Bell Theatre
From Lane Co Oregon
The Bell Theatre.
Violet Larson, widow of the late Springfield businessman Jack Larson, shares her memories about the good old days in Springfield, when her husband ran the only movie theatre in town.
Last September, Violet Larson left her home of 52 years to move nearer to her son who lives in Canby... According to Mrs. Larson, sometime during the 1920s, Jack Larson established the theatre at the corner of Main and Second Streets. He had previously owned a theatre in Junction City and may have moved his equiment from there to the Springfield location.
It was the only theatre in Springfield at the time and attracted many patrons from Eugene, especially students. Mrs. Larson recalled that sometimes there were unruly children who might have sneaked through the open door without paying. They often sat in front and made lots of noise, she said.
The floor of the theatre was sloped, and no smoking was allowed. Two projectors were used, enabling a smooth switch from one reel to the next, using one-inch film. Each projector cost about $1,000 and was a tall unit mounted on legs.
The city of Eugene had a Blue Law at the time, so the theatre there was closed on Sundays. The Bell Theatre ran three films each week: one on Sunday and Monday, a second on Tuesday and Wednesday, and a third on Friday and Saturday. The theatre was closed on Thursdays. Admission prices were adults, thirty-five cents and children, ten cents. Tuesday nights were designated Family Night; the whole family could get in for fifty cents. Mary Pckford was one of the favorite starts of the era.
Belvin Doane was the projectionist working with Jack. Leroy Inman, a high school student, stoked the furnace that heated the theatre, then sold tickets to the eager moviegoers.
Evelyn Jacobsen also sold tickets, and Edith Eaton was the usher. Coy Leathers was another projectionist, as was "Winkie" Dillard, who was later killed in an automobile accident in Eugene. Mrs. H.J. Cox played the piano at the silent films, sitting down front just below the screen.
Mr. Larson added a "talkies" system for the theatre, which in the beginning used separate film and sound. The sound was on record, making it very difficult to synchronize with the picture.
Unfortuantely, after about six years of operation, Mr. Larson ws forced to close the theatre for lack of business. The theatre was no longer profitable. It ws the beginning of the depression, nd Springfield had only about 2,000 working people.
-Springfield Museum, "Museum Notes," Volume 6 Number 1, February 1993.
