The Moving picture world (November 1922-December 1922)

November 25, 1922 MOVING PICTURE WORLD Z67 Better Equipment Qonducted E.T.KEYSER A Robert Morton Organ Is aFeature of Honolulu *s Fine Hawaii Theatre AFEATURE of the Hawaii, the new half-milhon-dollar picture theatre of Honolulu is the great Robert Morton organ which was installed at a cost of over $42,000. The American Photo Player Company were six months in building the organ and three months were occupied in assemblying it in the specially built chambers of the theatre. Erected by Expert Gail Seward, one of the American Photo Player Company's most expert workmen, was sent to Honolulu to do this work. The organ is a four-manualed instrument, and contains 72 stops. Each stop represents a different tone or pitch ; all of these are distributed among the various rows of keys or manuals. The heavy tones are all played with the feet. If can easily be realized what possibilities there are for the blending of innumerable tonal colors, together with the faintest whisper of music swelling to the glorious power of the full organ, which no other instrument in the world can imitate. The pipes and effects are enclosed in two concrete weather and airproof chambers, situated on either side of the proscenium arch. Facing the auditorium but covered with beautifully designed grill work are wooden shutters which are controlled by balanced pedals at the console, which is situated in the center of the orchestral pit. These pedals are worked by the organist and are termed expression pedals, and have the effect of making the music increase or decrease at will. Besides the regular type of stops, there are to be found on the Hawaii instrument two sets of cathedral chimes, xylophones, orchestral bells, drums and cymbal. In addition to the regular touch on the various keyboards, an innovation is a second toucli, by which various stops can be played in conjunction with those on the ordinary touch, by the organist pressing the keys a little harder and releasing another set of sprii^gs. The console is set on a platform which can be raised or lowered at will by means of hydraulic power, the organist simply pressing a button at the keyboard. The Projection Room The Hawaii projection room contains three motor-driven Simplex projectors, a stereopticon and a flood light. The theatre is entirely independent of public service current, as it has its own gen erating plant and electric storage system. The plumbing equipment is wonderfully up to date and complete, and from the drinking fountain in the waiting rooms to the shower baths in the dressing rooms, no expense has been spared. The cost of the theatre plumbing runs well into five figures. The Hawaii is operated by the Consolidated Amusement Company, of which J. H. McGoon is the general manager and Benjamin F. Simpson the house manager. Percy Burraston is the organist who presides at the great Robert Morton organ. Albany Will Have New Film Building A building which will be entirely occupied by film exchanges, with projection rooms and similar features, will be built in Albany, N. Y., and available for occupancy not later than May 1, 1923. The building will be located in Broadway adjacent to "Film Row." Fireproof construction will prevail throughout. The building will cost upwards of $250,000 and will be at least six or seven stories in height. Two to three exchanges will be located to a floor. The building will be the first of its kind, outside of New York City, in this State. Those who are behind the venture believe that there is ample room for such a building in Albany, and that the industry itself will appreciate the advantages which will come from centralization. The entire film business of Albany, and the surrounding territory, which includes at least 350 theatres, will be transacted in the one building, with projection rooms available at any time. More Than One Dozen Albany Exchanges At the present time there are over a dozen exchanges in Albany. Some of these are located in Orange street, others along Broadway, and still others three or four blocks distant. With the exception of Paramount, which owns its own building, these exchanges now occupy quarters in buildings that, while they charge high rentals, are not particularly fitted for the purposes they are now given to. The exchanges in Albany include the Universal, First National, Pathe, Paramount, Inter-CInirch Film Corporation, Fox, Grand & North, F. B. O. of America, Select, Merit, American Releasing Corporation, Vitagraph and Educational, with Goldwyn now about to open an exchange, probably on the third floor of the building now occupied by Universal and Grand & North. PERCY S. BURRASTON At the console of the new Robert-Morton organ installed in the Hawaii Theatre, Honolulu, T. H. Claremont Expands Due to the expansion of its business, the Claremont Film Laboratories, Inc., of 430 Claremont Parkway, New York City, has been reorganized under the name, Claremont Laboratories, Inc., and its capital increased. The new corporation has taken over the