|
The LeRoy Princess Theatre
In 1937 Mr. & Mrs. John L. Frieburg, Sr. purchased the Princess Theatre from Mr. Woods and began remodeling. They put
in 329 new seats, wall coverings and new projection equipment with the very latest sound system. The lobby was repainted,
new flooring and large frames for the advertising posters were added. The outside marquee with The Princess Theatre was hung.
The operation of the Princess Theatre was a family business. Mrs. Frieburg sold the tickets at the ticket window.
The price of tickets was 25 cents for adults and 10 cents for children under 12 years of age. Mr. Frieburg, Sr. collected
the tickets until time to start the projectors. He ran the projectors during the show, the movies were known as shows. John
L. Frieburg, Jr., known as “Bud” then stepped in taking tickets until time to usher. “Bud” and daughter,
Patricia A. Frieburg, “Pat” ushered patrons arriving after the show started to vacant seats. Youngest daughter,
Eileen I. Frieburg, stayed with her nanny at the family home on Center Street during the shows.
The theatre was
open six nights a week and closed on Tuesday. Three different shows played each week. Short subjects, newsreels and cartoons
were shown before the feature. Shows ran Sunday and Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday and Saturday. The show was
run twice each night with the first beginning at 7pm and the second at 9pm. As business continued to grow two Sunday afternoon
matinees were added at 3pm and 5pm. Ushering was brisk at times with people waiting for a vacant seat. Patrons arriving late
would stay into the beginning of the next showing to catch what they had missed. Seating was placed later in the lobby for
people awaiting a seat in the auditorium.
The next addition was a candy case in the lobby. Not long after a popcorn
machine appeared. No drinks were allowed in the auditorium while the Frieburgs owned the theatre. The water fountain at the
front door of the lobby, which was usually busy, provided liquid refreshment. Candy sales were later ended and popcorn was
the only available snack. Mr. Frieburg made the popcorn in the lobby before opening the theatre. A box and bag were the two
sizes sold. Frequently people stopped in just for popcorn and a visit with the Frieburgs.
Change always enhanced business.
The next big excitement was the cash JACKPOT, which was drawn between the Thursday shows. To win the JACKPOT patrons had to
attend the Wednesday or Thursday night show. If the person’s name which was drawn was not there to claim the money and
had not been to the show on Wednesday $10.00 was added to the JACKPOT for the next week. If the JACKPOT was claimed the next
week started over at $20.00. TV arrived in the community and big changes were coming in the movie industry.
The
above history of the Princess Theatre has been written by Pat Frieburg Fuller as she remembers it.
The Princess Theatre
300
E. Center St.
LeRoy, IL 61752
Phone: (309) 962-2468
Family Owned and Operated
Contact Us
|
