MAJESTIC THEATRE - Revision history

Randylyon at 20:00, 9 February 2018

2018-02-09T20:00:26Z

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			[[Image:THEATERHISTORY.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Theater History. Courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]
	[[Image:majestic.gif\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Majestic Theater]]		[[Image:majestic.gif\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Majestic Theater]]
	[[Image:tile.jpg\|right\|thumb\|150px\|This tile (8.5" x 14") was kilned in Holland for the roof of the Orpheum Theater. ]]MAJESTIC THEATER. The Majestic is the linear descendant of the [[ATHENAEUM]], a theater constructed in 1840 in a building erected in 1833 at the corner of Fourth and Main. The Athenaeum gave rise to an amazing list of theaters which could have ended on April 7, 1910 when fire destroyed the renovated [[BIJOU THEATER]]. Almost as the ashes were cooling, however, the site was developed as the first theater designed by the Chicago firm of C. W. Rapp and George Rapp, eventually the leading theater designers in the United States. (1)		[[Image:tile.jpg\|right\|thumb\|150px\|This tile (8.5" x 14") was kilned in Holland for the roof of the Orpheum Theater. ]]MAJESTIC THEATER. The Majestic is the linear descendant of the [[ATHENAEUM]], a theater constructed in 1840 in a building erected in 1833 at the corner of Fourth and Main. The Athenaeum gave rise to an amazing list of theaters which could have ended on April 7, 1910 when fire destroyed the renovated [[BIJOU THEATER]]. Almost as the ashes were cooling, however, the site was developed as the first theater designed by the Chicago firm of C. W. Rapp and George Rapp, eventually the leading theater designers in the United States. (1)

Randylyon at 19:50, 6 February 2018

2018-02-06T19:50:53Z

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	[[Image:majth.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Advertisement.]]		[[Image:majth.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Advertisement.]]
	The Majestic, built in 1910 at a cost of $90,000 in the style of Renaissance-Flemish architecture, was said to be a replica of the famous Moulin Rouge in Paris. (2) Immediately popular, the theater had forty shows booked by the end of construction. (3) The theater was said to have had an audience of 14,000 the week of November 18th when it opened--one third of the city's population. (4) Audiences were held in suspense as to what might be featured next. As early as November, 1910 Rosenthal presented "Vallecita's Leopards," billed as the most sensational animal act before the public today." (5) When "Amateur Nights" were featured with the six usual vaudeville numbers and a farce by the entire company, the curtain was raised at 8:15 p.m (6) Among the stars who appeared on its stage were Ethel Barrymore and Eddie Cantor.		The Majestic, built in 1910 at a cost of $90,000 by the [[DUBUQUE OPERA HOUSE COMPANY]] in the style of Renaissance-Flemish architecture, was said to be a replica of the famous Moulin Rouge in Paris. (2) Immediately popular, the theater had forty shows booked by the end of construction. (3) The theater was said to have had an audience of 14,000 the week of November 18th when it opened--one third of the city's population. (4) Audiences were held in suspense as to what might be featured next. As early as November, 1910 Rosenthal presented "Vallecita's Leopards," billed as the most sensational animal act before the public today." (5) When "Amateur Nights" were featured with the six usual vaudeville numbers and a farce by the entire company, the curtain was raised at 8:15 p.m (6) Among the stars who appeared on its stage were Ethel Barrymore and Eddie Cantor.

	[[Image:syncopaters.png\|left\|thumb\|350px\|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]] Motion pictures were shown at the Majestic beginning in 1910 with each live performance. Movies were changed every Thursday and Sunday afternoon. (7) In June, 1917 the ''Telegraph-Herald'' featured a contest based on "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." Interested children could clip a coupon from the newspaper and present it along with 15 cents to see the movie. When the movie was finished, they could write a short story on "What I Saw Through Captain Nemo's Submarine Window." Prizes were $5, $3, and $2. (8)		[[Image:syncopaters.png\|left\|thumb\|350px\|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]] Motion pictures were shown at the Majestic beginning in 1910 with each live performance. Movies were changed every Thursday and Sunday afternoon. (7) In June, 1917 the ''Telegraph-Herald'' featured a contest based on "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." Interested children could clip a coupon from the newspaper and present it along with 15 cents to see the movie. When the movie was finished, they could write a short story on "What I Saw Through Captain Nemo's Submarine Window." Prizes were $5, $3, and $2. (8)

Randylyon at 17:40, 6 February 2018

2018-02-06T17:40:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:40, 6 February 2018
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	[[Image:majestic.gif\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Majestic Theater]]		[[Image:majestic.gif\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Majestic Theater]]
	[[Image:tile.jpg\|right\|thumb\|150px\|This tile (8.5" x 14") was kilned in Holland for the roof of the Orpheum Theater. ]]MAJESTIC THEATER. The Majestic is the linear descendant of the [[ATHENAEUM]], a theater constructed in 1840 in a building ~~constructed~~ in 1833 at the corner of Fourth and Main. The Athenaeum gave rise to an amazing list of theaters which could have ended on April 7, 1910 when fire destroyed the renovated [[BIJOU THEATER]]. Almost as the ashes were cooling, however, the site was developed as the first theater designed by the Chicago firm of C. W. Rapp and George Rapp, eventually the leading theater designers in the United States. (1)		[[Image:tile.jpg\|right\|thumb\|150px\|This tile (8.5" x 14") was kilned in Holland for the roof of the Orpheum Theater. ]]MAJESTIC THEATER. The Majestic is the linear descendant of the [[ATHENAEUM]], a theater constructed in 1840 in a building erected in 1833 at the corner of Fourth and Main. The Athenaeum gave rise to an amazing list of theaters which could have ended on April 7, 1910 when fire destroyed the renovated [[BIJOU THEATER]]. Almost as the ashes were cooling, however, the site was developed as the first theater designed by the Chicago firm of C. W. Rapp and George Rapp, eventually the leading theater designers in the United States. (1)

	[[Image:majth.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Advertisement.]]		[[Image:majth.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Advertisement.]]

Randylyon at 17:36, 6 February 2018

2018-02-06T17:36:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:36, 6 February 2018
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	Motion pictures and vaudeville ran as the regular bill until 1927 when a new feature was promoted--"Battle of Music." Two local orchestras were seated on platforms on the stage at the same time. One played a selection and then the other. At the conclusion, the audience judged which orchestra was the "hotter" and the recipient of a cash prize. The first "skirmish" featured Bud and his Vioni Orchestra and Don and his Rag-Time Pals. When first announced on March 9, 1927 enough local orchestras had been lined up for six consecutive Friday nights. After the schedule was exhausted, the winner of each Friday night would meet in a grand tournament. The prize was a professional engagement at the Majestic in addition to a cash prize. It was suggested that an invitation might be extended to orchestras from outside Dubuque. (10)		Motion pictures and vaudeville ran as the regular bill until 1927 when a new feature was promoted--"Battle of Music." Two local orchestras were seated on platforms on the stage at the same time. One played a selection and then the other. At the conclusion, the audience judged which orchestra was the "hotter" and the recipient of a cash prize. The first "skirmish" featured Bud and his Vioni Orchestra and Don and his Rag-Time Pals. When first announced on March 9, 1927 enough local orchestras had been lined up for six consecutive Friday nights. After the schedule was exhausted, the winner of each Friday night would meet in a grand tournament. The prize was a professional engagement at the Majestic in addition to a cash prize. It was suggested that an invitation might be extended to orchestras from outside Dubuque. (10)

	~~The building~~ was renamed [[SPENSLEY ~~(THE)~~]] ~~in 1929~~. ~~(11)~~		From 1910 through 1934, [[SPENSLEY, Harker Brentnal, Sr.\|Harker Brentnal Spensley, Sr.]] managed the Majestic and added the title of president in 1929 when it was renamed the [[SPENSLEY THEATER]].


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	Sources:		Sources:


	1. "Theater at Fourth and Main," Online: http://fiveflagscenter.com/AboutUs/History.aspx		1. "Theater at Fourth and Main," Online: http://fiveflagscenter.com/AboutUs/History.aspx
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	5. "Majestic," ''Dubuque Telegraph-Herald'', November 287, 1910, p. 27		5. "Majestic," ''Dubuque Telegraph-Herald'', November 287, 1910, p. 27

	6. "Amateurs Tonight," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, March 1, 1912, p. 11		6. "Amateurs Tonight," ''Dubuque Telegraph-Herald'', March 1, 1912, p. 11

	7. "Majestic," ''Dubuque Telegraph-Herald'', December 17, 1910, p. 13		7. "Majestic," ''Dubuque Telegraph-Herald'', December 17, 1910, p. 13
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	10. "Majestic Theatre Will be Scene of 'Battle of Music,'" Telegraph-Herald, March 9, 1927, p. 4		10. "Majestic Theatre Will be Scene of 'Battle of Music,'" Telegraph-Herald, March 9, 1927, p. 4

	11. "~~Theater at Fourth and Main~~"		11. "Chronology 1972," ''Telegraph Herald'', December 28, 1972, p. 20

Randylyon at 04:10, 5 February 2018

2018-02-05T04:10:28Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:10, 5 February 2018
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	Motion pictures and vaudeville ran as the regular bill until 1927 when a new feature was promoted--"Battle of Music." Two local orchestras were seated on platforms on the stage at the same time. One played a selection and then the other. At the conclusion, the audience judged which orchestra was the "hotter" and the recipient of a cash prize. The first "skirmish" featured Bud and his Vioni Orchestra and Don and his Rag-Time Pals. When first announced on March 9, 1927 enough local orchestras had been lined up for six consecutive Friday nights. After the schedule was exhausted, the winner of each Friday night would meet in a grand tournament. The prize was a professional engagement at the Majestic in addition to a cash prize. It was suggested that an invitation might be extended to orchestras from outside Dubuque. (10)		Motion pictures and vaudeville ran as the regular bill until 1927 when a new feature was promoted--"Battle of Music." Two local orchestras were seated on platforms on the stage at the same time. One played a selection and then the other. At the conclusion, the audience judged which orchestra was the "hotter" and the recipient of a cash prize. The first "skirmish" featured Bud and his Vioni Orchestra and Don and his Rag-Time Pals. When first announced on March 9, 1927 enough local orchestras had been lined up for six consecutive Friday nights. After the schedule was exhausted, the winner of each Friday night would meet in a grand tournament. The prize was a professional engagement at the Majestic in addition to a cash prize. It was suggested that an invitation might be extended to orchestras from outside Dubuque. (10)

	The building was renamed [[SPENSLEY (THE) in 1929. (11)		The building was renamed [[SPENSLEY (THE)]] in 1929. (11)


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	11. "Theater at Fourth and Main"		11. "Theater at Fourth and Main"

	~~12. "New Spensley Open to the Public," ''Telegraph-Herald and Times Journal'', November 17, 1929, p. 22~~

	~~13. "Dempsey Comes Here Wednesday," ''Telegraph Herald and Times Journal'', April 1, 1930, p. 5~~

	~~14. "Make Spensley Theatre Ready for Cooking Demonstration," ''Telegraph Herald and Times Journal'', Apr. 11, 1933, p. 5~~

	~~15. "RKO Pictures," Wikipedia. Online: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RKO_Pictures~~

Randylyon at 03:51, 5 February 2018

2018-02-05T03:51:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:51, 5 February 2018
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	Motion pictures and vaudeville ran as the regular bill until 1927 when a new feature was promoted--"Battle of Music." Two local orchestras were seated on platforms on the stage at the same time. One played a selection and then the other. At the conclusion, the audience judged which orchestra was the "hotter" and the recipient of a cash prize. The first "skirmish" featured Bud and his Vioni Orchestra and Don and his Rag-Time Pals. When first announced on March 9, 1927 enough local orchestras had been lined up for six consecutive Friday nights. After the schedule was exhausted, the winner of each Friday night would meet in a grand tournament. The prize was a professional engagement at the Majestic in addition to a cash prize. It was suggested that an invitation might be extended to orchestras from outside Dubuque. (10)		Motion pictures and vaudeville ran as the regular bill until 1927 when a new feature was promoted--"Battle of Music." Two local orchestras were seated on platforms on the stage at the same time. One played a selection and then the other. At the conclusion, the audience judged which orchestra was the "hotter" and the recipient of a cash prize. The first "skirmish" featured Bud and his Vioni Orchestra and Don and his Rag-Time Pals. When first announced on March 9, 1927 enough local orchestras had been lined up for six consecutive Friday nights. After the schedule was exhausted, the winner of each Friday night would meet in a grand tournament. The prize was a professional engagement at the Majestic in addition to a cash prize. It was suggested that an invitation might be extended to orchestras from outside Dubuque. (10)

	The building was renamed ~~"The Spensley"~~ in 1929. (11)		The building was renamed [[SPENSLEY (THE) in 1929. (11)


	[[File:5FLAGS.png\|850px\|thumb\|left\|An entire block was scheduled for demolition during urban renewal. Saving the Orpheum Theatre and restoring it led to converting the entire block into [[FIVE FLAGS CIVIC CENTER]]. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]


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	[[Image:bernhardt.jpg\|right\|thumb\|200px\|Famous talent was regularly "booked" to perform. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]		[[Image:bernhardt.jpg\|right\|thumb\|200px\|Famous talent was regularly "booked" to perform. Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]
	[[Image:posterv.jpg\|left\|thumb\|200px\|Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]		[[Image:posterv.jpg\|left\|thumb\|200px\|Photo courtesy: Bob Reding]]




	---		---

Randylyon at 03:50, 5 February 2018

2018-02-05T03:50:18Z

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 Motion pictures and vaudeville ran as the regular bill until 1927 when a new feature was promoted--"Battle of Music." Two local orchestras were seated on platforms on the stage at the same time. One played a selection and then the other. At the conclusion, the audience judged which orchestra was the "hotter" and the recipient of a cash prize. The first "skirmish" featured Bud and his Vioni Orchestra and Don and his Rag-Time Pals. When first announced on March 9, 1927 enough local orchestras had been lined up for six consecutive Friday nights. After the schedule was exhausted, the winner of each Friday night would meet in a grand tournament. The prize was a professional engagement at the Majestic in addition to a cash prize. It was suggested that an invitation might be extended to orchestras from outside Dubuque. (10)
-[[Image:spensleyt.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Spensley Theater c. 1929. If you look closely you will see the movie is "My Four Years in Germany". This film, based on a book by  James Gerard, was made for $50,000 and grossed of $1.5 million. It was such a hit, Warner Brothers decided to concentrate on film production rather than being only a distributor. Paul Hemmer]] The building was renamed "The Spensley" in 1929.  (11) Its first program was a presentation of the talking motion picture, "Rio Rita," the "audifilm" version of the famous Ziegfeld musical success. (12) Jack Dempsey, former heavy-weight champion boxer of the world, and his vaudeville act "A Roadside Razz" appeared at the theater in 1930. (13) The famous Red Grange appeared in a musical on December 31, 1930. The stage was turned into a huge cooking school with demonstrations of "ranges, refrigerators, and other culinary equipment" in 1933. (14)
+The building was renamed "The Spensley" in 1929.  (11)
 [[File:5FLAGS.png|850px|thumb|left|An entire block was scheduled for demolition during urban renewal. Saving the Orpheum Theatre and restoring it led to converting the entire block into [[FIVE FLAGS CIVIC CENTER]]. Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]

Randylyon at 03:44, 5 February 2018

2018-02-05T03:44:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:44, 5 February 2018
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	Motion pictures and vaudeville ran as the regular bill until 1927 when a new feature was promoted--"Battle of Music." Two local orchestras were seated on platforms on the stage at the same time. One played a selection and then the other. At the conclusion, the audience judged which orchestra was the "hotter" and the recipient of a cash prize. The first "skirmish" featured Bud and his Vioni Orchestra and Don and his Rag-Time Pals. When first announced on March 9, 1927 enough local orchestras had been lined up for six consecutive Friday nights. After the schedule was exhausted, the winner of each Friday night would meet in a grand tournament. The prize was a professional engagement at the Majestic in addition to a cash prize. It was suggested that an invitation might be extended to orchestras from outside Dubuque. (10)		Motion pictures and vaudeville ran as the regular bill until 1927 when a new feature was promoted--"Battle of Music." Two local orchestras were seated on platforms on the stage at the same time. One played a selection and then the other. At the conclusion, the audience judged which orchestra was the "hotter" and the recipient of a cash prize. The first "skirmish" featured Bud and his Vioni Orchestra and Don and his Rag-Time Pals. When first announced on March 9, 1927 enough local orchestras had been lined up for six consecutive Friday nights. After the schedule was exhausted, the winner of each Friday night would meet in a grand tournament. The prize was a professional engagement at the Majestic in addition to a cash prize. It was suggested that an invitation might be extended to orchestras from outside Dubuque. (10)

	The building was renamed "The Spensley" in 1929. (11) Its first program was a presentation of the talking motion picture, "Rio Rita," the "audifilm" version of the famous Ziegfeld musical success. (12) Jack Dempsey, former heavy-weight champion boxer of the world, and his vaudeville act "A Roadside Razz" appeared at the theater in 1930. (13) The famous Red Grange appeared in a musical on December 31, 1930. The stage was turned into a huge cooking school with demonstrations of "ranges, refrigerators, and other culinary equipment" in 1933. (14)		[[Image:spensleyt.jpg\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Spensley Theater c. 1929. If you look closely you will see the movie is "My Four Years in Germany". This film, based on a book by James Gerard, was made for $50,000 and grossed of $1.5 million. It was such a hit, Warner Brothers decided to concentrate on film production rather than being only a distributor. Paul Hemmer]] The building was renamed "The Spensley" in 1929. (11) Its first program was a presentation of the talking motion picture, "Rio Rita," the "audifilm" version of the famous Ziegfeld musical success. (12) Jack Dempsey, former heavy-weight champion boxer of the world, and his vaudeville act "A Roadside Razz" appeared at the theater in 1930. (13) The famous Red Grange appeared in a musical on December 31, 1930. The stage was turned into a huge cooking school with demonstrations of "ranges, refrigerators, and other culinary equipment" in 1933. (14)

	In 1932 even as the U.S. economy foundered, RKO, an American film production and distribution company, began buying up theater after theater to add to its exhibition chain. RKO was formed after the Keith-Albee-Orpheum (KAO) theater chains and Joseph P. Kennedy's Film Booking Offices of America (FBO) studio were brought together under the control of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) in October 1928. The Dubuque theater, one of many purchased, became part of the RKO film theater circuit and was renamed the RKO [[ORPHEUM]] around 1934. (15)		In 1932 even as the U.S. economy foundered, RKO, an American film production and distribution company, began buying up theater after theater to add to its exhibition chain. RKO was formed after the Keith-Albee-Orpheum (KAO) theater chains and Joseph P. Kennedy's Film Booking Offices of America (FBO) studio were brought together under the control of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) in October 1928. The Dubuque theater, one of many purchased, became part of the RKO film theater circuit and was renamed the RKO [[ORPHEUM]] around 1934. (15)

Randylyon at 01:52, 26 January 2018

2018-01-26T01:52:05Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:52, 26 January 2018
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	The Majestic, built in 1910 at a cost of $90,000 in the style of Renaissance-Flemish architecture, was said to be a replica of the famous Moulin Rouge in Paris. (2) Immediately popular, the theater had forty shows booked by the end of construction. (3) The theater was said to have had an audience of 14,000 the week of November 18th when it opened--one third of the city's population. (4) Audiences were held in suspense as to what might be featured next. As early as November, 1910 Rosenthal presented "Vallecita's Leopards," billed as the most sensational animal act before the public today." (5) When "Amateur Nights" were featured with the six usual vaudeville numbers and a farce by the entire company, the curtain was raised at 8:15 p.m (6) Among the stars who appeared on its stage were Ethel Barrymore and Eddie Cantor.		The Majestic, built in 1910 at a cost of $90,000 in the style of Renaissance-Flemish architecture, was said to be a replica of the famous Moulin Rouge in Paris. (2) Immediately popular, the theater had forty shows booked by the end of construction. (3) The theater was said to have had an audience of 14,000 the week of November 18th when it opened--one third of the city's population. (4) Audiences were held in suspense as to what might be featured next. As early as November, 1910 Rosenthal presented "Vallecita's Leopards," billed as the most sensational animal act before the public today." (5) When "Amateur Nights" were featured with the six usual vaudeville numbers and a farce by the entire company, the curtain was raised at 8:15 p.m (6) Among the stars who appeared on its stage were Ethel Barrymore and Eddie Cantor.

	[[Image:syncopaters.png\|left\|thumb\|350px\|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]] Motion pictures were shown at the Majestic ~~from the~~ beginning~~. In the age of silent movies, Earl Wood's Syncopaters provided the music to match the action on the screen. In December,~~ 1910 ~~it was announced that motion pictures would be seen at~~ each ~~and every~~ live performance ~~with pictures~~ changed every Thursday and Sunday afternoon. (7) In June, 1917 the ''Telegraph-Herald'' featured a contest based on "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." Interested children could clip a coupon from the newspaper and present it along with 15 cents to see the movie. When the movie was finished, they could write a short story on "What I Saw Through Captain Nemo's Submarine Window." Prizes were $5, $3, and $2. (8) Motion pictures and vaudeville ran as the regular bill until 1927 when a new feature was promoted--"Battle of Music." Two local orchestras were seated on platforms on the stage at the same time. One played a selection and then the other. At the conclusion, the audience judged which orchestra was the "hotter" and the recipient of a cash prize. The first "skirmish" features Bud and his Vioni Orchestra and Don and his Rag-Time Pals. When first announced on March 9, 1927 enough local orchestras had been lined up for six consecutive Friday nights. After the schedule was exhausted, the winner of each Friday night would meet in a grand tournament. The prize was a professional engagement at the Majestic in addition to a cash prize. It was suggested that an invitation might be extended to orchestras from outside Dubuque. (9)		[[Image:syncopaters.png\|left\|thumb\|350px\|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]] Motion pictures were shown at the Majestic beginning in 1910 with each live performance. Movies were changed every Thursday and Sunday afternoon. (7) In June, 1917 the ''Telegraph-Herald'' featured a contest based on "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." Interested children could clip a coupon from the newspaper and present it along with 15 cents to see the movie. When the movie was finished, they could write a short story on "What I Saw Through Captain Nemo's Submarine Window." Prizes were $5, $3, and $2. (8)

	~~The building~~ was ~~renamed "~~The ~~Spensley" in 1929~~. ~~(10) Its first program~~ was a ~~presentation~~ of the ~~talking motion picture~~, ~~"Rio Rita~~," the ~~"audifilm" version~~ of the ~~famous Ziegfeld musical success. (11)~~ Jack ~~Dempsey~~, ~~former heavy-weight champion boxer~~ of ~~the world~~, and ~~his vaudeville act "A Roadside Razz" appeared at~~ the ~~theater~~ in ~~1930. (12) The famous Red Grange appeared in a musical on December 31, 1930~~. ~~The stage~~ was ~~turned into~~ a ~~huge cooking school with demonstrations of "ranges, refrigerators, and other culinary equipment" in 1933~~. (13)		Music was considered important. In the age of silent movies, Earl Wood's Syncopaters provided the music to match the action on the screen. In 1917 an innovation was announced. The audience could enjoy an orchestra of five musicians playing at all performances--matinee and at nights. This was a change from the former practice of having three musicians at the week day matinees. Led by George H. Ramig, pianist and musical director at the Majestic for several years, the orchestra included Harry Durtina, violinist; Leo Jones, trombonist; John Jenney, cornetist (and father of the great [[JENNEY, Jack\|Jack JENNEY]]; and Payson Berg, drummer. The increased cost of production including amusement tax, higher salaries for performers and the increase in the orchestra led to price increases. There was a five cent increase for main floor seats---from twenty to twenty-five cents. (9)

	In 1932 even as the U.S. economy foundered, RKO, an American film production and distribution company, began buying up theater after theater to add to its exhibition chain. RKO was formed after the Keith-Albee-Orpheum (KAO) theater chains and Joseph P. Kennedy's Film Booking Offices of America (FBO) studio were brought together under the control of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) in October 1928. The Dubuque theater, one of many purchased, became part of the RKO film theater circuit and was renamed the RKO [[ORPHEUM]] around 1934. (14)		Motion pictures and vaudeville ran as the regular bill until 1927 when a new feature was promoted--"Battle of Music." Two local orchestras were seated on platforms on the stage at the same time. One played a selection and then the other. At the conclusion, the audience judged which orchestra was the "hotter" and the recipient of a cash prize. The first "skirmish" featured Bud and his Vioni Orchestra and Don and his Rag-Time Pals. When first announced on March 9, 1927 enough local orchestras had been lined up for six consecutive Friday nights. After the schedule was exhausted, the winner of each Friday night would meet in a grand tournament. The prize was a professional engagement at the Majestic in addition to a cash prize. It was suggested that an invitation might be extended to orchestras from outside Dubuque. (10)

			The building was renamed "The Spensley" in 1929. (11) Its first program was a presentation of the talking motion picture, "Rio Rita," the "audifilm" version of the famous Ziegfeld musical success. (12) Jack Dempsey, former heavy-weight champion boxer of the world, and his vaudeville act "A Roadside Razz" appeared at the theater in 1930. (13) The famous Red Grange appeared in a musical on December 31, 1930. The stage was turned into a huge cooking school with demonstrations of "ranges, refrigerators, and other culinary equipment" in 1933. (14)

			In 1932 even as the U.S. economy foundered, RKO, an American film production and distribution company, began buying up theater after theater to add to its exhibition chain. RKO was formed after the Keith-Albee-Orpheum (KAO) theater chains and Joseph P. Kennedy's Film Booking Offices of America (FBO) studio were brought together under the control of the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) in October 1928. The Dubuque theater, one of many purchased, became part of the RKO film theater circuit and was renamed the RKO [[ORPHEUM]] around 1934. (15)


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	8. "Children Begin Clipping Coupons For Greatest Undersea Picture," ''Dubuque Telegraph-Herald'', June 28, 1917, p. 7		8. "Children Begin Clipping Coupons For Greatest Undersea Picture," ''Dubuque Telegraph-Herald'', June 28, 1917, p. 7

	9. "Majestic Theatre Will be Scene of 'Battle of Music,'" Telegraph-Herald, March 9, 1927, p. 4		9. "An Excellent Opening Bill," ''Dubuque Telegraph-Herald'', September 16, 1917

			10. "Majestic Theatre Will be Scene of 'Battle of Music,'" Telegraph-Herald, March 9, 1927, p. 4

	10. "Theater at Fourth and Main"		11. "Theater at Fourth and Main"

	11. "New Spensley Open to the Public," ''Telegraph-Herald and Times Journal'', November 17, 1929, p. 22		12. "New Spensley Open to the Public," ''Telegraph-Herald and Times Journal'', November 17, 1929, p. 22

	12. "Dempsey Comes Here Wednesday," ''Telegraph Herald and Times Journal'', April 1, 1930, p. 5		13. "Dempsey Comes Here Wednesday," ''Telegraph Herald and Times Journal'', April 1, 1930, p. 5

	13. "Make Spensley Theatre Ready for Cooking Demonstration," ''Telegraph Herald and Times Journal'', Apr. 11, 1933, p. 5		14. "Make Spensley Theatre Ready for Cooking Demonstration," ''Telegraph Herald and Times Journal'', Apr. 11, 1933, p. 5

	14. "RKO Pictures," Wikipedia. Online: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RKO_Pictures		15. "RKO Pictures," Wikipedia. Online: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RKO_Pictures

Randylyon at 21:22, 25 January 2018

2018-01-25T21:22:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:22, 25 January 2018
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	The Majestic, built in 1910 at a cost of $90,000 in the style of Renaissance-Flemish architecture, was said to be a replica of the famous Moulin Rouge in Paris. (2) Immediately popular, the theater had forty shows booked by the end of construction. (3) The theater was said to have had an audience of 14,000 the week of November 18th when it opened--one third of the city's population. (4) Audiences were held in suspense as to what might be featured next. As early as November, 1910 Rosenthal presented "Vallecita's Leopards," billed as the most sensational animal act before the public today." (5) When "Amateur Nights" were featured with the six usual vaudeville numbers and a farce by the entire company, the curtain was raised at 8:15 p.m (6) Among the stars who appeared on its stage were Ethel Barrymore and Eddie Cantor.		The Majestic, built in 1910 at a cost of $90,000 in the style of Renaissance-Flemish architecture, was said to be a replica of the famous Moulin Rouge in Paris. (2) Immediately popular, the theater had forty shows booked by the end of construction. (3) The theater was said to have had an audience of 14,000 the week of November 18th when it opened--one third of the city's population. (4) Audiences were held in suspense as to what might be featured next. As early as November, 1910 Rosenthal presented "Vallecita's Leopards," billed as the most sensational animal act before the public today." (5) When "Amateur Nights" were featured with the six usual vaudeville numbers and a farce by the entire company, the curtain was raised at 8:15 p.m (6) Among the stars who appeared on its stage were Ethel Barrymore and Eddie Cantor.

	Motion pictures were shown at the Majestic from the beginning. In December, 1910 it was announced that motion pictures would be seen at each and every live performance with pictures changed every Thursday and Sunday afternoon. (7) In June, 1917 the ''Telegraph-Herald'' featured a contest based on "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." Interested children could clip a coupon from the newspaper and present it along with 15 cents to see the movie. When the movie was finished, they could write a short story on "What I Saw Through Captain Nemo's Submarine Window." Prizes were $5, $3, and $2. (8) Motion pictures and vaudeville ran as the regular bill until 1927 when a new feature was promoted--"Battle of Music." Two local orchestras were seated on platforms on the stage at the same time. One played a selection and then the other. At the conclusion, the audience judged which orchestra was the "hotter" and the recipient of a cash prize. The first "skirmish" features Bud and his Vioni Orchestra and Don and his Rag-Time Pals. When first announced on March 9, 1927 enough local orchestras had been lined up for six consecutive Friday nights. After the schedule was exhausted, the winner of each Friday night would meet in a grand tournament. The prize was a professional engagement at the Majestic in addition to a cash prize. It was suggested that an invitation might be extended to orchestras from outside Dubuque. (9)		[[Image:syncopaters.png\|left\|thumb\|350px\|Photo courtesy: Telegraph Herald]] Motion pictures were shown at the Majestic from the beginning. In the age of silent movies, Earl Wood's Syncopaters provided the music to match the action on the screen. In December, 1910 it was announced that motion pictures would be seen at each and every live performance with pictures changed every Thursday and Sunday afternoon. (7) In June, 1917 the ''Telegraph-Herald'' featured a contest based on "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." Interested children could clip a coupon from the newspaper and present it along with 15 cents to see the movie. When the movie was finished, they could write a short story on "What I Saw Through Captain Nemo's Submarine Window." Prizes were $5, $3, and $2. (8) Motion pictures and vaudeville ran as the regular bill until 1927 when a new feature was promoted--"Battle of Music." Two local orchestras were seated on platforms on the stage at the same time. One played a selection and then the other. At the conclusion, the audience judged which orchestra was the "hotter" and the recipient of a cash prize. The first "skirmish" features Bud and his Vioni Orchestra and Don and his Rag-Time Pals. When first announced on March 9, 1927 enough local orchestras had been lined up for six consecutive Friday nights. After the schedule was exhausted, the winner of each Friday night would meet in a grand tournament. The prize was a professional engagement at the Majestic in addition to a cash prize. It was suggested that an invitation might be extended to orchestras from outside Dubuque. (9)

	The building was renamed "The Spensley" in 1929. (10) Its first program was a presentation of the talking motion picture, "Rio Rita," the "audifilm" version of the famous Ziegfeld musical success. (11) Jack Dempsey, former heavy-weight champion boxer of the world, and his vaudeville act "A Roadside Razz" appeared at the theater in 1930. (12) The famous Red Grange appeared in a musical on December 31, 1930. The stage was turned into a huge cooking school with demonstrations of "ranges, refrigerators, and other culinary equipment" in 1933. (13)		The building was renamed "The Spensley" in 1929. (10) Its first program was a presentation of the talking motion picture, "Rio Rita," the "audifilm" version of the famous Ziegfeld musical success. (11) Jack Dempsey, former heavy-weight champion boxer of the world, and his vaudeville act "A Roadside Razz" appeared at the theater in 1930. (12) The famous Red Grange appeared in a musical on December 31, 1930. The stage was turned into a huge cooking school with demonstrations of "ranges, refrigerators, and other culinary equipment" in 1933. (13)

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:00, 9 February 2018
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			[[Image:THEATERHISTORY.png\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Theater History. Courtesy: Telegraph Herald]]
	[[Image:majestic.gif\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Majestic Theater]]		[[Image:majestic.gif\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Majestic Theater]]
	[[Image:tile.jpg\|right\|thumb\|150px\|This tile (8.5" x 14") was kilned in Holland for the roof of the Orpheum Theater. ]]MAJESTIC THEATER. The Majestic is the linear descendant of the [[ATHENAEUM]], a theater constructed in 1840 in a building erected in 1833 at the corner of Fourth and Main. The Athenaeum gave rise to an amazing list of theaters which could have ended on April 7, 1910 when fire destroyed the renovated [[BIJOU THEATER]]. Almost as the ashes were cooling, however, the site was developed as the first theater designed by the Chicago firm of C. W. Rapp and George Rapp, eventually the leading theater designers in the United States. (1)		[[Image:tile.jpg\|right\|thumb\|150px\|This tile (8.5" x 14") was kilned in Holland for the roof of the Orpheum Theater. ]]MAJESTIC THEATER. The Majestic is the linear descendant of the [[ATHENAEUM]], a theater constructed in 1840 in a building erected in 1833 at the corner of Fourth and Main. The Athenaeum gave rise to an amazing list of theaters which could have ended on April 7, 1910 when fire destroyed the renovated [[BIJOU THEATER]]. Almost as the ashes were cooling, however, the site was developed as the first theater designed by the Chicago firm of C. W. Rapp and George Rapp, eventually the leading theater designers in the United States. (1)

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:40, 6 February 2018
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	[[Image:majestic.gif\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Majestic Theater]]		[[Image:majestic.gif\|left\|thumb\|250px\|Majestic Theater]]
	[[Image:tile.jpg\|right\|thumb\|150px\|This tile (8.5" x 14") was kilned in Holland for the roof of the Orpheum Theater. ]]MAJESTIC THEATER. The Majestic is the linear descendant of the [[ATHENAEUM]], a theater constructed in 1840 in a building ~~constructed~~ in 1833 at the corner of Fourth and Main. The Athenaeum gave rise to an amazing list of theaters which could have ended on April 7, 1910 when fire destroyed the renovated [[BIJOU THEATER]]. Almost as the ashes were cooling, however, the site was developed as the first theater designed by the Chicago firm of C. W. Rapp and George Rapp, eventually the leading theater designers in the United States. (1)		[[Image:tile.jpg\|right\|thumb\|150px\|This tile (8.5" x 14") was kilned in Holland for the roof of the Orpheum Theater. ]]MAJESTIC THEATER. The Majestic is the linear descendant of the [[ATHENAEUM]], a theater constructed in 1840 in a building erected in 1833 at the corner of Fourth and Main. The Athenaeum gave rise to an amazing list of theaters which could have ended on April 7, 1910 when fire destroyed the renovated [[BIJOU THEATER]]. Almost as the ashes were cooling, however, the site was developed as the first theater designed by the Chicago firm of C. W. Rapp and George Rapp, eventually the leading theater designers in the United States. (1)

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