Pure Magic: Algoma's Majestic Theater

The Majestic Theater as it looked in 1919

Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Durango Kid, Alan Rocky Lane, Randolph Scott, Joe Palooka, the Bowery Boys, Jungle Jim,Tarzan and more. Friday nights in Algoma during the late '40's and '50's didn't get much better than that. Some parents allowed  two movies a week. That meant Doris Day, Rock Hudson, Debbie Reynolds, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers on a Sunday afternoon, but that always meant dancing and love. White hats, swinging thru the trees and dreams of dancing with Fred like Ginger did. It all happened at the Majestic Theater. Roger Reinert was in charge and there was no nonsense.

The Majestic Theatre, on the 2nd and Steele Street site now occupied by Citizens Bank, was founded by David Burke before the advent of World War l. Others operated it before Reinert purchased it from Louis Hasberg in 1945. Hasberg bought it in 1923 from Eugene Pellettieri. In its earlier days, the building had dance hall and bowling alleys in addition to a stage for class plays and community events, but by the '40's the place held only movies and pure magic for a generation of Algoma kids. 

On March 20, 1914 the Majestic opened with a bang presenting a silent film starring Mary Pickford, the sweetheart of the American theatre. “Quo Vadis”, presented in eight acts, was another of the first attractions. It cost 25 cents. Thirty-five years later grade schoolers were paying 12 cents while adults were charged a half dollar. Mom's didn't have to tell their kids to drink milk in those days. For awhile anybody bringing in enough red handles from Pleck's milk got in free. Whether the really tall kids got in for milk handles is anyone's guess as some had to produce a birth certificate just to get the kid price. Being short had its monetary advantages.

Before the Majestic opened, there were films at George W. Timble’s Little Gem Theatre, now the Community Improvement building - best remembered as Timble's Barbershop - or at the Perry Opera House which stood on the east side of Third Street near its intersection with Clark Street. For a while, the Gem operated in the newly constructed Busch building.

Designed by the  architects who designed two Green Bay theatres, the Majestic was said to be most impressive. Its front was mission brick and sported 13 electric lights.  Dark oak covered the outside lobby which had a natural wood foyer. A French beveled plate mirror was hung on the exit side. The theatre had 320 seats, emergency exits, a 12 x 20 stage with a 12 x 14 opening and three drops to look like a street, a garden and a parlor. An 8 x 10 operating room had two movie machines. There was a vapor and steam heating system. Ten years after opening, the theater got even better.

In September 1925 the Majestic announced an addition and added 225 seats. The basement was expanded to hold five bowling alleys. The stage was enlarged and dressing rooms were added.  Projection lenses were replaced and the new pipe organ was installed as soon as refurbishing was completed. The expanded seating capacity provided greater opportunities to see such things as the high school senior class play and more.

During the Depression residents didn't have the money to see movies but by the mid-1930’s, the theatre offered inducements to regain business. One such promotion was a Wednesday evening show that offered the movie plus a piece of glassware, now called Depression glass,all for 5 cents. The taverns also offered specials. On Wednesday evenings it was possible for two people to attend a movie, take home a piece of glassware, and have a large glass of tap beer plus popcorn for 20 cents. All that and greats Greta Garbo, Rudy Vallee, Carole Lombard, Buddy Rogers, Mary Pickford and Will Rogers besides.

When the Majestic was torn down for the rebuilding of Community State Bank, maybe it wasn't only the kids of the '50's who remembered the good ole days.

                                                                   1920s ad

A white banner proclaims "A Big Show Today" at the Little Gem Theater in the Busch building on the south side of Steele Street., between 3rd and 4th Streets. Algoma was welcoming visitors and residents to its 4th of July celebration about 1920.

Cover and postcards from the Kannerwuwrf, Sharpe, Johnson collection c. 2010.