Exhibitors Herald (Jun-Dec 1917)

24 EXHIBITORS HERALD Circle Theater, Indianapolis, in First Anniversary Half-Million-Dollar House, With 3,100 Seats, Representing Acme of Architectural Skill, Is One of Most Elegant in U. S., and a Palace of Real Art The Circle Theater, Indianapolis. Ind.. which is one of the Music Director Is Film Student finest motion picture houses in this country, is celebrating its He has made a close study of the needs of the cinema in first anniversary this week, the way of music, having spent a year in California studying The Circle is located on the historic Monument Circle, In the process of manufacture of screen plays and has blended dianapohs, and has a frontage of one hundred feet, being two the symphony of sight and sound. With the large organ, too hundred and twenty feet deep. It represents an outlay of Mr. Weil is able to obtain wonderful effects plaving the most more than a half million dollars and was projected by In svmphonic compositions, overtures and idvllic' suites. The dianapohs business men, headed by A. L. Block and Robert following list of the Circle's musical numbers show* that Lieber, who are respectively president and vice-president of real music is highly suitable for films: the Circle Theater Company. The theater contains 3,100 seats and its stage is one of Overtures: the largest in the United States, making it possible to present American Fantasia Herbert elaborate tableaux. The interior of the house is said to repre Raymond Thomas sent the acme of architectural skill and art, and has become Poet and Peasant Suppe the Mecca of architects in all sections of the country, who Maritana Wallace build motion picture theaters. SuitesHas an Imposing Facade Le Fete de Seville Tavau An imposing tacade of white terra cotta greets one's eye Faust Ballet Suite.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. Gounod upon approaching the theater, which is lighted by hundreds Peer Gvnt Griee of incandescent lights. This is surmounted by a frieze of Greek figures, representing the muses. Below is a panel of v i r Waltzes: Grecian pastoral scenes in oil. The lobbv is trimmed in ivory. Y alse Caprice Rubinstein gold and marble, relieved by bas-relief figures. Blue Danube • Strauss A spacious promenade opens into the theater proper. This Selections: is decorated in warm grays, delicate rose tints and panels and Serenade Herbert friezes of Grecian figures and conventional designs. Pagliaccia Leoncavello A marble staircase leads to the lounge and mezzanine Robin Hood DeKoven floor, which is provided with deep divans and lounge chairs. Princess Pat Herbert From the lounge one enters the mezzanine floor and Naughty Marietta Herbert loge-the Circle's choice seats A third promenade is ap A fulI equipped scenic studio is also maintained fror proached from the lounge which leads to the balcony. which the Circle £raws jts scenery to embellish its production; I he auditorium proper is Old English in style, with simple ... graceful lines adding harmony, dignity, comfort and beauty Unusual Care in Selecting Films to the vast structure. The decorations here consist of warm In selecting pictures for Circle patrons the managemet colors blended in exquisite harmony, while conventional uses unusual care, viewing hundreds of films weekly an designs offer striking relief. selecting only the best from the standpoint of entertainmer Staff of Thirty Ushers value. Not being bound to one producer or program, th A staff of thirty ushers under the command of a captain Circle draws its attractions from every source. Among tb and lieutenant is employed to guide patrons to seats. features that have been shown at the Circle are, "The Garde Music plays an important role in the Circle's program and of Allah," which received its American premiere at this housi under the leadership of Max Weil, the Circle Orchestra has "The Crisis," "The Barrier." "On Trial," "Within the Law become an Indianapolis institution. An immense organ is also "The Witching Hour," "Wild and Woolly," "Poor Little Rit a part of the theater's equipment that adds to the enjoyment Girl," "Skinner's Dress Suit." "Broadway Tones," "The Vic of the pictures. of Wakefield." "The Mysterious Mrs. M.," and "The Easie Mr. Weil, the conductor of the Circle orchestra, provides Way." the best that there is to be had in the way of musical enter On the executive staff besides S. Barret McCormick. ma: tainment and the theater has thousands of patrons who come aging director, is Myles H. Sinnott, house manager; Max We to hear his orchestra. Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Weil com musical director; Joseph Mahler, outdoor advertising, ai pleted his musical education under the foremost musicians Anna Frand, secretary to managing director, of Paris. Vienna, Berlin and Leipzig. He has appeared as The technical staff consists of Harry D. Bolton, stage ma soloist throughout the country earning distinction as a violin ager; Charles W. Read, scenic artists; Wendell G. Starbuc ist as well as a teacher. master electrician, and Earl L. Slater, chief projection enginet At the outbreak of the present war Mr. Weil conducted On the house staff is V. C. Smith, captain of usher the Calgary Symphony Orchestra, one of the largest and finest Gerald Weil, lieutenant of ushers; Mrs. N. Slater. Miss Pesf musical organizations in the Dominion of Canada. Cooley, cashiers, and Mrs. Wren, matron. TWO INTERIOR VIEWS OF THE CIRCLE THEATRE, INDIANAPOLIS, AND PHOTO OF ITS MANAGING DIRECTOR J. M l A SNAI'SHi n I l« 1X1 'I UK I.( »C,E. CENTER— S. BARRETT McCORMH K. MANACJvr THE LOUNGE ON MEZZANINE FLOOR