Motion Picture News (Jul-Aug 1922)

208 Motion Picture Nevus Simple Mechanical Movement For Lobby Attracts Attention and Business NrOTHIXG attracts more attention in a lobby than a mechanical or moving display. Frank H. Burns of the Beacham theatre used a lobby display which embodied considerable action and which brought him, he claims, twenty-five per cent, additional business. This display was tied up with the picture “Across the Continent.” Mr. Burns in a letter to Mr. Stewart of the Southern Enterprises, Inc., says : “ Used your suggestion for the mechanical lobby display and it is a knockout. Built this “Continent Race Track” about eight feet long and had small car on top. Used small motor to make “ continent ” move under car. This made wheels of car turn and the whole effect was great. Caused more attention than anything we have done for a long time. . . The actual construction of this apparatus is very simple and the cost of material is negligible. The following instructions should enable anyone to construct this display for “Across the Continent.” Make a canvas belt about wide x 14' long. On this have painted a strip of the map of the United States, with a wide road laid out from coast to coast. Fasten the two ends of the belt together and place it over two wooden rollers held the proper distance apart ir. a wooden framework. Connect by pulley and belt to a small motor. Place a toy racing automobile on the belt, wired to make it stand still. Then when the motor is turned on the belt will revolve under the auto and the “ continent ” will pass across before the eyes. The change points, shown on the accompanying sketch, but not named are: Jersey City, N. J. (start); Pittsburg, Pa.; Indianapolis, Ind. ; St. Louis, Mo.; Kansas City, Mo.; Fort Dodge, Kan. ; Albuquerque, N. M. ; Salt Lake City, Utah; Needles, Cal.; Los Angeles, Cal. (finish). These cities are the change points for the race in the picture and should be named on your belt map. Also the different states should be colored to make this map as realistic as possible. The design used on the canvas belt for the mechanical devise used in giving action to the lobby display of “ Across the Continent ” Laras ft'Scjf BeJfr y/eoden Roller /"/ ? f > r/7T) r7m/7 r> i / / / ) nri'i t ) n 1 1 rut ) ft 1 m w >> rrmrfjtlu // jttrtrrt* Drawing showing the construction of the lobby display which embodies action and novelty Cumberland’s New Vaudeville and Picture Theatre Mr. Thomas Burke, manager of the Liberty theatre, announces that Cumberland, Md., is to have a new vaudeville and motion picture theatre. It is Mr. Burke’s intention to make a first class picture and vaudeville theatres out of a house originally intended to be a nickel theatre and toward this end $20,000 will be spent on repairs and remodeling on the Liberty theatre. The stage will be 25x50 and will be able to handle six vaudeville acts in addition to first run pictures. Work will be started on the new' theatre in a few days, the construction of which is in the hands of local contractors. — Barnett. ^MINUSA* Gold Fibre Screens Eventually, every picture theatre in existence will use a screen scientifically prepared— and, because of its superior merit, Minusa will be the most in evidence. Send for literature and samples. MINUSA CINE* SCREEN CO. ST. LOUIS, MO. ^V/orld s Lar^estProducers Jdotion Picture Screens. No. 7217 Basket filled with flowers, each $.75; per dozen, $7.50. Write to-day for my SPRING CATALOGUE No. 7 of Artificial Flowers and Decorative Plants mailed FREE FOR THE ASKING. FRANK NETSCHERT 61 Barclay St. New York, N. Y. Theatre Being Built in St. James , Manitoba Construction is well under way on the new moving picture theatre in the St. James district of Manitoba, Canada. The new house will seat 1,000 and cost in the neighborhood of $50,000, it is announced. The building has a frontage of 48 feet and a depth of 125 feet and will include stores on each side of the entrance, with a billiard parlor in the basement. Theatre is on Portage avenue near Parkview' street. Marberry to Open New Theatre The new theatre, recently erected by Ivy Marberry, in Vienna, 111., opend on July 1st. The theatre seats 300 persons, and will show three nights W'eekly. Steinstraw Rebuilding Theatre Mr. Stienstraw is rebuilding his theatre in Meadowlands, which burned down about a month ago. — Wheeler.