This rare photograph, reproduced from a damaged negative in the Alfred A. Lawrence Collection, housed in the Kansas State Historical Society, shows the front of the Patee Theatre (828 Massachusetts Street) around 1920. The feature presentation the day the photo was taken was Priscilla Dean starring in "Wild Honey," and a future attraction was announced as "In the Early Days of Buffalo Bill," with Art Acord, an early cowboy star.

The Patee Theatre was owned and operated by Vivian & Clair Patee. Prior to the Patee they owned the Nickel Theatre located at 708 Massachusetts Street.

Mrs. John (Eugenia) Emick recalls that her mother, whose maiden name was Fay Wickersham, played the piano to cue the picture at the Patee. The year, 1917.

It wasn't an easy feat to be able to lend sound effects on the piano in cueing a silent movie. When circumstances didn't allow fro rehearsals, the reflex calling for certain notes to denote action, hilarity or pathos had to be of instant reaction. The Ben Hur chariot race score served to enhance action and drama to a race or a fight, while Hearts and Flowers lent feeling to a remorseful romantic theme. Anita's Dance was another tune that was used frequently. Of course, the more resourceful one was, the more one could innovate with his or her own improvisations.

The Patee was noted for it daily change of program, but a western usually claimed the dual Friday-Saturdy bill, along with the staple serial.

From: "One Hundred Years of Lawrence Theatres" by Emory Frank Scott.