Motion Picture News (Mar-Apr 1923)

March 5, 1923 1081 NEW THEATRE construction & equipment projection department P. M. ABBOTT CAMERA TECHNICAL EDITOR Stanley Theatre, Florida, Exquisite Gem of Old Spanish Art Palm Beach House Causes Much Favorable Comment Among Winter Tourists ONE of the most novel and beautiful of small theatres in America is the Stanley theatre, West Palm Beach, Fla., recently opened under the direction of Stanley C. Warrick, owner of the famous Beaux Arts theatre at Palm Beach. The new house is an exquisite gem of art, of old Spanish design throughout, in keeping with Florida clime and history. Accompanying pictures give an idea of why the thousands of winter visitors exclaim and even rave over the charms of this bit of old Spain transplanted in Florida. It is of rough stucco construction, two stories high with red tile roof and a tiny marquee of the same underlaid with cypress, with an old-style balcony at one side ; the stone pillars are surmounted with sculptured faces and animals. The whole front is colored ocean-blue, harmonizing with the waters of the Atlantic nearby. The ticket booth is beautiful, also of colored stucco, and cypress woodwork with blue-striped scrolls, and an iron grille for a window, with four corner pillars of white stone. The lobby has a red tile floor. The four big doors are of old "pecky" cypress, dark and handsome — each has tiny movable peep-doors a foot square covered with rusty iron gratings — the whole like an old castle. The artistic foyer is of dull brown stucco wall and dark paneled ceiling with cork tile floor, lighted by dainty wall torchieres of amber color and with big. antique chandeliers of iron. Here there are stone seats covered with cretonne cushions ; canaries, statuary, ornamental pine trees in handsome stone stands : largp beveled mirrors in the center of which are iron torchieres: curious wall plaques. Here also is placed a popular crystal globe mounted on an imported stand of great age. The auditorium seats 810 all on one inclined floor, and here the mediaeval effect is complete. Dingy stone walls with paneled cypress ceiling and blind dungeon doors on each side of the house, also twelve small windows of stained glass effect — all give the desired atmosphere. A toy balcony runs under these windows half the length of each side, also the organ lofts are artistic balconies. The organ is a Wurlitzer Hope Jones and is played by Prof. Oliver Strunk of Detroit. The seats are of French gray upholstered in dark blue Spanish leather. The only touch of color in the auditorium is provided by small stripes of Moorish red and blue along the side ornamental balconies. The floor is of cork tile. Soft, indirect lighting is furnished by several antique iron chandeliers. Exit lights are set in carved stone heads of interesting design. The stage is ample, 26 x 15 feet, with rich draperies of blue and silver velvet and a voile curtain of lavender and another of rich tropical coloring and foliage. The Stanley coatof-arms in stone flanks the stage and balcony and is again featured in the mural reproduced herewith with clay figures against a dark blue background — placed just above the entrance from the foyer. The projection booth is of stone, with the newest type Powers spotlights, stereopticou, Exterior of the new Stanley Theatre, West Palm Beach, Florida. It is claimed this house is one of the most novel and beautiful small theatres in America following the old Spanish design throughout transverter, steel film cabinet. A men's clubroom is provided, also an especially attractive ladies' lounge at the left of the foyer. It is done in ocean green with rough walls again, warm, dark rugs, furniture of French gray. Antique vases and wall plaques add interest, also a very old Spanish cigarette lighter-stand. The chandelier and torchieres are of iron again. Mr. Warrick is a veteran exhibitor and demonstrates his faith in Florida, this being the only new theatre of this season in the state, and the only modern house in West Palm Beach, and doing a big business. Mrs. Warrick is also entitled to much credit for her suggestions in design and finish, contributing much to the general excellence of good taste and art which is a keynote of the theatre throughout. It is doubtful if the world can at present show an equal of this beautiful little Stanley theatre in its field. The cost was $150,000. The architect was Bruce Kitchell of Newark, N. J., and Palm Beach. The contractor was C J. Meerdrink of Newark, N. J., and Palm Beach. All equipment was furnished by the Southern Theatre Equipment Company of Atlanta. Furnishings, curtains, antiques, chandeliers, New York. Mr. Harry Shull, formerly with First National in Cleveland and Atlanta for several years, is the genial and capable manager of the new house, and will operate the year around. This theatre offers a very excellent example of the present day tendency of theatre conFtruction for the smaller community house. The motion picture clientele of today are becoming discrimi nating and, while good pictures are perhaps the dominating attraction, the physical characteristics of the theatre itself is of the utmost importance. Not always is the house which represents an enormous investment the most successful in presenting an attractive design which wears. '