"About This Blog

Rich Hill is a small town in Bates County, Missouri, known as the "Town That Coal Built." Since 2008, this blog has been digging through old newspapers, county histories, family photos, and community memories to piece together the stories of the people, businesses, churches, and events that shaped Rich Hill — from its coal-mining boom years to the present day. Here you'll find everything from town-defining moments (train depot ambushes, natural gas jubilees, the founding of local churches) to the quieter stories of the people who called Rich Hill home — including a few who went on to leave their mark on the wider world. Have an old photo, a family story, or a correction? I'd love to hear from you — reach out at beardonme@gmail.com

Thursday, October 13, 2011

March 28,1930 Rich Hill Mining Review


Opera House changed to talkies Thursday Night.
First Program Delighted a Packed House standing Room Only:A great Success Scored.
After being closed for several weeks for the installation of vita phone talking picture equipment, remodeling and rearranging the interior of their show house, Booth& Boughan, owners and managers reopened on Thursday night with a one hundred per cent talking picture program, "On with the Show" a picture in natural colors thought;also a comedy.
The walls of the building have been paneled with sound-proof felt,the aisles heavily carpeted and heavy draperies hung in the rear to eliminate outside sounds,all of which add greatly to the beauty of the interior,as well as to deaden noises that interfere with the perfect reproduction of taking pictures.
The People of Rich hill and Community are justly proud of the improvements at the Opera house and showed their appreciation by their liberal patronage Thursday night.Every seat in the house was occupied and many standing at both shows.
Booth& Boughan have the best talkie equipment obtainable and the program Thursday night demonstrated the fact that it is the best that can be found anywhere.They also have booked a number of good shows for the future.
The exterior of the building has also been remodeled,with new lighting fixtures,and Rich Hill now has one of the finest theaters in this section of the county

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