Albion Evening Recorder, December 26, 1929
With the opening Christmas day of the Bohm Theatre, located on the east side of South Superior street at the head of West Center, Albion now has a play-house which equals if not surpasses, in seating capacity, equipment, and beauty of the interior decorating scheme, any theater in a community its size in this section of the country.
Seating accommodations have been provided for approximately 1,100 people on the lower floor and in the balcony. The seats are of the latest type, designed to afford the utmost comfort. Luxurious chairs comprise the first two rows of seats in the balcony.
Throughout the entire theatre the most modern equipment and fixtures have been installed. The system of lighting is similar in all respects to that of theaters much larger while the new type of moving picture machine project a clear, well defined picture upon the screen and one which does not dazzle the eyes. the sound equipment also reproduces the spoken word unusually clear, both the feature picture and the comedy Wednesday show making use of the device.
One of the features of the new play-house is its new Barton organ, the tone quality of which is unusually beautiful. The instrument is mounted on a platform which may be raised or lowered as best suits the occasion.the organ without a doubt surpasses any in a theatre outside the larger cities in this section.
Its organist on opening day, Ellis Butler of Chicago, displayed fine technique and ability to draw from the instrument the richest tones, in a narrator to elicit expressions of favorable comment, from the large crowds that attended the opening performances. People who witnessed Wednesday’s shows will be interested to know that George Bohm proprietor of the theater, has secured the consent of Mr. Butler to remain here for seven days’ engagement, which will be concluded with the performance of New Year’s day. In passing through the lobby entrances, on Superior Street into the auditorium of the theater, one enters a long aisle extending parellel to the front of the establishment. The aisle is separated from the rows of seats by attractive paneled wood and glass partitions. Stairways leading to the balcony are located at either end of the extreme rear of the lowest floor.
The spacious stage is completely equipped for the presentation of legitimate plays and large musical comedies. A beautiful draw-curtain extends along the front of the stage, adding a pleasing touch of color to the attractive interior decorating scheme of the theater. Flanking the stage are doors leading to exits and also to the stage. Above the doors a lattice work arrangement conceals the pipes of the organ while beautiful designs in ornamental plaster have been placed above the openings.
The acoustic properties of the play-house are perfect, this feature being one which Mr. Bohm took especial note to have faultless.
In addition to the program of popular and semi-classical selections played by Mr. Butler, the opening show on Wednesday included the feature picture, “The College Coquette,” starring William Coltier Jr., Jobyus Ralston, and Ruth Taylor. The picture depicted the state of college life seldom seen by those not associated with institutes of learning. The all-talking comedy show “The House Gow” featuring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy while a series of Fox News pictures completed the bill. The same program will be repeated tonight.
Visit the official Bohm Theatre website at:
http://bohmtheatre.org/
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CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS! Learn about how you can volunteer at the historic Bohm Theatre:
http://albionmich.net/calling-all-bohm-volunteers/
Learn about other local volunteer opportunities with articles from The Recorder.