Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1919, Thomas G. Moses delivered scenery to two Detroit movie houses owned by John H. Kunsky. A decade later, the “Detroit Free Press” published an article about Kunsky and his chain of theaters. It provides a good perspective when considering the declining demand for painting scenery during the second and third decades of the twentieth century.
Here is the “Detroit Free Press” article from July 22, 1928 (page 11):
“More than 20 years ago, in 1905, John H. Kunsky brought the first motion picture machine to Detroit. It was a cumbersome affair, far from reliable, but it served its primitive purpose, and the first Kunsky theater – formerly a store – prospered.
As the idea of motion pictures took hold upon the public, the firm benefitted. There came into being in 1908 the Theater Royale, the first 10-cent theater Detroit every had seen and the first link in the Kunsky chain. On one occasion a charge of 25 cents was made during the showing of ‘The Passion Play,’ the first ‘super-feature’ of multiple reel length.
In quick succession there followed the Majestic and the Empress. As they too, prospered, there came into being the Garden, located in the then residential section of Woodward and Selden, the forerunner of the chain of de luxe suburban and residential theaters sponsored by the Kunsky Theater corporation.
The Hippodrome, and the Columbia followed, in short order, the latter still being operated by its founders, but none met with the huge success of the Liberty, the first , with its 15-piece orchestra under Eduard Werner, its organ, and pleasant atmosphere, did much to popularize the motion picture with the so-called ‘silks and satins.’
In 1914 the Kunsky chain took over the old Washington theater previously operated by a none-too-successful stock company. This was the beginning of the march toward Grand Circus park, and so profitable was the venture that in 1916 the Madison was erected.
Other followed quickly. In 1917 the Adams came into being followed by the Capitol; in 1925, by the State; and in 1926 by the Michigan.
Meanwhile the suburban field had not been neglected. More and more attention was given to providing entertainment in the residential sections, until now the chain owns and operates the Birmingham, the Redford and the Royal Oak, all opened during the last 10 months; the Strand, the De Luxe, the Alhambra, and the Columbia, in addition to its five big downtown theaters.
Unusual attention has been given to making the anniversary celebration a big one. Jackie Coogan, child cinema star, is appearing in person at the Michigan, with Frank Beaston’s Publix show ‘Sunshine Days,’ while Eduard Werner and Arthur Gutow offer musical specialties and Laura La Plante stars on the screen in ‘Home, James.’
The Capitol brought on Lou Holtz, ‘Scandals’ star, especially for this occasion, to appear with Del Delbridge in a lavish Publix stage show ‘Fine Feathers;’ Samuel Benavie and Don Miller assist musically, while on the screen William Boyd stars in ‘The Cop.’
The Adams offers Norman Keery in ‘The Foreign Legion,’ with Lewis Stone and Mary Nolan, with symphonic accompaniment by the Adams Symphony orchestra, while two talking pictures, ‘The Jazz Singer,’ starring Al Jolson, and ‘The Lion and the Mouse,’ with Lionel Barrymore and May McAvoy are seen and heard at the Madison and the State respectively.”
To be continued…
