SCP and Vanity Theater

Christmas comes early

By Alberta White

The true meaning of Christmas unfolded on the morning of December 14, 1983, in downtown Crawfordsville.  On that day the act of generous giving and of gracious recieving was witnessed by the community.

Myron T. Pattison and W. Addington Vance deeded the Vanity Motion Picture Theater to the Sugar Creek Players.  At last, Montgomery County's theatrical enthusiasts had a permanent place in which they could perform.

In making the presentation, Pattison noted that citizens of Montgomery County Crawfordsville have long been known for their contributions to the humanities and the arts, plus many cultural and literary achievements.  Through their endeavors they have provided endless hours of enjoyment for the citizenry.  While entertaining others, they, at the same time, were able to fulfill a self satisfaction within themselves.

Pattison added that while they have been without a place to perform the past two seasons, they faced their hardships with determination and their enthusiasm never dampened.

Keeping this all in mind, Pattison and Vance deemed it appropriate that the building which once housed the Vanity Motion Picture Theater become the new home for the Players.  They felt that in some way this part of the nostolgic past could join with the realities of the present for the benefit of the future.  They encouraged the Players to renovate the the building at 122 South Washington Street that it might become a cultural center for the entire community.

Will H. Hays Jr., long time patron of the arts, expressed his thrill at the presentation.  He was a member of the Players' first steering committee in 1971.

Love for the dramatic arts runs deep in the veins of this community.  National celebrities rushed to Crawfordsville to perform in the 1880s and Crawfordsville was placed on the "Grand Circuit" with larger towns.  The Music Hall was constructed in 1884, and for 35 years thrilled the hearts of the community.

In April 1919, the famed Music Hall was sold to Benjamin V. Barton, who completely remodeled the interior and changed the name to "The Strand."

The Strand attracted the attention of the whole theatrical world.  It was considered "the most beautiful playhouse in the state."

IIn 1922, the theater was sold to Arthur Jackson, who later sold it to Vonderschmitt Amusement Company.  It was the Vonderschmitts, who on March 17, 1935 opened the Vanity Theater.

According to an article in the Journal-Review on March 15, 1935, the Vanity was billed as a new playhouse built to assure the very best of reproduction.  The first film shown was "Love in Bloom," starring Joe Morrison, Dixie Lee, George Burns and Gracie Allen.

The new theater boasted of a seating capacity of 500 with sufficient elevation for each person to view the picture in comfort.  The walls were covered with special board making the acoustics unusually good and giving the best possible sound effects.  The theater was in modernistic design and the floors were covered with the newest design in attractive carpeting.

Guy Hammitt, manager of The Strand, was named Vanity's manager.  In the early 1940s, Andrew Browning was named manager and E.D. Tilney,   projectionist.  Browning refers to the Vanity as an "Action Shack."  He noted top movies were still shown at the Strand.  The Vanity was well known for cowboy films, such as "The Last Roundup," starring Randolph Scott; "Songs of Arizona," starring Roy Rodgers; and "Guns and Guitars," starring Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette.

The Vanity closed February 28, 1953, with the film, "Old Oklahoma Plains," starring Rex Allen.  It has since served as a license branch, Community Cable Office, and Democratic Headquarters.  Few people realized that behind the front office space remained over 80 original seats, the stage and projection booth of the Vanity Theater still intact.

Drama Clubs in Crawfordsville also boast of having a long history.  Early 19th and 20th centuries found Crawfordsville on the circuit for top travelling shows.  Early in the 1890s, the Crawfordsville Dramatic Club was formed and continued until the 1960s.

During the 1960s, the Scarlet Masque was popular at Wabash College.  With the construction of the Humanities Center in 1968, local interest in theater was renewed.

The community was invited to use the lovely facility during the summer months.  Thus on February 5, 1971, a meeting was held and the present Sugar Crick Playhouse troupe was formed.

Mrs. Richard (Sue) McGaughey and Dr. Winston Warren were selected to co-chair the new steering committee.

Interest in the Players swelled that spring and a tentative program was announced for the summer. To open the season was "You Can't Take It With You," co-directed by Frank Howard and Mark Caress.

Support of the theater continued to grow and a children's production was given the third week in July with Mrs. James Ebenholtz as director.

The group was able that first season to secure a $950 grant from the Indiana State Arts Commission.  The Players have put in long hours to renovate the grand old theater and will soon be ready to open in their new home.

The Sugar Creek Players will always remember December 14, 1983 -- the year that Christmas arrived early in Crawfordsville.

Excerpeted from

Montgomery County Legend and Lore

Compiled and Edited by Pat Cline

Based primarily on a collection of articles from

Montgomery Magazine and Bicentennial Series,

edited by Donald E. Thompson (1975-78)

both published by the Journal-Review

Published by

Montgomery County Historical Society

Printed by

R.R. Donnelley and Sons

1988