LB2007.1.113663

LB2007.1.113663

Colonial Theatre, Rusty Reuben Boys In this photo of the Colonial Theater, the marquee advertises Radio's Rusty Reuben Boys on the stage and the film "Eight Bells" on the screen. The movie release dates this photo as 1935. Little is known about Rusty Ruben and his Radio Gang. They were described as a whirlwind barnyard jamboree on the air. Some information suggests that they were from Wellsville, NY. Rusty's gang included: " Happy Yappy, the Musical Comedian " Tex Richards, whirlwind emcee " Uncle Jim Dunn, barnyard mimic " Freddie Stone, violin trickster " Pewee, novelty accordionist " Betty Lou Robertson, radio songbird Freddie Stone later went on to play with Woody Woodell and his Riding Rangers for a time when Woody was on radio station WPIC in Sharon, Pennsylvania. This was around summer 1946. Also in Woody's band at that time was Curley Phillips on the electric Hawaiian steel guitar. An article noted that Curley and Freddie had just joined the act. The movie "Eight Bells" starring Ann Sothern and Ralph Bellamy (released in 1935) tells the story of Marge Walker, the daughter of a steamship-line owner, stowing away on one of her father's ships bound for Shanghai. Roy Dale, the captain of the ship, is in love with her as is the first officer, Steve Andrews. The situation is touchy, but gets touchier when both a typhoon and a mutiny strike the ship. HISTORY The Colonial opened on the same day that R.M.S. Titanic departed Southampton on its fateful maiden voyage, April 10, 1912. The theater was designed for movies and had no windows other than those on the windowed front. The auditorium would seat 880. Also featured at that time were two storefronts as well. No movie was shown on opening night but rather a performance by the Belfast Band debuting "The Colonial Waltzes" composed for the occasion by Belfast's R. P. Chase as well as numerous other local acts. Booker T. Washington spoke on his life and work at the Colonial in 1914 and Hoagy Carmichael preside over an evening of song in 1950. In 1922 Dreamland Theater opened nearby. Then, in 1923, a fire, which had begun in the adjacent Eaton Block swept the through the Colonial. There was no loss of life as the fire had spread to the Colonial after it had emptied. A year later The Colonial and Dreamland Theaters merged and reopened at the original Colonial site (as shown). The theater was purchased by the Graphic Theater Circuit of Boston in 1929 and was completely renovated in 1947. Over time live performances dwindled and movies became the dominant entertainment offering.