, as manager of the Majestic also.
Mr. Powell wished to devote all his time to the Visible Pump company, an Indiana concern, which was planning to begin operations here, too.
He was vice-president, sales manager and a director of the Visible concern.
At the end of 1922, the staff of the Majestic consisted of the following:
W. K. Richards, manager,
Ann Renninger, cashier;
Cloyce Weakly, operator;
Emma Love, organist;
Harold Gravel, assistant manager;
Claude Gray, publicity and door man;
Sam Belford, electrician;
Harry Marvin, stage manager;
John Derr, custodian;
Ancil Simmons, usher;
Truman Plotts, usher;
Forrest Pressnell, usher;
Ray Jones, usher;
Dick Blackman, usher
* * *
BURNING EXPLOSION AT THE MAJESTIC IN 1923
EARLY IN 1923, an explosion occurred in the theater’s projection booth during presentation of a film. Cloyce Weakley, the operator, was painfully burned.
C. D. Farling, a stage hand, also was burned in rescuing Mr. Weakley.
Three hundred persons were in the theater at the time and they calmly filed out.
Charles Sucher, manager of the Ohio Bell Telephone company here, was seated in the rear of the theater and announced to the audience that there was no reason for excitement.
A road show “Steve” was staged the following night.
A six-piece orchestra was installed in the Majestic in August, 1923.
Manager Richards announced that he had signed a contract for four Cleveland musicians and two from Findlay to compose a group which will be known as the Majestic orchestra.
A large organ in the theater’s pit was moved to a new location.
Word was received here of the death in San Mateo, California, of Frank Burt, original leasee of the Majestic. He was the individual who came here from Toledo in 1905 and interested a group of prominent Findlay citizens in organizing a stock company to build the Majestic.
Next Week: The Continuing Story of the Majestic Theater
NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE Findlay Republican Courier | October 10, 1970 | page 6
https://newspaperarchive.com/findlay-republican-courier-oct-10-1970-p-6
