The Moving Picture World (1908)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD 75 Architecture for NicKelodeons. Very little attention seems to have been given to the architectural effect of the buildings used for moving pic- ture exhibitions in this country, and the general attempt has been to make them as glaring and grotesque as pos- sible, so when some enterprising promoters wished to erect such a building in the model village of Palmerton, which the New Jersey Line Company have established near their works in Pennsylvania, and to buy a lot in a prominent location fronting the park in the center of the town, they were confronted with the clause in the deed which makes it necessary to submit the elevations of pro- posed buildings and have them approved by the Palmer Land Company, which sells such lots. The usual elevation was submitted and so strongly dis- approved that the architect of the land company was ,'- ■■■ --' ■ ■■■:?■' ■■■-■; .V':.>y-;.« asked to make the sketch, which we reproduce and which retains the measurements and general features of the original. The most simple form of building and the cheapest materials were required, and so the entire building is of wood. The ground of all panels and of the doors is to be of V-beaded matched sheathing, painted a light green, in contrast.to the remainder of the building, which will be white. The lighting bulbs will be so placed as to form a part of the architectural treatment, and strongly light the ex- terior and lobby at night. The.height of the opening is the same as that of the proposed adjoining buildings, and 't is expected to harmonize with the other buildings on the park, and from the fact that some thought has been pven to its design, it is sure to be an advertisement for the owners. Fireproof Booth for Moving Pic- ture Machines. This much-needed article, manufactured by S. S. Getchell & Son, Woonsocket, R. I., according to speci- fications of New England Insurance Exchange, is de- signed to give complete protection in case of fire. Audi- ences will have a feeling of security they cannot have in a place not similarly equipped. The booth is made of galvanized steel with angle iron frame and spring door. The openings are protected by sliding gravity doors held open by a fusible link. In case of fire this link melts, thus closing all openings and con- fining fire to booth. It can be made any size. New Theatres. BROOKLYN, N. Y. The Bay Ridge Amusement Co., Fifth avenue and Forty- seventh street, Brooklyn, have just opened a finely appointed" theater, the Vaudeau, at that address. The lobby is neat and} attractive, 150 people can be comfortably seated, and as only the best films and illustrated songs are shown the best class of peo- ple are among the patrons. Ten cents admission. * * * NEWARK, N. J. J. Austin Fynes is erecting a theater in Newark, N. J., to add to his chain of "picture shows." It is said there are one or more large and important exhibitions of this nature in pretentious edifices around the immediate vicin- ity in which, while Mr. Fynes' name does not appear in the man- agement, he is largely interested, and has extended his list of holdings until the aggregate now mounts up to a large figure. Mr. Fynes was one of the first to grasp the future of "picture shows" and he was also the first to introduce moving pictures on the theatrical stage in this country, having imported a film when general manager for B. F. Keith some years ago. TRENTON. N. J. When the new Star Theater, at 7 South Broad street, opens its doors to the public, on or about February 1, Trentonians will have a handsome moving picture house. Philip Papier, the local advertising man, and his brother, Solomon, who conducts a clothing store, are the proprietors of the enterprise, and they will spare no expense in making the place most attractive. The interior has a floor space of twenty-five feet by one hun- dred and four feet, and there are no obstructions whatever. The seats, more than 300, will be built on an incline, that every one may have a clear view of the sheet. Uniformed attendants will be on hand to attend to the seating and comfort of the patrons. and a full orchestra will play at every performance. The lobby, perhaps, will be the feature of the house. This will be constructed of tile, Italian marble, and the ceiling and walls will be adorned in frescoe work. The entrance will be beautified by myriads of electric lights. * * * GRAND RAPIDS HAS ELEVEN SHOWS. Another new five-cent moving picture theater has been added" to Grand Rapids' growing list, making eleven of these places of amusement now in operation with more in prospect. • The latest addition is the Bijou, on the north side of West Bridge street, near Scribner street. Moses Salamy is the pro- prietor. It opened for business on Saturday. Theaters in prospect are the Monroe Street Theater of A. J. Gilligham, and a new house said to be planned for CanaT street,, near Bridge. Still a further development in the five-cent theater situation is the building of a stage in the Superba Theater on Canal street. This staqre is said to be the largest in any moving picture theater in the city, and it is proposed to use it for vaudeville acts of a minor character. The Lyric on Canal street is now gjncthg, vaudet- ville acts.