Motion Picture News (Jan-Feb 1922)

1164 Motion Picture New The foyer of Kunsky’s New Capitol theatre, Detroit, Mich., which offers a study in detail of design The Capitol Building presents a majestic exterior, embodying simplicity in the general layout ( Continued from page 1162) and the effect is very soothing. A sliding stage apron extends out over the orchestra pit when a singer appears on the stage. The Capitol will have a permanent symphony orchestra of 45 pieces, not counting the director or organist. Mr. Kunslcy intends that the programs of his new theatre will be such as to compete with such great theatres as the Capitol, of New York, the Chicago and Tivoli in Chicago, and the Rivoli and Rialto in New York. There are no side boxes in the Capitol. There is a mezzanine for reserved seats, divided into boxes. At night these seats sell for one dollar. The main floor seats are 60 cents and the balcony 40 cents. All these prices are for evenings. The policy of the Capitol will be continuous performances fron\ 12 noon to 11 p. m. The opening program comprises : Pathe News, Pathe Review, Educational Bruce Scenic, First National feature “ The Lotus Eater ” and Snub Pollard Pathe Comedy. In addition there were selections by Estelle Carey, soloist, and by Griffith and Smith. One of the hits of the opening was the taking of motion pictures by The Metropolitan Co. of the audience as well as the crowd outside, which were shown to the same audience before they left the theatre. Mr. Kunsky, in co-operation with Mr. Crane, the architect, has endeavored to embody in the Capitol every up-to-date and latest feature contained in motion picture houses erected during the past five years. Even to the placing of small lights on the posts just above the headlevels of the many usherettes so those coming in may readily find them. The seats are so arranged that the maximum of comfort is combined with the greatest utility and seating capacity. Above the mass of the seats, the foyer rises to the top of the building, it being the only show-house in the world where this is so. This adds an effect of spaciousness to the whole that loses the individual like an atom in a wheel-barrow. Speaking of some of the features, George W. Trendle, general manager, remarked to The Motion Picture News representative: “Take note of the front of the balcony from the mezzanine. In front of each panel you see two small receptacles that look like the basis of small fountains. They are fountains, but not of water; they’re fountains of light. Inside each basis is a powerful reflector. Arranged over each reflector are four bulbs, red, yellow, amber and blue. “ As you stand or sit here you cannot see those bulbs ; they are so placed that patrons in John H. Kunsky of Detroit, one of the founders of the First National and proprietor of the Capitol the mezzanine and balcony cannot see them either. Yet, when they are lighted the reflectors throw their rays powerfully against the arches and dome above, and from there the light is thrown down in a flood of any color desired. By using bulbs of one color the electrician can give the whole house a yellow, red. or blue tone ; or by using the bulbs in various combinations he can produce other colors. “ That variability of lighting effects will be one of the chief features of the Capitol theatre. In the darkened house, it is difficult for patrons, coming in, to go about. The change from the light of the street to the darkened interior of the house is too sudden. We’ve eliminated that. In the first place the lights begin to lower from the moment the patron enters the lobby. The lights in the foyer are somewhat in conformity with the lighting in the auditorium and, by the time the patron has bought his or her ticket, passed through the foyer and is ready for a seat, their eyes have been accustomed to the lighting in the auditorium — they can see everything before them and everybody about them. Yet the picture apparently may be seen just as well as if the house were in more darkness. We get that effect by throwing a light which we call a “ blue haze.” In this light objects are easily discernible all around, jet we believe it has no effect on the vision in looking at the screen. In fact, some say it improves the picture. “ And here’s another thing to notice, in many theatres, the seats are set on a base which, when it comes adjacent to the aisle, stands up above the slope of the aisle and forms an edge over which patrons stumble. We have taken that obstruction out. Our architect has sloped the base so that it is flush with the aisle and offers nothing to stumble over. With this sloping of the seat to the aisle he has combined another feature. In most theatres the ventilation is achieved by means of fans installed at various points, some forcing fresh air in. others drawing the used air out. That system makes drafts and patrons often complain of catching ( Continued on page 11661