Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

1082 MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIX, No. 23 Orpheum in Seattle Goes to Pictures Vaudeville Abandoned in Million Dollar House Because Consistently Strong Film Programs Are Assured THE biggest event in the motion picture business of Seattle since the opening of the Coliseum in February, 1916, took place recently when the Orpheum theatre opened as a motion picture house. Before being taken over by Eugene Levy this theatre was the prize house of the Orpheum Circuit on the Pacific Coast. The building and finishing of the house brought the entire cost up close to $1,000,000. The walls of the foyer are lined with big mirrors and panels of plain marble and of marble inlay. The auditorium is decorated with fresco painting and rich scroll work. The theatre has a seating capacity of 2,100. The inspiration to enter the field of motion pictures was given Mr. Levy by the success of the big Jewel production, "The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin," which he put on as an experiment. "After having had proved to me the drawing power of a good motion picture," said Mr. Levy, "and considering how vaudeville is going back, because of the draft and other forces which have been undermining it for some time, and realizing that, owing to the peculiar condition of the film market I could be assured of enough of the best productions to run my house as a first class, theatre, I decided to turn to motion pictures exclusively, instead of showing big productions only occasionally, as I had first thought of doing if this picture should be a success." The list of productions which Mr. Levy has already booked leaves no doubt as to the quality of shows that will be given. They are the Fox Standard Pictures, Fox Sunshine Comedies, Select Pictures, Paralta Plays, Pathe specials, the Pathe Weekly, Pathe scenics, the Lonesome Luke Comedies and several state right features, such as "The Crisis," and "The Warrior." The program will consist of a feature, a news picture and a comedy, with special musical numbers by an orchestra of fifteen pieces led by La Grande Carter, who has been conductor of the Orpheum Orchestra for the past year. The admission price for the matinee is less than for any other first class house in Seattle, 10 cents for adults and 5 cents for children. The evening price is the same as at the other downtown houses, 20 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. That there may be no confusion with this theatre and The Moore, which now has the Orpheum Circuit vaudeville, the motion picture house is being advertised as "Levy's Orpheum Theatre, Seattle's Million Dollar Photoplay House." Mr. Levy has been showing motion pictures longer in Seattle than any other exhibitor, and he has also operated theatres showing combined picture and vaudeville shows in other cities of the Northwest. In all instances he has proved himself a real showman, and he has the confidence and good wishes of all the motion picture fraternity of the Pacific Coast, where he is known by everybody in the amusement business. Quits Fight on Sunday Shows The fight against Sunday picture shows in Sandusky, Ohio, is apparently at an end. In the municipal court City Commissioner Charles H. Stubig withdrew the charge of operating on Sundays which he had preferred against another city commissioner, John A. Himmelein, owner and manager of the Sandusky Theatre, and two of his operators. Triangle Starts New Features Two new feature pictures are now under way at the Triangle Culver City studios, temporarily titled, "Everywoman's Husband" and "The Painted Lily." The last is a drama of London's gaj night life, showing how Alma Rubens as a beautiful flower girl fell into the hands of a gambler. Francis MacDonald, who has won honors in many character leads, will have an opportunity of portraying the sympathetic role of Tom Burton, a refined gambler, who is instrumental in leading the "The Painted Lily's" footsteps back to the right path after an unhappy entanglement with Jack Richardson, better known as the king of the gamblers. "Everywoman's Husband" is the story of a woman who rules her husband with an iron hand, depending upon him only to supply the funds, by means of which she may climb the social ladder. She influences her daughter, Gloria Swanson, who marries Joe King. How her mother's instructions nearly cost Miss Swanson her husband and how she wins back his love furnishes the high points. Interior view of the million dollar Orpheum vaudeville for pictures, and the Theatre of Seattle, which has just abandoned managing director, Eugene Levy.