The Film Index (Jul-Dec 1910)

THE FILM INDEX NEW DREAMLAND THEATRE OPENS Bellows Falls Latest Photoplay Theatre Welcomes Large Crowds — Best Pictures Used. The newest theatre in Bellows Palls, Vt. — the Dreamland — on Rockingham street, was opened to the public on Monday afternoon, Nov. 21. For the past eight weeks workmen were busyon the new structure, which is of concreted blocks, the only building of its kind in town, and they have transformed it into a thing of artistic beauty, a cosy and well arranged theatre with a seating capacity of 325. About $5,500 has been spent in the construction and decorations. The policy of the house will be motion pictures and vaudeville. The theatre is well heated by three wall radiators of 6 sections each, on both sides of the building. The system of ventilation is the latest and best devised. The interior is charming. The ceiling is painted in dark green, with a brown border and Indian red trimming. The stage is 20 feet deep, and has a 2 0-foot opening, with a drop curtain. The scenery is pretty and in good taste. There are two drop scenes, a parlor and street view. There is a dressingroom on each side, and there are eight footlights and eight border lights on stage. The seats are larger than those ordinarily used in most theatres, the space between each row being 28 inches. The seats are of rockwood, with iron bases, and are set in concrete. The house is spacious, the height being 20 to 14 feet high, with a pitch of 1 % inches to the foot so that the stage may be clearly seen from every seat. There are four exits, two of which are fire exits, and are indicated by red lettered boxes. The moving picture machine is placed over the. ticket office, and is in an asbestos booth. The screens for the pictures will be 12x14 feet. All doors swing outward. From the outside the theatre is also attractive. An electric piano is on the left of the entrance and the ticket office is in the center. The lobby is finished in lght blue, cream and Indian red, and is 16 feet wide. Two big arcs give a full glare to the street, and the name of the theatre is cut in concrete above the entrance, and on the lobby is the name in brass letters. The front exterior is 22 feet highH and is a clean and attractive, structure. The manager is Thomas H. Kiniry, who was so successful in old Dreamland. CHURCH WILL, CONTINUE PICTURES. At a meeting of the members of the Holy Name society, of the Church of the Blessed Sacrament, Newark, N. J., last week, it was decided to continue the photoplay theatre, in the hall on Clinton avenue for the public, the fund accruing from the sale of tickets to go to the church fund. A new picture machine is to be purchased and the hall will be open Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights of every week. On Sunday afternoons pictures of sacred subjects will be shown. This entertainment will be for the children and members of the Sunday School. NEW HOUSE AT REDLANDS OPENS. On November 2 5 the new photoplay and vaudeville house at the corner of Stuart avenue and Orange street, Redlands, Cal., was opened to the public. The theatre is built on modern lines, being modeled after several of the big motion picture houses in Los Angeles. A heating and ventilation system has been installed. This contract calls for an expenditure of about $1,500. THE STORY OF MOLLY FINNEY Romance of Colonial Days Pictured by the Kalem Players 3E 3E 3E 3E 3E= 3E 3E 3E IF IN the early Colonial days, to be exact, in the year 1756 — the depredations of the Indians were of common occurrence and many harrowing tales have come down through history of the hardships, privations and suffering of the white settlers at the hands of the cruel redskins. Prominent among these stories is that of "Molly Finney," a beautiful young girl living with the family of. Thomas Means, at Flying Point, on the coast of Maine. The Kalem players have taken this tale and built about it a very interesting picture story, quite romantic in detail. According to the tale, Molly Finney was love with Molly before her abduction. While being carried away by the Indians the girl managed to make known her destination by writing on a piece of birch bark which she throws in the water. This message is found by Captain McLellan and causes him to set out upon the search for his missing sweetheart. In his ship he sails to Quebec and there eventually effects a rescue under very dramatic circumstances. In the picture scenic effects have been well chosen. The ship used might well have been a relic of bygone centuries. The costuming and the interior settings suggest Colonial days, and SCENE PROM "MOLLY FINNEY.' stolen from the cabin of Thomas Means, by the Indians, who took her to-the settlement of Quebec and there sold her as a servant to one of the wealthy families of the town. Years afterwards she was rescued and restored to her people. The picture version has it that Captain William McLellan, of the brig "Rose," was in if the Molly Finney of the actual event was half as pretty as the sweet-faced girl who impersonated her in the Kalem picture, it is no wonder that Captain McLellan went to unusual lengths to accomplish her rescue. The concluding scene of the picture is a melodramatic climax that is most effective. The lease for the building was signed Nov. 19 by H. B. Penoyer and C. K. Percy, of San Pedro, who are back of the project. Earlier in the season Scott & Cook intended assuming the management of the new place, but it is understood they dropped negotiations only recently. It is planned by the lessees to give a motion picture performance and to introduce a vaudeville stunt at each performance. The house seats 600 persons. say, M. Mairot uses a Pathe professional model and is always hammering at his exchange for all the Pathe subjects he can obtain. In addition all the stores for several blocks around are kept supplied with window cards in French announcing that Pathe films are featured at this theatre. Mme. Mairot ably assists her husband at the ticket window. ALL-FRENCH PICTURE THEATRE Ed. M. Mairot opened a photoplay theatre at 368 Seventh avenue, New York, last June. This is in the French quarter and M. Mairot is endeavoring to cater to his compatriots. His theatre, which is tastefully decorated, seats 2 00, and it is his intention from now on to cut out illustrated songs and give only French songs sung by a good French vocalist. Needless to FAIRY PHOTOPLAY THEATRE REMODELED. Since the Fairy photoplay threatre, Ft. Wayne, Ind., has been remodeled, business has been increasing every week. On the opening night, Manager J. P. Mollett had to hang the S. R. O. sign out early in the evening. The Fairy is one of the pioneer houses in Ft. Wayne, and always been looked upon as one of the elite theatres of its kind in that city. When they first opened, there were but 108 seats, but now it comfortably holds 300 persons.