KRNT Theater
7/6/2022
Crowd entering KRNT Radio Theater for the Metropolitan Opera’s production of “Tosca.” Courtesy of the Iowa Historical Society.
I am forever a student when I hear stories about Des Moines’ music history. The majority of my passions stands with the state’s punk rock scene, but I enjoy more sophisticated things, too.
In December 2021, my friend Matthew sent me a text stating that he had memorabilia from KRNT and the KRNT Theater. It was one of those “I’m leaving town tonight, no questions” type of deals. The collection was of KRNT Radio Theater recordings on vinyl. It wasn’t just the music but also the advertising jingles from the show sponsors that were played between acts. These were low-budget deals, as the vinyl was thin and only meant for a of couple of plays around the needle.
In 1927, the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine Temple of Des Moines built the Shrine Auditorium at Ninth and Pleasant Streets in Des Moines. The venue was one of the largest of its time, sharing legacies with likes of The Paramount Theater that also once stood downtown. This was a place where people could see Grandpa Jitters for 25 cents. It is famous for giving birth to the Iowa Barn Dance Frolic, a hillbilly-styled version of “The Lawrence Welk Show.” Technically, the Iowa Barn Dance Frolic started in Davenport at WOC radio and then moved to Des Moines to WHO. It went on to outsell venues such as The President Theater and expanded to a three-hour show at the Shrine Auditorium, which could hold 4,200 people. In April 1942, the Hollywood War Bonds Tour held a revue there after a parade down Locust Avenue that featured Laurel & Hardy, Cary Grant and James Cagney.
Seating inside KRNT Radio Theater in 1955. Courtesy of the Iowa Historical Society.
In 1946, Cowles Broadcasting (which owned KRNT Radio) purchased the Shrine Auditorium and built new television and radio facilities next to it. However, when WHO Radio’s Iowa Barn Dance Frolic had to be moved over to the KRNT Theater, they didn’t want to have confusion with branding. So, the KRNT Theater became “Radio Theater.” They could have mass shows with a studio audience and live broadcasts on television and radio.
Reportedly, even Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie booked bands at the KRNT Theater. It went from the old jamboree style shows to the hip acts of Johnny Cash, Blood Sweat and Tears, and Buddy Rich. Unfortunately, it was also the location for the worst performance by The Doors on Sept. 27, 1967. The Doors sold fewer than 600 tickets, even with this being the summer that “Light My Fire” hit the airwaves.
The KRNT Theater closed in 1972. In 1974, Cowles Broadcasting sold KRNT to Stauffer Communications out of Topeka, Kansas, after they decided they wanted to concentrate on television operations more than radio. There was a lot of talk from the Federal Communications Commission about media conglomerates owning more than one radio station in the same market. My, how times have changed.
KRNT Radio Theater, with marquee promoting the musical “My Fair Lady.” Courtesy of the Iowa Historical Society.
The theater was demolished in 1986, but salvaged materials from the building are spread across the city, including a Sherman Hill house. Mark Haggen, formerly of Des Moines, told me, “There is a small house in Sherman Hill that held a speakeasy in the basement, and their floorboards were part of the KRNT Theater Stage.” On more than one occasion, I have also seen materials at West End Architectural Salvage and even some flea markets.
The records that Matthew brought to my house had been hoarded for many years, likely by more than one person. Their existence continues to teach me about Des Moines’ music history, and I look forward to continuing as a student. ♦
Kristian Day is a filmmaker, musician and writer based in Des Moines. He also hosts the syndicated Iowa Basement Tapes radio program on 98.9 FM KFMG.
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KRNT Theater was NOT at the location where the DSM Civic Center is now. I don’t remember the street but it was a 1/2 block north of 801 Grand by the area where the tv/radio towers sit (huge brick building, US West I think it is). There is a small area to the north of that building and it’s now a “greenspace area”. I’m sorry I don’t know the street. Otherwise, this was a very well written article. I was just a few years old when it was demolished. Thank you for writing!
Wasn’t the KRNT theatre at 8th and Pleasant?
I’m guessing the in print error that KRNT Theatre stood where the Civic Center is now has been edited in this online version. The coolest thing to stand where the current Civic Center is was Richard’s Surplus Store. It was operated by Mr. Simon Tatz…a Russian born immigrant who lived in Des Moines for 67 years. Simon designed the North High Polar Bear logo as a school project in 1924. He was a wonderful gentleman who tolerated my hours of hanging around the store on days I was running around downtown while my Dad worked at the nearby Riverfront YMCA…..this was in the late 60s…early 70s. Ben Small’s Surplus was across 3rd Street, but not as fun a place as Richard’s. My memories of KRNT Theatre revolve around Dad dragging me and whatever lady friend he was with at the time to the very regular country music shows, presented by local promoter Smokey Smith. I always seemed to dread it, but have to admit those shows were generally excellent and featured over time most of the big names in the country music field.
Firestone used to host their Christmas parties for their employees at the theater. My dad use to take us. I’m 65 years old now but I still remember the trip in our old ’59 Chevy station wagon from out of town. The theater was huge (to me anyway as a kid), and I felt like I was someone, being able to watch the skits, and hear the music.
The Firestone employees would hand us each a red mesh stocking of Christmas candy on the way out!
I would have loved to have gone into the theater one more time before it was torn down. It’s very hard to find pictures of the inside. The walls had red coverings, the carpet was red – I think – as well as the comfy seats. We always sat up in the balcony in the first section. Us kids just HAD to climb all the way to the top and look dizzyingly down!