Thomas Tally
figures prominently in the mythology of early movie exhibition.
He is often incorrectly cited as presenting, in 1896, the first film shows in Los Angeles. Edison's Vitascope made its debut, in that city, on July 6, 1896, completely selling out the 1,311-seat Orpheum Theatre at 110 South Main Street.
figures prominently in the mythology of early movie exhibition.
He is often incorrectly cited as presenting, in 1896, the first film shows in Los Angeles. Edison's Vitascope made its debut, in that city, on July 6, 1896, completely selling out the 1,311-seat Orpheum Theatre at 110 South Main Street.
During that first week, as many as 10,000 people were turned away with "Edison's latest and most shining triumph" playing to packed houses.
Tally's Phonograph Parlor, 311 South Spring Street, Los Angeles (circa 1898)
After completing the Orpheum engagement, Edwiin S. Porter and Charles Balsley (representing Vitascope) set-up a projector in the rear of Thomas Tally's Phonograph Parlor, opening on July 25 with the James J. Corbett vs. Peter Courtney fight.
Reportedly holes were cut into the partition separating the larger storefront from the Vitascope room. Patrons nervous about entering the darken space could still see and enjoy the show from the security of the well-lighted parlor. After a successful run, Tally purchased the West Coast rights to the Vitascope.
Los Angeles Times, April 16th, 1902
Opening in 1902, Tally's Electric Theater is frequently listed as the first "permanent" theatre in America devoted exclusively to motion pictures.
The use of the term "permanent" is debatable.
Showing motion pictures from 7:30-10:30, the Electric Theater opened April 16, 1902 with Capture of the Biddle Brothers, New York in a Blizzard and other short films.
A few months later, Tally apparently closed the theatre and took to the road with a traveling movie exhibition. He reopened in January 1903 with George Melies' Trip to the Moon.
By June of that year, the Electric had become the Lyric featuring small-time vaudeville. After briefly returning to films in October, the theatre finally closed its doors with Tally once again on the road.
When the nickelodeon craze hit America, Thomas Tally would return to downtown Los Angeles to open other movie houses, eventually becoming a prominent motion picture exhibitor.
