Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1915)

Tanuarv 23, 1915 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 529 Among the Picture Theaters MECCA THEATER, DAYTON, OHIO. Embodies All Modem Conveniences — Accommodates 500 — Music Rendered by Seeburg Photoplayer. ONE of the prettiest and best conducted exclusive moving picture theaters in Dayton, Ohio, is the Mecca, which is situated at Third street and Broadway. It was opened in October, 1914, and has been doing a good business since that time. It is owned by Julius Leopold, a well-known business man of Dayton, and is under the management of R. C. Krapf. This handsome picture house, and it may well be put in that class judging by the accompanying view of the exterior, has a seating capacity of 500. It is attractively and comfortably furnished, and contains all up-to-date conveniences. That the structure is built as near fireproof as it is possible to erect one is attested by the fact that it meets all the requirements of the Ohio State Building Code. Cement; brick and steel were the materials used mostly in its erection. The flooring of the lobby is of tile so arranged as to form a pretty design with the name "Mecca" carefully Mecca Theater, Dayton, Ohio. worked into it. The front of the Mecca has a conservative and inviting appearance, and the artistically arranged electric lights when burning after dusk add to its attractiveness. The name of the house is displayed on big electric signs running down the front of the big towers at both ends of the entrance to the building. Ther^ are eight large exit doors leading to the street and a number of others open upon the rear court. The exits on Third street have vestibules built on to them. The interior is decorated in white and green with tancolored walls' and Spanish leather wainscoting, all colors blending nicely into one another. The lighting of the auditorium has been satisfactorily accomplished by large artistic indirect lighting fixtures and shaded wall brackets. The building is heated and ventilated by a Sturtevant blower system which insures fresh air at all times. In order that the lights in the theater which are kept burning during the projection of a picture, will not affect it, the screen has been set back on the stage nine feet and is surrounded with a black velvet shadow box the depth of which is the same as the distance at which the screen has been placed. The projection surface is a Gold Fibre screen and it is twenty-three feet from the front row of seats, making that row as desirable as any other. A couple of the latest motor-driven Simplex machines are used. The operating room is big and well ventilated. Music is furnished by a Seeburg Photoplayer which is greatly appreciated by the patrons of the Mecca. Mr. Krapf has his program in the shape of a private mailing card which, when unfolded and laid out flat, measures 11 inches long and 85^ inches high. It is folded twice the long way, so that it is just a little bit higher than Uncle Sam's post card. On it is a picture of the front view of the Mecca, the week's program and admission prices for each matinee and evening show and the advertisements of local merchants. The management requests the patrons to save the programs, as five of them entitle one to see a five-cent show. The admission prices are five and ten cents, the rates being governed by the kind of show. BIOGRAPH THEATER, CHICAGO, ILL. The Windy City Gets Another Splendid Picture House. Has 1,000 Seats — Managed by Martin Sachs. THE development of theater construction for the presentation of moving pictures is rapidly superseding all other amusement theaters. This is due to the increased patronage by reason of the wonderful advances that have been made in the pictures themselves. From the cheap sensational the progression has been to the historical and educational, thus making larger and better theaters financially successful; hence the employment of some of our best architects in the study and designing of them. The "Biograph," recently completed, at 2433-43 Lincoln avenue, Chicago, 111., designed by Samuel N. Crowen, architect, has a capacity of 1,000 seats on the ground floor graded to the proper contour, so as to make perfect sight lines, and is surrounded with open courts giving more than the requisite Biograph Theater, Chicago, 111. number of fire exits prescrilied by the city ordinances. Martin Saclis is the manager of this beautiful picture house. The space usually allotted for each seat has been increased so as to make it possible for the constant changing crowds not to disturb the people remaining in their seats. The structure was but four months in building and is practically fireproof. It covers a ground area of 125.xl20 feet, permitting stores, offices and a lodge hall to be built on the street front distinct from the theater, and separated therefrom by a court and firewalls. . The decorative treatment of the interior is very syiiple, but in good taste: soft French gray tones for the paneled ceiling and beams relieved with ivory atid gold and plaste/prnamentation, while the side walls are treated in warm "flesh tints relieved >\'ith ivory and gold, and all the panels in the wall pilasters have a slight tinge of mulberry. The system of lighting is carried out with good results. The method employed is semi-indirect. Large bowls are Iiung on chains from the ceiling panels and are so controlled that effects from late sunlight to dawn can easily be produced, while the side wall brackets with shaded lights are so ar