P.O. Box 632 Findlay, Ohio 45839 Phone: 419-420-9327

Paul Kleman
The Marvin Theatre
By Paul Kleman
Dec 31, 2007, 11:24

It's a new year chock-full of potential and new opportunities. However, new television shows and episodes may not be one of them-at least not for a little while Hollywood deals with its writer's strike. Perhaps now is a good time to reflect one of the earliest entertainment spectacles to come to Findlay Ohio, the Marvin Theatre.

While, not a new concept to 19th century Findlay-there was already two other theatres in operation: the Davis and the Turner theatres-the Marvin Theatre was an audacious undertaking by William Marvin. Built at 306 North Main, opposite of Center Street, the Marvin Theatre was a posh 85 by 114 feet, three-story building that took $85,000 to build. "The stage was said to be the second largest in northwestern Ohio. The stage was 42 feet by 80 feet in size. Double doors led off the back of the stage for the handling of scenery. There were 10 dressing rooms for the performers" (www.thecourier.com/opinion/historic; by R.L. Heminger). And, yet, with its immense size, the theatre was not "…big enough to accommodate the chariots employed in the presentation of 'Ben Hur'.

Though, not large enough to house the larger productions, it did cater to some of the larger names of the day like the renowned Shakespearian actor, Thomas W. Keene. Born in New York City in 1840, Keene found his calling with his performance in Julius Caesar in 1856. Keene graced the stage of the Marvin Theatre on its dedication night on September 18 1893 welcoming a packed house with a presentation of "Richard the Third."

Also to set foot on the Marvin's stage was Louise Brooks, most noted for her silent film career, Ms. Brooks "…appeared in 24 films between 1925 and 1938" . Her best known role was as Lulu in the classic 1929 German Film, Pandora's Box. Prior to her illustrious film career, Louise honored the Marvin's stage as a member of the Denishawn Dance Company in its first season on Friday March 9, 1923. The Denishawn Dance company is accredited as being one of the "…forerunner's of modern American dance".

In step with Findlay's booming oil and gas business, the Marvin Theatre brought its own "boom" of entertainment and star power to Findlay. But like its 21st century counterpart, even the Theatre played its part in the political scene. On October 12, 1906, "…the Republican party held a political rally at the Marvin, with U.S. House Speaker Nicholas Longworth and his wife, the former Alice Roosevelt". Longworth and Roosevelt were in Findlay on behalf of Representative Ralph Cole who was serving in Congress.

Whether it was political rallies or invigorating dances by flapper girls, the Marvin Theatre's past was nothing short of various. Its sundry nature could even be seen in its ownership and management. The Marvin Theatre even change names for the better part of a decade to the Gillette Theatre-changing back in 1916. Finally, the Marvin Theatre's legacy ended in a fire that gutted the building-a blaze that even lead to the speculation of arson charges. With such a spectrum of enthrallment and drama, the Marvin's history could easily feed the creativity of Hollywood's writers if and when they come back from strike. Till then, let Flag City USA honor William Marvin's entrepreneurship and all the warm, endearing, and unique memories the Marvin Theatre has brought our forefathers.