The Hardacre was built for road shows and “photoplays” alike. These are some of the acts, films and events advertised and reviewed in local newspapers, as reproduced and quoted in the theater's National Register nomination.
Selwyn & Co.'s comedy opened the house. Some worried the title meant it “might not be as quiet in tone as it should be,” but every seat was filled for “the liveliest entertainment ever presented” in Tipton.
Six reels with a lecture by Lieutenant Alfred Mohr, formerly of the German army, who promised to explain the films “in a neutral way.” Possibly the first motion picture shown at the Hardacre.
“Featuring Foxy, the Flying Wonder.” Billed as an “Unusual European Novelty,” paired with a special Thursday screening of The Moth and the Flame: “Two big features for the price of one.”
“The show that for years has been the standard by which others are judged,” in a repertoire including A Fight for a Million, No Mother to Guide Her and Brother Against Brother, with “Special Scenery for Every Play,” vaudeville and the company's own orchestra.
The popular stage play, booked by new manager O. P. M. Littlejohn.
Gaskell & MacVitty, Inc. presented “A love behind a throne,” carrying its own scenery — and the ad made sure everyone knew: “NOT A MOVING PICTURE SHOW!”
Comedian W. B. Patton's Lazy Bill, followed by Rowland-Clifford-Gatts' production of In Old Kentucky. Touring companies arrived with carloads of their own scenery.
The Hon. Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the U.S. Navy, spoke to a packed house in support of the Wilson administration.
D. W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation became the first major feature film shown at the Hardacre.
Tipton High School's senior class presented its annual play on the Hardacre stage to a packed house.
Starring Little Edna May, “the most marvelous child gymnast,” and Buster, “the wonderful canine with the human brain.” Eight acts in all, with free admission on Monday, January 20, “for advertising purposes.”
Tipton gathered at the Hardacre to honor “two Tipton boys . . . killed in action while serving their country in France.”
Under new lessee Calvin A. Lopeman, films by Paramount played every day.
Installed to accompany the silent pictures.
The first “talky” at the Hardacre, shown on its new Vitaphone sound system: Charles King, Anita Page and Bessie Love in an all-talking, all-singing, all-dancing picture.
Beulah DeNune shifted Bargain Night so Tipton's merchants and clerks, who kept stores open late on Wednesdays, could catch the cheaper shows.
“Fall and Winter Garments for Men, Women & Children — LIVE MODELS,” on a runway built through the center of the house, with Jean Irwin in acrobatic dancing. Also showing: Is My Face Red?, with Ricardo Cortez and Helen Twelvetrees.
with Western Electric Mirrophonic “Living Sound,” announced on Beulah DeNune's monthly program card.
Beulah DeNune's annual free show for the children of the community, with a gift for each child who came — a tradition begun before 1938.
Iowa United Theatres put up the neon marquee by the Iowa Neon Sign Company of Des Moines that still spells out HARDACRE today.
A 1972 stage extension brought back plays and fashion shows. The Tipton Playhouse staged productions, a children's theater ran in summer, and from 1975 University of Iowa drama students performed here.
Founded by Troy Peters, an August festival of independent films from around the world, later described as Iowa's longest-running film festival. It ran for 16 years.
Advertisement wording is quoted from newspaper clippings reproduced in the nomination; dates are as given there.