Newcastle theater proves to be a success

Hannah Gross
NLJ Correspondent 
With Leonard Cash
 
In last week’s installment of “History on Main,” historian Leonard Cash retold the long process of how Newcastle gained the Castle Theatre, which was the first sound-equipped theater in town, and he picks up this week with the celebration of the theater’s first anniversary in 1932. 
The Jan. 7, 1932, paper announced, that “three free shows, a matinee and two evening shows will be presented with ‘Husband’s Holiday,’ a brand new Paramount production and selected short subjects as the attraction” on Jan. 19 in celebration of the theater’s first-year anniversary. The film starred Clive Brook, Charles Ruggles, Vivienne Osborne, Juliette Compton and Harry Bannister, among others. 
That summer, a law firm opened above the theater. 
“New office quarters above Snyder’s in the Castle theatre building will be occupied by the law firm of Raymond and Diefenderfer just as soon as work on the new suite is completed,” says the July 21, 1932, issue of the News Letter Journal. 
The upstairs law firm’s quarters included a reception room, private offices, secretary’s office, and a large library. 
Free entertainment on the theater’s anniversary became a tradition, according to the Feb. 9, 1933, paper. On its second-year anniversary, the theater premiered the film “My Pal, the king,” starring Tom Mix. The show was a thrilling action story about a troupe of western circus performers who help rescue a kidnapped boy. 
Unfortunate news came via the News Letter Journal, when it reported on Sept. 22, 1936, that owner Cleveland and his wife received “painful injuries” from a car accident. Their vehicle hit a pole, and Cleveland broke some bones in his jaw and both the Clevelands had numerous cuts and bruises. However, their conditions were not critical. 
The following year, more trouble came. Around Sept. 29, 1937, the paper retold the story of the fire that broke out in the Castle Theatre the night before, causing a loss of thousands of dollars in damage. The adjoining Olinger’s Clothing Store and Newcastle Drug were also affected by the fire when the rooms filled with smoke, but none of the stock was ruined. Fortunately, the theater was covered by insurance. 
Another article said that the estimated damage amounted to $10,000, and “the fire was considered the most damaging in Newcastle since the night of October 31, 1933, when flames destroyed several downtown buildings.” However, Cleveland was hopeful to get the theater repaired and running in about a week. 
Cleveland’s hopes were not dashed because by Oct. 9, 1937, the Castle Theatre was back in operation again with two front lobbies, which “were repaired and beautifully redecorated.” Additionally, two machines were installed to replace the old ones that were destroyed. The first show to premiere after the fire was “Blazing Sixes,” starring Dick Foran, “The Singing Cowboy.” 
That summer, around June 1938, Cleveland installed air-conditioning equipment in the theater “to make it an entirely modern picture house.” 
A year later, the April 6, 1939, paper announced that the theater collapsed “as a result of excavation for the new building to be constructed by the local bank, causing several thousand dollars’ worth of damage to the building and fixtures.” The excavation weakened the west wall of the theater, but none of the men working in the basement were harmed. 
“The roof of the theatre was hanging last night ready to collapse at any time, and workers had placed props against the east side of the building to prevent that wall from falling,” the article says. 
The following issue reported that the rebuilding of the theater began and was to “be finished with stucco in a modernistic fashion. The biggest improvement was the replacement of the seats, according to the early May 1939 paper. The 400 “Body Form” seats, made of red plush, “add a great deal to the attractiveness of the interior.” 
By Nov. 7, 1940, Cleveland had new projection equipment installed, including two projectors of the latest type and a bright light for the screen. 
The next article in Cash’s record comes from April 20, 1950, and it gives us an update on the Newcastle Mercantile, where we find that Dan Reed sold the store to Robert Thompson. Reed joined the company in 1924 after operating a store in Moorcroft. Thompson was “well and favorably known in Newcastle” since he made Newcastle his home after being discharged from the U.S. Army. He evidently was interested in cars because he was an associate at Dow Moto Co. and later owned H & T Pontiac Co.
A week later, the following issue reported that Thompson was already making changes by closing the entire stock of dry goods. The west portion of the store was being cleared out in order to open a furniture store. It scheduled to open on Saturday, May 27, according to the May 25, 1950, issue of the paper, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“Mr. Thompson stated that he was happy to add something else new for a progressing Newcastle and especially since it will help make the opening of the first section of Newcastle’s new street a gala event,” the article says. 
The furniture store had a complete line of moderately priced stock and was “prepared to arrange terms for those who wish to use their credit.” The department was the first of its kind because it included a music section of pianos, organs, band instruments and a phonograph shop. Customers could play a record and listen to it before purchasing.
Two other departments in the furniture store were not complete at the time because the drapes and chinaware did not arrive in time. As soon as the fixtures arrived, customers wouldn’t have to order drapery from samples. 
“The Thompsons feel that if you give the furniture stores of Newcastle a chance, that it will not be necessary, in the future, to go out of town to buy your furniture and furnishings. They will be glad to work with you on your furnishing problems,” the article says. 
Next week, Cash will continue his discussion on the theater, as well as provide insight on the lives of some of the prominent men involved with the history of this building, including William McCrea and O.S. Cleveland.