Silver Screen
Public Typography found in historic theaters in the Kansas City area. Jordan Key
Intro
a look at the silver screens
The theater is a place all its own. Seen as an escape from reality this special place is filled with elaborate light fixtures and velvet curtains. The smell of popcorn in the air and plush carpet under your feet ad to the luxury of the theater. Words painted on walls, neons glowing bright, and computer generated signage decorate historic theaters. The aesthetic found in Liberty Hall, the Rio, and the Glenwood Arts Theater provide a myriad typographic forms to explore. From marquees to candy boxes there is type to discover in hidden places of these older theaters around the Kansas City Metro area. This book will be taking a focused look at the typography found in these three movie houses.
Liberty Hall
a little bit of everything
Liberty Hall is a theater local to Lawrence, Kansas. The typography found throughout Liberty Hall perfect reflection of the theater’s aesthetic, homemade and historic. This locally owned theater has so much history over the years as a meeting house, an opera house, movie theatre, and music hall, Liberty Hall has hosted countless events throughout its rich 142 year history.
Liberty Hall is not just a theater. Over time the establishment has taken on the neighbor store and created a video library, full of new and old titles that cover the shelves.
The history of this establishment can be seen in the typography that has become a part of Liberty Hall. Words painted on walls and windows have a vintage sense. Swirly serif typefaces are popularly used in the informational and directional signage. A marquee now sits on the facade of Liberty Hall informing patrons and people of Lawrence what movies and concerts are currently showing or will be in the near future. The letters that sit on the marquee are cracked and worn but still very legible. A smaller marquee and little neon sign in the window welcome movie goers as they ender the theater. After stepping through the cluttered, text covered door patrons view a bulletin board covered in fliers as well as small directional signage. These signs shows a computer generated side of typography.
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“ you know what your problem is, it’s that you haven’t seen enough movies - all of life’s riddles are answered in the movies.” -Steve Martin
Everything from small marquees, neon lights, hand painted, to cut out letters decorate the windows of LIberty Hall,
Retro styled typefaces make an appearance in an attempt to blend with their surroundings. These small details become more noticed once you see hand made type cut from paper or drawn by hand around the concession stand. Although there is a vast collection of different type treatments used in Liberty Hall it seems to work for the theater and provides the guests with a homey yet historic atmosphere.
History 1856, The Herald of Freedom newspaper occupied a very different structure that was located on the corner lot where Liberty Hall stands. A large fire burned the Herald to the ground, paving the way for Samuel Edwin Poole to rebuild a new structure that same year, one that was to become a gathering spot for debates, town meetings and political speeches. Fitzgerald recounts, “In 1882 J.D. Bowersock purchased and renovated the building; he added another floor.� It soon became a theatrically themed opera house and well-known entertainment destination.
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“ Cinema should make you forget you are sitting in a theater.� -Roman Polanski
“ The very meaninglessness of life forces man to create his own meaning. If it can be written or thought, it can be filmed.� -Stanley Kubrick
Computer generated typography also has a presents in Liberty Hall. Found on signs and bluitin boards in the lobby these signs add a new texture to the typography that is a part of Liberty Hall.
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Hand made type can be found through out Liberty Hall. This displays the comfort and authenticity of this local establishment.
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Timeline 1854- Herald of Freedom Abolitionist Newspaper 1856- Liberty Hall opens for meetings, speeches and other community events 1882- JD Bowersock buys and renovates it as Bowersock Opera House 1930s- Becomes the Jayhawker Theater until the 1950’s 1965- Opens again as the Red Dog Inn Night Club 1970s- Opens as a Disco Club called Bugsy’s 1986- Liberty Hall re-emerges with major renovations to become a video store, theater and community gathering spot.
In 1911, the Opera House was re-designed with a lush Grecian influence and electric lights. This paved the way for early silent film and the production of “Birth of a Nation” showing in 1915. The first movie with sound, “The Canary Murder Case” played just a few years later. Despite the advancements and introduction of new technologies, the past dwells in some not so obvious places telling the story of what came before. Today’s visitors enter into the main lobby, greeted by hanging chandeliers, beautiful tiled floors, and marble staircases. A walk up the steps leads to the second floor, where an arched, stained-glass window quickly comes into view and is the center of attraction on that level. Fitzgerald remembers finding the large window arch behind a boarded up wooden sided west wall. Its amber colored tones add richness and beauty to this part of the theater that leads to the balcony. Once in the balcony, up a few narrow steps and just behind a dark wooden door hides the remnants of an old stenciled ceiling design. The ceiling is what remains of an original room where African American audience members sat. Other hidden signs of the past can be found in the typography used around the theater Authentic type can be found in subtle spaces around Liberty Hall. This “no smoking” type treatment is hand painted. This painted style creates an air of elegance.
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Liberty Hall has a past as diverse as the times it has lived through, from a Pre-Civil War era to Vaudeville to Disco and beyond. Changes in name, ownership and appearance vary greatly but reflect an ongoing desire to keep the building alive. While 3 different buildings have stood on this plot of land, the current structure has endured and remains a vital part of downtown Lawrence.
Rio
still standing after all of these years
Rio is the first thing you see when looking at this small theater. Glowing neons, wired into place decorate the facade of the Rio. The pink exterior contrasts to the teal marquee and doors. This small building has been standing for over 65 years and has gone through a lot in that time. The history of this small theater can be visualized in the typography found on the exterior and the lobby.
The Rio’s exterior is covered in neon lights. Some of these lights become the light in typography. The name on the front of the theater is written in lights.
“ Film as dream, film as music. No form of art goes beyond ordinary consciousness as film does, straight to our emotions, deep into the twilight room of the soul.”
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-Ingmar Bergman
A three sided marquee welcomes guest to the Rio, with its large glowing lights. This small theaters is made up of a lobby, theater, and two bathrooms. Older typography can be seen on the popcorn machine and bathroom signage. These small touches blend in with their surroundings. An ornate chandelier hangs from the ceiling in the quaint lobby.
History The Overland Theater originally opened on Christmas Day 1946. At that time, the sidewalks along 80th Street were made of wood, and the price of tickets was 20 cents for children and 50 cents for adults. When the Dickinson Theater Group commissioned well-known theater designer Robert Boller to design the Overland, the town had been without a movie palace for ten years.
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Timeline 1946 - Opened as Overland Theater on Christmas Day 1977 - For a number of years the building housed the Theatre for Young America, a live performance group for children 1987 - the group sold the building to the City of Overland Park 1993 - the Fine Arts Theatre Group purchased the building and began extensive restoration work 2000 - the theater reopened as the “Rio� 2005 - the theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places
The concession stand in the Rio is filled with typography. Coca-cola takes over the stand with their additional product placement.
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“ For me, the cinema is not a slice of life, but a piece of cake.” -Alfred Hitchcock
The theater greeted patrons with a sleek geometric façade design, characteristic of mid-twentieth century Moderne architecture. The theater was renamed from the Overland to the Kimo South and later the Park Cinema. For a number of years beginning in 1977, the building housed the Theatre for Young America, a live performance group for children. In 1987, the group sold the building to the City of Overland Park. Six years later, the Fine Arts Theatre Group purchased the building and began extensive restoration work. When the theater reopened in 2000, its new name—“Rio”— was spelled out in neon tubing on the new three-faceted marquee.
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The Rio is made up of a lobby and one theater. There are two sets of double doors that lead into either side of the theater. This small space creates a very intimate feeling for the viewers.
The theater had been brought to life again with all its old style and much of its original material intact. This theater was added to the National Register of Historic Places in February of 2005. The refurbished Rio now serves a new generation of movie-goers in downtown Overland Park.
Glenwood Arts
given a new life in a new location
The Glenwood Arts is unlike the other theaters discussed. Glenwood comes with lots of history but not all of it comes from the same building. The current building that Glenwood Arts is living in is a part of the Metcalf South Shopping Mall. The original theater was built and opened in 1966, making it the youngest of the theater discussed. Although it is young it makes up for its youth in vintage typography infused into the lobby of the theater and exterior signage.
This sign was constructed the same time that the original theatre was built, 1966. When the Theatre was razed in the 1990s, the sign was salvaged.
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Best known for its large sign with a marquee that sits off of 95th street Glenwood Arts has become a landmark in suburban Kansas City. This sign is one of the few things that still exists from the original Glenwood Arts. Although typography and colors used have changed over the years the overall 60s feel still remains.
“ The art of film can only really exist through a highly organized betrayal of reality.” -François Truffaunt
Moving inside of Metcalf South Mall visitors are greeted with a glowing over head sign and display cases of what is currently showing. The mall corridor has a few displays pointing in the direction of the theater. These small advertisements are information markers that use unfortunate typography and clip art.
“ It’s all just one film to me. Just different chapters.” -Robert Altman
The exterior of Glenwood Arts has a mix of computer generated signage, filled with clipart and bad typography.
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Black, gold, and teal are a prominent color sceme found
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in the typography in the lobby of Glenwood Arts.
Inside of the lobby, black script text can be seen hanging on the walls giving patrons direction in a small compact space. Large movie posters hang in display cases letting people know what is coming soon. On opposite side of the room sits the concession stand as always this is a hot spot for typography. Glowing hues of neon ad the the atmosphere casting a warm colored light on the counters and people surrounding them.
History Hailed as ‘Kansas City’s Luxury Theater’, it maintained that stature for over 33 years. The Glenwood Theatre quickly became the most popular theatre in the Kansas City area. Outside, a large fountain stood amongst beautifully landscaped grounds. Inside, the Grand Promenade exhibited statues, a fireplace, and most noticeably, a 15 feet wide by 15 feet tall imported Italian crystal chandelier. Hostesses escorted movie patrons into the 816 seat auditorium, which boasted high back red rocker lounge chairs and a fully carpeted floor. As a movie would begin, 40 foot tall curtains would slowly retract to reveal a 70 feet wide by 35 feet tall curved screen.
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With the introduction of a nearby megaplex in the 1990’s, ticket sales at the Glenwood Theatre declined. Unable to compete, the theater closed in May 2000. Sadly, amid much protest, the Glenwood Theatre was razed and replaced by a strip mall, signaling the end of a magical cinematic era. What now stands is a completely different theater. The sign from the original Glenwood Theatre was bought and restored.
The consession stand is full of typography. Packaging of candy and popcorn bags are over the top and tacky.
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“Cinema is the truth of us as human beings. If there is no truth then there is no film. If a film-maker can not film the truth then he is a film-faker.� -DCM
Timeline 1966 - the Glenwood Theatre in Overland Park, KS opened to the public 1983 - two more smaller screens were added, but the original auditorium continued to be the popular draw 1990 - introduction of a nearby megaplex caused ticket sales at the Glenwood Theatre declined 2000 - Unable to compete, the theater closed and torn down Present - now stands is a completely different theater as part of the Metcalf South Shopping Center
As the movie exhibition industry became more competitive, a second smaller screen was added to the side of the main auditorium. In 1983, two more smaller screens were added, but the original auditorium continued to be the popular draw. What now stands is a completely different theater. The sign from the original Glenwood Theatre was bought and restored.
Glen Wood Dickinson
one man’s empire
By the time Glen Wood Dickinson came to town, he had already amassed nearly 40 indoor movie theatres in and around Kansas City. So it was no surprise when he moved his entire operation from Lawrence to downtown Kansas City in 1936. A large movie theatre chain needed to be in the center of things, and 3525 Broadway was about as central as one could be to the industry (movie and otherwise) in Kansas City, but it hadn’t always been big for Glen Wood Dickinson. Dickinson had done stints in the U.S. Forestry service, sold automobiles and run a gas station before the theatre bug got into his system. Once in his blood, he rapidly ascended from single screen owner of the neighborhood theatre the Marshall in Manhattan, Kan., to one of the first chain theatre companies in the Midwest.
Before he sold his theatre chain to Griffith Theatres out of Oklahoma for a reported one and a half million dollars in 1937, he was operating a mini empire of 37 movie houses. By standards outside the region, this may have been a small operation, but here at home, Glen Dickinson paved the way for what was to come in the movie theatre industry—the chain concept. No longer were movie theatres solely identified by their own personality and neighborhood, but they were known by the identifying components and uniformity of that particular chain. Without question, the family Dickinson single-handedly changed the Midwestern landscape of how movie houses looked and how the public perceived them. Later Glen Wood Dickinson and his son, Glen Dickinson Jr., created an even larger system of theatres that spanned a four-state area and boasted almost 50 theatres. The time for chain theatres had come. So long mom and pops; hello big business!
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Colophone Typefaces used are Bembo and Univers. Nikon D40 was used for photographs Thanks to the movie theater people. Designer as Author Patrick Dooley Fall 2012 The University of Kansas
Thank you to: Johnson County Historical Society Liberty Hall Watkins Community Museum of History Cinema Treasures