Paglia: New Manos Theatre opened in glorious fashion in Monessen
Striding under the brilliant new marque, Mayor Hugo J. Parent purchased the first ticket to the new Manos Theatre in Monessen.
The mayor then cut a bright golden ribbon in traditional ceremonies that admitted the first-night audience to the Mon Valley's inaugural showing of “Red River,” the critically acclaimed Western epic from producer/director Howard Hawks, starring John Wayne, Montgomery Clift, Joanne Dru and Walter Brennan.
The glitz and glitter of those festivities occurred on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1948, as several thousand smiling people from throughout the area packed downtown Monessen to “see the most elaborate theatre plant in the district,” The Monessen Daily Independent reported.
The new Manos, which became heralded as the “showcase of movie theaters in the district,” was constructed in the 300 block of Donner Avenue in the area where the Monessen Public Library is now located.
It replaced the original Manos, which was housed for many years next door to The Palace of Sweets at Fifth Street and Donner Avenue.
The name of the original Manos was changed to The Grand Theater.
The newspaper heralded the grand opening of the new Manos as “another dream of the city come true, a dream which Michael M. Manos, president of the Monessen Amusement Company, and the civic leaders of Monessen have shared.
“For the handsome theatre, seating 1,500 persons in solid comfort, underscores again an old Monessen civic slogan, ‘The City Ahead,'” The Independent proclaimed. “There is no finer theatre anywhere in the United States.”
Manos built a distinct reputation as a successful businessman over the years, first in the candy business and then with theaters.
He opened his first movie house, The Lyric, in 1913 in Jeannette. Others followed throughout western Pennsylvania, and in 1925 he took over the operation of two theatres in Monessen previously owned and run by the late William McShaffrey.
Among the other officials of Monessen Amusement Company when the new Manos opened in 1948 were Bernard H. Bucheit, general manager of the chain's 21 theaters, and Andrew (Andy) Askounes of Monessen. Askounes had been associated with Mike Manos since 1924, when he became secretary of Manos Enterprises, and he was recognized as one of the best known theater officials in western Pennsylvania.
“Uncle” Nick Kusulis, also of Monessen, was secretary of MAC. He had been associated with theaters for over 50 years and was in charge of operations at The Grand in Monessen.
V.L. “Doc” Wadkins was confection and sales and service manager.
Kenneth W. Woodward was hired as manager of the new Manos. In that capacity he brought over 25 years of experience in managing vaudeville, musical comedy and motion pictures to the job.
Anthony (Tony) Askounes was the manager of the Star and Grand theaters at that time and became manager of The Manos in 1968.
Longtime theater projectionists Richard J. Crosby and Nick Askounes drew those assignments at the new Manos. Equipment in the projection room was the most modern of that era, featuring a Chicago-produced Motiograph Projection and Microphonic Sound system from Atlas Theatre Supply Co. of Pittsburgh.
Stage equipment, wall paneling and acoustical materials were furnished by Mork-Green Studios of Detroit.
Charles Konick, who had served several years earlier as president of The Ushers Club at Monessen High School, was assistant manager at the new theater.
When Mike Manos and city leaders decided to move forward with plans to build the new theater in 1945, renowned architect Victor A. Rigaumont of Pittsburgh was hired to design the “showcase.” Rigaumont had designed over 350 theaters and almost as many churches since 1916, including many of the Manos facilities in western Pennsylvania. Collaborating with him in designing the Manos in Monessen were Robert P. List, William H. Young and William H. King.
Westmoreland Construction Co. of Greensburg was the general contractor for the project and numerous sub-contractors were hired for specialty aspects of the work. Officials of the firm were James Cavalier, J.V. Cavalier and Marion A. “Mooney” Cavalier, superintendent of the actual construction in Monessen.
Interior decorating of the theater was done by the Haury Decorating Co. of Monessen, with Robert Haury as the manager. Over 270 gallons of paint were used for that big job.
The beautiful marquee at the new theater was purchased from a Milwaukee company, Poblocki & Sons, led by Ben Poblocki. The Daily Independent reported that the marquee was designed and built at a cost of $30,000. It featured some 3,000 light bulbs, 1,350 of which were in a waterfall effect in front.
Ideal Seating Co. of Grand Rapids, Mich., was the source of the comfortable Slide-Back chairs in the new theater.
Spearhead Cabinet Manufacturing Co. of Pittsburgh supplied a variety of fixtures for the venue.
The Daily Independent published a special grand opening edition on Nov. 16. Offering congratulations to Manos and The Monessen Amusement Co. with ads that day were: Pittsburgh Steel Co., Fishers, Hibbs Agency, Louis Studio, John L. Gibson Chevrolet/Oldsmobile, Pierre Luti, Donner Avenue Motor Co., Mork-Green Studios, Monessen Pharmacy, funeral director Joseph R. Check, Labow's, The Central Store, Allen's Famous Brands, Kuosman's, Kirk's Drug Store, H.A. McDermott Motors, Harold B. Cramer, Seymour's, Eisenberg's, Friedland's, Mori Hudson Sales and Service, Samuels, Krasik's, Agnes Shoppe, Janosik's Drug Store, Boroff's Jewelry Store; Spearhead Cabinet Manufacturing Co., Hattie's Beauty Shop, Coccari Garage (Chrysler-Plymouth), Monessen Elks Lodge 773, The Donner Grill, Poblocki and Sons, The Alexander Theater Supply Co., Stern's Furniture Co., The Peoples National Bank and Trust Co., First Federal Savings & Loan Association, Thrift Drug Co., John G. Check Furniture Co., Westmoreland Construction Co., Ideal Seating Co., Atlas Theatre Supply Co., Johnson's Restaurant, architect Victor A. Rigamount, Gribben's Hosiery Shop, Motiograph,
The actual grand opening on Nov. 17 began shortly after 6 p.m. as giant searchlights “stabbed the sky in the theatre industry's traditional salute to a premiere event,” The Daily Independent reported.
A small motorcade of theatre and local officials moved from the A&P parking lot at Sixth Street through town to the Manos entrance, with a “trim” Rostraver Township High School band providing the music.
Plant whistles at Pittsburgh Steel Co. and Page Steel & Wire Co. sounded to signify the gala opening.
Laugh Land sent two emissaries from its “Frolic of the Buffoons” show to entertain children in the crowd.
Monessen police and fire departments and the Auxiliary Police Association drew praise for their stellar handling of the traffic and crowds.
A display of fireworks on Donner Plaza opposite the theater entertained the crowd outside the Manos, while inside some 1,300 persons, most of whom saw the interior for the first time, were “visibly impressed with the spectacular setting and the equipment of the new house,” The Daily Independent reported.
The aesthetics included but were not limited to the thick mohair carpet, red with patterns of green, gold and black; a beautiful modernistic ceiling in seashell patterns and pastel colors, and a floral island constructed of glass block, lighted from behind, and featuring 25 different species of South American plants and ivy vines..
Before viewing the feature film “Red River,” the crowd was entertained by a Looney Tunes cartoon, “Kit for Cat” (color by Technicolor); World News Flashes and Previews of Coming Attractions.
An intermission at 9 p.m. allowed the audience to leave and a second capacity crowd to enter for a repeat performance of the initial program. The second show ended just before midnight.
Ushers in “Air Force blue” directed patrons to their seats. The ticket takers were dressed in maroon uniforms.
Admission prices (tax included) were 55 cents for adults and 14 cents for evening shows and 44 cents for adults and 14 cents for children for matinees. .
“Red River” played at the new Manos only four days and was then moved to The Star Theatre for a full week's run. “Miss Matlock's Millions,” a comedy starring John Lund, replaced “Red River” at The Manos.
Other films in Monessen at that time were “Julia Misbehaves” with Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon at The Grand and a double-feature, “Man-Eater of Kumaon,” starring Wendell Corey, and “Crossed Trails” with Johnny Mack Brown at The Star.
In addition to first-run movies, The Manos offered live stage shows in the ensuing years. Those programs featured such national artists as Sammy Kaye and Kay Kaiser and their orchestras, Louis Prima and Keely Smith with Sam Butera and the Witnesses, and The Three Stooges. Local entertainers also performed there as well as a variety of other acts including jugglers, dancers, vocalists and comedy groups.
“It was like the Ed Sullivan Show live in Monessen,” one wag recalled. “As the saying goes, you didn't have to leave town to enjoy great entertainment when The Manos was in its hey-day.”
The Manos enjoyed a run of more than 30 years before Manos Enterprises closed it and The State Theater in Charleroi in 1982.
Manos Enterprises also owned The Hilltop Drive-In in Carroll Township and sold it to the Carroll Volunteer Fire Department in 1983. The drive-in site is now the location of the Residence At Hilltop personal care facility.
The Manos building offered other uses over the years, including the popular catalogue outlet for Sears, Roebuck Co.
Heritage Hills Christian Church also occupied the structure for several years after the theater closed but moved to Belle Vernon in 1989.
Plagued by a number of structural issues, including asbestos concerns, The Manos was razed in the fall of 2001.
That summer the Redevelopment Authority of Monessen, by direction of City Council, awarded a $43,930 contract to Piccolomini Construction of Waynesburg to bring down the building.
A large empty tract of land adjacent to the Monessen Public Library remains as the silent reminder of the “showcase of the Mon Valley.”
And, of course, fond memories rest firm in the minds and hearts of those who spent countless hours at The Manos, as theater-goers or employees or in any capacity. Those reminiscences of a glorious past transcend time.
Ron Paglia is a freelance writer for Trib Total Media.
(If you have memories to share or story ideas contact Ron Paglia at ronpaglia@verizon.net or c/o The Valley Independent, Eastgate 19, Monessen, Pa. 15062.)
