The Moving picture world (September 1923-October 1923)

October 27, 1923 MOVING PICTURE WORLD 765 ARCHED FACE OF COLUMBIA THEATRE Which Mr. Hancock would like to turn to the wall when a film salesman approaches. Changes That I Would Make Were I Rebuilding the Present House By ARTHUR HANCOCK Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind. IF I were going to build another house I should like to have it on a turntable so that the good building adapted to the pictures here in this town could be turned round for the benefit of the salesmen and we could show them an old "shooting gallery" of the type found in most towns of this size. It would save money in film rentals. These "birds" take a cross street look and the rental doubles. We have 694 seats in a town of less than 3,000 and, judging by what they are quoting film at this season, they figure we fill it every night, which I am sorry to say is far, far from the truth. The location of our house, the Columbia Theatre, Columbia City, Ind., is the best corner in the town, directly on the Court House Square. We paid real money for the location and proceeded to give them a big town house in what you would term a nine o'clock town. Arch a Mistake This house covers a 45x150 corner lot, built of rug pattern fancy brick with an arch front, which is a mistake; it would not be so easily converted into a business room should conditions warrant. That is one thing I should look for if building again. We have a proscenium arch opening of 22x17 feet high, stage is 28 feet deep, but no fly loft, which in a country town house if you have the room should be included to accommodate the amateur theatricals the community demands. Would not consider a change in the main auditorium; would build again in the same manner. We have an arched ceiling with a good, generous spring to the soffit of the arch. This gives the appearance of a room built for the purpose for which it is intended and also it is airy and comfortable in summer; a little harder perhaps to heat in winter, but a splendid arrangement, we feel. The pitch of the floor is 56 inches in 100 feet. If doing it again would arrange still more elevation to the floor, not less than 72 inches in 100 feet. Better Organ Arrangement We have split our organ, the echo on one side, the great on the other. This I would change and will when we increase the organ. I would build the chamber for the organ with generous room in front of the arch off to one> side, throwing in a false work on the other to balance the theatre. An organ in one chamber will save repair bills. We think the organ would be more effective also with this arrangement. We have an eight by ten ladies' rest room on the main floor. I would increase this by three in another theatre, giving them plenty of room, AND THE NEXT THING would be a babies' cry room with double sound-proof glass to the screen, comfortably furnished and easy of access by the mother. More lobby room in a country town house is just as necessary as in the elaborate city houses, but it is hard to get all these things when you only have a lot just so large. This could be had in a house of the same seating capacity of ours only by adding a balcony and a balcony in a house calls for more help and sometimes a "bouncer." That's where the deviltry comes on in most houses. More Convenient Ventilation Control We cool by Typhoon system, controls in the projection room. This I am going to change. I want this control where I or whoever is on the floor can operate it and regulate without bothering the projectionist. There is many a time in winter when a run of these fans for a minute will not chill the clientele, but will refresh the air and keep them awake. The heating system should be installed in the rear of the house, cheaper because you have the slope of the house for your condensation returns, also the stack on the front of the building has the disadvantage of throwing out soot occasionally to the inconvenience of the passersby, small items, but what experience teaches to be better. We have a more modern projection room than many large centers, having both transverter and a 100 ampere G. E. unit, which are independent. If one goes bad the other is ready by throwing a switch; electric rewind and Simplex projectors. Another item different than in most houses is that some time ago on Saturday night the juice got kicked off by the oil getting low in the municipal transformer. Crowded house on Saturday—bad situation. The engineer said he would fix that, so we now come in two ways with the lights. The power plant will have to go dark to affect us; feel safer. A Better Location for Ticket Booth In a small town house I would arrange to have my ticket office very close to my entrance to the theatre proper, I mean where the seller could control the doors. In slack times the seller can be both ticket-seller and ticket-taker; saves employment of door-girl or man on all but two nights of the week, unless you are expecting a crowd, when someone on the door is then necessary. All outside lights should be controlled both from the projection room and also from the ticket office or office of the theatre. Understand I am giving this from the viewpoint of the house which cannot afford ' a large staff of employes and needs must look after the lighting up by the manager. VIEW OF COLUMBIA'S PROSCENIUM ARCH Mr. Hancock wishes that there were a fly loft to accommodate amateur theatricals.