100 Years Ago This Week: Aug. 26-Sept. 1

From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, August 31, 1916: The Circle Theater opened last evening with every one of its 3,100 seats taken. Theatergoers arrived an hour before the scheduled 8 o’clock performance to inspect the beautiful interior behind the white terra cotta façade — fittings of ivory and gold, the hangings and deep carpets and upholstery in a rich shade of old rose; the exquisite lighting effects in red, blue and lavender. Smart ushers with their gray blue uniforms, white gloves and “swagger sticks” seated visitors. The regular program opened with Circle Topical Review showing the week’s news happenings. Neapolitan baritone Eduardo Ciannelli sung a Pagliacci selection followed by Circle Scenic Study showing fascinating views of marine plants. The feature film was Home staring Bessie Bariscale, Charles Ray and Louise Glaum. These pictures will be shown the remainder of the week.