Gem Theater 

Submitted by:  Virginia (Barrus) Kirsting (daughter of owner)

About 1920, the Gem Theater began under the ownership of Floyd Barrus and Walter Bassett. It was located on Allen Street in the building known as the Sylvan Hotel, now the Masonic Hall. Clinton was probably the only town of its size to boast of a movie theater. Farmers for miles around flocked into town on Saturday nights to market, visit with friends and see the movie at the Gem. At the Saturday night shows there was standing room only and their favorites were "Westerns" with maybe Jack Gibson in the lead. Mr. Barrus often featured "serials" meaning a continuance of the film would be shown the following week. The picture would end with such exciting, hair raising climax that the viewer would not miss the next episode for the world. At one time the admission was - 10¢ children, 25¢ adults.

Then Walter Bassett was transferred to Burlington, Mr. Barrus became sole owner. Floyd ran a good clean movie house. His selection of films reached the tastes of all segments of the community, From Harold Lloyd comedies to "Ben Hur".

Clintonites were treated to the finest themes and acting of the time. Although there were no R or X-rated movies at that time a too long embrace could be found shocking to some.

The Gem "glowed" for five nights a week including Sundays although there were some including the ministers and the Ku Klux Klan who opposed the Sunday night showings.

There were two entrances to the theater with a ticket booth in the center. Above the ticket booth was the projection booth which had a novel way of escape, Normally you would enter the booth by a ladder on the inside. The movie projector was lit in those with a fiery arc light which presented a certain amount of and, danger, and if overheated, could catch the film on fire. The escape hatch for the projectionist was a trap door located on the floor of the projection room so the projectionist could drop down to safety if need be. Among the projectionists were: Bob Foley and Ralph Latta. Occasionally for second show on Saturday nights, Roger Hamilton filled in.

The matter of music was a different thing and at times very trying. Basically it was a player piano which was operated by Mr. Barrus's daughter Virginia (Ginny) or Floyd's wife Julia. Mrs. Barrus was a talented pianist and often did not use the player piano. Sometimes the operator of the player piano was caught in a horrendous predicament. When the screen story promised a lot of extended activity thc player piano operator would quickly start rolling the "Poet and Peasant Overture" to supply the cadence of the horses hoofs or the cannons of a battle scene, but then the scene would suddenly change with a peaceful, romantic scene,

The Overture had to be instantly reversed with much noise of the banging of the clip of the roll itself against the roller. It was a far cry from Jesse Crawford on the nighty pipe organ at the Chicago Theater!

Julia Barrus Played her own rendition of the piano artistically adjusting to the different moods in the film and segueing smoothly from one mood to another. Our movie goers greatly appreciated this rare treat, Mother Barrus also held down the fort in the ticket office while Mr. Barrus, in his dignified way, greeted the patrons by name, collected the tickets and ushered them to their seats when necessary.

When live music was not necessary, particularly during second shows, substitutes for Ginny were Carlie Braukhoff and Glenn Dallman.

The vintage of the silent movie ended with the advent of the "talkies". The Clinton Gem Theater had to close its doors. It served the town well, and deserves to be remembered in the Clinton History Book.

There is a cute little story from Virginia about what happened at her birthday party that took place at the Gem Theater. Her mother, Julia, allowed her to take her guests down to the theater to work the player piano and play games. The girls decided to put on a show on the stage and when trying to emulate a chorus line one of the girls put her heel through the lower part of an absolutely brand new silver screen her Dad had just installed. Poor Ginnie said this was one of the lowest moments of her life.

CLINTON THEATER 1937-1959 - By Edith Reffue 

Back in 1937 theaters were a popular source of family entertainment. A grocery store on the east side of Allen St. was remodeled into a theater and first owned by Larry Brown and a partner. Jack Wedlake was hired as a manager. It was later sold to Reeders of the Lake Lawn fame and a Mr. Zilisch. Lee Sweely was manager for them. Connie Pilz and H.H. Otto were also owners until 1947 when Jack Curl purchased the theater and owned it until 1959.

Howard Farrell was projectionist from 1944-1959. Other men who helped were Elmer and Arnie Thompson, Julius Westergaard, Ernie Kroeze, Richard Egdorf, Norman Hofstrom and Bob Farrell.

There was also an attractive young lady in the ticket booth and among them were Mrs. Ted Napper, Eleanor Lee, Fran Conley, Mary Stilwell, Rose Gestrick, Grace Kruth, Phyllis Nelson and Ethel Olson.

Adult tickets sold for 35 cents and kids got it for 12 cents - popcorn was extra. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday always featured big movies, Wednesday and Thursday great detective stories, Friday and Saturday had cowboy shows and there was always a Sunday afternoon matinee. Parents would leave their youngsters at the theater and then do their shopping or go to Beloit to see a really big movie. Sometimes the kids would sit through two showings - it was great baby sitting service for only 12 cents.

After the war Jack Curl bought the business and ran it with help from his wife and daughter but with the coming of TV the popularity of the movies dwindled until the theatre was finally closed for good in 1959.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

In February 1947 B. E. (Jack) Curl and his wife, Allene purchased the Clinton Theater from Herbert H. Otto. The theater was operated by the Curl family, including six year old daughter, Carolyn Sue, who was given the pop concession for her part of the business, Howard Farrell was the projectionist. 

The theater was open seven days a week with two nightly shows and a matinee on Sunday afternoon. 

A new wide screen was installed and extra stage attractions were innovated occasionally, including the appearance of Grandpa Jones (of Grand Ole Opry and Hee Haw fame.) His friend Jimmy Wilson ("Bucko") and Bucko’s horse were also participants. The horse played ball, counted and took an appropriate bow at the close of his performance. 

Clinton high school students were guests at the theater after their Homecoming activities, as were the students from the Visually Handicapped School in Janesville and the School for the Deaf in Delavan. 

With the increasing popularity of television Mr. and Mrs. Curl sold the theater building to Herbert Reffue and it became a Gamble’s store.