THE TALON
PAST
Built by vaudevillian and Smallville native William Talon, the 560-seat Talon Theater raised its curtain on September
9, 1939, with a matinee screening of The Wizard of Oz and would later celebrate its 60th anniversary (though rebuilt in 1955)
with a showing of the restored, re-released version of the family classic in 1999 for the original matinee admission price
of 45˘.
Plush couches and upholstered chairs lined the Talon's lobby while its regally draped proscenium stood before royal red
velour seats, graceful moldings and splendid wall sconces. Though primarily a movie house, the theater also hosted the
Kansas Philharmonic when the orchestra visited Smallville.
Unfortunately the old Talon burned down in the Main Street fire of 1955 that also destroyed Miller's Newsstand and Bea's
Candy and Soda Shoppe.
Undeterred, William Talon immediately made plans to rebuild and, on November 29, 1955, the Talon reopened its doors to
a full house of teenagers eager to see James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause.
The new 750-seat movie house was a sleek, modern luxury with its undulating exterior faŤade and neon sign that, letter-by-letter,
spelled out the theater's name repeatedly. Inside, backlit photos of Hollywood's biggest stars adorned the lobby walls
and a brilliant glass and chrome popcorn maker lured patrons to the snack stand with its buttery aroma. Gently curved
staircases on each side of the theater led to a spacious balcony, a favorite spot for teenagers. The theater boasted
a CinemaScope screen, and the projection room was equipped with Simplex XL projectors and magnetic sound system.
Having remained family-owned and operated until 2000, the Talon saw its patronage fall over the years due to the proliferation
of large-chain multiplex theaters, and on February 26, 2000, the Talon Theater dimmed its lights for the last time.
PRESENT
In 2000, entrepreneur Nell Potter acquired the Talon Theater. Unable to find a new tenant to revive the old movie
house, Potter sold the property in 2002 to local businessman Lex Luthor (see Luthor Mansion) who planned to raze it and build
a parking structure for the downtown area. With the future of the old theater in danger, Smallville High student Lana
Lang (niece of Nell Potter) lobbied Luthor to recognize the benefits of historical preservation. Impressed with Lang's
conviction and her ideas for the treasured landmark, Luthor scrapped his plans. Today, with wireless Internet access
and occasional live music, the Talon is one of the hippest coffeehouses and gathering places in Smallville.
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