Garwin Theatre

The Savoy Theatre was a new-build facility in downtown Garwin. It was built to supplement the 19th Century-built Garwin Opera House by providing films along with sporadic live events. The Iowa town of about 500 residents would support the venue for 40 years from 1913 to 1953. The Savoy Theatre opened December 13, 1913 with a live touring company’s presentation of “The Girl & The Tramp”. The building, which was still standing in the 2020’s, was constructed by Nelson H. Williams, Harry Williams and Homer E. Berger for just under $5,000. Gustave Jensen was responsible the interior design.

At launch, the Savoy Theatre operated three days a week, Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, mostly with movies shown from its fireproof projection booth. Electric service hadn’t quite hit as the 110-light illuminated theatre was operated by a 6-hp gasoline engine. E.H. Dickson of Gladstone took on the venue as his fourth operation including theatres in Conrad and Gladbrook. He struggled in the transition to install sound with theatre closing from 1930 to 1932 when it reopened with sound.

The venue closed during World War II, but was reopened by Clifford and Mabel Anderson. They renamed here to the Garwin Theatre in 1944. They completely re-seated the auditorium reducing count to 242. The Andersons used advertising banners for their change of shows apparently to not only list current attractions but to obscure the Savoy nameplate below.

The Andersons moved to California subletting to Jack and Beverly Comfort and likely operated additionally by Walter and Virginia Jenner and Dale Johnson as the theatre struggled in the TV era - along with most movie theatres in towns with 500 residents. The Garwin Theatre was operating just two days a week when it closed in 1952. That closure came with a lawsuit for $4,745 - reportedly back rent due to the Andersons.

The Garwin Commercial Club decided to try operating the theatre under its original Savoy Theatre moniker with merchant screenings beginning in June of 1953. That lasted right to the 40th Anniversary of the theatre in December of 1953 with the theatre closing after a holiday kids screening. It does not appear to have reopened but may have been used for sporadic live events. The building was still standing as of the late-2020’s.

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