This week marks the 100th anniversary of the release of Houdini's
Haldane of the Secret Service. I'm no longer sure of the exact release day. I've seen both Sept. 23 and Sept. 30 on F.B.O. trade advertisements. I suspect the 23rd was the ship date in anticipation of exhibitors having the movie ready for a Sept. 30 release. However, not many theaters did so.
Haldane doesn't really start appearing in theaters until mid-October and November.
But one theater did get the new Houdini movie up early.
The Unique Theater in El Paso, Texas, opened
Haldene [sic]
of the Secret Service on September 29, 1923. One hundred years ago today! This is the first showing of the movie I've been able to find, so unless we discover otherwise, I'll let this stand as the official premiere.
 |
| El Paso Times, Sept. 29, 1923. |
The Unique Theatre stood at 111 South El Paso Street in El Paso, Texas. Today, a parking garage occupies the spot.
Want more
Haldane on this centennial day? I've uploaded the entire movie to watch on my
Patreon.
A parking garage is now there. That's a cliché now, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteHappy Haldane Day! Great job finding that Unique Theater Ad for September 29th, 1923!!
ReplyDelete