194. Early Theatre In Winchester

 April 1907.  Luther DAY opened his new theatre, The Arcade, on West Washington street last Thursday and notwithstanding the inclement weather, large and appreciative audiences attended until a late hour. Nearly everyone that attended the Electric Theatre on Meridian street also took in the performance at the new theatre.
  The bill for the first night was one of the best films ever seen in Winchester and the audience was kept in a continuous uproar. The "Wig Chase" and the other two features were very good. The illustrated song was the same as that at the Electric Theatre, but a change will be made in this respect and hereafter everything will be different. The Vaudette on Main street is also a busy place every evening. With three moving picture theatres and a penny arcade, the people of Winchester need have no complaint for some place to go.
(The "Arcade," was located at 122 W. Washington, next to Magee's Hardware store. It was also a two story brick, with apartments and office rooms on the second floor. It was torn down in the late 60's to make room for an expansion of the Randolph County Bank building. The "Electric Theatre" mentioned was at 117 N. Meridian, gone also and now Merchants Bank parking lot. The "Vaudette" was at 113 N. Main.  mh)
_____


September 1903.  The popular Magee & Ward's Opera House will have a strong attraction in "a Romance of Coon Hollow," which appears here tonight. A Strong card is the favorite little actress Ruby ERWOOD. The play will have an elegant and entirely new scenic production with a select cast and as added features, a quartette in songs of the South and a troupe of plantation dancers of unusual merit. There will be a score of people in the cast. The comedy is entering upon its tenth season of success, which is the greatest testimonial to its merits that can be given.
(The Magee & Ward Opera House was in the 2 story brick at 120 West Washington St. The building was owned by Charlie MAGEE who had his hardware store in the first floor room and the opera house was on the second floor. This was a long, high ceilinged room with the stage at the north end along with the dressing rooms. There was seating for 200 people and at this time, tickets were 25 and 50 cents. The building is gone now, being torn down to make room for a bank expansion.  mh)
_____


October 1903.  A fairly good crowd witnessed "A Montana Outlaw" at the Opera House Monday night and judging from the frequent applause, the performance gave satisfaction. This play is exciting from start to finish and all through there was a great deal of fun that kept the audience in a continuous uproar. The plot was in Montana and was extremely thrilling. Mr. W. A. Clarke, who played the part of "Jack, The Buster," is certainly a star in his profession. Every member in the company was good. The company carries a band and an orchestra.
  On next Monday night the Who, What, When minstrels will appear at the Opera House. The company is probably the most amusing, musical, original, magnificent minstrel combination that has ever visited this city. This is an all-white company with half a hundred people that travel in their own cars and giving a performance that is fairly overwhelming all competitors.
 The order at the Opera House was commendable as to what it has been most of the time heretofore. The way that order has been carried on at most of the shows by whistling, yelling etc., where there was no necessity for it has been disgraceful and should not be permitted for a moment. Applause is all right in the right place, but there should be a limit. We are informed by the management of the Opera House that there will be order hereafter or there will be some arrests and everyone knows that Mr. Magee means business when he says that, so look out in the future.
_____


December 1907.   A complete judge of high grade entertainments which instruct more than they amuse will be more than satisfied with the film to be run at the Arcade Theatre. "Making A Modern Newspaper" is the title of the film. It shows how a great metropolitan newspaper is made from the start to the time it is in the hands of the reader. Included in this program is another very instructive picture entitled "The Wood Industry In Norway." :Only A Soldier Bay" is the title of the illustrated song.
  The film at the Arcade Theatre entitled "The Clockmaker"s Secret" pleased everyone.
  "The Real Widow Brown" at the Opera House was the best play seen in this city this season. Everybody was well pleased.
_____

August 1934.  The Cozy Theatre will be moved within the next two weeks to a new location in the Odd Fellows building on North Main St, the room formerly occupied by the Winchester Bowling Alley.

  This room will be completely remodeled for showroom purposes. The front will be changed and an overhead entrance protection will be constructed. Remodeling has started and the new Cozy will be opened in approximately 30 days.
  W. H. BRENNER, proprietor, announces that the new theatre will be operated under a policy similar to the one now in affect at the Cozy.
_____

October 1934.  The Cozy Theatre was opened in it's new location on North Main st. to a capacity audience. This room, formerly occupied by the Winchester Bowling Alley, has been remodeled and constructed into one of the best and most comfortable smaller motion picture houses in this district. The proprietors, Mr. and Mrs. William BRENNER, will continue to operate the business on their same policy. They have been engaged in the theatre business in Winchester for 16 years. They first opened the Cozy in the Kelly building, later operated the Arcade in the room now occupied by PERKIN's Shoe Store on West Washington st., but finally dismantled the Arcade and continued with the Cozy.  (The Kelly block is now Haine's Hallmark store. The Arcade was at 122 W. Washington and had only penny game machines at that time. The building is gone now.  mh)

_____

March 31, 1939.  Purchase of the Cozy Theatre from William H. BRENNER by Theatrical Managers Inc., owner and operator of the Lyric theatre, was announced by V. U. YOUNG, of Gary, president of the organization which owns several show houses in Indiana.
  Saturday will be the last day of management for Mr. Brenner, one of eastern Indiana's pioneer theatre men.

  It was announced that Theatrical Managers Inc. will put in a new front at the Cozy, redecorate the interior and install new and improved sound and projection equipment. Booking arrangements have been made whereby the latest pictures will be shown at both the Lyric and Cozy theatres as soon as in other key cities in this section of the state.

 Fred DOUGHTY, manager of the Lyric, will also manage and operate the Cozy it was announced. Local persons will be employed wherever possible.

  For 20 years, Mr. Brenner has been interested in the theatre field in Winchester, coming to this city from Rensselear. First location of the Cozy under Mr. Brenner's ownership was in the Kelly block, where now is located the By-Lo Furniture store.

  Shortly after coming here he acquired the Arcade theatre and operated it along with the Cozy in the location now occupied by the Gary PERKINS shoe store. Ten years ago, the Arcade was closed. The Cozy has been in its present location about four years.

  Asked as to his future plans, Mr. Brenner said he would devote most of his time to the Randolph Poster Advertisig company, of which he is the owner.

_____