WAUPACA COUNTY POST

October 7, 1920

PALACE OPERA HOUSE OPENED MONDAY NIGHT

DENMAN THOMPSON’S "THE OLD HOMESTEAD" PLEASES AUDIENCE AT OPEING OF

PALACE THEATRE

Those who attended the opening of the Palace Theater Monday night had reason to feel proud of the achievements of Waupaca people.

G.A. Bronson, for many years a prominent director of amateur actors, made an opening speech in calling attention to the fact that this $100,000.00 playhouse had been promoted and paid for by one citizen of Waupaca without donation or special favor. He referred to A.M. Penney, for many years a prominent citizens of Waupaca.

C.W. Nelson of this city had made plans and drawings for the contractor, Theo. Anderson, another Waupaca product. The electrical equipment had been installed by Bernie H. Wilson of this city and the plumbing had been done by Wm. Auer, a local plumber.

The music was furnished by a Waupaca orchestra, including Ethwell Hanson, who presided at the pipe organ, one of the best that may be obtained. It has been the constant aim of Mr. Penney to employ local men for every possible piece of work in the construction of this beautiful theater.

William Lawrence, the star actor who takes the part of Joshua Whitcomb, has taken this part over three thousand times and it is claimed that he fits so well the role that for twenty-eight years was taken by Denman Thompson that the two men have appeared on the same stage in succeeding acts and so strong was the resemblance of the two actors that those in the audience would not detect the change of actors.

The parts Monday night were well adapted to the people who played them and the entire play was most pleasing to those present.

The double male quartet appearing in the first act was repeatedly recalled, proving the popularity of the old songs and the singers.

The lofty sentiments set forth in "The Old Homestead" were emphasized in the reform of the tramp, "Happy Jack", through the kindly advice and evidence of confidence reposed by Uncle Joshua when he insisted upon making Jack a temporary loan with the injunction that he cut out drink, go back to his home in New York City and make a man of himself.

His bread "cast upon the waters" came back to Uncle Josh when in searching for his own son, Reuben, gone wrong through drink in New York City, had been befriended by Jack Hazzard, the regenerated and reformed tramp, "Happy Jack".

The closing scene was prefaced by a little speech by Uncle Joshua in which he admonished fathers to be a little more charitable and earnest for their boys, especially the wayward ones, in order to bring them over those two or three critical years when the boy needs a friend with wisdom to guide, and patience not to chide even if the son should show some of the traits he has inherited from the father who once was a boy and as wayward as the youngster who now causes worry.

Too much can not be said in praise of the music by the local orchestra and by Ethwell Hanson on the grand pipe organ. Special mention should be made of the six high school girls in uniform who acted as ushers.

Picture Show Tuesday

The picture show Tuesday evening brought out a packed house and the entertainment was of high order. One of the four films shown consisted of current news topics which feature will be shown about once a week, in future or as long as news topics are paramount in the public mind.

The success of the enterprise seems to be assured in the interest shown opening week.