Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1912)

THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD Ohio, and Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Beck stated that this exchange is the largest purchaser of Independent films outside of New York City. The Orpheum Theater. The Orpheum, already referred to in this article, is at 44 E. Washington Street. The house was built specially for moving pictures by Dickson & Talbot. It has a neat a.nd imposing front, designed and built by the Decorators' Supply Co., of Chicago, as shown by the accompanying illustration. The capacity is 337. As has been stated, a mirror screen is used, the throw being 98 feet. K. R. Stickley, the operator, and an assistant have charge of the projecting room, which is well conducted. Superintendent Al Metzler keeps a watchful eye out in front as well as in the theater. The comfort of patrons is attended to carefully and good ventilation is preserved. V.i»*». ^1.^ I, I,: ^MaAittlkMftMi* "^♦W^fe*^ Orpheum Theater. A fine Licensed service is used, consisting of three reels daily, with four changes a week. One spotlight and one illustrated song are used and three good voices — a tenor, baritone and basso — are heard, the chorus being taken up by all three. A pipe organ, which cost $3,000 is played by a special organist with fine effect. Mr. Dickson informed me that it took nearly si.x months to educate his patrons to attend during afternoons. By persistence and by ofifering them good instrumental and vocal music, with a first class picture program, the Orpheum is now showing to the best people in the city. Mr. Dickson told me very emphatically that he would not show cheap vaudeville with pictures under any circumstances. Dickson & Talbot's new house, when completed, will ofi'er a strictly straight program of pictures with strong musical features. Its advent will accomplish much in edu cating the people of the Indiana metropolis as to the real value of high class moving pictures. The Bijou Theater. The Bijou, at 130 E, Washington Street, is owned by C. W. Cook and Walter Bowlby, the latter attending to the management. It is the oldest picture theater in Indianapolis. It seats 348 people. Straight Licensed pictures and illustrated songs form the program. Three reels — first run for the city — are shown daily, with four changes a week. The hours are from 10 A. M. till II P. M., except on Saturday, from 9 A. M. till II P. M., and on Sunday from i P. M. till 11 P. M. The seats possess a fine gradient, which permits a good view of the screen from any one. The Bijou is handicapped by using one of the glass screens already referred to. Roy Perry, who has been an operator for over five years, is in charge of the booth. The latter is placed 35 feet behind the screen. An admission of five cents is charged. Illinois Theater. James H. Gavin is owner and manager of the Illinois, another Licensed house, situated at 113 N. Illinois Street. Mr. Gavin is an old baseball favorite and has wide acquaintance throughout the country. He was manager of the Indianapolis baseball club for 1907-09 and has been connected with the American League clubs of New York and Boston, being at one time secretary and treasurer of the Boston club and business manager of the New York club. He is familiarly known as "Joe" Gavin in baseball circles. He cast his lot with moving pictures in 1910, and is pretty well satisfied with his success. The Illinois has a good location and seats 230 people. Two reels of pictures are used, changes being made daily. Only spotlight songs are used, the singer, Miss Nellie Cook, being an old favorite. The organist, Mrs. Stowra Green, is to be complimented for her talented playing. Here again the pictures are too bright. A silver leaf screen is used, and the brilliant lights on the side walls contribute their share of damage to good projection. In several houses I was told that the police give orders that these brilliant lights must be used. I have no doubt that this is so, and would recommend the "indirect" lighting system — light reflected from the ceiling that will absolutely flood the house without injuring the picture. The pictures in the Illinois, while steady, lack sharpness and the finer photographic details. Casino Theater. The Casino, a cozy little house seating 168 people, is located at 42 W. W^ashington Street. The owner i> Mrs. C. L. Sutherland, and the manager Sam Grimes. It is another 5-cent house. The service consists of two reels daily, with change? on Monday, Wednesday. Friday and Sunday. Illustrated and spot songs are used. The orchestra is composed of a pianist and drummer. A glass screen is also used in this house, much to the detriment of the pictures. Brilliant lights in opaque shades are fixed on the side walls. Manager Grimes stated that he was doing a fine business. Crystal Theater. The Crystal is an Independent house owned bj' Barton & Olson. It is located at 119 N. Illinois Street and seats 250 people. The service consists of three reels, which are changed daily. Illustrated and spotlight songs are used. An orchestra of six pieces is also used at this house, but little eflfort is being made in this. or. indeed, in any. other theater in Indianapolis, to play the pictures. I was told, however, that a new orchestra would be engaged on Thursday, December 14. that would be capable of furnishing the requisite music during the showing of the pictures. Thomas Moss, the operator, has one assistant. He is a capable man and keeps his booth in excellent shape. He uses two Powers No. 6 machines. The booth is of cement and thoroughly fireproof. There is also a fireproof box in the booth for the safekeeping of reels not in use. The Crystal u?es ■ an aluminum screen. Here there was a fairly steady picture, well defined. I could not help noticing that the side wall lights were brilliant, set in hoods that reflected the strong light downward in the eyes of all those immediately in the vicinity. These lights should be set in opaque or green globes, if the police rules permit. The Lyric. The Lyric, an Independent house, also owned bv Barton & Olson, with a capacity of 200, is located at 135 X. Illinois Street. Three reels are used, with a daily change; also illustrated songs and instrumental solos. There is an orchestra of five pieces. Two "barkers" are used in front