“Chin Chin” – Majestic Theatre, Kankakee, IL – 2 Nov 1919

By Don Taylor

Donna’s playing at the Majestic in Kankakee reminds me that not everything is online. In this case, I learned that “Chin-Chin” played in Kankakee only because the St. Anne Record (Saint Anne is about 5 miles southeast of Kankakee – 14 miles driving) had a short note on 6 November that said:

            Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Sprimont, Russell Dumontell, and Ruth Paradis drove to Kankakee last Sunday and saw Chin Chin at the Majestic.

Newspaper Search

Chronicling America has a U.S. Newspaper Directory Search feature. A search for all newspapers published in Kankakee, IL, results in four items returned.

The Progressive Era – 19??-19??.

• The description is based on Volume 13, no 14 (9 May 1936). That suggests that the paper started about 1923, three years after “Chin-Chin” played at the Majestic.

Semi-weekly Kankakee County Democrat – 1895-1895.

• The description indicates there was only one issue, 12 November 1895.

Semi-weekly Democrat – 1895-1???

• The description indicates there were at least ten volumes, as Vol 10, No. 26 was published on 15 November 1895.
• Holdings indicate that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library only has one issue, the 15 November 1895 issue.

Semi-weekly Democrat – 1???-19??

• The description indicates there were at least 19 volumes, as volume 19, No. 57, was published on 20 January 1905.
• Holdings indicate that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library only has scattered issues from 1905 to 1908.

So, it appears that none of the Library of Congress associated libraries include issues of interest.

Then, I contacted the Kankakee Historical Society. They had a copy of the October 31^st paper that mentioned “Chin Chin” playing at the Majestic Theatre on November 2^nd[I]. It read,

“Chin Chin”

Kankakee Daily Republican – 31 October 1919. Image courtesy Kankakee Historical Society.

In the production of “Chin Chin” the producer, Charles Dillingham, is providing a glorious festival of fun and spectacular attractiveness. Demonstrations of grotesque acrobatic specialties and dancing are numerous through this merry musical concoction.

Those who heard “The Pink Lady”, “The Little Café”, cannot fail to appreciate with pleasure the prospect of hearing further gems in “Chin Chin” from the gifted composer, Ivan Caryll.

Charles Dillingham long ago established a reputation for good taste in his productions so far as color, light, groupings, music and expression go to make up an ensemble. In the company are clever comedians, talented singers and dancers, besides plenty of beautiful, radiant women. The production in its original New York entirety will be seen at the Majestic, Sunday November 2, Matinee and Night.

Majestic Theatre, Kankakee, Illinois.

The 1921 Julius Cahn—Gus Hill theatrical guide and moving has a brief entry for Kankakee:

• • Population., 16,721. Majestic Theatre. L. C. Whealen, Mgr. S. c., L.F., 1,400.

The 1913 Julius Cahn—Gus Hill Theatrical Guide reports:

• • Kankakee is 56 miles SW. of Chicago. Theatre burned past season but understand same will be rebuilt. No details at hand.

Majestic Theatre, Kankakee, IL, circa 1939
Photo courtesy mred8 via Cinema Treasures

The Kankakee Majestic Theatre opened as the Remington Theatre in 1912 and burned the same year. It was rebuilt, and it reopened as the Majestic theatre in 1915. “Chin Chin” played there in 1919. The theatre remained open until 1957. It was developed into the Majestic Mall and reopened as the Town Theatre in 1970. The theater was restored again from 2009 to 2012 when it reopened once more, this time as the New Majestic Art and Conference Center.[ii]

Today

Endnotes

[i] My thanks to the folks at the Kankakee Historical Society for their assistance in this endeavor.

[ii] Cinema Treasures – New Majestic Arts and Conference Center, 150 N. Schuyler Avenue, Kankakee, IL 60901. https://cinematreasures.org/theaters/10158/photos/318299