by Wilbur Bush
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The days of the old silent movies with the script for people to read located at the bottom of the screen was on its way out. More modern methods of movie showing were coming in. Gallatin’s Courter Theater owned by John and Dollie Courter wasn’t any exception. Their theater building was erected and the opening show was in May 1920. By 1929, there was a need for modern and up-to-date equipment.
A Biophone talking picture machine purchased by John Courter for his theater arrived in March 1929. It would require approximately two days to install and the complete installation would cost several thousand dollars. It was said to be one of the highest type equipment and would produce programs as efficient as those found in the metropolitan theaters. The same type of machine had been installed at the Wichita, Kan., and Kirksville, Mo., theaters.
Gallatin was among the first small towns in the state to install a talking device. John’s decision to install the new device was persuaded by a letter from Paramount Pictures Corporation which stated most all movies would be made with talking and sound sequences and a persuasive argument was made for progressive theater managers to install such a machine in order to give their patrons the best.
The first dialogue show was “The Duke Steps Out” with Jane Crawford and William Haines. In spite of the rain, the theater was packed for the first showing. Local talent acts were presented at the “owl” show and a presentation of Movietone acts was scheduled for the opening Sunday.
Before World War II, the balcony was divided with half being used for black residents and the other half for smokers. The movie’s schedule was two movies nightly, Sunday matinee, local advertisement, serials, comedy, newsreel, and the main feature.
The theater closed in 1964, but two years later in 1966, it reopened with many improvements. The seats were re-upholstered, small repairs made, general cleanup, paint on the building, and a new heating plant. Two features that would soon be shown were “What a Way to Go” and “The Monkey’s Uncle.”
Later, about 25 businessmen and civic leaders purchased the theater. The purchase was made possible through the courtesy, cooperation, and financial assistance given by Dolly Courter, wife of the former owner, John Courter.