Majestic Monthly (Feb 1916)

8 THE MAJESTIC MONTHLY usi About Ourselves THE spirit that manifests itself in any organization — whether commercial, philanthropic, educational or otherwise — is something to be looked for and to be fostered, if it is worth it. The Majestic spirit was present to a very noticeable degree late Sunday night at the dinner which the general manager of the Majestic theater gave for those whom the menu aptly termed “the Majestic family.” The spirit, too, was epitomized in a speech which the host made in which he said that the theater sought three things, “Courtesy, which the employes may all extend to patrons; cleanliness, which always remains a requisite in a first-class theater, and publicity, which is the means of letting the people know what the theater is trying to do.” These are three most essential matters, as any student of picture playhouse conditions must admit, and the exercise of the three contributes \ery much of the spirit which we believe distinguishes the Majestic from the average playhouse of the sort. Courtesy has always been sincerely sought by those who have aimed to make the Majestic a success. The managers, superintendent, doormen, ticket sellers, ushers and others who come in direct contact with the public have always borne this in mind, with what results their patrons must best judge. Cleanliness has always been emphasized. Here again the ushers are able to help a great deal and the efficient cleaning staff come in for the major part of the credit. Patrons from out of town have time and again come into the theater and on going out have asked, “How long has the Majestic been open?” Upon the reply, “a year,” “a year and a half” or “two years,” as the case may have been, they have frequently expressed great astonishment. “Why, I would have thought it less than a month,” one said the other day, “everything is so spick and span.” Publicity has been exercised of course through the newspapers, while this present publication has been the outgrowth of a desire to set down certain things for the benefit of patrons which cannot be conveniently nor so practically put before them in any other way. But there is another detail that must also be named and that is the rigid adherence to ideals, as regards the quality of attractions. The Majestic aims first of all to be a family theater and it tries to present pictures to which the whole family may safely be brought. The fact that the Paramount companies issue such a high grade of pictures from the literary, the artistic and the ethical standpoints, has made this comparatively easy, but rigid censorship has always been exercised. Many and many has been the picture that has been turned down, simply because it would not have measured up to the Majestic ideal, the ideal in whose formation the patrons, by their loyalty, have had a large share. A Worthington patron of the Majestic late last month wrote the Majestic a letter which is of the kind to gladden the heart. He and his wife, he says, especially desire the return of two pictures, “Still Waters” with Marguerite Clark and “The White Pearl” with Marie Doro. The former will be returned February 2. He also relates that they had witnessed “An Alien” with George Beban and “Temptation” with Geraldine Farrar twice at the Majestic and would like to see them again. “The Majestic,” he adds, “is filling a long felt want in Columbus for really worth while pictures and it affords me pleasure to wish you every success in a continuance of your present policies.” It will be noted that the pictures which have especially delighted these film-followers are all Paramount productions. Full many a star of purest ray serene will never know the sky of the photoplays because he has failed to study the medium. Valerie Bergere goes to every photoplay she has time for. Some day the screen will get her and she will be ready for it. Doubtless many people have noted the new uniforms that the Majestic ushers are wearing, giving the lads a rather more martial appearance and yet not of so pronounced a nature that it could offend the most Bryanesque pacifist.