Elite Theater

The Elite Amusement Company showed up in the Wichita Beacon on November 29, 1906.  The story mentioned that the venue at 409 East Douglas Avenue, would bring another vaudeville house to Wichita, creating a theater circuit across six towns in Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

The theater opened to the public on October 23, 1906.

I found this picture on the Cinema Treasures website. I can not verify if this is or is not a photo of the Elite theater. Based on my research, I question the validity of the photo, especially since I could not find it anywhere else. If you have info on the picture, please let me know.

Two weeks later, the Eagle noted the theater, “has enjoyed remarkable success. The moving pictures and illustrated songs have been exceptionally well-received, delighting the crowds of spectators.”  The paper also mentions Mrs. Persis Russell Gardner singing, “Longing for You”.

On December 16,1906 the Eagle ran a story that, “the theater is experiencing great success, with managers pleased by the large crowds attending. Last night, 2,800 people enjoyed the picture shows and the illustrated song performed by Mrs. Persis R. Gardner.”

This was the second mention about singing in the theater. Illustrated songs involved a performer singing while accompanying images projected onto a screen, kind of like a music video.

In early 1907 the Elite Theater’s owners requested permission to install a seven-foot electric sign in front of the theater.

A week later, the Eagle reported that, “The Elite Theater displayed the “S.R.O.” (Standing Room Only) sign last evening, indicating a full house.”

In September 1907, the mayor’s directive to cease photograph operations at nickel theaters on Sundays sparked controversy among theater managers, who argued that it hindered their business. After negotiations, and the arrest of Mr. Marple, theaters were permitted to use photographs within certain hours, as it was determined that the mayor had exceeded his authority without proper city council ordinances.

Celebrating its first anniversary the theater owners bragged to The Wichita Eagle, “that almost half a million paid admissions, at five cents each, were recorded at the box office during the first year, excluding Sundays. This averages to over $79 per day, a highly encouraging figure for a five-cent amusement enterprise anywhere in the country. The consistent attendance underscores the inherent and enduring appeal of the theater’s offerings, drawing people day after day and week after week.”

Sometime between May 10 and May 14, 1908, the theater went from Elite Amusement Co. to The Elite Theater Co.

An ad in the Wichita Eagle on July 8, 1909, marked the sale of the Elite theater to M.H. Marple, who already owned the Marple theater.

Less than a month later the Elite was closed for a two-week renovation and vacation period. The owners promised upon reopening, patrons would find one of the most attractive and comfortable theaters in the region.

A month later the theater reopened boasting modern amenities and facilities, but I could not find any information that explained the changes.

In December 1911, the State Labor Commissioner Owen Doyle, sent by Governor Stubbs, inspected Wichita theaters for compliance with fire safety laws. At the Elite Theater, Manager F.C. Wright was arrested for several violations, including inadequate fire exits, lack of proper signage, and unsafe operation of the picture machine.

At some point the city reinstated their rule against picture shows on Sunday. Wright attempted to get around the law by offering a stereopticon (a slide projector that combines two images to create a 3-D effect) lecture for admission. However, the city censor, W.E. Reeves, threatened closure. The guest lecturer, Mrs. Sarah Bond, from the National Social Purity League, considered challenging the ordinance but ultimately respected the city’s rules and did not proceed with her lecture.

In case you are wondering, because I was, the social purity movement aimed to eliminate prostitution and other perceived immoral sexual behaviors based on Christian morality, influencing feminist and birth control movements.

Petitions for licensing Sunday motion picture shows are likely to be presented to the board of city commissioners next Monday morning. Ford Wright reports a high level of support, with fewer than 10 out of 100 people refusing to sign the petitions. While some individuals are against Sunday shows, they are not inclined to deprive others of the opportunity for amusement.

The last mention about the theater was in an ad in the Eagle on January 18, 1914, saying the Elite was for sale. There are other mentions of the Elite theater after January 1914, but they were about the Elite theaters in another part of the state.

The theater was torn down and today, the Hilton Garden Inn sits on the location.

To check some of Wichita’s other theaters… go to Silver Screen Whispers.