The Moving picture world (May 1922)

May 6, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 43 Frank Hall's Beautiful State Theatre Opens in ''Hill Section" of Jersey City WITH a Bang!" the Hill section of Jersey City, N. J., came into its own on the evening of April 24. This date marked the premiere performance at the State Theatre, a magnificent structure, undoubtedly the finest in that city if not in the state, and one that in every way compares favorably with the sumptuous picture palaces of New York, Jersey City's big sister located on the opposite side of the Hudson river. The opening of a theatre of this size and magnificance would be an event in any city, no matter how large; but in this instance it takes on added significance as the structure is located on Hudson Boulevard, Jersey City's most famous thoroughfare and is a monument to the phenomenal growth of that portion of the city which is continguous to the Summit Avenue "Tube" station. Erected by the State Theatres Corporation, the man behind the gun, who deserves the credit for its success is Frank G. Hall, the president of the company, himself a resident of the neighboring city of Weehawken and already widely known for his theatre activities "across the river" as he built and now manages the U. S. Theatre in Hoboken, is president and managing director of the Ritz Theatre on Central avenue, Jersey City, and president of the Capitol Theatre Amusement Co. building the magnificent twin theatres in Union Hill. It was due to the vision of Frank Hall that this wonderful structure was planned and one of the finest locations in the entire metropolitan district from a boxoffice standpoint selected, and to his ability that the building of this structure has been carried through to a successful conclusion. That the significance of this occasion and what it means to Jersey City and New Jersey was recognized, is evidenced by the fact that not only was Edward I. Edwards, governor of the state, present but he also laid the cornerstone for this theatre on October 25, 1921, which was said to be the first time in the history of the state that a governor laid the cornerstone of a theatre. While the theatre was formally opened to the public on April 25, the preceding night marked the opening for state officials, members and stockholders of the State Theatres Corporation, motion picture stars and other celebrities. The house was packed to the doors, while a great throng gathered in the surrounding streets. Both state and local officials were present as well as representatives of several civic bodies. Ex-Senator Charles M. Egan was master of ceremonies, and following the singing of the Star Spangled Banner by the audience. Governor Edwards was introduced and made a brief By C. S. SEW ELL but stirring speech, praising Mr. Hall and the directors of the company. He was followed by Frank Hague, mayor of Jersey City, who told what the opening of this house meant to Jersey City and also stated that it marked only the beginning of the development of the "Hill" section and that two other theatres were to be built in the neighborhood. Later Frank Hall announced that he is the man who is going to build them. Following the governor's lead, brief but efifective tributes to the men responsible for the theatre were paid by Boulevard Commissioner Joseph B. Payton, Robert J. Hoos, president of the Chamber of Commerce; Gen. W. C. Heppenheimer, director of the Bergen Association, and Congressman Charles F. X. O'Brien. Joseph E. Bernstein, chairman of the finance committee of the corporation then spoke and then "the man of the hour," Frank G. Hall, was introduced. His remarks, dealing with the planning and construction of the house, and thanking his associates and the stockholders for their co-operation, were brief and he made an excellent impression upon the audience. The regular program then started. It will be the policy of the house to present high class pictures and vaudeville, and a wonderful bill has been provided for the opening week. Following six high class acts, D. W. Griffith's "Orphans of the Storm," which needs no introduction to theatre-goers, was presented. This was preceded by the personal appearance of Lillian and Dorothy Gish who are featured in the picture, Lillian making a delightful little talk. Although the hour was very late when the picture started, the house was filled until the end of the performance, about 2 a. m. and even at that hour there were a large number of standees. Following the performance a reception was tendered to the directors, state and city officials and a few others, at the beautiful Elks Club, which is directly of)posite the theatre. Citizens Fight Censorship and Are Upheld by Judge Who Calls it Vicious THE ordinance creating a censor and regulating the moving picture shows in the city of Waco, Texas, went down under the judicial snickersnee of Judge R. H. Kingsbury of the city court Monday, April 17, when it came before him on complaint. The case had been entered against Abe Levy, of the Strand Theatre, a First National franchise holder, and charged violation of the ordinance regulating the picture shows in refusing to comply with the provisions of the law. Attorney M. J. Ginsberg presented a motion to quash the complaint on the ground that the ordinance was unconstitutional, in that it sought to delegate powers not authorized by the constitution. Special mention was made of that part of the ordinance which gives the censor the right to stop a show at any time without a hearing in a court of justice; to enter a picture show with any number of assistants free of charge and witness a show; to hold up a film which might have been obtained by the exhibitor at great cost. Judge Kingsbury said he agreed with much that had been said in the motion and in addition he could say a few things which rendered the ordinance a vicious piece of attempted legislation. In the first place, it conferred authority to enforce the ordinance upon "the director of public welfare," when in fact there was no such officer in the city. The ordinance, he said, was in contravention of every human right and seemingly the ingenuity of its framers was exhausted of individual freedom in the conduct of business. It attempted to delegate powers that belonged exclusively to the legislative branch of the city government, and he would dismiss the complaint. The ordinance, he said, was plainly unconstitutional and Mr. Levy was discharged. Valentino in Benefit Rudolph Valentino, Paramount star, will be one of the headliners at the monster program to be given May 5 by a San Francisco citizens' committee at the Civic Auditorium in that city to provide funds for the second annual convention of Disabled American Veterans of the World War. The convention will be held June 26 to 30, and all of San Francisco society is interested in making it a big success. Daylight Saving Without any protest by the picture theatre owners of the city, Albany, N. Y., has adopted daylight saving to become operative on May 1. In Watertown, however, a stubliorn fight is being waged and a special election is being held this week to decide whether or not the northern city will have daylight saving from May 1 to September 24.