THE ISIS and THE DREAMLAND THEATRE (Early 1900s)
10th Street
The Isis seated 600 and had a picture change each day. Films were advertised as "licensed and consorted." Vaudville shows often included trapeze artists, acrobats, dancers and singers. Admission was 10 cents. The Dreamland Theatre had "exits and ventilation" and "gave away two five-pound boxes of Sugar Plum Bon Bons each week. Each night from 7 to 10:30, there were continuous short films and on the weekend, matinees were scheduled. Admission was also 10 cents.

THE STAR (Opened October, 1911)
927 10th Street, later 928 10th Street
Besides its distinctive marquee, the Star also boasted the fact that it was designed by architect Bernard Joseph, designer of the Arch and the Hotel Hughson. The Star was described as, "the cleanest, neatest, safest playhouse in Modesto." It had 372 seats, placed 29 inches apart for "complete comfort," plus ventilation provided by two 15-inch suction fans and two other electric fans, probably very important in the summers when temperatures could be stifling. By 1915, as grand as this theatre was, it had moved across the street to a new location (where Modesto Joe's is now located).

THE MODESTO THEATRE
(Opened August, 1912; dedicated Feb. 6, 1913; burned in December, 1913, rebuilt and rededicated July 9, 1914. Closed in 1934).
10th Street
Announced in January, 1912, the Modesto Theatre was built at a cost of $30,000 by William R. Mensinger. The three story building that housed the theatre was 40 feet wide and 140 feet deep. The theatre stage was 34 feet wide. The theatre seated 900, including seating in the balcony. The theatre lobby was

paneled in Alaskan marble. Completed and opened in August, 1912, the theatre was dedicated on February 6, 1913. The dedication production was Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Pirates of Penzance," presented by the Modesto Choral Society. Barely 10 months later, the interior of the building was gutted by fire. It was immediately rebuilt and rededicated on July 9, 1914. By the time the State Theatre opened in 1934, the Modesto Theatre was past its prime. It closed and the building later housed retail shops. It still exists to this day and can be seen in the downtown area - with the stage house rising above the rest of the buildings on that part of 10th Street. It is vacant.

[<Back/Next>]