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CLAYTON THEATER 491
sound devices; from that time it was apparent that the competition of sound pictures would sooner or later become effective. It was probable that one, at least, of the other theaters in Clayton would install the equipment.
It was difficult to judge the permanance of the appeal of sound pictures. Theatrical managers were convinced that the appeal at first was largely one of curiosity; motion picture patrons were interested in sound synchronization and the talking picture as a novelty. Much publicity was attendant upon the development of the new pictures. With the continued development of the novelty it was apparent that the appeal of curiosity was strengthened by a desire on the part of the public to hear familiar actors of the silent screen in dialogue pictures. Newsreels and short subjects, moreover, had undoubtedly been improved by the addition of sound and dialogue.
The quality of silent pictures shown at the Clayton Theater had been gradually improved until it was generally acknowledged by theater patrons that its silent picture program was equal to that of the largest theaters in Cleveland and decidedly superior to the programs of other theaters in the city of Clayton. The theater was showing first-run pictures on a double-bill basis with changes twice weekly. Two new features were presented, therefore, on Mondays and Thursdays of each week. In addition to the feature pictures, there were also shown newsreels and a short comedy subject. On Sundays, the theater included in its program a one-act presentation, usually a stage band or vocal soloist. No orchestra was maintained, but a talented organist accompanied the presentation in addition to rendering an introductory solo. It had been found advisable in a few instances to hold an exceptional picture over for an entire week in order to meet the public demand.
In talking with his patrons, the manager of the Clayton Theater ordinarily found that silent pictures were considered preferable to the more recent sound pictures. Previews of forthcoming releases in both the sound and silent fields convinced him, however, that the better pictures for the next year would be produced with sound. While a picture could be purchased with or without sound synchronization, it was apparent that the silent version of a sound picture was unquestionably inferior to the sound version of that same picture and also inferior to past releases of other pictures in