Twilight Theatre Scrap Book
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P.O. Box 811 Greensburg, KS
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Twilight Hirtory
Some early silent films were shown outdoors, in a vacant lot on the second block of south Main Street in Greensburg.
In 1917, Charlie Spainhour leased the newly constructed Miller-Wacker Auditorium and began showing silent films accompanied by music from an Edison music box. Concessions at the time consisted of Charlie's son, Ben, walking around selling peanuts and popcorn from a basket.
From the Kiowa County Signal of May 3, 1917: "Now that we have a fine building in which to furnish entertainment for the public -- it is the duty of the public to support it loyally."
About 1919, Charlie bought the building, which had only one movie projector. He would show one reel of the movie, then rewind and set up the next reel while the audience watched slide show advertisements.
In the winter of 1918-1919, the theatre was closed for some months due to the flu epidemic.
Before too many years had passed, Mr. Spainhour was showing movies seven nights a week, plus matinees on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The number of showings in a week varied many times over the years.
In1923, the interior was completely renovated, and new projections equipment was installed, which was, according to the Kiowa County Signal, "absolutely flickerless, projecting pictures free from eye strain, a feature seldom found in any but the largest theatres." Also in 1923, a name-the-theatre contest was held, and the name officially changed from the Auditorium to the Twilight Theatre.
In 1942, a celebration for the 25th year was held, with free movies from 2:30 p.m. until midnight for two days. The most popular movie of the first quarter century was "The Covered Wagon," which was seen by an estimated 3,000 people during the three days it was shown in Greensburg.
In 1947, Ben Spainhour took over the operation of the theatre after his father's death.
In 1971, Con Spainhour took over the theatre from his father, Ben.
In 1989, Twilight Theatre, Inc., a 501c non-profit corporation, was formed to purchase and maintain the theatre for the benefit of the entire community.
Some early silent films were shown outdoors, in a vacant lot on the second block of south Main Street in Greensburg.
In 1917, Charlie Spainhour leased the newly constructed Miller-Wacker Auditorium and began showing silent films accompanied by music from an Edison music box. Concessions at the time consisted of Charlie's son, Ben, walking around selling peanuts and popcorn from a basket.
From the Kiowa County Signal of May 3, 1917: "Now that we have a fine building in which to furnish entertainment for the public -- it is the duty of the public to support it loyally."
About 1919, Charlie bought the building, which had only one movie projector. He would show one reel of the movie, then rewind and set up the next reel while the audience watched slide show advertisements.
In the winter of 1918-1919, the theatre was closed for some months due to the flu epidemic.
Before too many years had passed, Mr. Spainhour was showing movies seven nights a week, plus matinees on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The number of showings in a week varied many times over the years.
In1923, the interior was completely renovated, and new projections equipment was installed, which was, according to the Kiowa County Signal, "absolutely flickerless, projecting pictures free from eye strain, a feature seldom found in any but the largest theatres." Also in 1923, a name-the-theatre contest was held, and the name officially changed from the Auditorium to the Twilight Theatre.
In 1942, a celebration for the 25th year was held, with free movies from 2:30 p.m. until midnight for two days. The most popular movie of the first quarter century was "The Covered Wagon," which was seen by an estimated 3,000 people during the three days it was shown in Greensburg.
In 1947, Ben Spainhour took over the operation of the theatre after his father's death.
In 1971, Con Spainhour took over the theatre from his father, Ben.
In 1989, Twilight Theatre, Inc., a 501c non-profit corporation, was formed to purchase and maintain the theatre for the benefit of the entire community.
Twilight Theatre INC
P.O. Box 811
Greensburg, KS 67054
P.O. Box 811
Greensburg, KS 67054
More History
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