Sunday, December 3, 1933

Went to Sunday school but not church. I read the paper. Ollie came over and they played pinochle. I stayed all night at Mrs. Raifert's.

Newman Theatre - 1933
Kansas City, Missouri

The site of the Newman Theater was that of the old Brady Building, which had been gutted
 by fire in 1918. It was the largest motion picture theater to be built in the downtown district and
 the most costly theater of any sort to be erected here. It was built on a 100-foot frontage at
 1114-18 Main just 25 feet north of 12th. Newman's other downtown theaters were the Royal,
one-half block north, and the Regent, 109 E. 12th.

The architect for the Newman was Alexander Drake and the steel and concrete fire-proof
 building cost nearly $400,000. Seating capacity was 2,000. The orchestra pit accommodated
 a 35-piece orchestra and on special occasions 50 musicians would be employed.

The interior was "old gold, old rose, old blue and brown." A large mezzanine floor promenade
 was located between the first floor and balcony. Off this area was a nursery for children and 
various lounges. Each year on the anniversary of the date of the opening, a week's
celebration was held with special acts on stage, most of them from out of town. A local
 group, the Marie Kelly dancers, appeared one year.

Frank L. Newman left Kansas City in June, 1925, after 11 profitable years operating his theaters.
 He left to manage theaters in Los Angeles for the Famous Players-Lasky Film Corporation.
They paid Newman $900,000 for the Newman and Royal Theaters. Many of Newman's
employees followed him to California. The Newman Theatre became The Paramount.