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Block 1, Lot 4 Part II
| Block 1, Lot 4 Part II by Roy Millegan "Oyster Stew " was the title given to the Home Talent vaudeville sketches given in July 1915 in between reel changes of the day's silent movie. This kept patrons in their seats, allowed home talent to show off, and enticed others to partake of a movie. The Whitehall Lyceum Committee lined up a winter season of events for the 1915-16 year as follows: November 29, Oriole Ladies Concert; January 18, W.H. Miller, lecturer and humorist; February 2, the Wells Entertainers; March 7, Olde Towne College Male Quartet; April 11, M. Olsen, dramatic reader. The Lyceum committee operated for a few more years but soon gave up when interest in them dropped. Stage numbers continued, some of these being Jean Wormser's Alpine Stagers and Yodelers; George Levee, Hebrew comedian, with vaudeville, blackface, dancer imitator and monologist numbers; and the Callaghen Club from Butte. This dramatic group helped the Catholic Ladies raise some needed funds by putting on the Yellow Robe and The Pepper Pot. A five day Chattauqua included: The Parnells, biggest two people company on the platform, for 83 cents; Through Five Republics on Horseback by Dr. Whitfield Ray who had spent 14 years in the Southern continent, 55 cents; The C. Stellini Trio, music and entertainment, 83 cents; Recreation, the Maker of Man, 55 cents; Soldiers and Sailors Quartet, a great musical program with pep and life, 83 cents. A season ticket for all five of these numbers cost $2. During World War I, an entertainment tax was assessed, thus the odd cost of some of these numbers. The hall was soon used by many for various activities, a local Marimba Jazz Band held dances every Saturday night, the names not given. The Whitehall Town Band practiced here. Annual school Christmas parties, farmer groups learning more about better farming practices like dairy improvement, dramatic club plays, Memorial Day services and other community events were held here. This now was the true social center of Whitehall. some of our residents remember the early days of the theatre, many recalling the great dances held here. Fred Gibson recalled the weekly serial entitled " The Broken Coin ", meaning you had to come back each week to see the next episode. Bill Miller remembered seeing William S. Hart when he went to his first movie, this being so scary he hid under the bench. All could recall that the pianist sat near the stage below the screen, playing loud or soft according to the situation, whether it be a love scene or a chase, banging out the score that came with every show. Lip readers could more readily understand what was going on whenever the words weren't printed on the screen. The second floor of the theatre provided added income for the owner. Here attorneys, architects, doctors, beauticians, chiropractors and other rented space to sell their services. This area also provided the Town council a meeting place for several years, thus the business of the town was carried on from here. In October 1917, Huber sold the building to Truman Prier, from Denver, and C. R. Cummings, both coming here from Ruby, Montana. They immediately installed a 1917 motor driven motograph machine, completely equipped to assure theatregoers the best projections of the day. Further remodeling was done in May 1918, with exits built through the cloakrooms found on either side of the center entrance. An elevated and sloping platform was built at the rear of the theatre and was equipped with 114 new folding seats. There were 30 seats placed on each side of the raised platform, while 30 benches, capable of seating four each, still occupied the main part of the hall, removable if the area was needed for a dance. By adding other benches or chairs, a total seating capacity of 310 could be achieved. Two large exhaust fans and two mammoth blowers were added for comfort. A violinist was hired to assist the pianist with the score for the movies shown. In July 1918, photographer Leon Brown took pictures of the local babies, later flashing them on the screen as part of a baby contest. Prizes were awarded to some of the lucky babies, but neither the prizes nor the names were recorded by the paper. Some other interesting local views were displayed at the same time. One of the big nemesis of the theatre business in the early days seemed to be the influenza epidemic. They usually had to close because of a health officer's directive, and stay closed for two to four weeks. The Pool Hall and Barber Shop was taken over by Evan Underwood in 1916. In 1919 it was leased out to Minah Riggs and C. F. May. In 1920, Harry Vosburgh operated it for awhile, then Mr. and Mrs. Harold Vroman, both barbers by profession, took it over. Mrs. Vroman looked forward to seeing lady customers who desired a shampoo and massage, guaranteeing her work. The name they went under was the Elite Barbershop and Pool Hall. C. R. Cummings took over the building in 1919, changing the name to the Yellowstome Theatre and Yellowstone Confectionery, and operated both. Two new power driven motorgraph machines were installed so now it appears that continuous shows were available, no longer having to wait while the one machine was fitted with the next reel. For his excellent work during the Liberty Bond drives for World War I, Cummings received a medal made from a captured German cannon, the inscription thereon thanking him for all of his donated services. In late 1919, Keeler and Company, ( E. W. Keeler and T. D. Prier ) purchased the Yellowstone Theatre and Confectionery, stating they would immediately get better quality shows from Paramount-Artcraft Pictures. They noted that these would cost them more but did not change the admission price, hoping that increased attendance would be noted with the better quality movies. They also started the serial " The Invisible Hand ". Another big movie advertised was " The Valley of the Giants ", starring Wallace Reid, this said to have been one of the most sensational fight scenes ever filmed. In July 1921, Huber again was the owner of the building, getting it back because of the default. This was stated to have been the first business failure in Whitehall in 15 years. After operating it himself for a few months, Huber leased it to Joe Martindale, a former worker in the circulation department of the Anaconda Standard. The Elite Barber Shop and Pool Hall was taken over by Fred Schulke and the name was changed to Yellowstone Pool Hall. Fred purchased the bar, called one of the oldest relics in Whitehall, from the White Hotel and started up a confectionery for his pool customers. Before prohibition, much money had changed hands over this bar, miners, railroad-men and others having found the White Hotel a nice relaxing place. to be continued. |
| Added March, 2007 |
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