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Reference code
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Level of description
Item
Title
BOLAND-B16310
Date(s)
- 1927-02-04 (Creation)
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Name of creator
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Broadway Theater. The grand opening of the new Broadway Theater (formerly the Tacoma Theater) on Friday, February 4, 1927, drew thousands of Tacomans who jammed the streets surrounding the downtown palace. It was officially opened at 4 p.m. with the first performance at 4:45. Crowds began gathering about 3 p.m. on the streets two blocks around the theater which had been closed to traffic. By the time of this approximately 8 p.m. photograph above, most of Tacoma seemed to have taken advantage of the free one-hour street car ride to downtown to gaze upon the bright banners, bunting and flags which decorated the buildings and were ready for the celebratory jubilee. A big street dance on Market near 9th, a songfest on 9th near Broadway, an informal ball at the Hotel Winthrop and four bands playing contributed to all the excitement. The streets were illuminated by huge lights advertised as two million candlepower. The Broadway's bill that evening promoted the first-run production of Harold Lloyd's "The Kid Brother," Fanchon & Marco's "Pyramids" revue and Oliver Wallace and his "Broadway Revelers" as musical accompaniment. Evening prices were 15 cents per child and 50 cents per adult with lower matinee prices: 10 cents a child and 35 cents for adults. (TDL 2-4-27, p. 1-article; TDL 2-5-27, p. 1 - photo & article)
Broadway Theater (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1920-1930; Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930;