Exhibitors Herald (1925)

August 1, 1925 EXHIBITORS HERALD 105 THEATRE CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT K — ^ Large Cooling Plant Is Installed by N. Y. Capitol The Capitol theatre, New York, has recently completed the installation of what is declared the largest theatre cooling plant in the world. The heat of the summer months, which is the only drawback to indoor entertainment, will have no effevt on the cool interior of the theatre. With the closing of the regular symphony and operatic music, the Capitol will continue to be the high spot of summer entertainment, supplemented by a cool atmosphere that will be a relief from the heat of the streets. The problem of cooling the air of the world’s largest theatre was a particularly unique one, because of its enormous size and seating capacity. After an extensive study of the various types of refrigerating plants, Maj. Edward Bowes, managing director, arranged with the Helmar Air Conditioning Company for the construction of a special type of plant which will meet the required conditions. * * * This cooling plant is the largest installed in any theatre in the world and has a capacity of 400 tons of refrigeration. In order to build an adequate foundation for the machinery, motors, pumps and coils, it was necessary to make extensive alterations in the engine rooms, fire rooms, fan rooms and coal bunkers. For several months, a staff of expert electrical engineers have been at work laying out plans and arranging the installation. New York Edison Company has brought in specially heavy cables to carry the excessive amount of current necessary to operate the plant. Extra water lines have also been brought in, as well as extra meters, to supply the plant with the amount of water necessary to condense the gas. Two gigantic motors, each weighing 11 tons, will drive the compressors. A total of over 600 horsepower is used in operating the plant. Alterations have also been made to the ventilating plant situated on the roof of the Capitol. Air ducts have been extended to reach every remote corner of the huge theatre and it is estimated that 230,000 cubic feet of air will be cooled per minute. * * * Meticulous care in the selection of materials has been applied to the slightest detail throughout the installation. Additional expense has been incurred to obtain a special non-rust steel for the spray nozzles which are used in the cooling process. There are 46 of these spray heads, which spray approximately 1,000 gallons of cold water per minute. The water which returns to the cooling coils has the heat taken out of it and is sent back to the cooling plant a number of degrees colder than its original temperature. The process of water-washing the air removes the humidity and gives to those in the theatre a temperature comparable to that of an ocean breeze. Marr and Colton Organ Featured in New Coast House Fullerton, California, has something else to be proud of now besides climate, Valencia oranges, and beautiful homes. Southern California emitted a gasp of surprise when it attended the opening of the Chapman Theatre. To begin with, its new theatre is located on Spadia Road just north of Chapman Avenue. It is a huge building, as fireproof as modern construction can provide, with a main auditorium and a balcony with a seating capacity for 1200 persons. * * * The proscenium arch and stage are examples of the highest in art and efficiency. On either side of the stage is a highly decorative theme, including the shuttered opening of the Marr & Colton organ chambers. This has been treated with the utmost care and originality and embraces not only the Italian motif but rare color and lighting effects. The foyer and mezzanine lounge are also very striking. One enters the foyer from the main court, through massive, quaint doors of old iron. Genuine oriental rugs take the place of the usual padded carpets. For an organ to be in keeping with all the touches of refinement of this beautiful theatre, C. Stanly Chapman chose the Marr & Colton as one of his featured attractions. This Marr & Colton is being played by the well known musician, Julius Johnson. * * * The organ is one of the modern orchestral type, played from the 3 Manual console to the left of the stage. There are 100 stop controls and nearly 30 separate and distinct ranks of pipes. All the grandeur of the symphony orchestra is found in the instrument, varying in delicacy of tone from the plaintive call of the orchestral oboe to the crashing ensemble of the entire orchestra. Jamestown Exhibitors Install Organ and Remodel Theatre Peterson & Wood, well known exhibitors of Jamestown, N. Y., have purchased another Marr & Colton organ for their Winter Garden theatre, Jamestown. This organ is a two-manual with all the modern tone colors and effects. At present the theatre is closed for redecoration and installation of the organ. It will be reopened about August 15. Peterson & Wood have also awarded Marr & Colton the contract for enlargement of the 3-manual Marr & Colton organ in their Palace theatre, Jamestown. This organ, when completed, will be one of the finest in western New York state and will be played by a prominent organist. Ran 70 Shows a Day in One Theatre, Scott Sidney Says ( Special to Exhibitors Herald ) NEW YORK , July 21,-Managing a theatre that ran 70 complete shows a day with 300 feet of film was a he-man’s job, says Scott Sidney, director for Al Christie, and he ought to know, because he ran such a show in connection with the Nashville Exposition in 1897. Henry Roltaire, the illusionist, owned the entertainment called “Edison’s Mirage,’’ and Sidney was his protege. The hall was divided into four sectors, with four projectors mounted on a revolving platform in the center. One hundred feet of film picturing of a moving train would show to one sector and then the platform would turn to show that picture to another sector while the first was seeing 100 feet of a fire engine. The film was three times the size of that used today and had only two sprocket holes for each frame of action. Sidney contrasts those shows with “Seven Days,” which he recently completed for Producers Distributing Corporation release. This is 7,000 feet. Sidney now is preparing to make “Madame Lucy.” Paul Forster, formerly associate organist at the Piccadilly theatre, New York City, has been engaged by Messrs. Harrison & Fitzer to play the new Marr & Colton organ at the Empire theatre, Syracuse, N. Y. The console of this organ is built on a platform which is automatically raised and lowered by push button control. Index to Product Announcements ( Concluded from page 104) Film Facts :June27-136. Gems of the Screen :June27-136. Ko Ko Car Tunes :June27-136. Flirting With Death :June27-136. Marvels of Motion :June27-136. Out of the Inkwell:June27-136. Thru Three Reigns :June27-136. Universal Ace of Spades :June27-145. Blue Bird Comedies :June27-142. Century Comedies: June 20-2. June 27-142. July 4-3. Julyl8-12,13. Fast Express, The:June20-2.July4-3. Fast Steppers :June20-2.July4-3. Fighting Ranger, Thc:June20-2. Great Circus Mystery, The :June20-2. July 4-3. International News :June27-144. Iron Man, The:June20-2.JuIy4-3. Leather Pushers :June20-2. Radio Detective, The :June27-145. Riddle Rider, The :June20-2.July4-3. Scarlet Streak, The:June27-145. Strings of Steel :June27-145. Winking Idol, The :June27-145. Wolves of the North :June20-2.July4-3.