Interior of the Community Theatre. This is an elevated interior view taken in October of 1924 from the rear of the then-suburban theater located at 5441 South "M" St. Built and managed by S.R. Stalcup in 1924 at a cost of $40,000, the theater served the growing south end population. It was opened for business on August 20, 1924, with "Lights Out" as the first feature shown. B.W. Reeve was the general contractor of the tile, brick and concrete structure. Decorated in blue and gold tints with white woodwork, the ultra-modern theater had room for 500 customers who were able to sit on comfortably uphostered seats. (TNT 8-13-24, p. 20-article; TNT 8-20-24, p. 8, 9-article)

Community Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The entire front of the Community Theatre, 5441 South "M" St., was heavily damaged by explosives in the early morning hours of Sunday, October 5, 1930. 3-5 sticks of dynamite were shoved through the bars of the ticket office window. Parts of the ticket booth were blown across the street and door castings, drapes, plaster and glass blown inward as far as the stage. A loudspeaker and projection machine were also damaged. The bombing caused damage to stores across the street with multiple shattered windows and buildings and houses in nearby blocks were shaken with minor damage. This was one of two bombings of neighborhood theaters that morning. At 3:00 a.m., roughly 55 minutes after the Community Theater's bombing, the Sunset Theater at Sixth & Prospect had a stick of dynamite or small bomb explode on its roof. It blew a hole two feet in diameter in the roof but little other damage. Guards were placed at all 11 smaller theaters in Tacoma after hours. Police Chief M.D. Guy indicated that these may have been outside efforts to discredit the Tacoma Motion Picture Operators Union who was involved in a dispute with theater management. On October 6, 1930, another attack against a theater was reported, this time in Portland, when a rear wall was dynamited at the Granada Theater but with no damage. (TDL 10-6-1930, p. 1-article)

Community Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bombings--Tacoma; Explosions--Tacoma; Crimes--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1930. The Community Theatre, 5441 South "M" St., joined the ranks of local movie houses showing "talkies" with the musical "Rio Rita" starring Bebe Daniels and John Boles on January 29, 1930. The theater used the "Perfectone" sound system, considered the latest in sound projection at the time. The Community, under the management of J.R. Porter, redecorated with new hangings for the proper absorption of sound. Large crowds caused a run of five days, a longer than normal stay for smaller theaters. (TDL 2-2-30, B-6-article on sound system)

Community Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1930-1940;