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In the 1920s, at least in larger theaters, movie-goers typically were given programs. The first two programs on this page are from the Criterion Theatre, in Los Angeles, and the third from a Majestic Theatre in an unidentified city. As you can see from the Criterion programs, movie-goers were also often given live entertainment in the form of an accompanying stage show, and could always expect live music, either a whole "concert orchestra" or at least a solo piano player or organist. On the other hand, the last page of the Majestic program indicates how the movies were changing in 1928, and may offer a clue about why Pollard's film didn't do as well as Universal had hoped when it invested almost $2,000,000 in the project: the next two movies coming to the Majestic Theatre are "talkies" -- sound movies following up the triumph of Warner's Jazz Singer. (If anyone can identify the city in which the Majestic stood, please let us know.) Wichita State University Libraries, Department of Special Collections; Majestic Program: Courtesy John Sullivan. |