Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1921, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “Mitchell of Mitchell and Halbach has engaged my services for Dallas, Texas, for the new Majestic Theatre.”
To clarify, a well-known interior decorating firm subcontracted some of the work for the new Majestic Theatre in Dallas to Thomas G. Moses, representing Sosman & Landis. Since the establishment of Soman & Landis, the firm delivered stage scenery and painted décor for a variety of venues. This does not mean that Moses was credited for any of the Majestic Theatre painting as a subcontractor.
Since the late nineteenth century, Mitchell and Halbach were well known interior decorators and furnishers, located at 1715 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago, Illinois. In 1921 they advertised as “specialists in high class interior decorations and furnishings for public and private buildings. Moses had even hired Mitchell & Halbach to decorate the rooms in his own home.
Later in 1921 Moses specified his contribution to the Majestic Theatre in Dallas, writing, “I was successful with the asbestos curtain, and then went on to the wall decorations, which were very interesting and finally the playroom which was doubly interesting.” Moses remained in the south for nine weeks, working on the Majestic Theatre, Dallas Shrine scenery, and negotiating future contracts with the Scottish Rite in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Moses was accompanied by his wife Ella [Madam] when they headed south that February, writing, “On the 15th I started for Dallas, where I arrived the next day, late in the afternoon. I was pleased to get this work as it was away from the extreme cold weather and a novel adventure for the Madam and myself.”
Later that spring, Moses wrote, “Made a side trip to Little Rock to settle on the Scottish Rite Temple. I hope to be able to close the contract very soon. I enjoyed the trip as I saw some very interesting old buildings. On my return to Dallas, it didn’t take me long to complete the work.
Of Moses’ Majestic Theatre painting, advertisements announced, “In the vast auditorium that seats 3,000, a Roman Garden has been reproduced in detail. Overhead a sunset sinks to rest, sending the flaming amber tinted farewell to a sky that heralds the night with its millions of twinkling stars. One every side, seen over flower-covered walls, is a vision of ‘Gods Out-of-Doors, cloud-kissed hills with dormant Vesuvius rising on the distance to greet them” (Corsica Daily Sun, 1 April 1921, page 10).
The Majestic Theatre in Dallas opened on April 11, 1921. It was advertised as the “New 2 Million Dollar Peak on the Dallas Sky-line” (Corsicana Daily Sun, 1 April 1921, page 10). This was the flagship of Karl St. John Hoblitzelle’s Interstate Amusement Company chain of theaters. Replacing Hoblitzelle’s previous Majestic Theatre from 1905 that burned to the ground in 1916. Located at the corner of Commerce and St. Paul streets, the five-story building boasted 20,000 square feet and was also home to business offices for Hoblitzelle. The Renaissance Revival structure was designed by John Eberson.” Later in 1921, Moses would write, “Did two watercolors for Mr. Hoblitzelle, which I trust will be pleasing to him and his wife.” Moses frequently gifted fine art paintings to his theatre clients. It was a personal thank you for the work and added credibility to the artistic works for the stage.
On October 13, 1921, the “Corsicana Daily Sun” reported, “When Fair visitors go to Dallas this year there will be one place they will all want to go – The New Majestic of Dallas, For to come to Dallas and fail to see this palatial show house would be like going to Rome and forgetting to visit the Vatican. The New Majestic of Dallas is conceded to be the peer of all playhouses in the world for it possesses a Majesticland. A playground that is all of 90 feet long and 50 wide- containing all manner of toys, animals, merry go rounds, slides, etc. Mary Garden the famous diva of the Chicago Symphony Opera Co. declared that even she – in her plans and ambitions for an ideal playhouse never dreamed of such innovation and theatredom as Majesticland. But Majesticland is the only one of the many perfect details of this beautiful theatre. Throughout it is an example of the highest art. Patterned after the beautiful decorations of Louis Sixteenth it stands alone in its simple elegance of beauty n in the entire southwest” (page 10).
Advertisements stated, “The ancients never thought of going to Rome without visiting the Coliseum. No one thinks of going to Paris without visiting the Louvre. No one thinks of going to Washington, D.C. without seeing the Capitol Building and White House. Correspondingly – on one thinks of going to Dallas without visiting the New Majestic Theatre – the Greatest Amusement Institution in America” (Dallas Express, 8 Oct. 1921, page 7).
The “Scenic Artists” column in “The Billboard” that year reported, “Thos. G. Moses, art director for the Sosman & Landis Studios, is at Dallas, Tex., painting the new curtain and mural gardens in the new Majestic Theater now under construction. Mr. Moses states that this new Dallas House is one of the most wonderful in the country, having a number of unique features that make it interesting.” This article was clipped by Moses and placed in his scrapbook. There is no exact date or page number.
To be continued…
