Through the magic of movies we can sit in one place and be transported to another place and time. Our imagination is captured by the massive screen and that sound that commands attention. A good story seeps inside our brains and stays with us as we step back into everyday life.
Clear Lake has embraced our theaters from the beginning. The Electric Theater (1911- 1930’s) began in the White Pier and moved to Main Street. The Palms which became The Park Theater, directly south of City Park, entertained movie goers into the 1950’s.
Our beloved Opera House was built in 1890. Its early days were alive with actors bringing stories to life on stage as a piano played along. In the early part of the century it served as retail space. After the fire it survived in 1935, it was remodeled back into a theater, the Lake Theater, now with the latest most modern technology.
Clear Lake Theaters have entertained in creative ways over the years. The latest greatest appliances were center stage for housewives to admire. A cow milking contest with prizes made one new year extra memorable. Orphans from trains out of the east coast were lined up across the stage. Families came to check them out and take their new kid home that very day. It was simple as signing a form.
One of Clear Lakes most persistent urban legends is the story of Clark Gable. Tom and Alice Arthur owned and operated the Cecil Theatre in Mason City and the Lake Theater. They rubbed elbows with Hollywood royalty and became friends with Clark. After Clark’s wife Carole Lombard was killed in a plane crash in 1942, Clark was said to have come to Clear Lake to recover. Anonymously.
Well he did a darn good job being anonymous. When first asked about this story, H Duesenberg said with playful frustration “Not with the Clark Gable thing again!”
The thing is, there is no concrete evidence to support the well known story.
Tales of Mr Gable are like the old joke- “You just missed him. He just went around the corner.” But when you look around the corner, no Clark.
There are stories of him sipping a cold coke, feet up on the pop cooler at the gas station. Stories of him shirtless on a dock. But no photos exist. He reportedly stayed at the Arthur home on Mars Hill Drive. Although a photo of him still smiles out from a frame on the wall there, it’s a standard publicity shot.
The only concrete evidence he was in our area is a newspaper article that puts him on a train from Mason City to Minneapolis. If you have a photo or a first hand witness account of Clark in Clear Lake, please share! H Duesenberg would be so happy!
Our Lake Theater owners are busy making plans to reinvent our Opera House as we enjoy the magic of films into the future. Yea!
September 4-6 we welcome the Iowa Independent Film Festival to town. Catch the indie films and Iowa talent and let your imagination soar.
Photos from the Clear Lake Library History Collection, articles from the Mirror Report and KIMT news.
