Iao Theater Opening Night

Back in May 1928 it was announced that the yet unamed theater would open on July 14 with the comedy "Circus" starring Charlie Chaplin. This all proved very optimistic, as the actual opening day was August 22 with the romantic comedy "Sporting Goods" starring Richard Dix.

Because of the large overflow crowd that showed up, the theater management decided to put on two shows instead of the planned single show. A live program preceded the movie. Professor Baklig (Baglig and Baclig are alternate spellings) and his orchestra presented a program featuring a violin solo by Baklig. Bert Carlson sang his own composition "Maalaea Bay" (this should be a collectors item if a copy can be found) followed by an encore performance. The versatile Professor then played the xylophone.

According to the newspaper account, the feature movie "went over big".

In the same issue, it was reported that the Hippodrome across the street which Iao Theater replaced was sold to the Machida and Makino interests who are converting it to Machida Drug Store and Makino Shoe Store.

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