Lloyd E. Palmer operated a silent movie theater across from where the Iris was ultimately built. His wife Bertha Palmer played the piano.
The Iris Theater was built in 1929-30. Grand Opening was held on Christmas Day 1930. First movie shown was Min & Bill.
My grandfather built the theater with financial backing from the Schutte family, and rented the space for $150/month for many years.
The original sound system was a “Wide Range-Western Electric” which was the best that could be purchased at the time. Projectors were also Western Electric.
Was once owned by Lloyd E. Palmer. Then sold to Ethel and Steve Folsom. Ethel was the sister-in-law of Lloyd. Ethel ran the business and Steve was the projectionist.
Ethel passed in 1996 and Steve passed in 2010.
Not sure when the theater was closed but the space was later occupied by a drug store operated by Jim and Kathy DeMong. Jim DeMong was also the pharmacist and the Fire Chief of Postville.
Peculiar twist – Jim DeMong and the grandson of Lloyd Palmer, Jim Palmer, were Sigma Chi fraternity brothers at the University of Iowa.
Additionally, the Iris theater ceased operation sometime in 1979.
I talked with my dad, Lloyd J. Palmer, who is Lloyd E. Palmer’s son.
He recalled that his mother and father ran a silent movie theater on the north side of Green St. Might have been the original Iris.
He also remembered accompanying his dad to Minneapolis to look at theaters on which to base the “new” Iris design. He mentioned North Penn St.
The Projectors we also believed to be Western Electric.
More information –
Lloyd E. Palmer operated a silent movie theater across from where the Iris was ultimately built. His wife Bertha Palmer played the piano.
The Iris Theater was built in 1929-30. Grand Opening was held on Christmas Day 1930. First movie shown was Min & Bill.
My grandfather built the theater with financial backing from the Schutte family, and rented the space for $150/month for many years.
The original sound system was a “Wide Range-Western Electric” which was the best that could be purchased at the time. Projectors were also Western Electric.
Th
Was once owned by Lloyd E. Palmer. Then sold to Ethel and Steve Folsom. Ethel was the sister-in-law of Lloyd. Ethel ran the business and Steve was the projectionist.
Ethel passed in 1996 and Steve passed in 2010.
Not sure when the theater was closed but the space was later occupied by a drug store operated by Jim and Kathy DeMong. Jim DeMong was also the pharmacist and the Fire Chief of Postville.
Peculiar twist – Jim DeMong and the grandson of Lloyd Palmer, Jim Palmer, were Sigma Chi fraternity brothers at the University of Iowa.