Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

33 , E X H I B I TORS • .H E R A L P fiffi New Chicago Theatres Monuments to the Industry Modern, Well Equipped Houses of Greater Seating Capacities, Rapidly Taking Places of Old Buildings— Seven New Houses Open Their Doors Giving the laugh to the pessimists, even new, large, modernly equipped lotion picture theatres have opened j,;ieir doors to the public of Chicago ithin the past month and judging from ;cord attendance figures given out by le backers of the enterprises, their ldgment and faith in the stability and I'jture of the industry has been vindiited. Not one of the new theatres cost less lan a quarter of a million dollars and ome of them went beyond this figure, 'hey are all in the outlying districts of as city and are, in a sense, "neighborood" playhouses. Then style of archi:cture, interior decorations, seating ar'ingement and acoustic properties are he equal of any and superior to many Iff the theatres devoted to legitimate age attractions. New West Side Theatre In the Central Park theatre, erected 1 Twelfth street and Central Park avenie, Chicago has one of the most up>date playhouses devoted exclusively p motion picture entertainment in the buntry. It was built by the Amalamated Theatres Corporation, con•olled by Balaban and Katz. The lighting effects are so arranged s to diffuse green, blue, red or an amer glow over any part of the house, ^ach floor has a promenade foyer with moking rooms, and parlors for women. The theatre seats 2,600. A fourteen'iece orchestra, augmented by a huge Jartola organ, supplies all that could e desired in the way of music. On the same evening that the Cental Park opened Ascher Brothers gave premier showing at their newly acquired theatre at Grand and Oakwood oulevards, named the "Peerless." It is beautiful theatre and a credit to its wners. Ascher Brothers' "Adelphi" On November 15 Ascher Brothers also pened their new "Adelphi" theatre at Jorth Clark street and Estes avenue, ^s is the case with the other theatres i this chain, the new house has a seatpg capacity of 1,540 and is equipped yith the latest type of the Kimball pipe »rgan. Emily Stevens in "Outwitted" urnished the first attraction, j Crowds lined the sidewalk in front of pe Crystal theatre, Schaefer Brothers' lew playhouse at 2701 West North avelue, on the opening night. Douglas Fairbanks in "The Man from Painted Post" was the attraction and if the aubmobiles that lined the curb is any crierion its success is assured. By a peculiar freak of fortune the iew Broadway-Strand was completed so s to open the same night as the Adelphi. This theatre is a visible expression of aith in Chicago by Louis Marks, Julius joodman, Meyer S. Marks and Louis H. garrison. It is one of the largest moion picture theatres in the city and vas built under the direction of Archiect A. L. Levy. It seats 2,100 on the nain and mezzanine floors. Theatre Has Gymnasium Two new features which may set a precedent in future theatre construction are a gymnasium for the employes and a large playroom for children. Music is provided by a fifteen-piece symphony orchestra and a massive pipe organ built by Kimball & Company. The owners emphasize the fact that due to the wide aisles and numerous exits the theatre can be emptied in less than two minutes. The Madison Square theatre in West Madison street, near Cicero avenue, is also a recent addition to Chicago's evergrowing list of theatres. Still to greet the public some time during the present month or some time early in December are the Devon, now under construction by Lubliner & Trintz: the Atlantic, a new 2,000-seat house to be added to the string of theatres owned by Herman Schoenstadt & Sons; the Woodlawn, nearly completed by the Woodlawn Theatre Company, and the Marshall Square, seating 1,800, now under construction by the owners of the Broadway-Strand. ONE OF CHICAGO'S BEAUTIFUL NEW THEATRES THE CENTRAL PARK THEATRE, BALABAN WHICH M. H. Hoffman Donates Films for Fighters M. H. Hoffman, general manager of M. H. Hoffman, Inc., has set an example to other film magnates. In letters sent out this week he has notified the chairmen of the entertainment committees for the service clubs in New York that he would not only be glad to furnish pictures free for the entertainment of our boys in khaki and in blue, but that he would deem it a privilege to assist in this way. Among the picture plays which Mr. Hoffman donates are "The Fringe of 23 AND KATZ'S $400,000 WEST SIDE PLAYHOUSE, SEATS 2,600. Society," "Madame Sherry," "The Silent Witness," "Her Fighting Chance," "The Great White Trail," "One Hour," "Whither Thou Goest," "The Bar Sinister," and "The Sin Woman." American Film Co. Engages an Artist to Title Photoplays Samuel S. Hutchinson, president of the American Film company, believes if a thing is worth doing at all it is worth doing well. To this end he has engaged an artist to turn out the effective titles that accentuate screen stories.