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MAY 29 ISSUE ANSWERS: When seeking entertainment in the early 1900’s, “Let’s go to the movies,” was a common phrase heard around Romeo. According to The Romeo Observer, this is a photo of the Palace Theater at 117 South Main Street in Romeo. In 1905 Frank Parker constructed the masonry block building for his Palace Theater. For 23 years, silent films were shown here. Silent film stars like Virginia Rappe, Buster Keaton, Mable Normand, and Charlie Chaplin were presented on the silver screen for locals to enjoy. Theodore Littell was the theater manager for 19 years. He was the janitor as well as the person who took the tickets at the entrance of the theater. The piano was played by Ella Arnold. The musicians were the sound engineers, creating live music which brought on feelings of love, horror, laughter or suspicion. In addition to films, other programs took place in the theater such as high school musicals and plays and vaudeville. As the silent film period ended in 1927, the theater closed. Last week’s photo was the cover to Picture-Play Magazine December 1926, the end of the silent film industry. A Special Note: The Romeo Historical Society has been collecting

MAY 29 ISSUE ANSWERS: When seeking entertainment in the early 1900’s, “Let’s go to the movies,” was a common phrase heard around Romeo. According to The Romeo Observer, this is a photo of the Palace Theater at 117 South Main Street in Romeo. In 1905 Frank Parker constructed the masonry block building for his Palace Theater. For 23 years, silent films were shown here. Silent film stars like Virginia Rappe, Buster Keaton, Mable Normand, and Charlie Chaplin were presented on the silver screen for locals to enjoy. Theodore Littell was the theater manager for 19 years. He was the janitor as well as the person who took the tickets at the entrance of the theater. The piano was played by Ella Arnold. The musicians were the sound engineers, creating live music which brought on feelings of love, horror, laughter or suspicion. In addition to films, other programs took place in the theater such as high school musicals and plays and vaudeville. As the silent film period ended in 1927, the theater closed. Last week’s photo was the cover to Picture-Play Magazine December 1926, the end of the silent film industry. A Special Note: The Romeo Historical Society has been collecting

Covering the villages of Armada and Romeo as well as the townships of Addison, Armada, Bruce, Oakland, Ray, Richmond and Washington

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