This modern show house opened on September 28th, 1921 and Costing $60,000.00.  It is a beautiful brick structure, and was thoroughly modern and up-to-date in every respect.  It had a large foyer and lobby, modern dressing rooms, ample balcony, a stage large enough to accommodate any show of the big circuits, also two of the very latest Powers Projectors and the latest ventilating and heating system was installed.  It was beautifully decorated, designed by a theater expert and had a seating capacity of 950.  The programs put on at this theatre where all first run and of the highest possible merit and where put on at prices below many show houses for the same grade of picture.  The Tucker theater designed by the Boller Brothers of Kansas City still stands today at 211 N. Kansas Avenue but is no longer used as a theater.

Henry Tucker
The Man Who Helped Start It All !
When Henry V. Tucker entered the theatre business many years ago in a small frame building on West Second Street where the Majestic Theater was located, ( which is now a warehouse ) such a structure as the Fox Plaza, which was completed in the 1930's, was not even dreamed of.  In those days theater owners didn't put thousands of dollars into beautifully furnished buildings and equipment was crude beside the sound systems of today.

Mr. Tucker and W.S. Wolley bought the Majestic from Stribling & Rhodes, that was known as the Photoplay.  Mr. Tucker soon purchased Mr. Wolley's interest and operated the theater himself.  For four years he operated it on West Second street and then moved to Kansas avenue, building the Photoplay on the north lots where the Fox Tucker building stands today.

 In a few years the moving picture had grown so in popularity that the Photoplay building was inadequate, so Mr. Tucker built the Tucker in its present location, it being the finest theatre in all the southwest.

About eight years after the Tucker was built came talking pictures; which revolutionized the motion picture industry.  Mr. Tucker, always endeavoring to keep abreast of what the people wanted in his line, installed a Biphone sound system early in 1929, the first in this section of the country.

On November 1, 1929 he became allied with Midwest Theaters, which owned a large number of theaters throughout this section of the country.

On November 1, 1929 Mr. Tucker and Midwest sold their interests to the Fox West Coast chain.  This included the Majestic, which he had purchased in 1922, having operated the two theaters since that time.

During the 19 years as a showman he witnessed a marvelous change in the motion picture industry. Throughout all the time he was actively engaged in the theatre-going public and conducted his business accordingly.
 

TUCKER THEATRE WILL OPEN NEXT WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Best Playhouse west of Hutchinson is to show to the Public September 28 – Dardanella - Opening Attraction

The Tucker theatre, the handsome new building which has been in process of construction for the past several months, will be completed and thrown open to the public Wednesday night, September 28. The opening show will be a splendid attraction. Dardanella the advertising for which you will notice in other places in this section of this issue of the News. It is a musical comedy of the best kind and should draw a full house.

The new theatre building is without question the finest show house in Kansas west of Hutchinson. It will seat 956 people in all and seat them comfortably. It is arranged to care for the majority of occasions with seating capacity in the auditorium and while its limit will undoubtedly be reached, many times the show house will open for practically anything that comes this way.

At the entrance of the building is provided a couple of rooms, which will be used, for purposes. Above will be office rooms. The center of the front provides the entranceway to the theatre and this is abundantly large being tiled at that and exceptionally well lighted.

The stage is 24 x 50 feet, amply large enough to care for practically every requirement. The loft is completely rigged and will lack nothing for meeting all play requirements. Underneath are the dressing rooms.

The moving picture machine booth is built absolutely fireproof. It is steel studded with metal lath and asbestos helps make it all the more, safe. It is large enough to hold three picture machines if necessary.

In the balcony the swell seats of the house are provided. The loges are all upholstered and occupy the center of the balcony. The other seats of the theatre are all of the finest opera house style and are far better than those formerly used. The initial T adorns the end seat of each row.

A special hot air heating system has been installed which is considered the finest thing there, is for heating buildings of this kind. It regulates the fresh air that may be taken in and used while heating the room and in summer times furnishes the finest kind of ventilation. In the ceiling are the great fans, which throw the cool air all over the room. Plenty of fans are also provided on the sides of the rooms which will help beat out the hot air.

The electric lighting effects are simply fine. The big ceiling lamps are hidden behind beautiful art glass, as are the sidelights. In front and to the side of the stage are two large pedestal lamps, which hold a number of lights all adding to the beauty of the effect.

The building provides a drinking fountain, a toilet for ladies and has every modern requirement and convenience, being built along the most approved lines of modern structures of this kind. The interior decorations are all, excellent and add to the beauty of the space. Mr. Tucker has a show house of which he and Liberal may well be proud. It has been needed here for some time and it deserves the patronage it will undoubtedly get.

Article released in the Liberal Newspaper

HENRY TUCKER HONORED
Article Released in the Liberal Newspaper - 09/29/1971

Liberal’s Tucker theater last night completed 50 years of showings to people of this area and honored the theater’s founder and builder, Henry V. Tucker of Liberal, in a gala program.

The doors of the theater were opened at 7:30, following a ribbon cutting ceremony in which Mrs. Barbara Rinehart, winner of this year’s International Pancake Day Race here, snipped the ribbon admitting patrons and guests to the theater and its showing of, "Gone With the Wind."  Mrs. Rinehart was introduced by Mike Rose president of Liberal Jaycees.

Gordon Foster, president of Liberal Chamber of Commerce, welcomed Commonwealth Theaters officials, owners of the Tucker Theater now, and other guests to Liberal, and presented awards to Tucker; Elmer Rhoden, chairman of the board of Commonwealth Theaters; and Richard Orear, president of Commonwealth Theaters, both of Kansas City, with honorary memberships to the Liberal Chamber of Commerce board of directors.

Jay Wooten, formerly of Liberal and manager of Tucker theater 1929-32 and now owner of the Great Western Drive-In here, acted as master of ceremonies at a dinner given at Holiday Inn Hall and later at the theater ceremonies during the evening.

Wooten introduced his former boss, also a showman. H. E. Jameyson of Meredith, Cob., retired president of Commonwealth Theaters, who first came to Liberal in 1915 to enter the theater business. Jameyson then presented a special appreciation certificate to Charles Dykes, who has served as projectionist for Tucker theater for the past 35 years.

Rhoden paid tribute to Tucker in his courage to build and operate a fine theater for Liberal when it was a town of only about 3,000 and helping Rhoden get started financially in the theater business.

Tucker then was presented a large scroll containing the names of special guests present for the golden anniversary  occasion and was given a standing ovation by the near packed theater crowd.

Only three or four persons remembered being present the opening night of the Tucker Theater, Sept.28, 1921, when the picture showing was "Dardanella."  Preceding the showing of "Gone With the Wind" the Liberal High School Stage Band under direction of Vernon names presented a short concert.
 

Commonwealth Officers Mark Tucker 50th Year
Liberal, Kansas - Elmer C. Rhoden, chairman of the board of directors of Commonwealth Theatres Kansas City, was the guest speaker at recent festivities marking the 50th anniversary of the Tucker Theatre here and honoring its founder, Henry Tucker.

Other dignitaries present were: Richard H. Orear, president of Commonwealth Theatres; H. E. Jameyson, tong-time Commonwealth executive, now retired; Douglas Lightner, vice-president and general manager, Commonwealth Theatres; Darrell Manes, Commonwealth Theatres district manager; Jay Wooten of Hutchinson, and Mrs. Rick (Barbara) Rinehart of Liberal.

Wooten, manager here from 1929 to 1932, who was at the original opening of the Tucker Theatre 50 years ago, hosted a dinner in honor of Henry Tucker at the Holiday Inn preceding a gala celebration at the theatre, where he served as master of ceremonies.  Mrs. Rinehart, the 1971 International Pancake Race winner, assisted with ribbon-cutting ceremonies at the theatre, while chamber of commerce president Gordon Foster represented the city at the event.  Jameyson presented an award to Charles "Chod" Dykes in recognition of 35 years of continuous service as projectionist with Commonwealth.  Rhoden, who organized Midwest Theatres in 1925, became acquainted with Henry Tucker about 1927.  The two men have retained their friendship through the years.

Article from Box Office Magazine 

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