Dickinson Theatre
120 SE 8th Avenue,
Topeka,
KS
66603
120 SE 8th Avenue,
Topeka,
KS
66603
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This item from Motion Picture News of May 8, 1926, says that the house that would become the Dickinson theatre was to be in an entirely new building in 1926, not just a remodeling of the old Novelty Theatre: “A new theatre will be constructed on the site of the present Novelty Theatre, Eighth Avenue and Quincy Street, Topeka, Kans., it is rumored, although the name of the prospective builder, or builders, has not been disclosed.”
Whether the house was entirely new in 1926 or not, this web page from the University of Kansas indicates that the Novelty originally opened in 1906 as the Aurora theater and was renamed the Novelty in 1909. The house was showing movies by 1914, and was listed in the American Motion Picture Directory that year. The new or remodeled house of 1926 operated as the Novelty until 1944, when it became the Dickinson.
Final night of performances: March 27th, 1988. Article uploaded.
I truly loved the Dickinson as I received my very first kiss there. And anyone interested, I do have only one of the Giant Mirrors that were in the lobby. And it is for sale. If interested contact .
Sooo glad to hear you are working on this Gypsy. Thats an awesome project, I sincerely hope it goes well. Be sure to keep us posted on your progress.
The Dickinson Crest is stored in the Jayhawk and I will be restoring it sometime this year. Here is a link to a current photo of it: www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201557902544390&set=oa.771465282898637&type=3&theater
I can remember a trip to the Dickinson to see a atrocious wide screen version of “Gone With The Wind”. I lived in the 900 block of Topeka blvd, and had 4 great theaters to pick from to go to the movies back then.
This photo of the Novelty Theatre is dated September, 1926, which would be shortly after the remodeling by the Boller Brothers that year. The mid-1920s were a busy time for the Bollers in Topeka. Their new Jayhawk Theatre would open in August, 1926, and the Grand Theatre had been substantially rebuilt to their plans in 1925.
The Dickenson Theater was a real beauty inside and out. Yes, the stage area was altered for a larger screen and surround sound etc. I do not live in Topeka, but went there as a kid with relatives when I visited. Why in the world would the arts community of Topeka ever had let this be demolished for a stupid surface parking lot. It would have been a wonderful smaller performing arts venue or playhouse. Stupid is Supid is Stupid is is is.
An advertisement for Boller Brothers in the July 10, 1926, issue of The Reel Journal listed the Novelty Theatre in Topeka as one of the firm’s works. David and Noelle’s list of known Boller theaters has 1926 and 1944 as the years when the Bollers worked on the Novelty, and also gives the house the aka Crystal Theatre.
This was the main house that Dickinson operated in Topeka for many many years. Their other theater was the Fairlawn Twin and the Chief and Cloverleaf Drive Ins before acquiring the Mann properties.
1974,Leo Colvin was the manager and was written up for this promtion of “THE FORTUNE” Handing out Fortune cookies with prizes as high as $350.00.Not bad Leo.Boxoffice Sept.1974.
Okay I went to the Topeka Public Library today, and I got some new and more accurate info. The Dickinson, from the time of closing in 1988, seated 660. Also it had a rather large renovation in 1973, where the stage and proscenium was removed, and a larger screen was set on the wall where the stage used to be. Plus plush reclining seats were added into the balcony.
And as a final comment, the Dickinson started showing second-run dollar movies in 1987. It was also the place where the exorcist ran in Topeka, and got its premiere there. Its longest showing feature was American Graffiti.
Here is an old pic of the outside of the Dickinson, its entrance and famous “crest” is on the upper lefthand corner
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