Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1920)

3966 (Equipment Service) Motion Picture News These illustrations show how the signals are sent to the indicating board. A simple contact under the seat makes and breaks an electric circuit A Seat Indicating and Signalling System An invention relating to a seat indicator and signalling system for theatres has been applied for by Carl A. Valles of Worcester, Mass. The object of his invention is to provide means for silently indicating the number and exact location of all seats in the theatre and also a signalling system for directing members of the audience to the vacant seats thus indicated without the assistance of the ushers. The inventor believes that by the use of his devices the theatre manager will no longer have to stand the loss from unnoticed vacant seats but by relying on the signalling system may be sure that the waiting patrons may find their way to the desired seats. It will be noticed from the drawings that the signalling is accomplished by an electrical contact beneath the seat. When the seat is occupied the contacts are thrown apart and the light on the signal board disappears but as soon as the occupant of the chair rises to leave the contact is made and the signal appears on the indicating board. Another House Proposed by Saxe Another downtown theatre will be built by Saxe Brothers in Milwaukee, according to an announceemnt just made. The new house will be named the Third-andGrand, after the street intersection at which it will be located. The new site is regarded as one of the best in Milwaukee, as Third and Grand avenue is considered the heart of the business section. The Third-and-Grand will be remodeled on the site now occupied by the Gargoyle restaurant. According to E. C. Bostick, general manager of the Saxe Amusement Enterprises, there will be no orchestra, music being furnished by a pipe organ. The house, which will be built on a lot 44 x 95, ' will seat approximately 870 persons, about 500 on the main floor and the balance in a balcony. An immense canopy will cover the 44 foot street frontage. Plans for remodeling are now being drawn by Martin Tullgren & Sons, Mil waukee, architects, and it is expected that the theatre will open January 15. New Organ in Majestic Theatre, Utica, N. Y. The Robbins Amusement Company have installed a Marr & Colton " Xew Era " organ in the above well known theatre. They do not plan to make any change in their orchestra, but will use the organ in conjunction with the orchestra and also during relief periods and on Sundays. The Majestic is one of the best known vaudeville houses in Central New York. The " New Era " organ lends itself nicely to theatres in the class of the Majestic as the installation does not require any structural change in the theatre; neither is it necessary to interfere in any way with the regular daily performance during installation. At the console of the Robert Morton organ tn the Pantages theatre, Los Angeles 106****4 »*•••••• co •••#*• •••••oo» ••••••• »o***oo When the seats are unoccupied the indicator sh ows "white." A glance at the indicating boards tells just how many seats are vacant