Southside Has New Theater (Grand Opening of San Marco Theatre, 1938)

This newsreel feature depicts the grand opening of the San Marco Theatre on June 4, 1938. The festivities feature Mayor George Blume cutting the ribbon and purchasing the first ticket and former Mayor Joh T. Alsop, who was himself in the moving picture business 25 years previous, assisting in operating the motion picture equipment during the first showing. The opening day's program was a double feature of "A Slight Case of Murder" starring Edward G. Robinson and "Hopalong Rides Again" starring William Boyd. The theatre is under the management of Elbert S. Thompson. A very young future governor Fuller Warren is also visible in the crowd.
This excerpt was part of a larger collection of newsreels spanning from roughly 1938-1960 and produced by long-time Florida Theatre projectionist Bender Cawthon that was discovered in FSCJ's files during a mass digitization project. This video appears at the 19:28 mark of the longer footage.
The College does not own this film but we offer it for its historical value. If you have additional information regarding the history or ownership of this film, please contact us.
Supervisor of Production: Bender A. Cawthon
Copyright: 1938
Citation: "San Marco Theatre Will Be Formally Opened to Public" in The Florida Times-Union, 6/4/1938