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The Landers Theatre in Springfield, Missouri, 1909 to 1921

出版	Southwest Missouri State College, 1971
URL	http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=dnhQNwAACAAJ&hl=&source=gbs_api

註釋The purpose of this study is to present a chronological history of the Landers Theater from its opening in September, 1909 until the original structure was altered by fire in December, 1920. The study is limited to legitimate productions and the combination of motion pictures and legitimate productions. The history of theatre houses in Springfield, Missouri has also been included in a study made by Michael Lampe entitled "Legitimate Theatre in Springfield, Missouri 1840-1900." Since the Landers was built after 1900 with the intent of becoming the finest legitimate playhouse in the Midwest, its early history is well worth recording. There is a current revival of interest in the Landers Theatre because of its recent purchase by the Springfield Little Theatre Corporation on July 13, 1970. Since that time the theatre has undergone an intense refurbishing program. The new owners are attempting to restore the old theatre to its original state so that it can once again become a legitimate playhouse. The ashes of the Baldwin theatre, which burned on January 6, 1909, were not yet cold when John Landers, D.J. Landers, his son, R.N. Stewart, E.E. McJimsey, and George Olendorf actualized their plans for a new theatre on Walnut Street. The ground at 311 E. Walnut Street was officially broken early in March, 1909. The original blueprints were dated 1905. The luxurious Landers Theatre formally opened on Saturday, September 18, 1909 with the production of "The Golden Girl" and proved to be a social event beyond compare in the city of Springfield, Missouri. The Landers Theatre featured the performances of plays, musical comedies, vaudeville acts, bands including "Hoover's Band of Springfield" and "The Masonic Band", orchestras including the "St. Louis Symphony Orchestra" and "The Russian Symphony Orchestra", choral clubs, musical acts, operas and operettas, dances, commencement exercises, wrestling matches, lectures, and finally motion picture screenings. World War I caused a great decline in the number of touring shows appearing at the Landers Theatre, therefore a large amount of local talent and entertainment was presented in latter years. During this period, Springfield was included in the major touring circuits. Since the Landers was the best equipped and most elegant theatre of the period, it usually presented the best entertainment that came to town. Such famous names as George M. Cohan, Margaret Anglin, Lillian Russell, Helen Keller, Mrs. Leslie Carter, Lon Chaney and John Phillip Sousa appeared on the Landers Theatre bills. Lectures and motion picture attractions increased. Movies continued to play the Landers until December 18, 1920, when an explosion caused $50,000 worth of damage to the theatre building and also included the loss of a $7,500 organ and fifty tons of coal. The Landers was closed for reconstruction until May 29, 1921, when it opened a new era in its history