Generations of moviegoers in Cooperstown enjoyed the Smalley’s Theater on Main St., from the time it opened, Jan. 2, 1922, until the last show in November 1987. Those patrons had a young man to thank for the memories, William C. Smalley, who began as a projectionist with a dream at an opera house in Danbury, Conn., shortly after the turn of the 20th century.

Smalley’s dream turned into a cluster of movie houses not only in Cooperstown, but also in communities across Otsego, Delaware, Chenango, Greene, Montgomery, Fulton, Herkimer and Schoharie counties. At peak, the Smalley group of theaters entertained 2 million movie fans across the region each year.

Unlike some of the lengthy movies we see today in cineplexes or rent on DVDs, a "super-feature" show in the early years at Smalley’s had a main program that ran about 32 minutes, after some comedy, news and an ongoing serial program. You were in and out in just over an hour. These were days when silent movies were accompanied by live music.

Cooperstown was special to Smalley, as it became the hub of his operation. However, Cooperstown was not the first of Smalley’s theaters. He started in Mount Upton, by opening the hamlet’s first moving picture theater on Thanksgiving Day, 1913. About a year later he followed with a theater in Gilbertsville.

Smalley then aimed at the "larger market" of Cooperstown in December 1915. He leased the auditorium of the Village Hall, put in a projection booth, a screen and some seats, and hired a cashier as an aide. Unlike Mount Upton or Gilbertsville, Smalley had competition here with the established Star Theater in the Bowne Opera House, above today’s 88-92 Main St. Smalley eventually won the rivalry.

Smalley developed a loyal following in Cooperstown, and found that the auditorium wasn’t sufficient for moviegoers. "The first two years here were pretty tough," Smalley once told The Freeman’s Journal. "But after the merchants and people got to know me around here, and grew to like our programming, things swung around on our side."

Smalley then pursued a better location, which many know today with the familiar façade at 137 Main St. Smalley had purchased the former Carr Hotel that stood on the site, as well as the former Cook’s Auto and Supply Co. He sold half the lot, and on the east portion built the more than 700-seat movie house, at a cost of "upward of $42,000."

In the final week of 1921, The Freeman’s Journal reported how the theater was crowded with contractors and furniture installers, rushing to make the deadline Smalley had announced as opening night, Monday, Jan. 2.

"A careful inspection of the theater reveals the fact that nothing has been omitted to add to the comfort of the patrons and efficiency of conducting the place," the newspaper reported.

A large ad in that week’s paper announced the grand opening. Smalley must have kept operations going at Village Hall right up to the transfer to the new building. The final movie in the auditorium was on Saturday, Dec. 31, with Owen Moore starring in "A Divorce of Convenience."

As for opening night, residents packed the new theater to see "The Old Nest," starring Mary Allen as the Old Mother. The advertisement promised a "pleasing soloist and fine orchestra," to accompany the movie. Before the feature, the audience listened to several congratulatory speeches, a humorous monologue, and the singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by Mrs. John Ledwith.

Smalley continued to build or open theaters in the region, but Cooperstown’s seemed to be his pride and joy. "I’ve built many," he said, "but the Cooperstown theater was the one that gave me the biggest kick."

Smalley was active in numerous clubs and civic organizations in Cooperstown, and he also served 10 years on the village Board of Trustees.

William C. Smalley passed away in late December 1952, with 12 theaters in operation. As the years passed, they began disappearing or were operated by others.

The Cooperstown Theater eventually changed owners. Although Roland Young gave an enthusiastic effort at keeping the theater open when he bought it in 1984, the theater closed in 1987, joining the dwindling number of small-town movie houses across America.

On Monday: An OHS basketball upset over a state powerhouse was fit for a "King."

City Historian Mark Simonson’s column appears twice weekly. On Saturdays, his column focuses on the area during the Depression and before. His Monday columns address local history after the Depression. If you have feedback or ideas about the column, write to him at The Daily Star, or e-mail him at simmark@stny.rr.com. His website is www.oneontahistorian.com.