Our History

Our History

The Birth of Motion Pictures

In the early 20th century, a brand-new form of entertainment was born – motion pictures. Silent at first, then with sound, the movies quickly captured hearts, offering joy in good times and escape during hard ones. They were more than just stories on a screen; they were full experiences, often paired with live music or performances. As their popularity soared, theaters rose to match—lavish movie palaces built in “magnificent excess,” where the venue itself was just as dazzling as the film.

It was the golden age of cinema, and everyone loved the magic of the movies.

In the early 20th century, a brand-new form of entertainment was born – motion pictures. Silent at first, then with sound, the movies quickly captured hearts, offering joy in good times and escape during hard ones. They were more than just stories on a screen; they were full experiences, often paired with live music or performances. As their popularity soared, theaters rose to match—lavish movie palaces built in “magnificent excess,” where the venue itself was just as dazzling as the film.

It was the golden age of cinema, and everyone loved the magic of the movies.

Tiffin’s Quarter-Million-Dollar Movie Palace

The year was 1928 and downtown Tiffin had three theaters in operation, each catering to an eager public.

Original builders Dan Kerwin and Adam Ritzler dreamed of a movie palace more grand and beautiful than anything the area had ever seen. Completed in only nine months, The Ritz Theatre was instantly dubbed “Tiffin’s quarter-million-dollar movie palace.”

When it opened on December 20, 1928, over 1,500 patrons packed the theatre to listen to the Ritz Quality Orchestra and greet this modern marvel.

Of the four theaters in Tiffin of the 1920’s and 1930’s The Ritz is the only reminder of an era gone by. Renovated in 1998 to its almost original condition The Ritz Theatre allows us to look back to a time when the theaters themselves often stole the show.

The year was 1928 and downtown Tiffin had three theaters in operation, each catering to an eager public.

Original builders Dan Kerwin and Adam Ritzler dreamed of a movie palace more grand and beautiful than anything the area had ever seen. Completed in only nine months, The Ritz Theatre was instantly dubbed “Tiffin’s quarter-million-dollar movie palace.”

When it opened on December 20, 1928, over 1,500 patrons packed the theatre to listen to the Ritz Quality Orchestra and greet this modern marvel.

Of the four theaters in Tiffin of the 1920’s and 1930’s The Ritz is the only reminder of an era gone by. Renovated in 1998 to its almost original condition The Ritz Theatre allows us to look back to a time when the theaters themselves often stole the show.

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