Copyright © 2021 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1922 Thomas G. Moses wrote, “The best contract we had this year outside of Masonic work, was the South Bend Orpheum Theatre for about $8,400.00.” This was certainly a sizable contract, today’s equivalent of $130,237.00. Moses was referring to the Orpheum Circuit’s new Palace Theatre in South Bend, Indiana. Located at 201 North Michigan Street, it is now known as the Morris Civic Auditorium.
This was the second Orpheum Theatre in South Bend, Indiana. South Bend’s first Orpheum Theatre opened in 1910; a vaudeville house with a seating capacity of 1,045. By 1921 plans were in place for a much larger venue, twice the size of the first Orpheum. That year businessmen from Chicago and Indianapolis established the Palace Theatre Corporation to develop the Palace Theatre in South Bend. The Palace Theatre and the adjacent Palais Royale were designed by Chicago architect, J. S. Aroner.
Announcements leading up to the opening referred to the Palace Theatre as “The Future home of Orpheum Theater Vaudeville, unrivaled in its ultra elegance, comfort and convenience.”” (South Bend Tribune 29 Oct. 1922, page 27).
On Nov. 2, 1922, South Bend’s Palace Theatre opened its doors at 7:00 pm on. Announcements described the Palace Theatre as “a colossal playhouse deluxe, dedicated to the patrons of wholesome and diversified amusement” (The South Bend Tribune, 29 Oct 1922, page 27). The Palace Theatre was a combination house, featuring not only live performances, but also photoplays. Photoplays were shown at 1:15, 3:45, 5:00, 7:45 and 10:15, with vaudeville acts at 2:30, 6:45 and 9:00 pm.
In 1928, the Palace Theatre in South Bend and other Orpheum Theaters across the country were included in a souvenir program published by the Keith-Albee-Orpheum Circuit for their newest theater in Memphis, Tennessee (Nov. 19, 1928). Of South Bend’s Palace Theatre, the program noted. “The Palace is the newest and most modern of the three theatres in South Bend operated by the Keith-Albee-Orpheum Circuit. This theatre, which is known as “The Pride of South Bend,” is a large, elaborate and singularly distinctive playhouse seating more than 2,600, with all the latest equipment, including a cooling plant, a playroom for children and many other innovations. It was opened November 2, 1922, supplanting the Orpheum Theatre, where vaudeville had been presented since 1910. Both Vaudeville and feature photoplays are offered on the Palace program. There are matinee and evening performances Monday to Friday, inclusive, and on Saturday and Sunday the performances are contiguous. South Bend is a thriving industrial center and the Palace is one of the most popular theaters on the Keith-Albee-Orpheum Circuit.”
To be continued…
