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Show Theatres Reflect Changing Times, Trends of Region With the exception of television, the movies has, perhaps, had greater in-influence on the American public than any other one thing. The movies first became popular in the 1920's, nearly every small town had its own theatre. But like everything else, economics gradually squeezed out the small operator, and only the larger communites were left with operating show houses. And as the economy changes over the years, even some of the long-time movie houses have closed, victims of television, and video recorders. Cassette movies and other things have changed American's entertainment habits, and some theatres, just like the dance halls, no longer exist. Several theatres in this area continue to function, despite change. The Star Theatre in Gunnison is now operating six nights a week after several years of curtailed showings. The Huish in Richfield, along with two new theatres just opened, operate full time. jj Known by many as one of the most stately theaters in the state with is 900-plus seats the Huish Theater in Richfield, now owned by Modern Cinema Corporation. It continues to operate full time. But Richfield's only drive in showhouse has been closed for several years and the Pamela Theatre in Salina is not only closed, but the building is for sale. Richfield's colorful Lyric Theatre, one of the early showhouses in the area, has been closed for over two decades. The Star Theatre in Gunnison is housed in a beautiful old building which was known as the Casino Theatre when Simms Duggins completed construction in 1912. Owned and operated by Simms and his son Julius, it originally exhibited silent films, and the stage area added some 10 years later, also allowed vaudeville acts to perform, compete with elephants and horses. Current owners are Gunnison dentist Ernest M. Larson and his wife Dawn, who purchased the theatre from the Max Curtis' of Aurora in mid-January. Curtis acquired the business from the Cy Andersen family who had changed the name from the Casino to the Star Theatre when they took over from the Duggins family in 1941. Helping to manage the business is Ernie's brother, J. Randall Larson. Randy has implemented many of the improvements which include new lights on the marquee and billboards, that can be seen for blocks. The owners have also increased leg room between the rows of seats and improved the heating system. The theatre still seats over 400 people and boasts a larger screen than in most theatres. The small lights in the ceiling medallions are now operable and similar to the original. The electrical system has been upgraded, and plans are to improve the insulation and purchase a newfound system. The Larson's hope to restore the building to it's original beauty. Plans include restoring the intricate lighting on the building face as well as refurbishing the front plaster work and the original arched entrance. Five old vaudeville dressing rooms in the basement are still intact and plans are to restore the stage and dressing areas with an eye towards having the building available for community theatre and other activates. Application is being made to have the building listed on the National Historic Register through the Utah Heritage Foundation. The building has rented office space on both sides of the theatre entrance. A barber shop has been on the north side for many years, and the space on the south side has been a confectionery shop, a beauty shop, grocery store, and is now the Gunnison Valley News office. An apartment above the theatre was an additional source of income, but has been vacant for years. Work has begun on the kitchen area which has suffered much water damage from an attractive but leaky skylight. The projection room will be enlarged, and another room converted into a theatre office. The Larsons have expanded the show hours to every night at 7 p.m. except Sunday, with two shows on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. There are also two Saturday matinees a month at 2 p.m. One movie usually plays Monday through Wednesday, with a different one Thursday through Saturday, and a children's movie for the matinee. When a local hardware store opened at its new location at 25 East 100 North, Richfield, a local radio advertisement stated it was across from the "beautiful Lyric Theater." Far from beautiful, the deteriorating theater has become a focal point of the Downtown Merchant's Associaton to have it replaced with a parking lot, says Reed Madsen, secretary. The building has been abandoned for years and four letter words cover the building. But in its hey-day, the Lyric, or Richfield Opera House before becoming a theater, "was once the pride and joy of the people who lived here," stated Pearl Jacobson and Garr Curtis in a letter to the Richfield Reaper editor, Jan. 20, 1972. First a furniture store, a small room for merchandise was later built and the main hall was remodeled into a dance hall for the opera house in 1881 by H. P. Hansen and Ed rhtirber. Hansen, a violinist, organized an orchestra and the hall became known as "Hans Fiddler's Hall." A few years later, a stage was erected on the south end so the building could be used for a theatre and dance hall. In 1891, the property was sold to a joint stock company and the building was renamed Social Hall. In 1894 and 1897, it was again enlarged. Many local dramatic groups and traveling stock companies produced plays for years, Salina's only movie theatre, the Pamela, is now closed and the building listed for sale. Movies states the letter. After the advent of motion pictures, an addition was built to accommodate a box office and a lobby and the opera house then became the Lyric Theater, Oct. 14, 1928. Local actors gaining fame there were Sarah Gardner, Walter Christensen, Otto Farnsworth and Deal Andelin Farnsworth, states the book, Sevier County Historic Sites. This theater was the second to go by the name "Lyric." It's president was G. D. Johnston with Clarence Lit-tlewood, vice president. "Golden Sheaves From a Rich Field" states "Sorrel and Son" was the first show presented April 29, 1929. Sound came later. Then in 1946, another theater moved in at 131 North Main. Charles Huish, after buying the property, tore down the old Southern Hotel. The new movie house at that time had a wide screen and a seating capatity of 1,000. "My Brother Talks to Horses," was the first movie shown June 18, 1947. Then on July 1, 1951, Van and Madge Anderson of Sevier Valley Amusement Company bought the Huish and Lyric Theaters and in 1954, they bought the Rich Drive-in near the west hills along Third North, from Jack Swanson. The drive-in, built by mortician Alvey Peterson, had a parking space for 380 cars. Ellis Christensen, Piute Canal Company engineer, said the canal bridge leading to the drive-in was built by Arlos Crofts, prior to the drive-in's construction. George Staples, who lives near the drive-in, states that after movies en-(Continued on Page 8) haven't been shown there for sometime and the future for it reopening is rather bleak. The granduer and Intricacies of design are evident in this early photogrpah of the Star Theatre In Gunnison. This picture was taken shortly after it opened as the Casino in 1911, Front still has much of the artistry. Jar - - The marquee of the Rich Drive-in is still intact, but movies no longer appear on either the marquee or the big white screen in the background since closing in 1976. Chances of opening again are slim. Once a popular dance hall and opera house as well as movie theater, the Lyric Theater in Richfield sits Idle. An effort is afoot to have the building torn down, citing it as an ayesore and safety hazard. Theatres Reflect Changing Times, Trends of Region (Continued from Pape I) ded, cars always seemed to kick up big dust storms when leaving the ungravel-ed lot. Staples believes Huish sold to Andersen because Huish thought television would put the movives out of business. Pam Jensen, daughter of the Andersens, supports this thought, saying there was not enough business to support both theaters then. Consequently, the Lyric closed its doors in 1959. However, the Huish prospered. Some Kids also rigged the drive-in speakers, says Harold Hanson, a lifetime resident, so non-payers could hear outside the fence and drive-in perimeters. That wasn't the only problem Andersen's had. Mrs. Jensen, now living in Salt Lake City, said many times the drive-in refunded money to customers, because there was not enough water to keep the water-cooled projectors from burning up. Then when lights were installed at the Lion's Park about 1972, east of the drive-in, light would shine on the screen, says Mrs. Jensen. At other periods, music from the natatorium was also annoying. The ball park light issue was later mentioned in an April 3, 1975, city council meeting. The city manager reported that the ball park lights would be out by 10 p.m. thus preventing in-ferference with the drive in. Another problem arose after some parents and PTA members complained about the Andersen's showing R-rated movies. On June 19, 1975, Richfield Mayor Kendrick Harward read a letter from the Andersen's regarding refund of the fee for a license to run the Rich Drive-in, turning off or shading the Lion's ball park lights and changing the age limit from 18 to 17 for admittance to R-rated movies. The council was not in favor of changing the age ordinance. City records show that in 1975, a letter was written to Mrs. Andersen from the city attorney, stating that several complaints had been received, concerning the showing of R-rated movie previews, being shown during a G-ratect movie. ' ' " ' ' ' i ....... 4 . The letter said if the action continued, complaints would be filed agianst the Andersens by the city. Jensen said her mother then carried "PG" movies at the drive-in and theater, but told Pam, it was not worth the hassle. Jensen said although the drive-in was open, it seemed no one really wanted it. She admitted however, that the drive-in was becoming financially unfeasible due to daylight savings time, which prevented it from opening before 9 p.m. She said double-billing was the key, but because of later starting, people weren't willing to stay up that late. The drive-in closed sometime between 1975-76. Only the Huish kept going. In June of 1981, the Andersen's sold the Huish to Stan Dewsnup, of Modern Cinema Corporation, Delta, Colorado. Brad Whittaker, is new manager of the Huish and the new Twin Cinemas. The Rich and Lyric remain under Andersen ownership. Mrs. Jensen said if the merchant's association wants the Lyric Theater torn down, "fine, we will pull it down, but we'll erect a beautiful office building in its place." She added the building site would be used to improve the Richfield area, but would never be sold. The Pamela Theatre in Salina was named by owner Van Anderson after his daughter, Pamela Anderson Jensen who currently lives in Salt Lake City. Formerly called the Victory, the theater showed first rated second run films until last August. Mrs. Louella Long, a librarian for Salina City Library, was manager of the theater for many years. After vandals broke into the theater twice last month, Pamela brought keys to Mrs. Long who watches over the theater. Mrs. Long said the owners are trying to sell the theater and that some people have expressed interest in acquiring the show house. |