After selling the Hardware and Implement Store at Greensburg, Kansas, we awoke
  the next morning with a decision to make at the breakfast table about what kind of
  business we wanted to get into and where would we go to find it!
     Charley Spainhour, the theater owner solved our problem. The aroma of coffee
  was through the house; our three-year old son, Craig, was ready for his breakfast
  when a knock at our door was heard. It was Mr. Spainhour, the theater owner, with
  the theater Box Office reports in his hand. He said, "I found something I think
  you two might be interested in, an ad: The Pastime Theater at Medicine Lodge,
  Kansas is for sale.
     March 1, 1925, Roy and Charley drove down to see about the show. Oscar Thom
  was the owner. He showed them around. On their way home, they decided it met our
  needs. So March 25, 1925, the movers came and we were on our way in our Ford Coupe,
  traveling on dirt roads to Barber County in the gyp hill country, to make a new
  and different life in a business we knew nothing about. We knew we could learn it.
     The buiding was small, seated less than a hundred people. The seats were of 
  steel with wooden spring seats. There were eight 18 inch electric fans attached
  to either wall to furnish air during the movie. The booth had one movie machine
  that was run by hand. At the end of each reel there was a pause to thread the
  next reel. All pictures were silent; a player piano was in front of the small 
  screen.
     Marita Gordon operated the player piano and would synchronize the music to the
  action of the picture on the screen. Sometimes a narrator was at the side.
     May 19, 1927, Charley Marshall's Hardware Store (next door to the theatre)
  burned to the ground. Shells went off, but no one was hurt. We were across the
  street watching it burn. Charley joined us and said, "My years in business are
  going up in smoke, but I will build two buildings and rent them." Roy had dreams
  of a new show-house: "Could this be the answer to my dreams?" he asked himself.
     After the fire was over and the lot was cleared, both men got together with
  plans. "You'll have to supervise the building of the theatre:, Charley said. "I
  will," Roy siad. They called Jack Rickman, the builder and plans were drawn.
     Our Katherine was born December 4, 1927, at the Halstead Hospital, and I was
  anxious to be at home for the opening of the new 'Pastime.' Vern Clark was the
  operator in the new modern booth. He was a pro-operator. There was no more turning
  by hand and the guys all shouted as the light went on for the opening.
     It was nice to sit under the neon lights that lit-up the block to greet our
  people and welcome them to the Pastime.
     In 1928 Roy put in what was known as "Boot-leg Sound!" I assure you this had
  nothing to do with whisky. True, boot-let whisky was around, and sometimes those
  who participated got 'jake-leg' they found.
     In October, 1930, I, Mae Culley, promoted organization of PEO, in Medicine
  Lodge, Kansas. The state officers came after Blanche Griffin, Edith Davis, and I
  completed the membership list April 11, 1931. Mr. Grifin was a long-time lawyer in
  Medicine, and Blanche knew most of the people in Barber County, which was a great
  help to us as we were both new there. We were organized in Edith Davis's spacious
  home. Blanche had a large home, too, but there were parties coming up that she
  would have, and the meetings were held in our homes.
     Women who bear their offspring in speeding automobiles enroute to hospitals
  can't even touch a record established on a Sunday evening at the Pastime Theatre
  in the year of 1945. An eight pound girl, the daughter of Mrs. Ray Woodson of
  Kingman put in her appearance without any warning. The rest room was close to the
  box office. Dr. Moore came rusing in and said, "Where is the baby that is being
  born here?" "Are you all right, Doc?" (as I didn't know). "I suppose in there, "
  I said. This happened between shows and no one was the wiser, not even me.
     The Drive-in Theaters became popular in the early 1950's. We experienced all the
  different phases of 'show biz' from the 1920's to 1965, when I retired.
     Our Katherine graduated from K.U. in June, 1949. In July she married Judge
  Whitaker's son, Sam, of Washington D.S. Craig had 3 years in World War II, got
  married December 1, 1945, and went back for his degree at Hays College, then came
  back to work at the Pastime until 1959.
     We built the Pageant Drive-in in 1953 and opened April 1, 1953. Roy had a heart
  attack on the Saturday before. He wasn't able to work anymore. He was in and out of
  the hospital until November 20, 1955, when he left our good earth.
     Bob Ash came to us when he was 14 as janitor of the Pastime and worked his way
  up to operator in the booth at the Pastime. He then went to the Korean war in 1950,
  spending two years and coming back to the theaters. Over there he was movie operator
  for the films they took of the war. We have helped many youths through high school.
  Donna Hamilton, our second long-time popcorn girl, started to work for us when she
  was 12, working and finishing high school, and staying with me as popcorn girl for
  28 years. After we built the drive-in theater, she and Bob Ash fell in love and got
  married. The two of them made a career of 'show biz' and have their own shows.
     I, Mae Culley, spent 42 years as cashier and manager, 10 in our shows. Every year
  was a mirale, and I still say: "There's no business like show biz."
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 145