Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1917)

4068 ACCESSORY NEWS SECTION Vol. 16. No. 23 THEATRES WORTH WHILE Mural Painting in Poll's New Palace Theatre, New Haven, Conn. Poli Opens Handsome 3500 Seat Theatre in New Haven NEW HAVEN became the home of one of the finest motion picture houses in the Country on November 19, with the opening of S. Z. Poli's Palace theatre. The evening was a notable one as every one of the 3,500 seats was filled and the streets in front of the house completely blocked by crowds that could not gain admission. In this large audience were a great number of people prominent in amusement circles, who had come from New York, Boston, and Philadelphia in order to help Mr. Poli make a night of it. Among this number were Norma Talmadge and her sister, Constance Talmadge, both of whom are stars of Select Pictures, and Lewis J. Selznick, president of the Select Pictures Corporation. The opening bill at the Palace presents " The Secret of the Storm Country," Norma Talmadge's latest Select picture, and Miss Talmadge made the trip to New Haven in order to be present. Immediately after the opening number, which consisted of songs by a chorus of New Haven girls, Miss Norma Talmadge was introduced to the audience by Mr. Pat Casey, general representative of the Vaudeville Managers' Protective Association ; following Mr. Casey's tribute to the genius of Mr. Poli in erecting as handsome a theatre as the Palace Miss Talmadge, who had journeyed to New Haven to be present at the opening of the theatre, but who had not expected to go upon the stage, was taken by surprise, but nevertheless consented " to oblige," and, making a hascy tour of the auditorium, stepped before the footlights and extended her thanks to the enthusiastic audience for their kindly greeting, and to Mr. Poli for choosing her picture for his opening performance. Poli's Palace is indeed a beautiful house. It is a masterpiece of one of the master craftsmen of playhouse design, Thomas W. Lamb, of New York. Architect Lamb is the designer of such theatres as the Strand and Rialto in New York City, and the New Orpheum in Boston. " The Secret of the Storm Country," Norma Talmadge's latest picture, was the first screen offering at the Palace. Owing to a three-cornered dispute between the mayor of New Haven, the town aldermen, and Mr. Poli's representatives, the Palace was temporarily closed the day after its opening until an alteration could be made in the twenty-one foot entrance to the theatre. This, however, will in no way affect the brilliance of Mr. Poli's achievement, nor detract from the success of its initial evening. song impersonations. Her radiant youth and her breezy little personality won the audience completely. Miss Rita Jolivet, contributed in a different metier. She had come at the invitation of Sir Thomas White and the local Victory Loan Committee to make an appeal to the audience in that cause, and she performed her task with grace, with fervor, and with undeniable success. New Theatre, Corning, Scores Success EB. HENDRICK, owner and manager of the New Plaza thea• tre, Corning, New York, is demonstrating that a new and modern house in the smaller cities pays. This house was opened on July 31 and has scored a success. The building occupies a plot, 32 by 81 feet, and seats 400. The chairs were made by the American Seating Company. The building is constructed of brick and tile. The interior is decorated in old rose, ivory and gold. Palms are used in the decora Loew's Montreal Theatre Opens OPENING of Loew's theatre in Montreal was a very great success, the house being packed. The moving picture part of the program was given premier position, and undoubtedly it did the most to create that great enthusiasm which marked the whole performance. In addition to Norma Talmadge in " The Secret of the Storm Country," and a good contribution from Fatty Arbuckle, two well known stars appeared in person, Miss Mollie King and Rita Jolivet. Miss King paid a graceful tribute to Mr. Loew and contributed a most attractive series of Interior View New Plaza Theatre, Corning, N. Y. tive effect. The floor is carpeted with rubber strips down the aisle, making the theatre noiseless. The building is heated with steam and has an indirect lighting system. Motiographs are used for the projection, with a throw