Elite Theater Programs
Scope and Contents
The program contains information and promotion from a showing of the motion picture, On the Rio Grande that ran from November 11-18, 1923. The program has been adhered to a larger piece of cardstock. Due to the manner that the program is attached to the cardstock, only the front page of the program can be viewed. All text is printed in black ink and details the title, performance times, management, cast list, synopsis, and announcements for future showings at the Elite. Adhered to the opposite side of the cardstock is a fragment of a program for the play Rose Bernd at the Longacre Theater in New York City, New York.
The program features a cast list and brief synopsis detailing the setting of each act, as well as the time of intermission. Times for both matinee and evening performances are listed, as well as the days matinees were performed. Additionally, it mentions that prizes were given away during the Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday matinee and that a “special prize” was available on Monday. The program lists the upcoming shows as well with a special note explaining the following week’s performance will be different because it is on Thanksgiving weekend. Future shows included Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch and The Girl He Couldn’t Buy. The opposite side of the program cannot be viewed.
Dates
- Creation: 1923
Biographical / Historical
The Elite Theater opened August 19, 1912 as a film theater. Located on the east side of S. Burdick St., south of South St. (207-211 S. Burdick St.), the theater was actively operated until its closure in 1925. Harry Southworth “S.” Waterman (b. 1874 d. 1936) and Charles Henry “H.” Palmer (b. 1874 d. 1957) originally built and operated the Elite until ownership was undertaken by Kalamazoo Amusement Company. Louis Chancey “C.” Barnes (b. 1884 d. 1959) of L.C. Barnes, Managers and Proprietors directly managed the Elite Theater, along with multiple other venues in Kalamazoo such as the Lyric, Orpheum, and Colonial theaters. Designed by architect Rockwell Adelbert “A.” Leroy (b. 1864 d. 1950), the Elite Theater boasted state-of-the-art ventilation systems, lighting, and could accommodate an audience of nearly 1,000.
The program is from a showing of the romance film On the Rio Grande, directed by Myron Leffingwell.
Extent
0.05 Cubic Feet ; The program measures 5 inches x 8 inches and has been adhered to a larger piece of cardstock that measures 6 inches x 9 inches.
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection is comprised of a single program for the motion picture On the Rio Grande shown at the Elite Theater in Kalamazoo dated November 11-18, 1923.
Physical Description
The collection amounts to 0.05 cubic feet of material. The program measures 5 inches x 8 inches and has been adhered to a larger piece of cardstock that measures 6 inches x 9 inches. Due to the manner that the program is attached to the cardstock, only the front page of the program can be viewed. The Elite program is in good condition, with only minor smudging of the ink and a single marking made with pen. The cardstock backing also appears in good condition, with minor wear on the edges and some black discoloration towards the top of the sheet.
Subject
- Elite Theater (Kalamazoo, Mich.) (Organization)
- Title
- Elite Theater Programs Finding Aid
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Ella Nelson, Mallory Heslinger
- Date
- 2023-03-14
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490
arch-collect@wmich.edu