Thos. Steele
manager, the Casino Theatre, Ocean City · active 1917
Manager of the Casino Theatre at Ocean City in 1917, named at the foot of the display advertisement that brought Thomas H. Ince's Civilization to the resort for two days in August, at twenty-five cents for adults, with a special orchestra and newly installed electric fans. He is the earliest named cinema manager at Ocean City in the campaign's record.
In the record (1)
1917 · 1917-08-18
Ocean City's Casino Theatre shows Thomas Ince's pacifist epic Civilization in August 1917 — twenty-five cents, and electric fans installed.
A large display advertisement in the Democratic Messenger of 18 August 1917: "THOS. H. INCE'S CIVILIZATION — The Most Daring and Stupendous Motion Picture Production of All Time. You have all heard and read of this Most Wonderful Spectacle, but comparatively few have been privileged to see it. By a special arrangement and at great expense we have succeeded in bringing it to Ocean City, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 18 & 19... MATINEE — Adults, 25c. Children under 12 years, 10c. EVENING — Adults, 25c. Children under 12 years, 15c. TWO PERFORMANCES DAILY... We have installed Electric Fans for your comfort. Special Orchestra Added. THE CASINO THEATRE, THOS. STEELE, Manager." Civilization is Ince's 1916 anti-war allegory, credited with helping re-elect Wilson on the peace platform; Ocean City watched it four months after the declaration of war, on a Sunday, in a county whose ministers were about to campaign against Sunday amusements. This is the earliest documented cinema programme at Ocean City in the campaign's record, and the first named theatre manager.
Source · checked 2026-08-06