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Show 0 Free Press - Wednesday, July 29, 1992 - Page 3 Yesteryears: Royal Theatre put on good show Crews continue mopup on Mahogany Mtn. fire "m any strange and unusual things." Beautiful girls were changed into rabbits and the live bunnies were then given away to lucky children in the audience. Ghosts walked the aisles and skeletons swooped down to sit among the spectators in a show filled with "wonderland and fantasy." Wrestling and boxing matches -often promoted by the Lehi Fire stirred betting men Department to a frenzy in the Royal. While the town lacked a Mohammed Ali, Hulk Hogan, or Andre the Giant, it did have the likes of Jack Street, Ray "Slater, Newal Turner "who won renown on the Mexican border" Alex Christofferson. Strongman Christofferson, powerful enough to pick up the front end of a Model T and turn the car in the opposite direction, wrestled Charles t ChamRenthrop pion of Europe," on Jan. 23, 1915. The Royal Theatre was packed from pit to dome as the two went at each other. Fourteen and minutes into the first round Christofferson pinned the Dutchman. The match ended quickly when Christofferson "with a bar arm and a head chancery" again pinned his man. As the crowd noise subsided, Renthrop walked to the front of the stage and acknowledged "he had tried his best, but that it felt as if Christofferson weighed a ton, and made him feel like he was in Germany fighting in the war." Despite the glitter and extravagance of vaudeville and magic acts and the brawny displays of athletic prowess, movies are what regularly packed them in at the Royal. Devotees came to see Mary Pickford in "Rags," Tom Mix in "The Circus Ace," Kate Smith in "Hello Everybody," and Rudy Valee in "Sweet Crews Monday continued mop-u- p work on the 800 acre wildfire on Mahogany Mountain east of here. Brent McBeth, Uinta National Forest spokesman, said two local crews and a helicopter would continue to search for hot spots Tuesday. Four crews from Arizona were to be released Monday night, McBeth - - M'i said. Estimated cost of fighting the fire, which began July 24th, is ' Ijr $244,000, ' vrrrlTiir f "Middle-weigh- one-ha- lf Music." d Mae West promised much in "Belle of the Nineties," while Shirley Temple delivered a good deal more in "Little Miss Marker." Rita Hayworth and Orson Welles teamed up for "The Lady from Shanghai," and Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland for "Charge of the Light Brigade," and the unforgettable Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh made movie history in "Gone With the Wind." Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour entertained in "Road to Zanzibar," while John Wayne swaggered to stardom in a multitude of action packed war and westSultry-voice- apple-cheeke- uu o - d -- ern films. On rare occasions lesser known actors and actresses such as screen This is what the Royal Theatre on State Street looked like in 1915. Tarzan Frank Merrill came to town in person. "You will be able to witness a performance that has puzzled science and physical experts of the world," young fans were promised. "We believe this screen star worth seeing so do not forget Tarzan will be here Sunday." Gravelly voiced Wallace Beery, lovable rogue of 1930's and 1940's films, achieved special fame in 1946 when Lehi cop Ernest R. Dickerson ticketed the actor for "Speeding and Improper Passing" on State Street, just east of the Royal Theatre. In the summer of 1928 F. M. Houston purchased both the Royal and National Theatres from the had reThe People's cently come under a new management desirous of getting out of the entertainment business. After afew months John H. Miller purchased Houston's interest in the business. He and his son Cliff continuously operated the Royal (except for a brief time during the Depression) until the senior Miller's death in 1950. The younger man continued to operate the theater until his retirement in 1976. In the summer of 1944 the Millers completely modernized the Royal. The State Street facade and foyer were renovated, a bright marquee was added, and a large vertical neon sign was mounted above the Co-o- Co-o- p marquee. No sooner had theremod-elingbee- n completed than the building caught fire and was completely destroyed excepting the brick walls. The resulting property loss, in excess of $25,000, was only partially covered by insurance. Despite material shortages caused by World War II, the Millers rolled up their sleeves and rebuilt the theater, without a balcony. They opened for business on March 22, 1945, with the technicolor feature "Home in Indiana." Cliff Miller unveiled his "modern wide cinemascope screen" on Sunday, Aug. 1, 1954, with the lavish movie production of the Lloyd Douglas novel, "The Robe." Many of us remember that innovation and also the spectacular film, "The House of Wax." One had to be there in the flesh, wearing those flimsy red and blue cellophane and cardboard glasses, to experience fully the utter horror of that Vincent Price classic. Ronald Stoneman accomplished a feat of unplanned razing in the winter of 1962 when his eastbound vehicle slammed into the box office of the Royal causing more than $1,000 worth of damage. But it was not the ravages of erratic drivers, the Depression, or fire that finally drove the Royal Theatre out of 3-- Betty Fowler, columnist for the Free Press," first drew the town's attention to a classified ad in late July 1972: "FOR SALE, Royal Theatre building, State Street, Lehi, Utah. Would make good warehouse or other business, close to Highway, railroad spur at back door, parking lot, call Cliff Miller, Lehi." Worrying that Lehi would lose its only commercial entertainment, Fowler tried to rally the public through her newspaper column. "For a longtime," she wroteon 27 July 1972, "we have heard of the rude and noisy conduct of young people in the theatre. Many times Cliff and Thelma have had to stop the show in order to enforce peace and quiet. They have had to constantly monitor the show to keep control. They have had to clean up unbelievable conditions in the restrooms. They have had to babysit unruly and undisciplined children for parents who leave them for "Lehi I-- hours." The Millers tried to keep the theater open. Despite the financial liability the Royal had become, they hated to see Lehi without a movie house. But regrettably, Miller retired after 50 years in the theater business in 1976. The Union Hotel Royal Theatre building was purchased by All Star Brake Distributors and is currently used for a warehouse. activities for rest of season Timp Cave plans special take Several special events are planned at Timpanogos Cave National Monument during the re-ainder of the 1992 season, m accord-ingtoSus- K. McGill, Superinten- dent. Ms. McGill said the events include J unior Ranger activities, special cave tours, and geology programs. The Junior Ranger program is open to children ages 5 through 12, she said. Upon completion of five different activities, participants receive a special patch and certificate. Junior Ranger events are held each Saturday at 11 a.m. through Labor Day weekend. Special cave tours for Junior Rangers are offered on Thursdays at 10:05 and on Fridays at 9:20. Up to 20 spaces are available on each tour. Although recommended for ages 5 through 12, parents are welcome also. Tickets must be purchased by 9:30 on Thursday and by 9 on Friday. Special events in the Timpanogos Cave Visitor Center include Western History slide programs presented by volunteer historian Jerry Springer. These programs will place hourly from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8. Staff geologist Rod Horrocks will present a slide program on Geology of Caves on Friday, July 31, at 7 p.m. Visitor Center activities are free and open to all who wish to attend. Nature walks are offered from the visitor center at 10 a.m. on ISSN No. . 8750-466- Tuesday and at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Both are given by rangers with nearly 75 seasons of experience between them. They are open to 30 people each, free of charge. Special cave tours during July and August include a Geology Tour on Monday, a Historic Tour on Wednesday, a Candlelight Tour on Thursday, and both a Flashlight Tour and a Living History Tour on Friday. All of these tours are limited to 5 or 10 people ages 6 and over. Advance ticket purchase is required. Prices are $5 per person. More information on the tours can be obtained by contacting the visitor center, Ms. McGill said. Fire crews declared the wildfire, which began in the GRA(Gun Range Area) of the mountain under control late Sunday evening. Two Pleasant Grove teenagers, age 16 and 17, were arrested Saturday by Pleasant Grove Police in connection with the fire. They are expected to be charged with arson, a second degree felony. The suspects were arrested after tips from citizens led officers to the suspects residence, vehicle and evidence, said a police report. Cause of the blaze was fireworks which were legally obtained, the dispatcher said. Thefireworkshad allegedlybeen modified by the suspects in an effort tomakethem explosive rather than decorative. The fireworks were allegedly lit on a hard surface in the foothills. When detonated, they started an area of grassland on fire. Although first estimated to have burnt 1500 acres, this was down sized to 800 acres once smoke had dissipated. Nearly 300 people were called in to f ght the fire, including the Pleasant Grove, Alpine and American Fork fire departments. At least 200 of the fire fighters were actual firefighters on the line, McBeth said. A helicopter was used Saturday through Monday to make water drops on the blaze. Two air tankers were used to make fire retardant drops in the initial attack on Friday, and were on standby Saturday, if needed. McBeth said firefighters were helped by a small thunder storm during the night Saturday and hupercent. midity of between The blaze was first reported Friday 3:35 p.m. at what the forest service calls the Gun Range Area (GRA) and rapidly traveled up the mountain side, burning in heavy oak, sage brush and grass. No homes were in its path. Fire fighters were hampered by gusty winds of up to 30 miles per hour, and the "extremely steep terrain" and dry conditions. It quickly spread to three heads. 45-5- 0 Board to discuss LHS remodeling The Alpine School District Board of Education held a public board meeting Tuesday at Lehi High School. The major purpose of the meeting was to discuss and act upon activities relative to the construction of two new junior high schools for the district. Two committees were to make a presentation to the board regarding the construction of the new facilities. Final approval was to be given by the board regarding the site plans for the new schools. Authorization was also to be given to issue and confirm the sale of school bonds to finance the projects. Other agenda items included a discussion on the appointment of an architect for the Lehi High School remodelexpansion program and employapproval of the 1992-9ment agreement with administrative employees. Both the teachers and support personnel have signed employment agreements with the district. A public opportunity to address the board was scheduled near the beginning of the meeting. 3 Super Quality closing leave Main St. vacancy One of Lehi'shistoric businesses, Super Quality Market, has closed its doors and has a For Rent sign where the Open sign used to be. Another business, next door to the Super Quality market, Pioneer Television, closed its doors last that when the Choi's purchased the business from him several months ago, They bought the stock, too, and the contents of the shelves at Super Quality have been moved to a store the Choi's recently purchased in Former owner, Rex Price, said Ogden. The owners have put the building up for sale. FEATURING ORIGINAL RECIPE KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN week. Carlyle and Cleo Harmon Chose Gunthers 9 U.S.P.S. No. 309-50- 0 Published weekly by Newtah News Group 59 West Main American Fork, Utah 84043 Telephone Numbers Advertising News & Circulation Publisher Managing Editor City Editor 9 Brett Bezzant Marc Haddock Subscription price $19 Betty Fowler per year Second class postage paid at Lehi, Utah Postmaster sand address change to 59 West Man. American Fork. Utah 84003 ' Cabcade Shadow NO. UTAH ---- Nf GARDEN CENTER PLANT 383 S. 500 COUNTS CNUJ FULL LINE E., Am. Fork (next to Gene Harvey Chevrolet) On Sale This Week! 756-606- 1 WMmJ j l We built our home in Provo in 1971 and installed a cooling unit. When the cooler broke down, we ordered a replacement from Gunthers. Their 1992 was so much more efficient and required so unit much more air circulation, we had to tear it out ton cooler. and install a 2 We are "completely satisfied" with the installation, the cost, and the excellent treatment 5-t- on 5-t- on 3-1- and consideration their supervisors and ers gave us. 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