Missouri Theatre celebrates centennial with silent film
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- St. Joseph's Historic Missouri Theatre will celebrate a century of movies, vaudeville acts, theater, symphony and performing arts with the showing of a silent film.
The film 'IT', starring Clara Bow, will be shown at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, at the Missouri Theatre, located at 717 Edmond St. Doors will open at 2:30 p.m.
The Missouri Theatre was built for St. Joseph attorney and theatrical promoter Joseph Goldman and designed by brothers Carl and Rober Boller, who grew up in St. Joseph. It was constructed by Capital Building Construction in Lincoln, Nebraska.
The theater's interior sculpture design was led by Waylande Gregory from Baxter Springs, Kansas. Gregory was 20 years old during construction.
'Rough House Rosie,' also starring Clara Bow, was the featured motion picture when the theater first opened its doors at 6:30 p.m. on June 25, 1927. Admission was 25 cents.
According to a news release, there are no copies of the original film of 'Rough House Rosie,' due to the quality of the film used, lack of storage facilities or it was destroyed in the studio. Only a short trailer is available today.
Bow was known for her roles as a flapper or temptress during the Roaring 20s. She appeared in 57 to 58 films between 1922 and 1933. Known as the "It Girl," she starred in 46 silent films and 11 "talkies"- or sound films.
The Missouri Theatre celebration will begin with a dance and musical routine titled "The Ragtime Revelers," choreographed by Liza Heeler and featuring dancers from The Dance Arts Center.
A Charlie Chaplin short, 'The Adventurer,' will precede 'IT'. Organ accompanist Marvin Faulwell, and percussionist Bob Keckeisen of Topeka, Kansas, will provide the soundtrack for the afternoon.
Both Faulwell and Keckeisen are regular musicians at the Kansas Film Festival in Topeka. Faulwell composed the music that will be played for 'IT'.
After a short intermission, the documentary 'Clara Bow: Discovering the IT Girl,' from 1999, a collaboration between Hugh Hefner and Turner Classic Movies. The film is narrated by Courtney Love and traces Bow's life from Brooklyn, New York, to Hollywood.
Tickets for the celebration can be purchased for $12.25 and can be purchased in advance at JoMoTickets.com or at the door on May 17.
Anyone wanting more information is encouraged to go online to Preservation-Guild.org or call the Missouri Theatre at 816-271-4628.
