Share your memories of The Silver Screen
Where were these movie theatres?
Where were these movie theatres?
Spring Valley—Now the home of the Spring Valley Stagehands
Ellsworth—Now the Ellsworth Public Library and there was one at the opera house.
River Falls—Still operational.
Prescott—Located where the Steamboat Inn was in more recent years.
Elmwood—Opera house and ?
Plum City—Also had one.
Silent films were accompanied by a piano in the area below the state, with music matching the action on the screen. Old-time movie stars like Rudolph Valentino and women stars did not quite translate to the “talkies” because of strange voices and other such things.
The Pierce County Historical Association (PCHA) would appreciate receiving writings about:
—Actors who played heroes.
—Heroines, the actresses who were famous.
—Comedians like the Marx Bros., etc.
—Black-and-white films, titles and such.
—The talkies, color, Todd AO, Cineramas and 3D.
—War movies, name favorites.
—Musicals, including early stars like Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddy, and also some opera stars who made movies, such as Mario Lanza.
—Dancers, including Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell.
—Classical musicians like Jose Iturbe and others.
—Cowboys and westerns, name a few.
What were some favorite movies? Where did people go to see them? Did movies get shown on the side of a building in the summer in the home area? Where? When? Give names and send them in, if aware.
What about the reporting of news, called weekly News Reels?
What happened to the old projectors in those old theatres? PCHA has not got any such artifact in its collection and it would be a great addition to what was an important entertainment form for a number of generations, and still is.
Remember Saturday matinees? Remember the serial stories? Name some, if possible.
There were old theatre posters placed in a framed box out by the front door of the theatre itself, but they would have also been placed in stores. They are collectible.
The PCHA also wants photos of interior and exteriors of all the theatres. None seem to be available for the River Falls theatre, particularly.
These things would be a great addition to the PCHA collection.
Send to or bring to the PCHA office, or mail to PCHA, P.O. Box 148, Ellsworth, WI. 54011.
Tags: spring valley, lifestyle, history, ellsworth, prescott
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