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ebook History of Watertown, Wisconsin
Savoy Theater
106 W Main
This
address was site of first Fischers
Store
Savoy Opened in 1938 /
The Savoy, which was launched in August of 1938
by Milwaukee interests.
It operated for some years and then closed and was
taken over by the Classic Theatre management.
1940
"The Fighting 69th"
attracts viewers in 1940
Savoy
Theater Fire, 1950
In later years the theater building was added to
the offices of the Wisconsin National
Bank. The entire structure was razed
in the mid 1980’s.
1940
-- -- PROJECTOR USED TO SHOW MOVIES IN 1940
1946
“AMBUSH TRAIL”
Agnes Loukota
1950
06 06 SAVOY THEATER FIRE
-- -- REOPENING AFTER FIRE
Reopening of, after fire of 1950. In later years the
theater was added to the offices of the adjacent Wisconsin National Bank.
Entire structure demolished in mid-1980’s.
10 14 SAVOY THEATRE REOPENS
Gala Technicolor Film Chosen for First Attraction
The Savoy theatre, dark since the fire of June 6 caused a loss of
$50,000, will reopen next Wednesday night, Oct. 18, it was announced today by
Oscar Baumann, manager of the Savoy and Classic theatres here.
The opening bill will be a gala one, featuring the technicolor
musical production “Tea for Two” which stars Doris Day and Gordon McRae.
The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and there will be two shows. The second at 9:15 p.m. The film attraction will remain through next
Saturday night.
Mr. Baumann disclosed that the show house will be open each night
and that programs will change twice weekly — on Sundays and Wednesdays. There will be no matinee on Sunday, however.
The theatre has been handsomely reconstructed. Its appearance today is a far cry from the
blackened, charred and beaten-up auditorium that
resulted from the fire.
It has been completely changed.
New decorations, lighting and stage equipment have been installed. The lobby has been changed and the finest
sound reproduction equipment has been installed. The projection booth is entirely reconstructed and the best projection equipment has been
secured.
Comfortable seats, carpeting and everything else that has been
installed has been selected to make it a theatre of pleasant surroundings and
with the comfort of patrons in mind.
They are certain to find it an enjoyable place to spend an evening.
Workmen are
still engaged in putting the finishing touches on the theatre auditorium and
the marquee, but Mr. Baumann asserted that everything will be completed and in
readiness for the grand opening.
1951
-- -- MEMORIAL
DAY PARADE
1952-53
-- -- CHURCH
SERVICES HELD IN THEATER
From
the demolition of the original Immanuel Lutheran Church
structure through the completion of new construction the congregation held
worship services in the old Savoy Theater.
1961
07 01 DOC SCHMEICHEL
Of the thousands upon thousands
of persons who passed through the portals of the Classic
Theatre and the Savoy Theatre here over the years that A. W. (Doc)
Schmeichel served as doorman, handing their tickets to him, very few were aware
of the part he played in Watertown music and entertainment circles for two
generations. The fact is that Doc has
had a most unusual musical career, having played with bands and orchestras,
including his own musical organization and a combo. Doc’s start in the entertainment field dates back to 1912, nearly a half century ago, when he began
to play with the old Imperial Band of Watertown, then a leading musical
organization here. WDT
1965
12 18 WISCONSIN NATIONAL BANK UTILIZING FORMER SAVOY THEATRE BLDG
Work
was started this morning on the Wisconsin
National Bank project in West Main Street whereby the bank will add to its
services a drive-in banking facility, utilizing the former Savoy Theatre
building directly west of the bank.
First step in the project is the removal of the theatre marquee. The Beaver Wrecking and Salvage Co. of Beaver
Dam had a crew of men on the job today. WDT
1966
06 10 PLANS FOR DRIVE-IN BANKING FACILITY
The
Wisconsin National Bank in Watertown is ready to open its new facility — TV
Auto Banking. The new department will be
in operation for the public starting Monday, but tomorrow, June 11 the bank
will hold a sort of “Open House” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and invites the public
to drop in, inspect the drive-in facility and register for prizes which will be
presented. Saturday’s event is being
arranged to open the new facility and will be a forerunner to the regular TV
Auto Banking service which begins Monday morning. The new facility occupies the former Savoy
Theatre building directly west of the bank building which the bank acquired
last year. WDT
Cross-References:
Image
of Savoy Theater’s movie projector:
WHS_005_254-257
Review article on Watertown movie theaters
History of Watertown,
Wisconsin