Dixie Theatre and Strand Theatre [Staunton, Virginia] Campaign Booklets, 1950-1954
Summary Information
- Repository:
- Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University
- Creator:
- Shaffer, Frank K. (Francis Kinsloe), 1901-1988
- Title:
- Dixie Theatre and Strand Theatre [Staunton, Virginia] Campaign Booklets
- Collection No.:
- SC 0305
- Date:
- 1950-1954
- Extent:
- 1 box, .47 Cubic Feet
- Language of the Material:
- English .
- Abstract:
- The Dixie Theatre and Strand Theatre [Staunton, Virginia] Campaign Booklets, 1950-1954, comprise seven promotional booklets created by Frank K. Shaffer, manager of Staunton, Virginia's Dixie Theatre and Strand Theatre.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Dixie Theatre and Strand Theatre [Staunton, Virginia] Campaign Booklets, 1950-1954, SC 0305, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
Bio/Historical Note
The Dixie Theatre opened in 1913 as the New Theatre and was located at 125 E. Beverley Street on the corner of Market Street. It offered vaudeville shows and silent films. After a 1936 fire gutted the building, it reopened later that same year as a movie house. The theatre was updated in the early 1980s to accommodate multiple screens. The Dixie Theatre closed in July 2014 after more than 100 years in operation.
The Strand Theatre opened in 1930 and was located at 15 S. New Street, less than two blocks from the Dixie. It closed in the early 1960s and a parking garage is located where the theatre once stood.
Both theatres were operated by Warner Brothers during the early 1950s when the promotional booklets were made. Frank K. Shaffer (1901-1988) managed both theatres. Prior to managing the Dixie and Strand Theatres, Frank Shaffer was manager of Harrisonburg's Virginia Theatre.
Scope and Content
The Dixie Theatre and Strand Theatre [Staunton, Virginia] Campaign Booklets, 1950-1954, comprise seven promotional booklets created by Frank K. Shaffer, manager of Staunton, Virginia's Dixie and Strand Theatres. The purpose of the booklets was to document via printed ephemera, newspaper clippings, marketing materials, advertisements, and photographs a discrete film campaign that took place at the theatres. As such, each booklet documents a separate movie campaign or promotional event. Movie campaigns included midnight showings of Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone (December 24, 1950); Saturday morning showings of The Prince and the Pauper, The Yearling, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, and Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (summer 1952); a double feature of the Marx Brothers' Duck Soup and Animal Crackers (November 1950); and Bride of the Gorilla (December 1951). Other promotions included a Lionel train giveaway and a double feature program. One booklet titled "Public Relations" documented various "community 'good will' incidents" in which Frank Shaffer and/or his theatre was involved. Those events included a soap box derby, babysitter plan, collaboration with the Staunton-Augusta Jaycees, and a church twilight softball league.
Administrative Information
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).
Acquisition Information
Booklets were purchased from Tim Abbott Americana in July 2020.
Processing Information
Folder titles were applied based on the cover title written on each booklet and the theatre where each campaign took place.
Location
Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University
880 Madison DriveMSC 1704Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807library-special@jmu.eduURL: https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/
Index Terms
Corporate Name
- Tim Abbott Americana
Genre and Form
- Promotional materials
- Theater programs
- Newspaper clippings
- Photographs
- Advertising
- Printed Ephemera
Geographic Name
- Staunton (Va.) -- History -- 20th century
Subject
- Theater programs -- Virginia -- Staunton -- 20th century
- Theater -- Virginia -- Staunton -- 20th century
- Amusements -- Virginia -- Staunton -- 20th century
Bibliography
"Dixie Theater." Cinema Treasures. Accessed October 14, 2020. http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/775.
"Strand Theatre." Cinema Treasures. Accessed October 14, 2020. http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/39269.
Lauren Berg. The (Waynesboro) News Virginian. "Historic Dixie Theater in Staunton to Close." The Daily Progress, May 15, 2019. https://dailyprogress.com/news/local/historic-dixie-theater-in-staunton-to-close/article_fa03f574-0ed0-11e4-aae9-001a4bcf6878.html.
Collection Inventory
Title/Description | Instances | ||
---|---|---|---|
The Marx Bros. Double Feature, Mon. Tue. Oct. 30-31 [Strand Theatre], October 30-31, 1950 | box OV 1 | folder 1 | |
Four Holiday Midnight Shows, Christmas & New Years Eve, December 24 and 31, 1950 [Dixie Theatre and Strand Theatre], December 24 and 31, 1950 | box OV 1 | folder 2 | |
Double Feature Programs, Nov.-Dec. 51 [Strand Theatre], November 12-13, 1951 | box OV 1 | folder 3 | |
Lionel Train Give-away, Sat. Dec. 15 [Dixie Theatre], December 15, 1951 | box OV 1 | folder 4 | |
Bride of the Gorilla, Dec. 26-27th [Strand Theatre], December 26-27, 1951 | box OV 1 | folder 5 | |
Public Relations, 1952 | box OV 1 | folder 6 | |
Summer Children's Library Shows, 4 Saturdays July-Aug. [Dixie Theatre], 1952, 1954 | box OV 1 | folder 7 | |