the theater opened on october 5, 1928. it was built at a cost of over 400,000 dollars which is equivalent to over 4.5 million dollars today. advertisements in the "columbia daily tribune" proclaimed the "formal opening of your new missouri theatre—friday evening… a $400,000 showhouse of unrivaled beauty and extravagant setting in central missouri. the magnificent splendor of this palace of amusement will dazzle and thrill you." telegrams were received from the united artist in hollywood, as well as from actors such as charlie chaplin and gloria swanson, congratulating the managers of the theater. on opening night the performers included the missouri rockettes (later to become the radio city rockettes) and jack keith and his missouri orchestra. it was rumored that bob hope also made an appearance. the theatre operated much in this fashion as well as a movie palace until 1953.