About the Historic Fargo Theatre

History (1920, 1930, 1940, 1950-60, 1970, 1980, 1990)

1940's

By the 1940s, talking pictures were established enough to displace the Wurlitzer organ as accompaniment and sound effects for films. It was used for sing-a-longs and radio broadcasts during the 1930s and 1940s, but by 1948 the Wurlitzer sat silent and hidden at the base of the stage collecting dust and popcorn shells.

The 1940s brought live drama, stage shows, and opera to vaudeville stages. Manager Ed Kraus booked several legitimate theatre productions at the Fargo Theatre. In January 1940, screen stars Glenda Farrell, Alan Dinehart, Lyle Talbot, and Sheila Bromley appeared in the farce comedy "Thanks for My Wife." In January 1941, Kraus sold out 1,100 seats for the production of "There Shall Be No Night," starring the famed Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne troupe. Broadway favorites Percy Waram and Margalo Gilmore appeared in "Life with Father" in February 1942.

Booking touring companies at the Fargo Theatre did prove challenging at times, as several road shows were cancelled because trains were delayed by winter storms or heavy traffic. For this reason, Fargoans missed out on the light opera "The Student Prince" in January 1943. For future shows, Ed Kraus calmed the nerves of his patrons by arranging for troupes to arrive 24 hours in advance.

The famous screen arch villain, Boris Karloff, appeared with the original New York cast in "Arsenic and Old Lace" on March 17, 1943. The show carried its own lighting system, making it necessary to cut directly into the high tension lines of Northern States Power company. The Theatre was in complete darkness while the cutover was made and the heavy set was in place only five minutes before the opening curtain.

The Boston Comic Opera Company presented "Pirates of Penzance" on May 3, 1943 with an orchestra of 11 players. Their presence in the orchestra pit of the Fargo Theatre marked the first time it had been occupied since the last days of vaudeville about 12 years earlier. Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre" was also presented in 1943.

After the success of the famous operetta "The Merry Widow" in February 1945, Ed Kraus booked in Verdi's "La Traviata" in March 1945. More dramas followed including "The Glass Menagerie" in April 1947.

During World War II, the Fargo Theatre was the first theatre in the state to become an official war bond issuing agency, and sponsored special pictures to promote war bond sales. The Theatre also participated in campaigns to aid the Red Cross, March of Dimes, army and navy relief, and USO drives.

Continue with History (1920, 1930, 1940, 1950-60, 1970, 1980, 1990)