The term “new” didn’t have much of a chance to get old when it came to a movie theater in Norwich in the early 1930s.
There was excitement in the air, as readers of the Norwich Sun of Sept. 5, 1930 learned, “Tonight will be an outstanding one in local amusement annals, as it will mark the auspicious opening of Norwich’s latest playhouse, the New Smalley theater, which has been in preparation for a considerable period and which is new in every way with the single exception of its four walls.
“The public will get its first glimpse this evening at the pretty edifice, which is the latest addition to the Smalley chain of theaters that has grown so healthfully since its inception a few years ago. Mr. Smalley promises Norwich that he intends to excel all his previous efforts to other cities and make the present effort worthy of much local pride.”
The Theater was found in the area of today’s 19 E. Main St., now occupied by the present Commerce Chenango. The Smalley theater chain headquarters was in Cooperstown.
“The complete performance will be given this evening at 7 and 9 o’clock and tomorrow in order to give all who wish a chance to attend. The shows will run continuously, starting at 2:30 p.m. Naturally much time and thought have been given to the selection of the opening attraction, particularly the noteworthy feature picture which is ‘The Cuckoos,’ which stars Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey, supported by a cast of several hundred people.” Capacity crowds attended the opening shows.
Not even two years into a successful run, the Sun of March 24, 1932 reported, “Fire, which quickly followed a terrific explosion on East Main street at 3 o’clock Thursday morning, laid waste to the bowling alley building, gutted Smalley’s theatre, did damage to the Chenango hotel, drove two families from their homes in night attire and caused an estimated loss of from $100,000 to $150,000.
“Thomas Spadaro, reputed owner of the bowling alley structure, was taken into custody by Officer Lelan Brookins and F.S. Lowe between 5 and 6 o’clock Thursday morning and locked up at police headquarters. No charge was placed against him, but he was held for questioning.
“Chief L.C. Brookins of the Norwich fire department is authority for the statement that nothing short of a time bomb could be responsible for the blast and conflagration which followed.”
An investigation followed, and so did an eventual clearing of the debris. Likewise came new plans to rebuild, as Sun readers of May 6, 1932 found out, “Norwich is to have a beautiful new playhouse. Contracts just signed between the Latham-Smalley interests reveal the successful termination of negotiations calling for the creation of one of the most modern and up-to-date buildings in central New York on the former site of the Smalley theater on East Main street.
“Announcement that a handsome new fireproof structure to replace the theater destroyed by fire on March 23, will be hailed with extreme delight by citizens of Norwich and vicinity.” The Latham family built the structure and leased it to Smalley’s.
It was once again called the New Smalley Theatre, as the Sun reported on its opening in the Nov. 9, 1932 edition.
In its construction, 80 tons of steel were used, along with 15,000 tiles. The only thing susceptible to fire in the “fireproof” building was the stage floor, made of wood. “The Tenderfoot” was the first presentation.
In that same edition, Smalley’s wasn’t the only improvement to the immediate area. After the theater groundbreaking on June 20, two other big projects were announced.
“Directly across the street from the new theater, foundation work is now in progress for the new Norwich post office. The third project underway is the addition to the Elks Club which is to house bowling alleys and a lodge room for that fraternity. Probably no city the size of Norwich in the United States has had such a lavish building program during the past few months when new construction was at the lowest ebb.
On Wednesday, Oneonta’s life and times during the summer of 1950.