Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

EXHIBITORS HERALD XIII January 3, 1925 The NEWTON, a Modern Theatre "DEAUTY, safety and substantial comfort — these were the governing principles in the building of the Newton theatre by the Newton Amusement Company. How well these important factors have been incorporated into this playhouse is attested by the fact that the Newton stands as one of the finest theatres in any town under 5,000 population, in the state of New Jersey. The equipment and construction of the Newton, therefore, provides an excellent example of what can be accomplished in small town theatre construction where a building of the higher type is desired — one in which the showmanship angle has been admirably worked into the scheme of providing a structure of outstanding merit from safety, appearance and operating standpoints. The building is of steel and brick construction of the type known as a column bearing job. Many will remember that the roof trusses were in place and part of the roof was already on before the side walls had been entirely raised to the roof level. The building is of the safest type known to modern engineering science. Joseph Di Stasio, eminent engineer, was responsible for the structural layout. The roof itself is a Barrett specification roof, guaranteed for a period of years. There are over fifty tons of steel in the Newton theatre. * * * The theatre is erected at the corner of Spring and Madison streets, Newton, New Jersey, with a frontage of fifty-six feet on Spring Street and one hundred twenty-two feet on Madison Street. The corporation controls twenty-two feet of additional property in the rear of its building, which will enable them, at any time, to enlarge its present stage to a full size modern stage capable of handling any New York attraction. The front of the building is in Colonial style, constructed of tapestry brick with pilasters, niches and detailed ornamental stone work, presenting an impressive picture to the passerby. Over the entrance doors and ticket booths, there is a large interchangeable letter electric sign. The marquise is framed out of structural steel and cantilevers into the building under the stadium. Underneath the marquise there are provisions for one hundred eighty electric lights. The front of the building will be lighted with five 500 watt flood Newton Officials President: Sidney E. Samuelson. Vice-President: Claude E. Mazuy. Vice-President: Newman E. Drake. Treasurer: E. Merriam Dutcher. Assistant Treasurer: Bert A. Stewart. Secretary: William A. Dolan. The Newton theatre was opened May 15, 1924. Cost of project: $110,000. Seating Capacity: 911; orchestra floor, 580; balcony, 311; loge, 20. lights of the type that became popular during the war for the purpose of illuminating public highways and bridges in order to make them as light as day. The front of the building is also ornamented with theatrical frames. The ticket selling machines and change making machine will enable the cashier to sell tickets and make change nearly three times as fast as under the more usual method of handling tickets and money. The ticket window is of plate glass and the shelf is of Tennessee marble. Entering the theatre, there is a vestibule decorated in gold, brown and ochre. Attention is immediately drawn to the ornamental frieze of pure Grecian design, dec^ orated in old ivory. The spectator is Tmmediately impressed with the fact that the ticket office, lighting fixtures, ornamental pilasters, theatrical frames and the most minute details all comprise an harmonious whole. The radiators will be covered with metal grilles for the protection of the public. ^ ^ ^ Leaving the vestibule, one enters the lobby, ornamented in the same style as the vestibule and from which, by ascending a short flight of steps on either side, the main auditorium is reached. On the right of the lobby is a small foyer opening to the ladies’ retiring room and to the checking room. In the foyer is a drinking fountain with individual cups. The ladies’ retiring room is decorated in green and gold and is handsomely furnished in bronze wicker. The lavatory connected with this room is of the latest type of modern construction, tiled and is equipped in a thoroughly sanitary fashion. On the left is another foyer from which one enters the men’s smoking room and lavatory. The men’s room has fumed oak furniture. On this side are also located an additional ticket booth and the manager’s office. The manager’s office is so situated as to enable the person in charge of the theatre to have immediate access to the lobby, the main auditorium, and the street and so give him an opportunity to get in immediate touch with any situation that might arise. The manager’s office is equipped with a Couch inter-communicating telephone which enables him to speak to any part of the house without disturbing the audience. * * * The main auditorium is properly ranged so that every one of the six hundred seats on the ground floor has a perfect view of the entire stage. The seats are upholstered in full leather and are most comfortable. The aisles are lighted with safety lights so as to protect the patrons. The ceiling is decorated in gold, gray and ochre and one’s attention is immediately attracted to the many grilles which seem to assure efficient ventilation. The center lighting fixtures are of a Colonial design and harmonize with the side brackets and the decorations. More exits are provided than is required by the building codes of either Newark or New York. The side walls are relieved by ornamental pilasters, cornices and arches. The stage is larger than the ordinary motion picture theatre stage and is capable of accommodating ordinary vaudeville acts. In the orchestra pit are two organs; one that can be played either by hand or roll ; and the other a built-in organ, located on either side of the proscenium arch, and played from the console in the orchestra pin. This latter instrument is the largest pipe organ in Sussex County. The stage is fully equipped with footlights, border lights and stage plugs capable of giving all the lighting effects. From the orchestra pit, through a fireproof door, one enters the electric motor room, wherein is located provision for more illumination and power than is at present used on the entire length of Spring Street. In the boiler room there is the latest type of oil-burner, fed by three tanks capable of storing enough fuel oil to keep