That's the late John Piller standing in front of the theatre he built and owned on Central Avenue in Valley City. He opened the Piller on Armistice Day, November 11, 1925. The movie industry promoted and sold "war bonds" back then and John Piller was instrumental in selling over a milion dollars worth of WWII bonds through his theatre.
His daughter, Frances Piller Holm, now 102 and still residing in her home in Valley City with her daughter and 1961 graduate, Linda Holm, played the theatre's pipe organ. See article below from the Valley City Times-Record of June 16, 1983. For a larger image of the photo or the article, please click on the respective image.
His daughter, Frances Piller Holm, now 102 and still residing in her home in Valley City with her daughter and 1961 graduate, Linda Holm, played the theatre's pipe organ. See article below from the Valley City Times-Record of June 16, 1983. For a larger image of the photo or the article, please click on the respective image.
Personally, I remember attending many movies in this theatre with my best buddy, Paul Merrett. We watched "Abott & Costello," and we were "saddle pals" to Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. We just couldn't miss one of those Batman or Superman serials either and every Wednesday, as my Grandmother reminded me, was "Bank Night!" You could win $500 if they drew your ticket number after the movie!
For a quarter, one could get a ticket and a bag of popcorn and maybe even a soft drink. Been to Avatar or any new flick lately? I spent about $18 for two tickets in Tampa during the Christmas season to see that James Cameron movie in 3-D, a technical process we had at the Piller for a lot less, back in the 50s! Please share your memories about the Piller in the comments section below. - der Blogmeister
5 comments:
I'm pretty sure that my dad was the subsequent owner of the Piller Building . . .at least I know he did alot of remodeling to retrofit the building for Steven's store, and he leased to L.A.W. Stephan for years (upstairs). Dad sold the building to George Dutton, the current owner.
I have many memories of the Piller Theater, from childhood when we would go there on Saturdays for Howdy Doody shows (didn't we dress up as cowboys/cowgirls) - going to the 10 cent movies, and in high school when Margaret Peterson worked there and we girls would hang out waiting for her to get off work. She had to balance the till at the concession counter before she could leave. Yummmm, remember Spearmint Leaves candy?
My folks were winners of "Bank Night" sometime in the early 50's. I remember my Dad waking all us kids up and showering us with $1 bills, they paid all in ones if someone won. I also remember Rex Allen and his horse KoKo on stage at the Piller on a Saturday afternoon probably 1953 or 54. In 1972 when I was stationed at Ft Huachuca, AZ I went to Rex Allen Days in Willcox, AZ and got to meet him. He was a great cowboy.
Hey, congrats on the Bank Night win, Ron! 'Course it was your folks doing the winning 'cause I don't think we were old enough to play. I remember Rex Allen...super you got to meet him. I interviewed Roy Rogers five years before he passed away, for a Pioneer Mutal Agents' program I called "Happy Trails." Should maybe put that on the blog for hard core fans of the King of the Cowboys.
When you mentioned Rex Allen, I thought of that song by the Statler Brothers: "Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott?" What did? He's on Turner Classic Movies these days..saw him a couple months ago.
"Whatever happened to Randolph Scott
ridin' the trail alone?
Whatever happened to Gene and Tex,
and Roy, and Rex, the Durango Kid?
Oh, Whatever happened to Randolph Scott,
his horse plain as could be?
Whatever happened to Randolph Scott
has happened to the best of me."
So this reminds me of the cowboy Tex Ritter. I remember him being at the record department of our store, signing autographs. I got one, but it didn't survive my mom's "house-cleaning". I also vaguely recall the radio station (KOVC) doing programs on the stage - contests, clowns, prizes and the like.
My Great Grandfather was John Piller. My Grandmother, Violet Piller (Nelson) told me stories of how she painted murals in the lower parts of the theatre, and would be criticized but immortalized. Either way. I am grateful of the stories and history! I love you Grandma!! <3
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