"The distinguishing throng, vast as it is, which gathered here for the dedicatory performance of this magnificent Temple of the Motion Picture, represents but an Infinitesimal fraction of the multitude which tonight is patronizing the playhouses of the William Fox Circuit of Theatres. Beyond the walls of these, wherever on the five continents men and women seek amusement, are others to a total of uncomputed millions whose cares and worries will be forgotten as the masterpieces created in the studios of Fox Film Corporation command their attention from motion picture screens. Daily the peoples of more nations pay homage to these enterprises than bent the knee to Caesar."

-- From the Opening Program

"Gov. Henry S. Caulfield dedicated the new $5,000,000 Fox Theatre last night before probably the most notable first-night crowd in the history of St. Louis drama - silent or legitimate."

Gov. Caulfield shared civic honors with Mayor Miller, who appeared in Fox Movietone, and former Mayor Henry E. Kiel, who appeared in the silent cinema and received repeated applause.

"More than 5500 persons occupied the seats in the pretentious Hindu auditorium of the theatre. They were late in being seated, and not until after Gov. Caulfield started to speak did they begin to stream into the orchestra seats."

"From niches on either side of the staircase, statues of bewhiskered warrior-rajahs looked down last night upon the streams of eager modern entertainment seekers."

"It must have been a fascinating picture for those grim old warriors as they looked down upon the thousands of eager and amazed Americans, bobbed-haired women in fur wraps and evening gowns, clean-shaven men in the severe black and white of evening clothes or the others whose fancy was for business wear, and posted among them-like well trained statues---the neatly uniformed guides and ushers standing, with ramrod backs, in military pose. Just as the gorgeousness of that lobby was an eye-filling spectacle to those lucky seat holders who found their way within."

Next... Fox Empire In Decline