South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-11-03
Thousands Attend Opening
of NeW Vaudeville Theater
Splendor of Palace Playhouse
Draws Admiration of
Spectators.


! Palace theater last night 20 wit
ness its grand opening and initial
/ performance. Mayor Eli f. Seebirt
may cali himself the pioneer actor
on the Palace stage. for he was
the first to address an audience from
under the magnificent proscenium
arch Overhanglng its stage.
Now aren't you proud OF South
Bend ?' he asked, and thunderous
Applause answered him in the az
! firmative.
only about two years back. -
said Mayor Seebirt, "a dirty row OF
alter. II is a pleasure TO pay tribute
10 the man who designed this won
derful building. South Bend ranks
first now not only for its industri es
but for its theaters. The manage
ment OF this theater has promised
to give you the best there is in en-
tertainment. If you do not get the
best. 10 will not be the fault OF the
management but your fault. for you
demand the best, 1 am sure that
you will get it."
Theater Warmly Praised.
The doors of the Palace opened
at $50 o'clock. Long before that
hour hundreds of people were wait
ing in line for the chance to buy
tickets The expressions of pleas
ure and praise that escaped from
the lips Of patrons as they beheld
the gorgeous AMI richly decorated
interior OF this most beautiful the
alter in the west wore a sufficient
testimony of the pride which the
citizens of South Bend take l. the
new playhouse. Brilliant lights
from crystal candelabra suspended
from the ceiling OF the lobby made
the spectator Immediately aware of
the unrivaled splendor of this edi-
fee, which sets a high standard in
the art of theater construction. The
walls are Of a cream color and are
ornamented with blue and gold
frescoes. Costly red plush draperies
with gold fringe add to the luxury
that is everywhere evident in the
appointments of the Palace. Beau
tiful soft carpets cover the floors
while marble stairs wind to the bal
comics, loges and coy rest rooms.
Countless bouquets and wreaths
Of flowers were distributed about
the lobby and rest rooms. Flowers
were sent by A. R. Erskine; the
Pathe News; the Rockstrohs; Mr.,
and Mrs. Lewis of the Smoger Lum-
/ Der Co.; the American Trust Co.
! George Wyman & Co; Ralph Sol
! lit e. Son; ]. s. Aroneor; W. w
! Kimball Co.; A c. Weisberg; Z
| Poledor; Babke Co.; Nora Bayes
the actress, and her sister: Auditor
ium theater; The News-Times: Mr.
and Mrs. z. H Wood; Charles Il
Law; John Ellsworth, Sosman &
Lands, and Robert Robertson.
Seven officials Of the Orpheum
circuit and other prominent men
who have been instrumental IN the
/ building OF the Palace theater were
present at last nights opening per
/ Torrance. They were Asher Levy
manager of the Orpheum circuits
! Samuel Kahl, 3. 3. Kahane, o. r
/ Mcmahon, Mortimer Singer. Floyd
Scott and Bertram Seheim, all oil
/ the circuit; z. o. Smith, president
Of the Palace Theater corporation
James Reeves and c. Q. Hamilton OF
! Chicago.
Opening Bill Excellent
The program began with the play
/ ing OF The Star Spangled Banner,
by the orchestra. A huge red. plush
draw curtain was pulled TO revea
an immense American flag. The
audience rose amid deafening ap-
plause.
A finer bill than that being shown
! at the Palace this week would be
difficult TO find. The flrst act is ar
exceedingly clever demonstration o.
novelty tricks by trained dogs. The
Dufor Boys give an interesting ex-
hibition Of fancy dancing. There
are several unusually talented juv-
eniles in Gordon's Dainty June Co.
and Stan Stanley & CO. are enter
tainers of great merit Patsy Shelly
and her band are the spirit OF Jazz
! incarnate.
Mary Miles Minter and Ton
! Moore are featured In an attractive
| comedy drama picture of the New
/ West, entitled THE Cowboy and the
/ Lady" Pictures are shown Of the
] Chicago princeton football classic
and other news features complete
/ a program of entertainment that
made the opening Of the new play
house a most suspicious one.