The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-03-17

The negotiations on the part of the
Fitzpatrick and McElroy company for
the lease of the Rhode Opera House
and the other property has been pend
ing for several weeks but it was not
until this morning that the negotia-
lions werea concluded and the lease
made. Under the terms of the lease
the Chicago company, with offices in
the Century building and with its
string of more than forty theatres in
Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wis
consin, will at Uiics cake over the
Rhode Opera house and its manage
ment. 1t is also announced that the
company will carry through without
delay, the plans for the erection of the
new theatre on the property owned by
Joseph G. Rhode, located directly back
of the present opera house property
and facing on Pearl street. The new
theatre will be built on plans made
for the Hippodrome Theatre company.
1t will have seating capacity of
$500 people and will be one of the most
modern theatres in Wisconsin.
Planned for Latest Productions.
The entrance to the new theatre will
be from Main street. The property on
Main street has a frontage of twenty
four feet and it is to be used directly
for the entrance and exits Of the
theatre. Plans for the new building
have been completed by Rapp and
Rapp, Chicago architects, and bids for
the actual construction of the theatre
are now being taken. The expenditure
will be $450,O00 and the proposition
has been entirely financed. No stock
will be offered for sale but it is under
stood that the First National bank will
handle a part of the bonds of the com
pany. 1t was declared by the repre-
sentatives of the Chicago company that
the actual work of building would be
underway within thirty days.
No Change in Plans.
1t was announced by the represen-
tatives of Fitzpatrick and McElroy that
there would be little changes in plans
for the new theatre from those former
ly announced by Manager Rhode and
that the big plan for a real theatre for
both pictures and legitimate theatrical
would be carried out just
as rapidly as the construction can be
The present Rhode Opera
House will be operated by the new
company pending the construction of
the new theatre and when the new play
house is ready the Rhode will be either
rebuilt or converted into commercial
property. Manager Joseph G. Rhode
was getting ready to wind up more
than quarter century job today. II
do not know whether or not / will have
any connection with the company"
said Mr. Rhode. This is something
that is to be decided on later on. The
company taking the lease will have full
control of all the business and if l am
with the new company it will be in
some other connection than in the past"
Company Widely Known.
The Fitzpatrick and McElroy COM
pany is one of the best known in the
theatrical world. 1t is connected both
with the producing and distributing
business of the theatre. 1t controls
patents on machinery used in
the theatres and it has close relations
with every big middle west circuit.
The company is now constructing a
new theatre at Benton Harbor, Mich
where an expenditure Of more than
S250,000 is being made.
The forty theatres now under the
and ownership Of the COM
pany are among the most successful
theatres Of the middle west.
No statement was made as to the |
of the lease, nut it is
said to have been something in the +
of $4,000 year.