Jim Kershner’s this day in history

From our archives, 100 years ago

The new Clemmer Theater, under construction at Sprague Avenue and Lincoln Street, entered into an agreement with Paramount Pictures to be the exclusive home of that prestigious motion picture studio’s features.

Paramount was “generally regarded as the last word in motion pictures,” according to The Spokesman-Review. Paramount’s roster included Mary Pickford and other huge silent-pictures stars. 

“We have studied the situation carefully in Spokane, and have watched Dr. Clemmer carefully,” said a Paramount representative. “We feel certain that with his progressive, clean-cut business methods and the beautiful new theater he will have in the Clemmer, he will do our productions full justice.”

The Clemmer was scheduled to open early in 1915. It is today’s Bing Crosby Theater.

From the haberdashery beat: Most men in 1914 would not be seen in public without a hat. Yet some were beginning to chafe under that custom.

Alfred C. Burrows, Spokane’s deputy county clerk, recently “joined the hatless brigade.”

“I don’t see why men can’t go without their hats as well as women can,” he said.

He claimed one startling advantage of going hatless. He said that it improved his eyesight and for the first time in 12 years, he could read the newspaper without his glasses.