Elk River Movie Theaters: A New Type of Entertainment
Entertainment and technology took a great stride forward in Elk River in 1913 when motion pictures and movie theaters illuminated the city. In that year two theaters, “The Elk Theater” and “Blanchett’s”, presented silent movies in Elk River. By 1915, a third theater, the “Royal Theater,” opened its doors. These years marked the beginning of a new age in entertainment in Elk River. In November of 1913, the Elk Theater advertised the silent short movie “Return of Crime,” dramatic crime and punishment movie featuring the young British actress Barbara Tennant. By 1914, the Elk presented full length silent movies such as “The Last Days of Pompeii.” Admission prices to the hour long movie was 15 and 25 cents, the matinee appeared to be a less expensive ticket than the evening showing. Newspaper advertisement in the Star News, December 2, 1915, just a week after the grand opening of the Royal Theater Meanwhile, the Sherburne County Star News rep...