Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1939)

A 900-Seat Theatre with Novel Entrance Scheme DESCRIBING the new 4-Star theatre in Grand Rapids, Mich., operated by B & J Theatres, Inc. Ownership of the 4-Star is equally divided between W. S. Butterfield Theatres, prominent Michigan circuit with headquarters in Detroit, and Allen Johnson of Grand Rapids. B & J Theatres was formed in 1936 for the operation of motion picture theatres in Grand Rapids, Eastown, Wealthy, Our, and Royal. The 4-Star plays day and date with the B & J theatres in Our and Eastown, showing first-run in neighborhood zones. The architect of the 4-Star was F. L. Proctor, Grand Rapids. 1** r.asi 5HCH Ht. ' VWT V r*o wo rtMOWS GENERAL PLAN: The Four-Star Theatre is built on an unusual plan in which there is no appreciable vestibule, with entrance directly into a carpeted foyer. The doors opening from the foyer again lead patrons into the auditorium. The functions of a vestibule are provided for by the fact that the street doors are recessed about four feet from the building line, and at the inside are recessed about three feet within the front wall of the lobby. The corresponding space at either side of the entrance doors is occupied by a stair hall, the ticket booth, a concession booth, a coat room and the manager's office, these facilities being arranged side by side along the theatre's front wall. The auditorium walls curve inward toward the stage opening, which is rectangular. There is no proscenium, but a stage of fair size is provided. CONSTRUCTION: Construction is entirely of concrete, Haydite block and brick. All walls are concrete below grade; Haydite block faced with brick are used above. Side and rear walls are faced with construction brick. Smooth-surface face brick of two colors is used at the front, under a coping of gray face cement. The floor of the theatre is reinforced on precast concrete joists. Construction cost was $75,000, exclusive of equipment. FRONT TREATMENT: The front of the theatre is designed to give the impression of width, with horizontal lines of darker brick interleaved with the buff-colored facing as high as the marquee. Above the marquee the construction of the wall involves repeated recesses from the center outward to the sides of the theatre, giving an effect of fluting which somewhat accentuates height. The marquee is triangular with a four-line attraction board at either side. At the center and extreme edges the attraction lines are continued in parallel rows of flashing incandescents. The name: "4 Star Theatre" rises above the marquee in neon, with a row of four five-pointed stars in superimposed in neon. The point of the marquee triangle, facing across the street, carries the initials of the owners, "B. J.", also in neon, and single neon tubes outline the top and bottom of the attraction boards. The general color scheme of the marquee is ivory and brown, with green trim. An outlet under either end provides for additional front lighting when required. The box office window is built into one wall of the theatre beside the entrance, and an alumilite weaterproof poster frame into the other. The front doors are bleached, veneered oak. The box office window is plate glass in an alumilite frame, with stainless steel deal plate. Ventilation is provided above the window to prevent an outward rush of air, on cold days, which might prove annoying at the speaking opening or blow money off deal plate. January 7 , 1939 7