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About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 22, 1944)
TOT-MEOrORD MAIL '713X712 Sunday. Oct S3. 1844 "Take It Or Leave It," Radio Show, Thursday, Friday and Saturday LATE WAS PIONEER IN THEATRE HERE Back In 1918, a slim young man by the name of George Arthur Hunt first became Iden tified In the operation of a mo tion picture theatre in Medford when, together with R. J. Antle, he purchased the old Paige and Rialto theatres. Those were the closing days of World War I and George Hunt was at Camp Lewis, Wash ington until shortly after the armistice was signed. He then became actively engaged In the operation of the theatres with Mr. Antle and the two men pre sented valley showgoers with not only the early "epics" of the screen but also brought to Med ford many of the outsanding stars of the legitimate entertain ment world. Among these, and always a favorite of Mr. Hunt, was May Robson, who appeared here several times in different productions. A few years ago, while on a trip to Southern Cal ifornia and the Hollywood stud ios, Mr. Hunt and Miss Robson enjoyed a reunion and compared notes of old times. Paige Destroyed At 6:00 A. M., December 30, 1823, disaster overtook the part ners when the Paige theatre was destroyed by fire. One fireman. Amos Willits, was killed and Fire Chief Roy Elliott was badly Injured, necessitating his hospit alization for almost three t friikintfi .t,iiiriiV4 i.liv,, isamm George A. Hunt months. In the spring of 1924, Porter J. Neff and J. H. Cooley organ ized the Medford Theatre Com pany and built the building which homes the Craterlan the atre! The theatre was leased to the George Hunt Co., Mr. Antle's Interest having been purchased by the late Julius Wolf. Early in 1930, the George Hunt Co. was sold to Fox West Coast Theatres and the chain operated the Craterlan and Ri alto Theatres until May 1933, when Mr. Hunt returned to Med ford and again assumed owner ship under the name of Geo. A. Hunt Theatres, Inc. Mr. Hunt's colorful career was brought to an abrupt close on August 31st of last year in an automobile accident and his death was a distinct shock to the community and to the mo tion picture industry. BILL PROUTY ON CRATERIAN STAFF SINCE FIRST DAY Of all the employees of the Craterian Theatre in 1924, when the theatre was first oponed, the only one of the original staff still at the theatre Is "Bill" Prouty, chief projectionist of the local theatres. Bill's career in theatres goes back 33 years, to 1911 when as a youngster, he started working at the Woodlawn Theatre in Portland, using the old Edison hand operated machines. In 1914, Bill went to Klamath Falls to work for J. V. Huston at the Star and Temple theatres and, in 1919, for Harry Poole at the Liberty theatre. It was In 1921 that Bill came to Medford, having been em ployed by George Hunt to work for him at the Paige theatre. It is doubtful If anyone knows the Craterian better than Bill Prouty he watched its rise from the very beginning and the Craterlan has always been watched over by Bill with Jeal ous eyes. Not only has he followed the transition of motion pictures from the crude, silent product i in Its early stages to the mod-1 '4 Bill Prouty em, stream-lined product of, to day but Bill has also keen re membrances of many "greats" of the legitimate stage who have appeared in Medford, at the Paige and at the Craterlan. Among these are the famous musical shows Schubert's Mar cus', and the Passing Shows as well as Harry Lauder, Al Jolson, 'May Robson, Ethel Bar rymore, Eddie Cantor, George Arliss and Kolb and Dill among others. And, although BUI looks back on those early days and likes to reminisce about them, he is also looking forward with much ex pectancy to the developments that are sure to come soon after the war is over telvision, 3rd Dimentional film, and their like Service Station Gas Stamps Taken Bupglers broke into the. Gen eral Mobllgas Service Station, 320 West Main Street, Friday night,- and stole a box in which 1,S00 to 2,000 gallons worth of gas stamps were kept The sta tion, operated by Richard Pruitt, was entered by breaking the window glass in the north side of the building. Certificates of title and re ceipts and addresses of prospec-j tive car buyers were also taken. ; The cash register, which onlyj contained small change, was not; bothered. COULD BE WORSE Toledo, O. (U.R) Toledo thieves are accommodating, Bt least. After steeling a good tire from Nicholas Wishowski's auto mobile, the thief replaced it with a badly worn one. Congratulations OYes, we are happy to Join in warm est congratulations to the owners . , and staff of the Craterian Theatre upon this 20th Anniversary .... WESTERN OIL & BURNER CO. FINE HEATING OILS 412 Cast Main St. Phone 5266 Happy Birthday! To our "neighbors", the management and personnel of the Craterian, we extend sincere congratulations and best wishes for another 20 yean of semca to this community! QAltft ': Ready-To-Wear And Millinery 17 South Central AreniM 1 C" II VF0LL0r Trie BOYS ' i :i , J - I BEST WISHES for continued success and long years of public service to the management and personnel of George A. Hunt Theatres' fine . , CRATERIAN THEATRE Upon the 20fh ANNIVERSARY OF THIS FINE SHOW HOUSE O MEDFORD ICE & STORAGE COMPANY MEDFORD, OREGON CITY CLEANING & DYEING WORKS 324 West Sixth Street Extends CONGRATULATIONS To the CRATERIAN Medford is Justly proud of this fine playhouse and recognises the iina con tributions that have been made by theatres here in the life of this community! BEST WISHES To the management and tha entire staff of Hunt's Craterian Theatre upon the completion of 20 successful years in this community.. May success be yours in years ahead! COMMERCIAL PRINTING CO. 30 North Grapa Phone 4545 The HOTEL HOLLAND . Extends Best Wishes To The Manage ment And Personnel of The CRATERIAN THEATRE Upon The 20th Birthday sf This Popular Medford Show Hosss Upon Tha Occasion Of Tha CRATER. AN 'S 2Q)th. ANNIVERSARY We Pay Tribute To GEO. A. HUNT Medford people will net seen iorget the late founder of the Ceorae A. Hunt Theatres . . this kindly, gtnial. publle-tplrlt-d man who brought the finest of entertainment to this valley and helped in every worthy public movement. Yes. we pay tribute to , George upon this occasion and with those who carry on for him success and pood luck I BROWN'S CAFE AND BILLIARDS WMATUlnTIONS GEORGE A. HUNT THEATRES Upon The 20tlta. OF THE All southern Oregon salutes the owners and operators of Tha Craterlan upon this 20th Birthday. This theatre one of Oregon's best has offered the finest of entertainment for tha people of thi community through tha years. This Agency Is happy to extend to all who are' associated with George A. Hunt Theatres and especially tha Craterian sincere wishes for continued success! mm bl mm 123 East Main Phone 3446
