Guide to Ted Sheahon Collection
Collection Summary
Title: Ted Sheahon Collection Call Number: MS 96-9 Size: 4.0 linear feet Acquisition: Unknown. Processed by: DAH: 2/1/1996
Literary rights were not granted to Wichita State University. When permission is granted to examine manuscripts, it is not an authorization to publish them. Manuscripts cannot be used for publication without regard for common law literary rights, copyright laws and the laws of libel. It is the responsibility of the researcher and his/her publisher to obtain permission to publish. Scholars and students who eventually plan to have their work published are urged to make inquiry regarding overall restrictions on publication before initial research.
The Ted Sheahon Collections extends from 1930-1950 and 1978-1995. It includes business documents, correspondence, scrapbooks, artifacts, photographs and blueprints. The first series in the collection reflects Sheahon's career as a manager of the Palace Theatre and the Orpheum Theatre in Wichita, Kansas, from 1941 to 1950. The second series relates to Sheahon's work in restoring the Orpheum from 1978-1995. Of particular interest in this collection are materials concerning Sheahon's association with the Palace Theatre and the Orpheum Theatre in the 1940s. This collection contains a wide range of materials and photographs related to shows held at these two theaters, from publicity pieces to onstage photographs.
Biography and Administrative History
Ted Sheahon
Ted Sheahon first began in the theatre business in 1937 as an usher for the Watson Theatre in Salina, Kansas. After being promoted to doorman at the Watson, Sheahon was then offered a position in Wichita in 1941 by Ralph Bartlett, the city manager for Fox Theatres. Coming to Wichita for an interview that lasted two days, he was offered a position under unusual circumstances. His official title was Assistant Manager to Harry Sexton, yet his actual duties would be as Manager. Harry Sexton’s health had been failing, yet Fox company officials did not want to dismiss him because he had been a good employee. Consequently, Sheahon was brought in to manage the Orpheum because he was inexperienced and would be able to work with Sexton. It was intended as temporary, with his next position to be in the Kansas City office, but was promoted to Manager when Sexton passed away and stayed until 1943. At that point, he was called away for service in the Army Air Corps, serving in 1944 and 1945. When he returned home in 1946, he went to work at the Palace Theatre, remaining with them until about 1950.
It is unclear what Ted Sheahon did in the ensuing years, but by the early 1980s, he was the head of the Ted Sheahon Company which did construction and remodeling work. In 1984, he became a member of the Historical Committee of the organization working to restore the Orpheum Theatre. During the following decade, Sheahon would become heavily involved with the Orpheum restoration, both personally and through his company. He served as the point person for many restoration projects, and was instrumental in the procurement of seats for the theatre. Although he started writing a history of the Orpheum Theatre with many details from his own experiences, he passed away in l994 before he could finish it. His collection of memorabilia and records from the 1940s, as well as restoration business files were donated to the Orpheum.
Orpheum Theatre
The idea for the Orpheum Theatre and office building was first conceived in 1921 when a group of Wichita businessmen formed the Orpheum Building Company. This group was headed by Richard M. Gray, President, and the other members of the group included J. O. Adams, O. S. Shirk, Walter Innes, H. V. Wheeler, Arch Butts, A. L. Derby, Dan Callahan, W. A. Vincent and George M. Brown. As the estimated cost of the project was $700,000, each man invested $20,000. By the time the theatre opened on Labor Day, September 4, 1922, the actual cost had risen to $750,000. Vaughn Construction Company of Omaha Nebraska was the general contractor, but almost all of the sub-contractors and supplies of material were from Wichita.
The theater was leased to Karl Hobityelle the owner of Central States Amusement Company on a 25-year lease. He owned a chain of vaudeville houses valued at about $6,000,000. The Orpheum was a member of the Orpheum Vaudeville Circuit that included cities such as New York, Winnipeg, Chicago, Kansas City, Wichita, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
The theater and office building was designed by John Eberson. He was born in Austria and trained in Vienna and Dresden. He was the creator of the atmospheric theater. He designed over 100 atmospheric theaters, including 4 in London and the Rex in Paris. The Orpheum in Wichita was the first of the atmospheric theaters with the Majestic in Houston the second. The Majestic has been beautifully restored.
Eberson’s plan was to bring the outdoor into the theater. It was meant to give the feeling of being in a Spanish Courtyard or garden. There were twinkling starts on the ceiling and a colored effects machine that was able to give the impression of clouds floating over head. There were vines and stuffed birds along the railing in front of the grill work that hide the organ pipes. The fire curtain was a beautiful painting of a Spanish courtyard, and is still hanging in the opening of the proscenium arch. The acoustics were a special design as well, as there were no sound systems. A performer on stage could speak in a natural voice and be heard even in the back of the balcony. There was virtually no reverberation in the theater.
In 1929, the Orpheum was purchased by Fox Theaters from Doc Miller and Elmer Rhoden. Rhoden became Division Manager of all Fox Midwest Theaters. It is unknown when the theatre was turned over to Doc Miller and Elmere Rhoden by Habityelle and the Central States Amusement Corp. Until this time, the Orpheum had been a vaudeville theatre, but on May 20, 1929, sound was installed in the theatre ushering in the age of talking pictures. The Orpheum continued to operate for many years. By the late 1960s, however, it had begun showing second-rate movies. Closing in the early 1970s, the theatre sat empty for almost 15 years.
It was not until the early 1980s that a group of concerned citizens began organizing to preserve the Orpheum. In 1984, the Orpheum Performing Arts Centre, Ltd. adopted by-laws and became a non-profit organization. Their chief mission was to preserve the Orpheum Theatre and make it available for public usage. Over the course of the next decade, the Orpheum restoration would slowly become an important issue to Wichita preservationists. By 1993, however, the Orpheum restoration was in full swing. Organizations were using the theatre for performances and meetings, and the membership and volunteer lists were increasing. Although much work remains to be done on the Orpheum, it continues to play a significant role in Wichita’s history.
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Box 1 - Box 3 FF 16 |
Ted Sheahon Materials. This series contains materials related to Ted Sheahon’s personal life. This series encompasses materials from when he was managing the Orpheum and Palace Theatres in Wichita, Kansas, 1941-43 and 1946-48, as well as general Fox Theatre materials from 1930-1949. Included are advertising campaigns, photographs, scrapbooks, publications, lithographs, books, and correspondence. |
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Box 1 FF 1-12 |
Orpheum Theatre, 1941-1942 |
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Box 1 FF 13-19 |
Palace Theatre, 1946-1948 |
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Box 1 FF 20-26 |
Fox Theatres, 1930-1949 |
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Box 2 FF 1-6 |
Scrapbooks, 1941-1949 |
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Box 2 FF 7-19 |
Fox Theatre Publications, 1942-1950 |
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Box 3 FF 1-16 |
Personal Materials |
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Box 3 FF 17 - Box 4 |
Orpheum Centre for the Performing Arts, Ltd. This series contains materials related to the restoration of the Orpheum Theatre, from 1978-1995. Included are materials from the executive board, Restoration Committee, Finance Committee, Communications Committee, Membership-Recruiting Committee, Operations Committee, and general historical information. |
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Box 3 FF 17-21 |
Executive Board |
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Box 3 FF 22-30 |
Restoration Committee |
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Box 3 FF 31-33 |
Finance Committee |
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Box 3 FF 34 |
Activities |
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Box 4 FF 1-5 |
Communications Committee |
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Box 4 FF 6-7 |
Membership-Recruiting Committee |
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Box 4 FF 8 |
Operations Committee |
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Box 4 FF 9-12 |
Historical Information |
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Box 1 |
FF 1 |
Showmanship Kit for weeks of September 3, 1941 though December 26, 1941. Correspondence by Harry Sexton and Ted Sheahon detailing advertising campaigns for movies and stage shows, including: Belle Starr, Dressed to Kill, When Ladies Meet, Whistling in the Dark, Sergeant York, You’ll Never Get Rich, Chan in Rio, Earl Carroll’s Vanities, Navy Blues, Niagara Falls, Major Bowes Unit, 3 Girls About Town, The Eternal Gift, George Whites SCANDALS, Smiling Ghost, Keep ‘Em Flying, Man at Large, One Foot in Heaven, Glamour Boy, It Started with Even, Cadet Girl, Our Wife, Small Town Deb, and Birth of the Blues. Also includes contest manual. |
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Box 1 |
FF 2 |
Receipt for prize in the S.S.S. Campaign ending July 11, 1942. |
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Box 1 |
FF 3 |
Earl Carroll’s Hollywood Advertisement Brochures. Earl Carroll’s Vanities showed on the Orpheum stage in 1941. Postcard showing the Earl Carroll Theatre, written to Ted Sheahon. |
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Box 1 |
FF 4 |
Photographs of Orpheum Theatre marquee, featuring Sergeant York, Call Out the Marines, and Major Bowes’ All Girl Revue, c. 1941. |
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Box 1 |
FF 5 |
Photographs of Orpheum interior advertising, including Keep “Em Flying and Call Out the Marines, and George White’s SCANDALS, c. 1941. |
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Box 1 |
FF 6 |
Photographs of Orpheum lobby candy counter and salesgirls. |
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Box 1 |
FF 7 |
Publicity shots of Earl Carroll Vanities, includes: Juanita Colteaux, Dorothy Gardiner, Dorothy Gill, Colleen Hansen, Rudi McIntosh, Evelynne Moriarty, Doreen Mulvey, Helen O’Hara, “Doc” Rockwell, Carol Rush, Buster Shaver with Olive and George, and Leslie Weiss, c. 1941. |
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Box 1 |
FF 8 |
Publicity shots of performers from the Major Bowes’ production, including: Annesse Franc, Janet Howard, and Arthur Melli, c. 1941. |
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Box 1 |
FF 9 |
Publicity shots from Billy Rose’s Press Department, including Gilda Gray, Charles King, Aunt Jemima, and 21 unidentified shots of female performers. |
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Box 1 |
FF 10 |
Publicity shots including: Sherry Bergan, Harry Blackstone, The Blair Sisters, Bogosh and Bardine (Barton and Brady), Carvel Craig, June Edwards, Jan Garber, Geraldine and Joe, Les Ghezzis, Catherine Harris, Phil Harris, Fritz Heilbron, Bill Kleeb, Ted Lewis, Fred Lowery, Thelma Mabel, Chico Marx, Howard Nichols, Patsy the Yodeling Cowgirl, Mike Pingitore, Donna Reed, Randolph Scott, Virginia Tuel (?), George and Jean Whettling, and Paul Whiteman and his orchestra. |
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Box 1 |
FF 11 |
Publicity photographs of unidentified performers (39). |
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Box 1 |
FF 12 |
Photographs of unidentified people (20). |
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Box 1 |
FF 13 |
Rhoden Week Campaign Books for July 1946 and July 1947. 1946 campaign details advertising for The Dark Corner, Blondie’s Lucky Day, Tarzan and the Leopard Woman, Bugs Bunny 4 Carrot Revue, and Jesse James - The Return of Frank James. 1947 campaign details advertising for Twilight on the Rio Grande, Blondie’s Holiday, Tarzan and the Huntress, Bugs Bunny 5 Carrot Revue, Abie’s Irish Rose, and Sarge Goes to College. |
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Box 1 |
FF 14 |
Staff Week, Advertising campaigns for October 2-8, 1947, for movie Gone with the Wind, and for November 11-17, 1948, for movie Easter Parade. |
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Box 1 |
FF 15 |
Newspaper Clippings showing advertising campaigns for movie Canon City and Easter Parade. |
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Box 1 |
FF 16 |
Honor certificate for outstanding promotion for Gone With the Wind, and the corresponding issue of MGM’s Photos of the Month brochure. |
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Box 1 |
FF 17 |
Photographs of Palace Theatre exterior movie advertising, featuring: The Beast with Five Fingers, Tarzan and the Huntress, Battleground, Swing Serenade, Sweater Girl, Private Buckaroo, Tarzan and the Leopard Woman, Bugs Bunny 4 Carrot Revue, Dakota, Paisan, Canon City, and A Date with Judy. |
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Box 1 |
FF 18 |
Photographs of Palace Theatre interior advertising, featuring: Battleground, Paisan, Command Decision, Savage Splendor, Michigan Kid, Dakota, Black Gold, The Big Fix, The Exile, Jesse James-The Return of Frank Fames, Private Buckaroo, and Easter Parade. |
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Box 1 |
FF 19 |
Photographs of local advertising campaigns for movies Command Decision, Words and Music, Savage Splendor, Easter Parade, Zanzibar, Merry Christmas 1946, and Unknown Island. |
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Box 1 |
FF 20 |
Miller Theatre, photograph of advertising sign and newspaper clipping about head cashier. |
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Box 1 |
FF 21 |
Sandra Theatre, photographs of advertising campaign for Fort Apache. |
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Box 1 |
FF 22 |
Advertising brochure for movies Hell’s Angels, 1930 and Trader Horn, 1931. |
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Box 1 |
FF 23 |
Program for Fox Midwest Theatres 11th Annual Convention in Kansas City, 1942. |
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Box 1 |
FF 24 |
Still photographs from the movies: Bambi, The Outriders, The Traveling Saleswoman, and Hit The Ice, and an unidentified movie. |
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Box 1 |
FF 25 |
Series of still photographs from MGM’s greatest hits, from 1924-1949. |
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Box 1 |
FF 26 |
Photographs of 5 advertisements not identified with a theatre. |
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Box 2 |
FF 1 |
Orpheum Theatre Scrapbook containing newspaper clippings and correspondence relating to shows during 1941-42. |
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Box 2 |
FF 2 |
Orpheum Theatre Scrapbook containing newspaper clippings and correspondence relating to shows during 1942-43. Includes autographed copy of program for Earl Carroll’s Vanities and plot information and cue sheet for Billy Rose’s Diamond Horseshoe Revue. |
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Box 2 |
FF 3 |
Orpheum Theatre scrapbook containing photographs of events on- and off-stage during 1942. |
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Box 2 |
FF 4 |
Contains newspaper clippings of Fox Theatre movies from 1948. |
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Box 2 |
FF 5 |
Contains newspaper clippings of Fox Theatre movies from 1949. |
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Box 2 |
FF 6 |
Contains newspaper clippings of Fox Theatre movies from 1949. |
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Box 2 |
FF 7 |
Spyros Skouras Showmanship Campaign, April-September 1942. |
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Box 2 |
FF 8 |
Trail Blazer, April-July 1942 |
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Box 2 |
FF 9 |
Fall Offensive, September-December 1942. |
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Box 2 |
FF 10 |
Plans, Activities, Results, Feb. 20 and Feb. 27, 1943 |
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Box 2 |
FF 11 |
Motion Picture Daily, December 30, 1947 |
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Box 2 |
FF 12 |
Contact, 1941 |
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Box 2 |
FF 13 |
Contact, 1942 |
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Box 2 |
FF 14 |
Contact, 1943 |
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Box 2 |
FF 15 |
Contact, 1946 |
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Box 2 |
FF 16 |
Contact, 1947 |
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Box 2 |
FF 17 |
Contact, 1948 |
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Box 2 |
FF 18 |
Contact, 1949 |
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Box 2 |
FF 19 |
Contact, 1950 |
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Box 3 |
FF 1 |
Manuscript and notes written by Ted Sheahon. Details history of the Orpheum Theatre from 1921-1941. |
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Box 3 |
FF 2 |
Color lithographic MGM movie advertisements from magazines, c. 1946-48, includes: Undercurrent, Holiday in Mexico, Green Dolphin Street, Two-Faced Woman, The Show-off, Bad Bascomb, Ship Ahoy, Andy Hardy’s Double Life, Random Harvest, For Me and My Gal, Cass Timberland, Bitter Sweet, The Mighty McGurk, Love Laughs at Andy Hardy, Fiesta, Three Wise Fools, Good News, No Leave, No Love, and A Yank at Eton. |
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Box 3 |
FF 3 |
Color lithographs of Spanish scenes, from Robinson Bros, 1943. |
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Box 3 |
FF 4 |
Color lithographs from True Magazine, no date. |
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Box 3 |
FF 5 |
Clippings file relating to the Wichita area baseball teams, 1946. |
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Box 3 |
FF 6 |
Miscellaneous materials taken from a folder marked “To frame.” Receipt to Ted Sheahon for “On Your Own” Contest Prize. Program for “Wizards of Wichita” Birthday Party in honor of Harry Blackstone at Lassen Hotel on Sept. 27, 1942. Postcard from Chico Marx to Ted Sheahon, dated Oct. 29, 1942 . |
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Box 3 |
FF 7 |
Correspondence related to the Orpheum Theatre restoration. Ted Sheahon Company Payroll file, 1994. |
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Box 3 |
FF 8 |
Photographs of Ted Sheahon, 1941 to 1994 |
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Box 3 |
FF 9 |
Photographs taken from a notebook, includes autographed publicity photographs, on-stage photographs, candid shots of Ted Sheahon and other performers, and shots of local advertising campaigns, Orpheum interior advertising, and Orpheum exterior advertising. (Original order has been retained.) |
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Box 3 |
FF 10 |
Photographs taken from a folder marked “To Frame,” includes office photographs, performers, Orpheum interior shots, and usherettes. |
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Box 3 |
FF 11 |
Life Magazine, September 5, 1949. |
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Box 3 |
FF 12 |
Fame: Annual Audit of the Personalities of Screen, Radio and Television, 1949. |
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Box 3 |
FF 13 |
Film Family Album, by Harry H. Strong, no date. |
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Box 3 |
FF 14 |
Your Album of World Cinemas, by Harry H. Strong, no date. |
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Box 3 |
FF 15 |
Our Century in Music, by the Symphonette Society, 1974. Memory Lane Spectacular, a companion booklet to Our Century in Music, by The Longines Symphonette Society, no date. |
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Box 3 |
FF 16 |
Lights! Cameras! Magic! by Dick and Virginia Williams, 1994. (Note to researcher: Chapter 11 features Dick Williams' experiences at the Orpheum Theatre.) Letter to Ted Sheahon from Dick Williams regarding his book and the Orpheum Restoration. |
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Box 3 |
FF 17 |
By-laws of the Orpheum Performing Arts Centre, Ltd. Plan of action adopted for the Orpheum in 1986. Draft of request to citizens of Wichita to help restore Orpheum. |
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Box 3 |
FF 18 |
Executive Board Membership Rolls, 1985-1995 |
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Box 3 |
FF 19 |
Board Correspondence. Blank Orpheum stationery. |
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Box 3 |
FF 20 |
Announcements and minutes of board meetings, 1985-1990. |
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Box 3 |
FF 21 |
Announcements and minutes of board meetings, 1991-1995. |
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Box 3 |
FF 22 |
Committee member rolls, 1985-1994. |
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Box 3 |
FF 23 |
Committee meeting announcements, minutes, and notes, 1985-1993. Statement of purpose. |
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Box 3 |
FF 24 |
Facilities Subcommittee - explanation of functions and correspondence. |
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Box 3 |
FF 25 |
Correspondence relating to consultants, 1984-1994. |
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Box 3 |
FF 26 |
Rehabilitation and restoration reports and finance summaries. |
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Box 3 |
FF 27 |
Orpheum Theatre blueprints and drawings. |
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Box 3 |
FF 28 |
Status of restoration reports. |
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Box 3 |
FF 29 |
Restoration correspondence, relating to contractors, technical requirements, and operational requirements. |
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Box 3 |
FF 30 |
Miscellaneous restoration information, including paint samples, theatre seat replacement and restoration, and business cards. |
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Box 3 |
FF 31 |
Treasurer’s Reports, 1985-1995. |
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Box 3 |
FF 32 |
Correspondence. |
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Box 3 |
FF 33 |
Invoices, 1993-1995, including Andrew Incorporated, Buckley Roofing, Country Store, Crown Cinema Corporation, Pioneer Materials, Riggs Plumbing, Star Lumber, Ted Sheahon Company, R & T Specialty Construction, L.C., and Theatrical Services Inc. |
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Box 3 |
FF 34 |
Schedules for events, 1994-1995. |
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Box 4 |
FF 1 |
Publicity. |
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Box 4 |
FF 2 |
News Releases, 1985-1995. |
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Box 4 |
FF 3 |
Newsletters, 1985-1995. |
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Box 4 |
FF 4 |
Newspapers and clippings, 1978-1995. |
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Box 4 |
FF 5 |
News releases and publicity related to restored theatres across the country. |
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Box 4 |
FF 6 |
Membership rolls. Blank membership cards. |
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Box 4 |
FF 7 |
Correspondence relating to recruiting and fund-raising. |
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Box 4 |
FF 8 |
Memo of Agreement for use of theatre, 1985. Committee Report, 1994. Correspondence related to resignation of Operations Chair. |
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Box 4 |
FF 9 |
Fact sheets and write-ups of the historical and architectural significance of the theatre. |
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Box 4 |
FF 10 |
Orpheum House Rules, c. 1940s. Copy of card on the Orpheum Organ. |
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Box 4 |
FF 11 |
Souvenir of Wichita, published by Hyde and Humble Stationers of Wichita, Kansas. Shows early photographs of Wichita. |
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Box 4 |
FF 12 |
Miscellaneous historical information, including contracts from the 1970s between movie theatres and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees and Moving Picture Machine Operators of the U.S. and Canada; photocopied pictures of Ella Fitzgerald and George Whiteman; and a copy of the lending agreement between the Kansas State Historical Society and the Orpheum for historical pictures of the theatre. |