A look back at the history of Winfield’s theater

[Editor’s note: This is the second part of a three-part series on the history of the Winfield theater. The first part in the series appeared in the Jan. 11 edition of The Beacon.]

There is no doubt about the popularity of the theater. In the 1920’and early 30’s, nearly every issue of the Beacon News featured various shows and programs taking place in the theater. One farmer said, “It is the best thing I ever saw,” when describing his first visit to the theater in the early 1930s. However, the Pratts ran into a snag when, in June of 1930, the city council called for a vote in opposition to Sunday picture shows. After announcing the theater would be closed for an “indefinite” period, a delegation was formed to petition the council that the old and antiquated ordnance be removed. It was, and the theater reopened.

G. C. Pratt was ready to retire as manager of the Pratt Theater and in June of 1932 Pratts kept the building but sold the theater operation to J.A. Peters, who had been a longtime friend of Ralph Pratt. Peters took over the operation on July 1st of that year. He had a background in theater management and planned to keep the theater running much like the Pratt brothers had only he changed the name to Uptown Theater and planned to operate it four nights a week. Peters also introduced the first serial pictures to the program.

Before opening the theater Peters made some changes. He installed a new projection lens to enhance the pictures, illuminated the lobby, painted parts of the theater and did a thorough cleaning. He announced that he had some great pictures booked and encouraged people to watch for the reopening.

Mr. and Mrs. William Kent, from Columbus Junction took over management of the Uptown Theater following the retirement of Mr. Peters in February 1933. A young couple, the Kents were eager to promote the theater. Washington Merry-go-Round was the first movie shown under their management. According to an article in the Beacon the Kents were willing to take eggs or old hens for admission if cash was not available.

Unfortunately, the new management was also a short management. The Kents returned to their home in Columbus Junction after only a little over three months in the theater business. They cited lack of profit as the reason for their departure. However, it was believed that the movie business was showing a noticeable increase in recent months and if the Kents had only held on for a little longer there would have been a substantial increase in profits.

Left without a major form of entertainment Winfield residents were at a loss as to how to proceed. E.J. Pratt, who owned the playhouse but resided in Washington, came to Winfield the day after the theater closed to investigate the situation and pursue a future course.

In November of 1933 two energetic brothers, Milton and Horace Peiff, experienced showmen from Burlington who had managed theaters in Chicago leased the Uptown Theater and enjoyed a successful opening. Instead of using traditional ways to advertise their movies they had a car equipped with a speaker system. It enabled them to drive around the area playing music and announcing the upcoming entertainment at the theater. No doubt they quickly became known for their unique method of advertising! One Saturday night in early February 1935 shoppers were surprised to find the Uptown Theater closed. The management said it was closed because it could no longer operate at a profit. After searching though several Beacons, and a search on Google, nothing could be found about what happened to the Peiff brothers.

On February 14, 1935, Ed L. Hahn, a licensed radio transmitter, leased the building that housed the Uptown Theater and changed the name to Winfield Theater. “We’re trying to make it a name that will advertise Winfield and be a worthwhile addition to our community,” he explained. Mr. Hahn was also managing the Cozy Theater in Morning Sun. The newly named theater was managed by Hahn’s son, John H. Hahn Jr., who also had experience in theater management. He moved his family to Winfield from Sheridan, Missouri, where he had been manager of a theater. He promised the town residents that he would endeavor “to provide a good clean comedy with every picture that is run.” While Hahn was managing the theater, he built a 58-inch cooling fan, which would be nearly twice the size of the old one. Mr. Hahn said it was the kind used in larger theaters and would be “entirely efficient.” He also gave the high school graduates a free ticket to the theater to help boost attendance.

In June 1936 Don Stinson, who had been operating the theater for several years, moved to Washington and Laverne Doyle took over operation. Doyle retired after 16 years as a rural mail carrier but continued to help manage the bowling alley along with his duties at the theater.

The theater changed management again in March of 1940. Mr. and Mrs. E.S. Tompkins purchased the theater from the Hahns who were moving to Custer, South Dakota, where Mr. Hahn had received an appointment to be a Lieutenant in the 1703 Company. The theater opened on April 2, 1940, under new management. Mr. Tompkins had 14 years of experience in theater management. His family moved to Winfield from Knoxville where he had overseen the theater. At that time Mr. and Mrs. Dayle Allen owned the theater. The cost of making a full-length feature film was about $320,000 for high class so a 25 cent admission “seems like a low cost for high class entertainment” said one patron.

Thompkins were well received as the new managers They were especially adept at selling war bonds. When a clothing drive was held for the Russian War Relief, they offered a Tuesday afternoon matinee and asked for 2 lbs. of clothing for admission. They took in approximately 500 lbs. of the 3500 lbs. donated by Winfield and the surrounding area. To help celebrate Halloween 1942 they held a midnight showing of The Body Disappears. Mr. Thompkins assured patrons that, “It was not the usual weird type of show.”