Motion Picture News (Sept-Oct 1921)

2200 Motion Picture New Start Tearing Down Famous Tabor Grand Opera House, Denver, to Build Modern Theatre Bishop-Cass Company Will Erect Colorado Theater on Old Site — To Seat 2,500 The most significant theatre move to be started in -the Rocky Mountain territory since the war was launched Tuesday. September 6, in Denver, Colo., when the wrecking of the famous old Tabor Grand opera house was begun as the first step in building the new Colorado theatre, which, according to present specifications will be the largest and most imposing picture house in the West. The Colorado, which is to be located at Sixteenth and Curtis streets, the very heart of Denver, will be built by the Denver-Colorado theatre company, a subsidiary of the Bishop-Cass theatres company, which, associated with the Goldwyn Pictures corporation, already has four theatres in the Mountain region — the America in Denver, the -America in Sterling, Colo., and the Iris and America in Casper, Wyo. The building of the Colorado is the latest phase of the expansion of the BishopCass theatres company, which has been I growing in importance and prestige with rapid strides since the opening of the specious America theatre in Denver, February 10, 1917. The officers of this company are Oscar D. Cass, president; Edward A. Bishop, vice president; Alvah G. Talbot, vice president and managing directors of all theatres; E. E. Newman, treasurer; and Joseph S. Jaffa, secretary. On September i, the Tabor came into Bishop-Cass control under a long lease, with privilege of renewal, also adjoining property was secured so that, if it be considered desirable, a huge dramatic stage can be built in the theatre. The Colorado has been designed by W. E. and A. A. Fisher, architects, and will be built by the C. S. Lambie construction company. It will follow Spanish renaishance style of architecture and will have a seating capacity of 2,526. A $50,000 organ will be installed. Alvah G. Talbot, managing-director of the Bishop-Cass theatres From the standpoints of both beauty and practicality, the Colorado will have much that is distinctive, resembling the metropolitan structures of the East and Pacific coast. The main auditorium on the first floor will be 133 feet long and will hold 1,481 seats with perfect sight lines. Above this will be the mezzanine floor, elegantly furnished with rest rooms, offices, etc., with a large opening or pool in the center, surrounded by a promenade, opening directly over the parquet. A rich crystal chandelier will hang above this pool. The balcony will have 1,045 seats, including beautifully made loges at the front. All the seats in the building will be of the latest style and extremely expensive. A novel feature will be the introduction of forced ventilation through the 64-feet high proscenium arch, with capacity for changing all the air in the building ever two minutes. Flood lighting with dimmers an( changeable color effects will be regulatet from the operator's booth, which will b« large and well ventilated and at prope distance to give the most satisf actor throw. The site of this theatre is almost price less in the hearts of Western people, be cause the old Tabor Grand, built in 1881 i was the first big theatre in the West an' literally "grew up" with Denver, bein; undoubtedly the most important edifice ii Denver's history. It has housed at vari ous times all the greatest actors, fror. Booth and Barrett down to those of th present day. The interior of the building done in pure cherry and beautifull} carved, is famous the country over. The theatre will have two entrances, one on Sixteenth street and the other on Curtis. Inclined planes will replace the present steps. This is not a remodeling project, but one of re-creation. Only the walls and roof of the building as it now stands will be left. It is expected that the Colorado will be opened to the public about the first oi the year. Only the best available picture; will be shown, as has been the policy ir all the Bishop-Cass theatres. Open Barnesboro, Pa., House J. F. Smith has recently opened his new house at Barnesboro, Pa. The theatre is one hundred feet long by fifty feet wide It is well equipped, having all the latest devices. The projection room has twc Simplex machines and a General Electric motor generator set. It has been erected at a cost of $80,000 and is the largest anc most up-to-date playhouse in Cambris County outside of Johnstown. The stage has been constructed so that vaudeville acts may be billed. giiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiniiDiiiiiinniuniunimiinnmniiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinimiiituiina^ I Society of Motion Picture I Engineers Convention I Don't forget the date and place I Buffalo, Oct. 31, Nov. 1, 2 and 3 ^iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiuiiiniiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiuiiuiiiiiiiiiuiiuiniiuniii /1I7N5I?PN I iJrATiKir Heating \/eNTIL/\TIN'3 r Let the theatre ventilation specialists tell you flow.— Send today tor Booklet 7 MC7N5PPN ^[7I7LINQ 5y5TEM,iNc.NEWyi7RK BRAN5;rt 1325 VINE 5T. PHIL A. PA t47S Broadway. LIBRAIRIE FOREIGN ORCHESTRA MUSIC Why Send to Europe $100,000? Stock for yoa to select from at San Francisco Send for Catalogues JACQUES A. TILLMANY, Importer 995 Market St. San Francisco, Calif. THIS LABEL u *Bass Camera Company 0 CHICAGD-U.S.A. NO. 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