People came from all over Johnson County, and beyond, to see the spectacle.

When the Artcraft Theatre opened in Nov. 1, 1922, it was something that downtown Franklin had never had. Local residents now had a place to see vaudeville acts — dancing, singing, skits and other talents — as well as silent movies. They came out in droves.

People would plan their weekends around the shows. To cater to the crowds, eateries, hotels and other businesses popped up alongside the theater.

The Artcraft was the lynchpin that held it all together.

“The Artcraft has been such a social and economic hub since it was built,” said Rob Shilts, executive director of Franklin Heritage, which operates the theater. “That whole idea was how this town got hopping.

A century later, that remains true. The 100-year-old theater has been the lynchpin in the rebirth of downtown Franklin since it reopened in 2004. Most weekends throughout the year, the theater features classic movies, from “The Wizard of Oz” to classic movie monster film fests to holiday favorites such as “A Christmas Story.”

Before the screenings, people flock to the restaurants that now thrive throughout downtown. Afterward, they grab a drink or a bite to eat at breweries, cocktail lounges and other establishments.

“What we’re doing today, by restoring the theater they built there, we’re helping to get all of these other buildings restored and renovated as well,” Shilts said. “Discover Downtown Franklin and the Franklin Development Commission have been big parts of this. All of it has helped do what they did 100 years ago. Instead of building these things, we’re renovating and restoring.”

Such an important piece of county history deserves a celebration. In recognition of its centennial and its place in the Johnson County community, the Historic Artcraft Theatre is hosting “A Century of Cinema,” a gala reminiscent of the glitz and glamor of 1920s Hollywood.

The event will feature vaudeville acts, tap dancers, fortune tellers, a live auction and a short silent movie with accompaniment. Authentic ’20s themed cocktails, concocted by local mixologists, will flow while guests nibble on hors d’oeuvres and desserts.

Afterward, a street party, with festive drinks and period musicians, will take the celebration into the night.

“We’re trying to go back to that opening day on Nov. 1, 1922, and to capture what that must have been like,” Shilts said. “We want to celebrate that the Artcraft made such an impact, not just on Franklin and Johnson County, but much, much bigger.”

The Artcraft Theatre opened to great fanfare on the first day of November in 1922. Local businesses and supporters touted the unveiling of the grand theater. To welcome guests for the first time, manager Arthur Owens selected the famous silent film “The Old Nest” to serve as the premiere.

Despite the rain, 400 people attended opening night

“In addition to the presentation of the famous film, ‘The Old Nest,’ vaudeville numbers were given by Jules, Riley and Vaughn, professional musicians and entertainers of St. Louis. The trio played the banjo, guitar and harp-banjo, and do solo, duet and trio vocal numbers. Their work was received with enthusiastic applause by the audience, which also showed its appreciation for the photo play,” read a story in the Nov. 2, 1922, front page story in the Franklin Evening Star.

Trueman Rembusch, owner of Syndicate Theatres and whose family was a major player in the theatrical business in Indiana, purchased the Artcraft in 1936. The theater remained a full-time theater in the Syndicate Theatres chain until 2000.

Visitors to the Artcraft immediately notice the distinctive Art Deco designs, reflected in neon lights and other architectural features. Those additions were made to the theater in 1944, and were important to maintain as modern owners renovated it.

The Artcraft operated uninterrupted throughout the 20th century. But in 2000, it ended its run as a full-time theater and became a multi-use venue instead.

Trying to capture the nostalgia of the Artcraft, Franklin Heritage launched its “Classic Cinema on a Classic Screen” film series in 2001. But the series was suspended two years later, when the theater was deemed unsafe. Still, supporters refused to give up on the theater. Franklin Heritage purchased the building in 2004 and began its restoration work. The theater reopened to the public on June 16, 2004.

Since that time, officials have poured massive amounts of funding and manpower into repairing and maintaining the theater. The facade and marquee have been completely redone, structural inadequacies fixed, a mobile screen installed and myriad other projects completed.

Work is still ongoing on the theater, and Franklin Heritage officials continue to raise money for those projects. The centennial gala on Sept. 10 is one such fundraiser.

“A Century of Cinema” will bring people into the Artcraft for a ’20s style party rivaling the theater’s opening night.

Buster Keaton’s “One Week” will be the featured silent movie, with live accompaniment by Phil Beaman.

Performers include the Honey Taps, a tap-dance group from Chicago, as well as acoustic band the Walnut Street Ramblers from Lexington, Kentucky. A specially produced video encompassing the 100-year history of the theater will be screened before a live auction starts up.

The pace will be intense, Shilts said.

“We want to keep it on that vaudeville pace. Back then, things were scheduled in 15-minute blocks, and even the movies were short. So a lot of these performances are going to keep that pace, and keep going,” he said.

The party then moves out to the street. Underneath massive tents set up on North Main Street and the adjoining county annex parking lot, people can show off their Foxtrot, Charleston, shimmy and other dances to the beats of the Cool City Band, a classic swing group.

Magicians, fortune tellers and other acts will engage with visitors throughout the crowd. Vignette sets are planned for people to get their photographs taken.

“We’re encouraging everyone to put on some ’20s gear,” Shilts said. ”It’s a great way to get into that vibe and imagine what it must have been like.”

Bars and dessert stations will be set around the performing area. For guests who want to chill out for a bit, a separate tent will serve as the “speakeasy,” as mixologists serve up beer, wine and signature 1920s cocktails.

“You’re going to get so much entertainment and so much different stuff all the time that you won’t know where to turn,” Shilts said.

What: A 1920s-style celebration in honor of the Historic Artcraft Theatre opening in 1922.

Where: Historic Artcraft Theatre, 57 N. Main St., Franklin

7 p.m.: 100th Anniversary Fundraiser Gala begins

The Walnut Street Ramblers The Honey Taps “One Week,” silent movie by Buster Keaton. Live accompaniment by Phil Beaman Magician Jamahl Keyes Comedy by Candy Phillips Artcraft “Century of Cinema” retrospective video Live auction with Rafael Sanchez

9 p.m.: Street party begins

Cool City Band Dessert tent and heavy hors d’oeuvres Coffee bar, presented by Main & Madison Market Café Speakeasy and bars open 50/50 raffle tickets sold Palm reader Roaming magician Caleb Wiles Silent auction open Photo booth VIP Lounge

11 p.m.: The Walnut Street Ramblers perform; raffle and silent auction close

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