The Picture Show Arrives
An unexpected outcome of the Jamestown Festival of 1907 was Richmond’s
first movie theatre. One of the many visitors to Jamestown was Mrs.
Amanda Ellen Thorpe, a 34-year-old widow from Newark, Ohio. She and her
son, Waldo, operated nickelodeons in their hometown.
On her way home, she took a side trip to Richmond. When talking with
local businessmen, she was surprised to learn that the only movies in
town were shown at a local skating rink, Idlewood Park, and at an empty
lot next to the Colonial Theatre where vaudeville was featured. She
decided that Richmond could use a movie theatre.
The Bluebird Theater invited movie-goers
inside with an animated marquee. Amanda Ellen Thorpe opened it in 1918;
this photo shows the theater circa 1924. (Photo courtesy of Valentine
Richmond History Center)
Amanda Thorpe moved to the city, taking up residence at Ford’s Hotel.
She then purchased the rights to the outdoor show at the Colonial for
$250. She also found an empty building at 714 E. Broad St. and opened
the Dixie Theatre.
In December 1907, the first motion picture theatre in Virginia opened.
It was fully equipped with a screen, projector and chairs. For five
cents you could view the movie and stay as long as you liked.
To help manage the theatre she brought in Walter Coulter who had been in
business with her in Ohio. Walter brought with him his 14-year-old
brother Robert. His job was to supply sound effects for the silent
screen.
The theatre was an overwhelming success, so much so that the Richmond
City building inspectors showed up to check safety regulations.
On March 16, 1908, the Times Dispatch reported: “The proprietors of the
Dixie Moving Picture Show on Broad Street near the old Bijou have been
directed within a certain time to seek other quarters as the board was
of the opinion that the place should be closed. It was explained that
there is no way by which the audience could leave in the event of a fire
near the main entrance.”
The Dixie moved up the street to 18 W. Broad St. where it continued in
operation until 1921.
Over the years, Mrs. Thorpe was responsible for creating other theatres,
including the Rex, Hippodrome, Victor and Venus. In 1918, she opened the
Bluebird at 620 E. Broad St. On the lighted marquee above the name of
the theatre was a bird made of blue and white lights that blinked on and
off, making it appear that the bird was flying.
It was a fitting sign for the happiness she brought to Richmond’s early
movie patrons. Mrs. Thorpe passed away on July 27, 1927, at the age of
64.
