100 Year Old Weblog: moving pictures

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May 22, 2025 ~ FAIRMOUNT PARK IS OPENED FOR SEASON.

May 22, 2025

FAIRMOUNT PARK IS OPENED FOR SEASON.

Attendance Record Broken on First Day; Concessions Draw Well.

The amusement park season in Kansas City began yesterday when Fairmount park started on its summer cycle. Despite the threatening weather of the morning the sun came out brightly in the afternoon, and with it came throngs of pleasure seekers. By 7 o'clock last night the park's attendance record had been shoved up several notches and at closing time the turnstiles registered several thousand admissions more than on any previous opening day.

The crowds patronized all concessions freely. Probably the band concerts in the amphitheater and the balloon races over the lake received the most attention. The studio of the Fairmount Feature Film company was one of the places of greatest interest. Several special scenes were photographed for the opening crowds. It was the first opportunity many had had of witnessing the production of a "movie." The dance pavilion, Fairmount Inn, and the children's playgrounds were largely patronized.

The sea beach was not opened yesterday on account of the cool weather, but boating was popular. Fairmount Park is to be managed this year by Sam Benjamin, formerly of Electric park.

May 22, 2025 ~ SURGEONS' WORK IS SEEN ON THE FILM.

May 22, 2025

SURGEONS' WORK IS SEEN ON THE FILM.

Woman Faints as Overland Park Screen Shows Operations.

Modern surgeons now do their work while a moving picture camera records every detail of their operations on the film. That this custom has reached Kansas City developed yesterday when, at a private exhibit in the theater at Overland Park, two operations performed last week at a Kansas City hospital were faithfully reproduced. One depicted the amputation of a woman's leg and the other the removal of a boy's appendix.

The removal of the appendix was shown and no detail of the operation was lost in its reproduction. It was performed in eight minutes and on the screen seemed quite simple. Everything was shown from the incision of the knife to the removal of the patient from the operating room. The movie crows was particularly concerned when, at one point, as the wound was being sewed up, the lad showed signs of returning consciousness and the attendant applying the anesthetic reached hurriedly for the cone.

The leg amputation was far the more vivid and as the reproduction of the operation was concluded one of the four women in the audience fainted. This operation required seventeen minutes.

It was stated that when the operations were finished at the hospital the camera operator fainted and had to be carried from the room by one of the attending surgeons. The film taken will be used to illustrate surgical lectures.

April 18, 2025 ~ PICKET STRIKES WOMAN.

April 18, 2025

PICKET STRIKES WOMAN.

Wife of Movie Show Proprietor Is Rendered Unconscious.

Mrs. John E. Hughes, wife of the proprietor of a picture theater at Ninth street and Lister avenue, was struck and knocked unconscious at 7:30 o'clock last night by a man who, it is said, was one of three pickets placed by the business agent of the moving picture operators' union to picket the theater. She was carried into a house near the theater and treated by a physician.

Mr. Hughes said last night that he was visited by the business agent of the union and asked to sign a union contract immediately. He had been operating the picture machine himself, he says, and part of the time was employing a beginner to assist him. Mrs. Hughes looked after the office.

When Mr. Hughes declined to sign the contract at once and, instead, insisted on more time, he says, several pickets took positions outside and began warning patrons of the theater to stay away. While Hughes was inside the theater turning on the lights Ms. Hughes went outside to talk to the nearest picket. She had barely spoken to him when he struck her on the left temple, according to witnesses. Indignant bystanders became threatening and the pickets fled.

Hughes says he was formerly a union operator and that he had trouble with the union at a former place of business. Hughes says he will file a complaint this morning with the county prosecutor.

April 10, 2025 ~ WORKING ON MOVIE STUDIO.

April 10, 2025

WORKING ON MOVIE STUDIO.

Clubhouse at Fairmount Being Made Over Into Film Workshop.

Work was begun yesterday on the studio and amphitheatre of the Fairmount Feature Film Company at Fairmount park. The club house will form the nucleus of Kansas City's "Universal City" and carpenters started the remodel of this building into a work shop for local film stars.

Extending back from teh studio will be the amphitheatre from which the public may watch the taking of the pictures. The outdoor stage will be built in the center of the amphitheatre.

April 3, 2025 FILM PLAY AT GRAND AGAIN.

April 3, 2025

FILM PLAY AT GRAND AGAIN.

"Inside of White Slave Traffic" Is Bill for the Week

"The Inside of the White Slave Traffic," the film play that ran at the Grand theater two weeks ago, was revived at the Grand yesterday afternoon and will be shown at that theater all this week.

The court proceedings filed by welfare officers, in which it was held that the "White Slave" film was too suggestive a character to be exhibited, are still pending. It is probably, however, that no further attempt will be made to stop the production.

PICTURE MACHINE EXPLODES. ~ Patrons of James Street Nickle Show Cry "Fire" and Stampede.

January 29, 2026

PICTURE MACHINE EXPLODES.

Patrons of James Street Nickle Show

Cry "Fire" and Stampede.

A loud explosion followed by a tongue of flame, which burst from the operator's room at the "Star" nickle show, No. 8 South James street, Kansas City, Kas., about 8 o'clock last night, caused a panic to spread among the one hundred or more patrons who had gathered for the first performance. The cry of fire was followed by a mad stampede for the rear exits. Men, women and children trampled over each other in their frenzy, and a large gate at the rear of the theater was literally torn from the hinges by the frightened crowd. Luckily no one was seriously hurt in the rush, and aside from a few bruises, the crowd was none the worse for its experience.

Christ Clark, the picture machine operator, did not escape so lightly. When the films of the machine became ignited Clark, in his attempt to extinguish them, was badly burned. He fell from the elevated room where he was working and was treated at No. 2 police station by Dr. Mortimer Marder. Clark lives with his mother at 2012 North Fifth street. The fire department was called, but most of the fire was extinguished by the use of chemicals. The proprietor, Frank Spandle, probably saved the life of Clark. The young man was overcome and had sunk to the floor of the room among the burning films, when he was pulled from his perilous position by his employer.

THE FROZEN APE. ~ Moving Picture Comedy at the Subway.

January 11, 2026

THE FROZEN APE.

Moving Picture Comedy at

the Subway.

An unique moving picture comedy, "The Frozen Ape," at the Subway theater today and tomorrow, offers side-splitting merriment for fun-lovers. A scientist goes into the arctic regions to discover things and makes a find that astonishes the world. It is an ape, frozen into the side of an icy glacier. He sends the ape, packed in a box, to his friend, Professor Knowall. The expressman leaves the box in his wagon in front of Professor Knowall's home. Two boys, building a bonfire, need more wood. They push the box into the fire. The heat thaws the frozen ape, who gets out. Then funny things begin to happen.

BOOSTING RIVER NAVIGATION. ~ Meeting at Commercial Club Tomorrow Night to Increase Interest.

December 2, 2025

BOOSTING RIVER NAVIGATION.

Meeting at Commercial Club Tomor-

row Night to Increase Interest.

A special meeting will be held in the Commercial Club rooms tomorrow night for the purpose of creating more interest in the project for improving the navigation of the Missouri river. No solicitations for funds will be made at the meeting.

Walter S. Dickey, president of the company which proposes to establish a boatline on the Missouri, will show 125 pictures of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, some of the pictures being moving scenes. Comparisons between the navigable Mississippi and the Missouri will be brought out, by which Mr. Dickey expects to show conclusively the possibilities of the Missouri.

Moving pictures of the Kansas City delegation going to New Orleans in the Gray Eagle, and the visits of President Taft and other notables will also be shown.

PICTURE MACHINE LETS GO. ~ Only Four in the Audience When Explosion Took Place.

November 19, 2025

PICTURE MACHINE LETS GO.

Only Four in the Audience When

Explosion Took Place.

Frank Tierney, of 320 West Thirteenth street, was burned about the face and hands in an attempt to extinguish a fire that started from the explosion of a moving picture machine at the cozy theater, 1300 Main street, yesterday afternoon. There were four persons in the audience at the time.

Tierney was attended by Dr. Hamilton and sent to his home. The damage to the theater was slight.

FIRE WARDEN CLOSES NATIONAL THEATER. ~ BEGINS CRUSADE AGAINST UNSAFE MOVING PICTURE SHOWS.

October 28, 2025

FIRE WARDEN CLOSES

NATIONAL THEATER.

BEGINS CRUSADE AGAINST UN-

SAFE MOVING PICTURE SHOWS.

Every Place in City, and Theaters,

to Be Closed Unless Public

Is Protected Against Fire.

Following the closing yesterday by the Fire Warden Edward Trickett of the National theater, 1112 Grand avenue, every other theater and picture show in the city will be inspected and if found in unsafe condition will immediately be ordered to quit.

The fire warden served notice at 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon on the manager of the National. No shows will be permitted to be given until all improvements ordered by Mr. Trickett have been made and the playhouse placed in a safe condition.

"It is the picture shows that are not complying with the ordinance relative to protection against fire," said Mr. Trickett last night. "Of the fifty that are running in this city one-third are unsafe."

Two weeks ago Mr. Trickett served every theater and picture show house in the city with a written notice, calling the attention of the managers to the rubbish and paper that had been allowed to gather under stages and auditoriums.

ALL MUST CLEAN UP.

"If some one would drop a lighted match in this rubbish a disastrous fire would result with a large loss of life," said Mr. Trickett.

"There are eight theaters in the city. I am not prepared to say how many are violating the city ordinance. Further than to say that every manager would better order a general cleaning and inspection of his fire protection appliances, I will make no comment.

Beginning immediately, Mr. Trickett will visit every show house in the city. The wiring will be inspected and all safety appliances. Mr. Trickett will go from gallery to cellar, and if the house is found lacking in the smallest detail, it will be ordered closed.

"The theaters and picture shows have been given ample warning,"said Mr. Trickett. "Notices were sent out two weeks ago and the attention of the managers called to the city ordinances.

"I have been trying especially to get the National cleaned up. The manager has made promises and done no more. This is the third time in two years that this theater has been closed. This time it will not be allowed to open until the rubbish is cleaned up and it is made safe in every particular."

Mr. Trickett charges that the wiring in the National is defective, and the room in which the moving picture machine is kept is liable to catch fire. He found paper and rubbish under the stage and in the basement under the auditorium.

Y. M. C. A. FORMALLY OPENED. ~ Moving Pictures Show Association's Work Around The World.

October 23, 2025

Y. M. C. A. FORMALLY OPENED.

Moving Pictures Show Asso-

ciation's Work Around

The World.

In the chapel, festooned with flags, a small audience, composed mostly of chief contributors to the building fund, formally opened the new Y. M. C. A. building, Tenth and Oak streets, last night. the speeches, interspersed with songs, were led by Henry M. Beardsley, president of the association.

Beardsley said, in introduction, that the new building is a credit to the city it represents, he said, an expenditure of about $377,000. After next month there will be no indebtedness. The building committee at present is only $2,000 behind the appropriation and this amount will be raised at a carnival to be held one week beginning November 16. His remarks were cheered.

John Barrett, long connected with association work in foreign countries, spoke lightly of conversations he has had with diplomats, presidents or magnates. With the versatility of a moving picture machine, Barrett called up mental views of Japan, Africa, Asia Minor, Argentina and Mexico. He compared statements of a viceroy of Manchuria with that of the president of a Central American republic or of a may or of a little town in Iowa.

In ever country, Barrett said, the association is leading the vanguard of civilizing influences.

PUBLIC MUST BE PROTECTED. ~ Fire Warden Tells 32 of 40 Moving Picture Shows Inspected to Better Safeguard Patrons.

September 17, 2025

PUBLIC MUST BE PROTECTED.

Fire Warden Tells 32 of 40 Moving

Picture Shows Inspected to Bet-

ter Safeguard Patrons.

In a report to the fire and water board yesterday, Edward Trickett, fire marshal, stated that he had made an inspection of over forty moving picture shows, and that he had to caution the management of thirty-two of them to better protect their patrons from danger of fire.

The marshal says that the ordinances for the regulation of moving picture shows are lax, and he recommends more stringent laws.

He says that the operating machines should be encased in iron booths, and that all operators should undergo an examination as to their efficiency and general knowledge of electrical devices.

Such a precaution, he adds, would be advantageous both to the patrons and owners of the show.

EMPLOYES OF NICKEL SHOWS FORM A UNION.

August 4, 2025

EMPLOYES OF NICKEL

SHOWS FORM A UNION.

WILL DEMAND MORE PAY AND

DAY OFF A WEEK.

Those in Charge of Movement Claim

Present Salaries Are Too Low,

Considering Work and

Long Hours.

A new labor union, new at least in this city, will spring into life full grown at a meeting of its fifty members at Labor headquarters, Locust and Twelfth streets, tomorrow night. The charter recognizing the Kansas City Nickel Show Operators' Union, which was sent for yesterday, will be read and officers elected. Things will then begin to happen to the managements of the seventy-five or more 5-cent arcades, nickelodeons and electric theaters scattered about the city.

If they do not at once accede to a demand for an immediate raise in salaries, a day off each week for recuperative purposes and shorter hours all around, lantern operators, piano players, doorkeepers and even the blonde haired women cashiers may make a general exit.

SAY THEY ARE POORLY PAID.

"We are the poorest paid employes in the city considering the skill required of us and the long hours we are forced to keep," said H. C. Bernard, Seventy-fifth street and West Prospect avenue, the president of the union, last night. "Door-keepers and operators get $12 a week while girl cashiers and piano players get only from $2 to $4. I can't remember of even having heard of a singer receiving more than $8 in this city for the repeated strain on his or her vocal cords.

"I know of one skillful operator of a lantern who got $25 a week in Chicago a month ago and is now drawing a weekly check for $4 and he often works 15 hours a day with no day off."

A business manager in the Yale 5 cent shows general offices said yesterday that he did not fear a strike and that one if it came would not seriously retard the business of his company.

CLAIMS WORK IS LIGHT.

"I will tough a wire the minute they strike and get 100 operators from Chicago in short order," said he. "The work done by the operators, doorkeepers and singers is very light, although somewhat tedious. As a rule they have the forenoons off and can use them to make money at other things. My company will fight a strike to the last, and if a union is organized will discharge every man or woman caught attending a union meeting."

The new union will be affiliated with the International Theatrical Stage Employes' union, and will have auxiliaries taking in all employes, male and female, of the 5-cent shows. Several secret meetings have been held by the union organizers in a room at labor headquarters and about fifty operators have joined. There are about 500 employes of the nickel theaters in the city.

'MARIOUCHE' PREVENTS PANIC. ~ When Singer Warbled It Excited Theater Patrons Became Quiet.

June 22, 2025

'MARIOUCHE' PREVENTS PANIC.

When Singer Warbled It Excited

Theater Patrons Became Quiet.

The sudden combustion of films at the moving picture show in the Majestic theater between Eleventh and Twelfth streets on Walnut street at 10 o'clock last night nearly caused a panic in the gallery, where many voices took up the cry of "fire."

The moving picture machine, together with its inflammable films, is protected by a fire-proof booth, but the "newsies" in the gallery did not know this. As they began to leave their seats the management realized something must be done. It was the stage managers who saw a way out.

Seizing Harry Kirschbaum, who is a health officer at the city hall in the day time and a singer at the theater during the evening, he fairly hurled him down the aisle to the front of the house and bade him sing.

"Give us something brisk," he commanded in a hoarse whisper.

Without waiting for the piano the singer began the opening stanza of "Could you be true to a nice young blonde, if you loved a sweet brunette?"

Still the boys in the gallery kept up their alarming cries and the singer changed his tune to "Waltz me around again, Willie" and then to "Mariouche," the Coney Island song.

As the strains of the semi-oriental piece swung out over the gallery there was a gentle rustle as the crowd reseated itself and when the fire department arrived a moment later there was not a semblance of excitement in the house.

OLD MAID'S CONVENTION. ~ It Is the Top Liner of Fun at Forest Park.

June 14, 2025

OLD MAID'S CONVENTION.

It Is the Top Liner of Fun at

Forest Park.

Families with their baskets occupied the benches and tables under the trees on the lawn of Forest park yesterday and it was a gala day for the children.

The Old Maids' convention opened their regular sessions and soon got down to business. It is not a beauty show, to say the least. To call it such would be going from the sublime to the ridiculous, but their parody sessions on woman's rights and other subjects pertaining to woman, perhaps, furnishes the visitor with more genuine fun than most musical comedies. The idea is truly original, if nothing more. the convention hall was crowded all day and the Salome dance was a scream, being so different from the Gerturde Hoffman dance as to make it ridiculous.

For the first time there this season free vaudeville and new motion pictures were introduced. Quite a novel act was presented by Chris Christopher, a singer of German songs and a trick violinist. The Gee-Jays, the human marionettes, closed the bill. Two reels of motion pictures were also on the bill. The big new attraction is the exciting ride device known as the Humble Peter. It is built on the order of the tickler, only less jolting is the experience.

The entries for the aquatic sports on Wednesday are coming in fast and a large number of contestants competed for the prizes.

FOREST PARK ATTRACTIONS. ~ Ritter Sisters' Lady Orchestra Concerts Afternoon and Night.

May 16, 2025

FOREST PARK ATTRACTIONS.

Ritter Sisters' Lady Orchestra Con-

certs Afternoon and Night.

Commencing today the patrons of Forest park will be offered as an added free attraction the well known Ritter Sisters' lady orchestra. They will give concerts in the pavilion every afternoon and night and will also render the incidental music for the new feature motion pictures that will be shown in the pavilion all this week. The pictures are all new subjects and the manager of Forest park guarantees that they are shown here for the first time in Kansas City. Pleasing programmes will be rendered by the Sisters Ritter, both afternoon and evening. Children's day was well attended at Forest park yesterday and the little ones all enjoyed the many new devices, especially the Giant Slide or Human Niagara.

FOREST PARK'S OPENING. ~ Everything Has Been Brightened Up Since Last Fall.

April 25, 2025

FOREST PARK'S OPENING.

Everything Has Been Brightened Up

Since Last Fall.

Forest park, which opens next Saturday, has undergone many changes for the better since it was closed last fall, according to Manager James Anderson. "Humble Peter," the "Human Roulette Wheel" and other novelties have been introduced, and the free vaudeville acts are promised to be bigger and considerably more classy than those of the past. The skating rink has been remodeled and converted into a ballroom.

Probably the best of the added features, from a fun-seekers' viewpoint, is the "Jolly Follies" pavilion, ninety feet wide and 290 feet long, containing over 100 new amusement devices and said to be the largest pavilion of its kind in the country.

The moving picture show will be there, but it will have its educational advantages. "A Trip Across the Isthmus of Panama" is the title of one of the pictures to be thrown on the screen, to be accompanied by the swaying motion of water and the roar of a passenger train.

CUSTER SURVIVOR TO TALK. ~ Older Boys Will Hear "What Makes a Soldier."

March 4, 2026

CUSTER SURVIVOR TO TALK.

Older Boys Will Hear "What Makes

a Soldier."

A meeting of older boys will be held at the Academy of Music Sunday at 3:30 p. m. under the auspices of the Y. M. C. A. An address on "What Makes a Soldier" will be delivered by Colonel T. W. Goldin, mounted messenger for General Custer and a survivor of the battle of the Little Big Horn.

This will be the first of a series of meetings for older boys which will be held at the same place every Sunday afternoon. Moving pictures representing biblical scenes will be shown after the lecture. Special music will be furnished. admission by ticket only.

VIEWS OF MESSINA DISASTER. ~ First Moving Pictures to Be Shown at Local Theater.

January 31, 2026

VIEWS OF MESSINA DISASTER.

First Moving Pictures to Be Shown

at Local Theater.

At the Orpheum theater this week pictures of the earthquake and disaster which recently overtook the inhabitants of Messina, Italy, will be shown by the kinodrome. These pictures are probably the first authentic ones of the disaster to be exhibited in the United States. They were taken by photographers as soon as the earthquake was over and show the work of rescue by the soldiers of the different countries.

Scenes of pillage and scenes of heroic work among the rescuers, the awful condition of the survivors and the ruined homes and buildings are all included in the film of moving pictures. The pictures are interesting for the accuracy and the realistic views of one of the greatest disasters which has befallen a people within the past generation.

ARREST MOVING PICTURE MAN. ~ Miss Beebe Thompson Says His Show Is Very Naughty.

July 14, 2025

ARREST MOVING PICTURE MAN.

Miss Beebe Thompson Says His

Show Is Very Naughty.

Following up the plan outlined some time ago, looking to the better morals of the children and youths, especially in the crowded tenement districts, the Franklin institute recently instructed Miss Beebe Thompson, a settlement worker, to make an investigation of the pictures shown by the cheap amusement companies throughout the city.

As a result, one proprietor, J. J. Dunn, who conducts the "Fairyland" show at 1329 Grand avenue, has been cited to appear in police court this morning and answer charges of exhibiting immoral pictures. Others have been found at various places which to not tend to elevate or instruct the youth or older persons, and complaints will be lodged with Mayor Thomas T. Crittenden, Jr., and an effort made to suppress all such pictures as "The Young Model," the "Thaw-White Tragedy" and others of like nature. It is not the object of the workers, they allege, to suppress the moving picture shows, for these are the amusement places of the poorer classes, and, if properly regulated, will prove a benefit.

The report submitted by Miss Thompson is thorough and covers every amusement place of moving picture class in the city. Those pictures which were found to be pleasing are complimented, and those of immoral nature censured. The mutoscope comes in for most of the censure, for it is in these "penny-in-the-slot" machines that most of the pictures which are disapproved are found.