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Notes regarding the opening of the Ritz Theatre
January 19, 1932
The Winter Haven Daily Chief
Thursday, January 14, 1932
Ritz Theatre Opens January 19
Williamson Renamed to Present Big Program for Evening
Plans have been completed for the grand opening of the
new Ritz theatre in this city on Tuesday evening, January 19, at 8:15
when a program including addresses,
vaudeville numbers and a special feature picture will be
presented to local theatre-goers. The Ritz is the name
adopted for the old Williamson theatre, which has just
undergone extensive repairs and improvements, and the
reopening is appropriately set for the seventh
anniversary of the Williamson, which opened on January 19, 1925.
Manager J. Toliver Webb announced today that the
improvements had included the placing of illuminated
shatter-boxes on the walls in the front of the house on
depicting a Florida sunset scene and the other a scene in
Holland. New and modern stage settings have also been
placed and new carpets are being laid this week. A
modern acoustical treatment has been made which greatly
improves the sound properties of the big auditorium.
The side walls have also been improved and beautified.
The lobby has been redecorated and rubber matting placed
in the runways. New announcement frames have been
placed. The marquee has been raised and enlarged and 160
lights placed under the marquett. These lights, together
with the handsome Ritz theatre neon sign, 30 feet high,
placed overhead, transform the front into the brightness
of day during the night hours and give the theatre the
most beautiful front in Florida.
The program for Tuesday evening will be broadcast between
8:30 and 9:00 over Station WSUN - the first time a theatre
opening in Florida has “gone on the air.” Mayor
O. P. Warren and Judge E. C. Wimberly will make speeches
and Eddie Ford, noted concert organist, will be at the
console of the great three-manual Robert-Morton pipe
organ. The Three White Kuhns, a noted comedy vaudeville
team, will appear in special skits, this feature being
loaned through the courtesy of the Florida Orange Festival.
There will be other stage attractions in addition to the feature,
“Good Sport,” starring John Boles.
Manager Webb stated that the change of name from the
Williamson to the Ritz was made by E. J. Sparks and F. E.
Willimason, president and vice president, respectively,
of the Winter Haven Enterprises, Inc., operators of the
theatre. The men first met many years ago in the theatre
business and a warm friendship developed, which has grown
since they became associated in the local enterprise last
fall. It happens that Williamson entered the moving
picture business in Oklahoma 25 years ago and his first
theatre was named the Ritz. About the same time, Sparks
opened a theatre in the South and this likewise was named
the Ritz. Therefore, what more natural when the men
joined forces in Winter Haven than to name their new
theatre in honor of their first ventures in the movie field?
Manager Webb and Mr. Williamson assure the public of a
never-to-be-forgotten program on next Tuesday evening and
invite their attendance.
A full page of congratulatory ads ran on page four of
the January 14 Daily Chief. The formal opening was held
on January 19 and the movie shown was “Good Sport”
starring John Boles and Linda Watkins. However, the
first advertisement for the Ritz appeared on January 15
(probably because the new marquee was in place).
The picture shown was “Five Star Final”
starring Edward G. Robinson.”
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