1203 Main - The Sherman Theatre

In 1914, some years after the Gray Front restaurant closed, the Lyric Theatre opened in the south side area of 1019 Main Street.  The Gray Front business building opened in 1907, and housed a furniture store on the north, an elegant cafe on the south, and a first class hotel on the second floor.  The theatre remained in operation, complete with an orchestra pit, until 1926.

The booming movie industry had given opportunities to famous architects and artists by building and decorating some of the most famous structures, called Movie Palaces, all across the United States.  Goodland was to be no exception.

As in most small communities in rural areas, the coming of electricity and the automobile dictated changes in daily living and also in the forms of entertainment outside the home.

Livery Stables were the service stations of the day until the early 1900’s, and one such facility was located on the southeast corner of 12th and Main, in the center of the fast growing business district in downtown Goodland.

Surrounded by ‘filling stations’ the days of the livery barn were over, and in 1919, the owner sold the property to the City of Goodland.  After the livery was torn down, several ideas for the location were discussed; a small fire station at the back of the lot; a monument to the WWI soldiers, perhaps a bronze statue of a dough-boy.

However, in January of 1926, the lot was sold to Mr. Ernest E. Sprague, who announced to the local citizens that he would build a new motion picture theatre to rival any in the entire area.

Residents, local and rural, watched as the building came into being, with local contractors and sub-contractors plying their trades with enthusiasm.

By the start of the summer, artists and interior decorators from Denver were creating a masterpiece.  The artist, W. L. Hout, had recently completed a theatre in Boulder, and was responsible for the decor in the Jewel and Egyptian Theatres in Denver.

On July 15, 1926, the new electric sign for the marquee was installed, completing the facade.  The SHERMAN Theatre was ready for business.

On August 2, 1926, the Grand Opening, complete with pipe organ, was deemed a huge success.  A four column article in the Goodland News Republic dated July 29, 1926, gives details on decor, seating, curtains, refreshment stand, and a drinking fountain, mirrored, lighted, and trimmed with hammered copper, the focus of the lobby.

The first feature, "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp", starred a matinee idol of the day, Harry Langdon, and was, of course, a silent film.

A printed schedule in the newspaper in August of 1926, announces the four features shown each week.  Several pages of the paper were dedicated to the theatre opening and articles of congratulations to Mr. Sprague for his accomplishment.

Without warning in 1928, a disastrous fire almost consumed the Sherman Theatre.  Undiscovered because of the early hour, the fire managed to burn through the back or east wall of the theatre, collapsing the wall and roof into the alley.   Brought under control quickly, the damage was by that time extensive.

While the ruin was still smoking, the staff of the Sherman Theatre was busy making the old Lyric Theatre ready for business again.

Mr. Sprague planned to re-build the Sherman Theatre, and make it even more spectacular.

By the time the Sherman was rebuilt, and redecorated in the spring of 1928, SOUND had made it’s debut.  A new phonograph replaced the pipe organ, and a modern heating system was installed in a new location.  The old system was the suspect in the disastrous fire.

In March of 1929, "Talkies" were on their way to the Sherman Theatre.  Equipment was to be installed, and a trial show would soon be presented.   After much ballyhoo, and advertising, "The Trail of ‘98" starring Dolores Del Rio, a tale of the Alaska gold rush, and a musical short starring Eddie Cantor was shown, and in general, the preview was accepted and enjoyed by all.  April 10 was to be the first of the ‘all talkies’ program.  Ads show the programs were half-silent, half-sound for several weeks.

In April of 1929, there was a move to stop Sunday showings of movies in the State of Kansas.  Governor Clyde Reed desired to close all business not necessary for humanitarian or charitable reasons.  Mr. Sprague stated as long as the movies showed in Kansas City on Sunday, Goodland would have Sunday performances.  By May of 1929, the subject was moot, and theatres in Kansas continued to operate 7 days a week.

A small piece in the July 17, 1929 edition states: "The Sherman Theatre will discontinue talking pictures."  Apparently the sound systems were so poor the audiences complained and the management decided that the ‘new had worn off’.  However, IF the sound systems improved, the Sherman Theatre would consider giving the public talking pictures once more.

History proves that sound was here to stay, and in 1930, the entire city of Goodland was involved in making a movie.  Local airplane pilots were involved in aerial shots, high school students and local businessmen all contributed to the film entitled, "Running Wild" The Goodland News-Republic of March 19, 1930 devotes informative details.

The hometown movie was shown in its entirety along with selected short subjects at the Sherman Theatre.

Performances by local artists, musicians and amateur theatricals were regularly enjoyed.  Vaudeville performances between screenings of the current movie were popular and well attended.

During the Depression sometimes the movie theatre was the only form of recreation affordable, and the 1940’s during WWII, the Sherman Theatre became a social gathering place for all, to see newsreels and The March Of Time and keep pace with the changing world.

In 1947 the Sherman was remodeled extensively with a new marquee and addition of a new projector and sound.

In 1968 the front of the building completely changed; the marquee was expanded, the lobby redone, new carpet and paint added, and the refreshment stand and restrooms were modernized.

In 1990 the Sherman was purchased from the Crown Cinema Corporation by Mr. David Branda, and new heating, air conditioning, and analog stereo sound was installed.

In 1994 the front, marquee and lobby were again remodeled, and in March of 1999 Dolby Digital sound was installed.  The theatre is now ready for future enhancements in presentation--the elimination of film and the advance of digital projection.

The Sherman has undergone various improvements and is once again the scene of local productions and performances.  The community is very proud of a well preserved and maintained "Movie Palace".

It is interesting to note that in the 73 years of operation, the Sherman Theatre has had only seventeen managers, and only two have been Owner/Managers; Mr. Sprague from 1926 to 1931, and Mr. Branda, from 1990 to the present.