Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1916, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “Sold Hoffman of Detroit $725.00 of old scenery from Saginaw.” Sosman & Landis had previously provided scenery to East Saginaw’s Academy of Music. The refurbishment and resale of old scenery to a new venue was commonplace at this time.
On March 26, 1916, the “Detroit Free Press” announced, “Amusement Place of Large Capacity Takes Site Where Stands Old Abandoned House of Worship.” C. A. Hoffman and Graham Hoffman were pictured next to the proposed Colonial Theatre. The article continued, “Amusement place with capacity for 2,289 is to be opened October 1. To build the first large-modern theater in the near down-town section of Woodward avenue, the Detroit-Colonial Theater company has been organized by the Hoffman brothers, vaudeville managers and producers, and incorporated with an authorized capital of $200,000.
“A 30-year lease has been obtained of the northwest corner of Woodward avenue and Sibley street on which now stands the abandoned Woodward avenue Congregational church, a landmark in that section.
“C. Howard Crane, architect, has been engaged to draw plans for the theater and has completed the specifications embodying a number of innovations. The theater will have no gallery; but there will be a spacious balcony. Something new to Detroit will be a larger open well on what is to be a mezzanine floor, giving the auditorium under the balcony the appearance of great height. This feature is found in the Strand theater, New York. The capacity will be 2,289 including 204 box chairs. The style of architecture will be colonial carried out in exterior and interior details, giving opportunity for striking beauty and simplicity.
There will be a stage adequate in size for any act on the large vaudeville circuits. There are to be 15 dressing rooms, besides special quarters for musicians, electricians, and carpenters, and lounging rooms and shower baths for stage performers.
The name Colonial has been chosen for the theater because it is the pioneer showhouse of the district in which it is to be located, because of the style of architecture desired an because as the promoters declare, ‘It’s a good old American. – strictly American name.”
Clare A. Hoffman will be president and general managers of the company, and Graham Hoffman secretary and treasurer. These young men of long experience, in various capacities, with the theatrical and amusement business, built and have managed the Palace Theatre of this city. They are the management in the Hoffman Brothers theater enterprises including the new Palace theater of Saginaw. The vice-president of the Colonial Theater company is Harry J. Dingeman. The three named with Julius L. Krimmel and Mortimer Hoffman are the company’s directors.”
On Feb. 26, 1916, “The Moving Picture World” announced, “Clare A. Hoffman has succeeded A. I. Marenette as president of the Palace Theater Cp., of Detroit. Graham Hoffman continues as secretary. Harry J. Dingeman has been elected vice-president and Frederick H. Mears treasurer. These, with Mr. Marentette, form the directorate.
It was announced at the director’s meeting held recently that the company, which has been paying 1 per cent, monthly on a $200,000 full subscribed capital, will go to 2 per cent. March 1, with the company practically free from debt. C. A. Hoffman has also been chosen president, Mr. Dingeman vice-president and Graham Hoffman secretary of the Hippodrome Amusement Co., of Saginaw, Mich., which has practically completed the financing of a theater being erected on Gennessee avenue and to be opened about March 15. The Hoffman Brothers Theatrical Enterprises has recently opened offices at 1437 Dime Bank building. They propose to erect other theaters in Michigan” (page 1330).
Sosman & Landis had been doing business with the Hoffmans since 1914. On Feb. 15 of that year, the firm delivered scenery to the Palace Theatre in Detroit (see past post #879). The Hoffman brothers were the managers for the venue. Other Palace theaters with scenery by Sosman & Landis included those in Chicago (1912), Minneapolis (1914) and Fort Wayne (1914). To be continued…
