Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1940)

Page 40 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW February 3, 1940 Promenade, above: carpeted floor, inlaid rubber mats at entrance doors. Keene Cement wainscoting with graining inlaid while plastering, Craftex upper walls and ceilings, Anemostats with indirect lights, metal Venetian blinds. Left: the auditorium, has continuous bands of reflecting coves, colored acoustical plastered walls and ceiling. Below : stairway to lounge and balcony, with walls and ceiling as in promenade. Clinton, De Luxe Brooklyn House ONE of the country's most widely heralded low rental housing developments has created a new residential section which makes what is practically a town in itself, and it is natural that a theatre in the most modern style should be one of the most important elements of the famous Red Hook section of Brooklyn, N. Y. Here illustrated are some of the most important features of the new Clinton Theatre which was built to serve the community that has grown on land which formerly was occupied by 400 dilapidated buildings, mostly frame. The Clinton is operated by the Randforce Circuit, and was designed and engineered by William I. Hohauser, Architect, of New York. The Clinton Theatre is located on Clinton Street practically opposite the axis of 1800 feet of landscaping forming the central feature of the apartment development. It is in every detail in harmony with the highly modern and very simple design of the housing development's exterior architecture. To suit the theatre completely to its surroundings, Mr. Hohauser decided to thoroughly streamline not only the exterior of the house but the interior as well. How well this scheme has been made to serve its purpose and give at the same time the impressive effects which belong in the showhouse, is illustrated in the views of the interior portions reproduced on this page. In accomplishing this desideratum, the architect employed highly effective lighting to give form and color to the well-proportioned lines. In addition to representing the experience and resources of the architect, the Clinton as a finished product of notable interest, also shows the advantages which accrued from the seasoned knowledge and showmanship of Louis Frisch, Samuel Rinzler and William Yoost, heads of Randforce Corporation, all veteran theatremen, which built and owns the house. The exterior of the building is of varied colored smooth face brick laid with horizontal tooled joints and trimmed with cream colored terra cotta. The corner entrance is accentuated with a curved marquee and vertical sign of stainless steel and porcelain enamel, further accentuated by a forty foot high glass brick tower illuminated from behind with mercury vapor reflective lights. OS the main lobby is the promenade leading to four longitudinal aisles of the main auditorium floor and two wide stairways to the lounge and balcony. The seating capacity of the auditorium is 944 and of the balcony is 700 ; the balcony being divided into a loge and an upper section. All interior lighting is indirect, featuring various combinations obtained by blending all colors through dimmers. Credits National Theatre Supply Co. — Sound and Projection, and Furniture. Joe Hornstein, Inc., New York City — Carpets, drapes and Ideal Seating Co. chairs. Vallen, Inc., Akron, Ohio — Curtain track and control. 0. W. jackson, New York — mats. Continental Sign Co. — Marquee and signs. Battisti Studios, New York City — Decorating.