DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – OPERA HOUSES, THEATERS AND MOVIE THEATERS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] ARMORY HALL probably Iron Mountain’s first theater to Iron Mountain regularly feature motion pictures. According to the Iron Mountain Press, The Menominee Range, Iron Mountain, the Bijou was the site of the St. Joseph’s Menominee County, Michigan, Volume Church Fair during the week of November XI, Number 8 [Thursday, May 16, 1889], 16, 1908. However, the theater was first page 1, column 4 listed in the 1913 Iron Mountain city directory, with Martin D. Thomas serving as Kendal’s “Pair of Kids.” manager. Across the street from the Bijou, where the post office now stands, was the A.J. One of the largest and best pleased Rundle Hardware Store and Rundle’s audiences that ever assembled in Armory Opera House, in all probability the Bijou Hall applauded and laughed immensely at Theatre’s biggest competitor. While the Ezra Kendall last evening in his latest play, Iron Mountain Press regularly featured “A Pair of Kids.” There is no plot worth news articles regarding the performances at mentioning to the play, merely a frame work Rundle’s Opera House, as well as frequent [sic – framework] to give Kendall scope to reviews, the Bijou Theatre’s first advertising display his oddities, mirth provoking actions campaign apparently began in March of and speeches. Arthur Dunn as “Flip,” and 1911. Jennie Dunn as “Pearl, a cash girl,” the pair Advertisements noted the Bijou’s doors of kids[,] sing very nicely and dance their opened at 7:30 p.m. for the two evening way into the good graces of an audience, performances scheduled at 8 and 9 o’clock. while Gilbert Sarony as “Polly Dofunny” is Music was provided by the Brooks also a good part of [need to copy Orchestra at that time. On March 30, the remainder of this article] advertisement noted “The Harmony Four” would appear, as well as “One Illustrated BIJOU THEATRE Story.” By June, the Bijou billed itself as “The Home of Good Photo Plays” and 104-106 West Ludington Avenue noted 3,000 feet of moving pictures were Iron Mountain shown at each performance. In the spring of 1921, Manager Thomas The Daily News, Iron Mountain, Dickinson announced the extensive renovation of the County, Michigan, Volume _____, theater which included a new stucco front, Number _____ [Saturday, November an entrance and lobby area and two “toilet 27, 1982] rooms.” The “auditorium” had been completely remodeled, now boasting a Bijou was first movie theater “composition incline floor” and 600 opera chairs of the latest design, as well as “one By BILL CUMMINGS of the very latest picture machines.” Even a new heating plant “of ample capacity” had The Bijou Theatre, located at 104-106 been installed in the basement. In short, West Ludington Street at the present site of the Iron Mountain News article noted that the Recreation Lanes and Lounge, was “no expense has been spared to make the house comfortable, sanitary and safe.” 1 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – OPERA HOUSES, THEATERS AND MOVIE THEATERS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] Three nights of high-class repertoire and up-to-the-minute vaudeville will be the rule at the Bijou Theatre, starting Monday, Aug. 26th, at which time the McPhee Imperial Stock company open their engagement. The plays are all new and guaranteed by the management. The stock company that can boast of specialists that can be featured are scarce. McPhee Imperials do not have them, but have the kind that pleases the people. This department is headed by the invincible Brothers Spaulding, Parisian novelty acrobats, who stand in a class of their own. The opening play, “For Her Brothers’ Sake,” is a new comedy-drama of the pleasing kind, overflowing with the best of comedy, a beautiful story, prettily told by a company of players equal to the best. Prices, 15, 25 and 35c [cents]. Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 12, Number 35 [Thursday, January 23, 1908], page 8, column 4 As these unidentified youngsters BRIEF CITY NEWS. awaited the opening of the Bijou _____ Theatre’s doors for a Saturday matinee performance, they probably were First masquerade of the season at the dreaming of winning one of the plump Bijou roller rink this evening. A good time is gobblers in the crate, offered as door assured. prizes. Although the photograph is undated, it was taken before 1921, when Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, the theater was extensively remodeled. Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 15, [Menominee Range Historical Museum Number 47 [Thursday, April 13, 1911], Photo] page 5, columns 5-6 [ADVERTISEMENT] Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 12, Number 13 [Thursday, August 22, 1907], page 8, column 2 THE BIJOU _______________________ Bijou Theatre. 2 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – OPERA HOUSES, THEATERS AND MOVIE THEATERS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] The Home of Good Photo Plays class lines and his management should be successful. BROOKS’ ORCHESTRA Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 16, Number 24 [Thursday, November 1, Two Shows Each 1911], page 4, column 2 Night BRIEF CITY NEWS. _____ Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 16, Martin Thomas is now in charge of the Number 22 [Thursday, October 19, Bijou Theatre, assuming the management 1911], page 1, column 1 yesterday. During his recent visit to Chicago he arranged for some extra good New Theatre. films. J.E. Becknell, who has been conducting Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, the Bijou for several years, is arranging to Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 20, open a new popular price theatre. He has Number 19 [Thursday, September 23, leased the building on East Hughitt street 1915], page 8, column 3 lately occupied by J.F. Cowling and will remodel the same at once. The place is To Remodel Theatre. conveniently located for theatre purposes. Mr. Becknell’s management at the Bijou Within a short time, the work of has been very successful and he proposes transforming the Bijou into a modern opera to make the new house a model from the house will commence. The building will point of safety. undergo many changes and when the work is completed it will be large enough to Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, accommodate the largest road attraction. Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 16, The present wooden floor, which is Number 22 [Thursday, October 19, elevated, will be taken out and the new one 1911], page 1, column 1 built of concrete. The present stage will be greatly enlarged and extended to the rear of Leased the Bijou. the building. It will have an opening of forty feet and will be fifty feet long. A loft will be Martin Thomas has leased the Bijou and constructed on top of the structure, will be will take possession the first of the month. [sic – which will] permit the use of drop Mr. Thomas has been connected with the scenery. The building will be equipped with house in various capacities – from manager a balcony and a new ventilating and heating to electrician – for a number of years. He system. A canopy will be built over the will leave for Chicago to-morrow [sic – entrance. The new house will seat tomorrow] evening to arrange for his films comfortably 800 people. While the work of and other attractions. Mr. Thomas construction is going on the building promises to conduct the house along first- formerly used by the Marion theatre will be 3 DICKINSON COUNTY HISTORY – OPERA HOUSES, THEATERS AND MOVIE THEATERS [Compiled and Transcribed by William J. Cummings] used by the management of the Bijou for building. The work will commence as soon motion picture shows. Many of the Bijou as the weather conditions will permit. opera chairs will be transferred to the Marion. Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 20, Number 36 [Thursday, January 20, 1916], page 1, column 5 Matinees for Children. The Woman’s [sic – Women’s] club has made arrangements with Manager Thomas for a special matinee for children at the Bijou Theatre each week, commencing next The remodeling of the Bijou Theatre to a Saturday. The pictures will be of an “modern opera house” began in the educational nature and special prices will spring of 1916, and included replacing maintain. Next Saturday, in addition to the the elevated wooden floor with a educational films, the fair story of Cinderella concrete one, as well as enlarging and will be produced as well as a comedy. The extending the stage to the rear of the club plans to have one of their members building. The stage opening was to be deliver a talk explanatory of the pictures. 40 feet, and the stage 50 feet long [deep]. A loft was constructed on top of Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, the structure to permit the use of drop Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 20, scenery. Frank Parent’s saloon at 102, Number 37 [Thursday, January 27, listed as “vacant” in 1913, can be seen 1916], page 1, column 2 in the background. [William J. Cummings Photo] Bijou Changes. Iron Mountain Press, Iron Mountain, Dickinson County, Michigan, Volume 20, A.E. Brauns, owner of the Bijou Theatre, Number 39 [Thursday, February 10, has engaged the Foster Construction 1916], page 1, column 2 company to superintend the work of rebuilding and modernizing that place of amusement. The work will be done in Triangle Pictures. accordance with plans drafted by Architect Charlton, of Marquette, who has designed Manager Thomas, of the Bijou, has nearly all the leading show houses of the closed a contract for the production of the peninsula.