Thursday, March 4, 2010

The Opening of the Music Hall

This item, which appeared at the end of April 1913, reports on the first couple of weeks of operation at the Music Hall in Cincinnati. An earlier notice on the Music Hall is available here.
The Music Hall, Cincinnati, seating 3,600 people, was opened with exclusive picture programs, March 29, by the Empire Exhibition Co., of New York. Licensed feature films are chiefly used. The house was opened with the "Prisoner of Zenda." A fourteen-piece, selected orchestra is used to accompany the pictures, and high class vocal and instrumental numbers are introduced during the intervals. John Bunny, the well known Vitagraph comedian delivered his special monologue during the first week, and Francis X. Bushman gave lectures the second week. Both these gentlemen scored big hits. Miss Florence Turner, another big Vitagraph favorite, has been booked for the week of Monday, April 14, to appear in a comedy skit, of her own composing. The admission to the Music Hall is 25 cents for evenings and Sunday matinees. For other matinees the charge is 10 cents. A. N. Smallwood and J. T. Hennegan are the managers.
Source: James McQuade, “Chicago Letter,” Moving Picture World 26 April 1913, 366.

Another short notice appeared the next week, this one covering Florence Turner's visit.
Miss Turner Entertained At Cincinnati

On the occasion of Miss Florence Turner's recent visit to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she went to appear at the Music Hall picture show, the Exhibitors' League of that city entertained her and Mr. Lawrence Trimble, her manager, at the Sinton Hotel, where an elaborate dinner was served. Miss Turner also received several beautiful floral tributes at the close of her engagement at the Music Hall; one large bouquet of American Beauty roses from the league, and one from A. C. Dingelstedt, president of the local.
Source: “Miss Turner Entertained At Cincinnati,” Moving Picture World 3 May 1913, 471.