Reel 5 – Claremore’s Movie Theatre Magic – Claremore’s Lyrical Lyric (1909) and Electrifying Electric (1910) Theatres – Part 2

REEL 5 – Claremore’s Movie Theater Magic – Claremore’s Lyrical Lyric (1909) and Electrifying Electric (1910) Theatres – Part 2

To start at the beginning to rewind and read “Claremore’s Movie Theater Magic” – Reel 1, Reel 2, Reel 3, or Reel 4, please click the appropriate reel.

Lyric Theatre would have been located in the Boling building, 4th building from the right. Claremore Main Street looking southeast. Photo courtesy Randy Leach Collection.

Surprisingly, even with the Lyric Theatre’s buy out in November 1911 by R.B. Collins, the Lyric did not disappear from Claremore’s movie theatre stage. And as “the show must go on,” Mrs. Geo. H. Henderson, a former employee of the Lyric Theatre, “accepted her old position as pianist at this popular place of amusement.”[xxxv]

Under the new management of the Lyric Theater, a new electric sign,[xxxvi] a new customer loyalty promotion, and a theatre supported civic event were advertised. “A souvenir of a rose was given the lady attendants,”[xxxvii] and a benefit show was given to support the Claremore band.[xxxviii] The new management of the Lyric  understood the “benefit” of  ingratiating itself to the community where it resided.

But three short months later, March 1912, the Lyric, once again, changed hands. The Claremore Messenger informed the movie going public, “H.H. Kaho and H.M. [Harry] Martin[xxxix] have bought the Lyric Theatre of this city, and took charge of the same Monday. Mr. Collins, who has been the owner for about three months, will leave the city. The Lyric is an old established picture show, is strictly up to date, and bears a good reputation, with a good business.”[xl] The Claremore Progress added, “The Lyric Theatre has changed hands. This time the owners are H.M. Martin and H.H. Kaho; they having taken charge of the business Monday and assure the public that the same class of pictures will be shown in the future as has been shown in the past. Geo. Constant (who had apparently returned from his Texas adventures) will operate the machine as formerly and everyone knows George is a good one. Mr. Collins, the former owner will leave the city for other fields at an early date, having made many friends during his stay in the city.”[xli]

The Rogers County Leader shared the news this way. “The Lyric Theatre changed hands Monday. The new men at the helm are H.M. Martin[xlii] and H.H. Kaho.[xliii] The photoplay patrons are assured that the new management will continue the good service that has characterized the popular place.”[xliv] A month later, H.M. Martin “purchased the interest of his partner, Dr. Kaho, in the Lyric Theatre, and” went on to “conduct the business.”[xlv] Victor Martin,[xlvi] Harry’s son, was manager.[xlvii]

Right away, “The Lyric Theatre management… greatly improved this popular place of amusement by changing the front of the theatre, also increasing the seating capacity and ventilating the building. The pictures are now shown in the front of the building instead of the rear.”[xlviii]  With nearly explosive astonishment to all, “While repairing the Lyric Theatre in the Boling block, workmen tore out a gas pipe which was completely eaten up with rust and which in a short time would have given out, probably causing an explosion that would have wrecked the building. It would be wise to do some more inspecting of pipes.”[xlix]

May 1912, both the Electric and Lyric theaters showed their Claremore spirit. “On Tuesday evening at the Electric theatre, Mr. Webber demonstrated that he is a friend to Claremore’s band by putting on a band benefit program to which the people of the city turned out well. The band boys were seated in front of the theatre and dispensed their very best music, which within itself was a good drawing card. When one stops to consider what an expense accompanies the upkeep of musical organizations of this kind, he should feel only too glad to donate a small sum toward helping the boys alone. ‘For sweet charity’s sake’ there was a special program rendered at the Lyric Wednesday evening to a house crowded to overflowing. In addition to three reels of good pictures there was special music, the ladies’ quartet and Messers. Hughes and Boren rendering vocal selections, which merited applause. The kindness of the management in this assisting such a good cause is commendable indeed.”[l]

June 1912, moving pictures were shown Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights of each week at the Electric Theater. “Nothing but the very best will be shown. New pictures each night. B.F. Tanner, Mgr.”[li] Robin Hood was billed as one of the theater’s special attractions.[lii]

And just for kicks, in August 1912, “Little Juanita Hale sang ‘Gotta Quit Kickin’ My Dawg Around’” at the Lyric.[liii]

Always looking for ways to improve their productions to draw a crowd, in September 1912, both the Electric and Lyric Theatres added “new features to their shows in the form of high-class singing. The Electric has engaged the Knowland Sisters for a five months’ run and they are exceedingly good singers. Mrs. Wiggins and her daughter and son are at the Lyric and are doing some very clever work in the line of high class singing.”[liv]

Not only conscientious about production improvement, by the fall of 1912 the Electric Theatre received a facelift. “Wm. Webber contemplates making extensive improvements on the Electric Theatre in the near future. The walls will be decorated, new carpets will be placed on the floor and other extensive improvements will be made in the lobby. When Mr. Webber completes his improvements he will have one of the most up-to-now picture shows in the state and as he only shows pictures that are the best, his house will be second to none in every detail.”[lv]

The two extensively publicized movie houses in Claremore in 1912 were the Lyric and the Electric. “Claremore has without a single doubt as good picture shows as any in the United States. No picture show in the world could furnish any more or any higher class pictures for the price of admission than we get here at home for the small price of ten cents. The singing alone, such as we get at both shows, is worth the price of admission and the shows which the Lyric and the Electric put up Tuesday night, each with a two-reel feature, made one feel that the management of these houses appreciate the patronage of the citizens and were endeavoring to furnish them with the largest and best pictures available. The two-reel feature, Human Hearts at the Electric Tuesday night was magnificent both in the scenic effect and the acting. King Baggot playing the lead as the village blacksmith, portrayed that character in a manner that won the heart of every person present. The song ‘Good Night Beloved, Good Night,’[lvi] by the Knowland sisters was beautiful and duly appreciated as was shown by the hearty applause they received. The two-reel feature, A Temporary Truce, at the Lyric Tuesday night was acted by the Biograph Company and was the most realistic portrayal of Western life that has ever been shown in the city. The singing of the Lyric Trio was excellent and were forced to respond three times before the audience would be satisfied. We have two good shows in one good town… The [Edison] picture, Revenge is Sweet, at the Lyric Monday night was a dandy and convulsed the audience with merriment. Those who missed it missed a treat.”[lvii]

The Lyric received a significant endorsement that October in the Talala Gazette. “Moving Picture Shows. The Gazette is not in the habit of recommending shows of any kind to its readers, but this week we are going to make an exception and tell you which one to attend when you are in Claremore waiting for the train. If you go to the Lyric you will not be disappointed, since Harry Martin, the manager, never puts on anything but what is strictly down-to-the-minute in the movie picture line. In fact, a fellow told the Gazette man that Martin’s machine was so sensitive that it would not run out ‘a bum picture to an audience.’ We rather suspect this is true, as we had no trouble in finding men willing to corroborate the above statement. Satisfy yourself about this matter when you go to Claremore, and if you are ‘stung,’ come to the Gazette office and get your dime back.”[lviii]

That October the Lyric “arranged to handle motion pictures of the state fair. Among other things the Claremore band will be shown in action.”[lix]

The 1912 Biograph motion picture A Dash Through the Clouds was shown at the Lyric Theatre in November. The movie “was the most realistic picture of an areoplane [sic] in flight that [had] ever been shown in the city. A pretty little love story was interwoven in between the flights which made the picture interesting otherwise than the prospective.”[lx]

Lady of the Lake was said to be a “Good Show. The [Vitagraph] motion picture, The Lady of the Lake, which appeared at the Lyric Theatre Wednesday night was a three-reel feature which portrayed Sir Walter Scott’s poem of that name in a very pretty manner. The scenes of this poem and picture lay in the highlands of Scotland and dealt with the nobility of Scotland. Large and appreciative audiences viewed this masterpiece and were unanimous in their praise of the same.”[lxi]

As an added attraction, “The Claremore band gave an excellent concert in front of the Lyric Theatre,” one evening in early November “for which the management wishes to publically thank them. The weather was very cold but in spite of that fact, the boys put up some classy music.” [lxii]

“The picture, Ghosts, at the Lyric,” in December “was exceptionally good and replete with beautiful scenes laid around an old southern mansion. The old southern gentleman becomes encumbered with debts and is forced to give up the mansion to satisfy his creditors. The picture was composed of many beautiful thoughts, showing how the heart lingers about home… Such pictures as these are a delight to the eye,” declared the Claremore Progress.[lxiii]

Competition between major early film production studios, such as inventor Thomas Edison’s Edison Studio, Thanhouser Company founded by Edwin and Gertrude Thanhouser and brother-in-law Lloyd Lonergan, the French company Pathé Frères, Biograph Studios with the renowned director D.W. Griffith, and Vitagraph which eventually became Warner Bros. in 1925, increased as 1912 faded into the past.

Claremore’s movie theatre magic opened the year of 1913 with the good news, that Mrs. Wiggins, singer at the Lyric, who had been absent due to illness, was “so far recovered, as to be able to fill her position” once again.[lxiv] Since silent movies needed musical accompaniment to enhance and interpret the action, a strong and engaging musician and vocalist were a necessity. The quality of local pianists and singers could make or break the popularity of a production. Mrs. Wiggins was considered quite gifted as both.

“The picture program shown at the Lyric Theatre,” on a Tuesday night in January, “was of the best. Each reel was fine, The Indelible Stain, a story of the old mission days in California, being exceptionally interesting. It is this class of program that merits the large patronage this popular theatre enjoys.”[lxv]

The following week,  Vitagraph’s The Irony of Fate, “was excellent, featuring Florence Turner and Miss Clara Kimball.”[lxvi] The Night Before Christmas and The Box Car Baby were “two very interesting reels shown… and were greatly appreciated by the large crowd in attendance.”[lxvii] These features were reeling at the Lyric, as great films were looping at the Electric during the winter season.

Released on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1912, and reaching Claremore after the new year, Edwin Tanhouser’s film, The Star of Bethlehem shown at the Electric Theatre “was the most gorgeous and expensive moving picture film ever shown in this city.”[lxviii] The Holmes and Shope show came and went. “Their performance consisted of vaudeville and moving pictures. They had Mr. Tanner’s Electric Theater leased and had a crowded house every night.[lxix]

As the joys of the winter holiday season melted away thoughts turned to spring as a secret circulated through Claremore’s social circles declaring that a real live celebrity, a princess was coming to town. What part would she play in Claremore’s Movie Theatre Magic?

By Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer

Coming attractions: REEL 6 – Claremore’s Movie Theater Magic – Claremore’s Lyrical Lyric (1909) and Electrifying Electric Theatres (1910), Part 3, click here.

by Christa Rice, Claremore History Explorer

Sources: Unless otherwise noted, Oklahoma newspapers are sourced through The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

Sources:

[xxxv] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 19, No. 40, Ed. 1 Friday, November 3, 1911.

[xxxvi] 1911 Dec 29 – The Electric Theater has a new electric sign and the Pastime has gone out of business.

Knight, H. Tom. Rogers County Leader. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 95, Ed. 1 Friday, December 29, 1911.

[xxxvii] Knight, H. Tom. Rogers County Leader. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 1, No. 88, Ed. 1 Friday, November 10, 1911.

[xxxviii] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 19, No. 42, Ed. 1 Friday, November 17, 1911.

[xxxix] https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33349697/harry-m-martin  Harry M. Martin. Birth 1862. Death 1937 (aged 74-75). Burial Woodlawn Cemetery. Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma. Plot CP2-25-L3.-6W. Spouse Myrtle C. 1870 – 1940. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33350776/myrtle-catherine-martin

Victor Martin. Birth 1891. Death 1956 (aged 64-65). Burial Woodlawn Cemetery. Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33351006/victor-martin

[xl] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 17, No. 16, Ed. 1 Friday, March 22, 1912.

[xli] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 8, Ed. 1 Friday, March 22, 1912.

[xlii] Harry M. Martin. Birth 1862. Death 1937 (aged 74-75. Burial Woodlawn Cemetery, Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma. Plot CP2-25-L3.-6W. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33349697/harry-m-martin

[xliii] Harry H. Kaho. Birth 18 Nov 1873. Death 12 Jul 1949 (aged 75). Burial Woodlawn Cemetery, Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma. Plot CP2-8.-L3.-4E. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33998971/harry-kaho

[xliv] Hester, Ben. Rogers County Leader And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 3, Ed. 1 Friday, March 22, 1912.

[xlv] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 11, Ed. 1 Friday, April 12, 1912.

[xlvi] Victor Martin. Birth 1891. Death 1956 (aged 64-65). Burial Woodlawn Cemetery, Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma.  Location: CP2-25-L3.-6E. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/33351006/victor-martin  http://www.interment.net/data/us/ok/rogers/woodlawn-cemetery-records-ma-mc.htm

[xlvii] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 36, Ed. 1 Friday, October 4, 1912.

[xlviii] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 13, Ed. 1 Friday, April 26, 1912.

[xlix] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 13, Ed. 1 Friday, April 26, 1912.

[l] Hester, Ben. Rogers County Leader And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 11, Ed. 1 Friday, May 17, 1912.

[li] The Inola Register. (Inola, Okla.), Vol. 6, No. 44, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 13, 1912.

[lii] Hester, Ben. Rogers County Leader And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 26, Ed. 1 Friday, August 30, 1912.

[liii]  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZRiJwK4f_0 or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ3rXbFn8qE

Hester, Ben. Rogers County Leader And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 22, Ed. 1 Friday, August 2, 1912.

[liv] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 33, Ed. 1 Friday, September 13, 1912.

[lv] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 35, Ed. 1 Friday, September 27, 1912.

[lvi] “Human Hearts” https://nypl.getarchive.net/media/good-night-beloved-good-night-4f5e02 sheet music.

https://archive.org/details/HumanHeartsForYT

“Good Night Beloved, Good Night” https://archive.org/details/78_good-night-beloved-good-night_harry-macdonough-oliver-fay_gbia0009496b/Good+Night%2C+Beloved%2C+Good+Night+-+Harry+Macdonough.flac

[lvii] ‘Revenge is Sweet’  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVRcfcbqRWI

Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 37, Ed. 1 Friday, October 11, 1912.

[lviii] Hester, Ben. Rogers County Leader And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 31, Ed. 1 Friday, October 4, 1912.

[lix] Hester, Ben. Rogers County Leader And Rogers County News (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 4, No. 32, Ed. 1 Friday, October 11, 1912.

[lx] A Dash Through the Clouds https://archive.org/details/ADashThroughTheClouds1912

Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 41, Ed. 1 Friday, November 8, 1912.

[lxi] Lady of the Lake https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGvvTVIxHiA

Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 41, Ed. 1 Friday, November 8, 1912.

[lxii] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 41, Ed. 1 Friday, November 8, 1912.

[lxiii] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 48, Ed. 1 Friday, December 27, 1912.

[lxiv] Claremore Progress. And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 49, Ed. 1 Friday, January 3, 1913.

[lxv] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 50, Ed. 1 Friday, January 10, 1913.

[lxvi] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 20, No. 51, Ed. 1 Friday, January 17, 1913.

[lxvii] Claremore Progress And Rogers County Democrat (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 21, No. 5, Ed. 1 Friday, February 28, 1913.

[lxviii] Claremore Messenger. (Claremore, Okla.), Vol. 18, No. 10, Ed. 1 Friday, February 7, 1913.

[lxix] The Inola Register. (Inola, Okla.), Vol. 7, No. 29, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 27, 1913.