Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1941)

November 8, 1941 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW Page 37 FOR THE FINEST IN QUALITY and DEPENDABILITY RCA Photophone Sound RCA Theatre Service RCA Magic Screen RCA Magicote Lens Service Brenkert Projectors Brenkert Lamps See the RCA Affiliated Theatre Supply Dealer or RCA Representative Renovations, Openings (Continued from Page 34) the long Winter, building material will be accumulated as rapidly as possible so that work on the upper portion can be started with the thaw. Phoenix, Ariz. — Plans have been prepared and bids submitted for the enlargement of the Studio Theatre. Alexander and Burton are the architects. Springfield, 111. — Although the building is a landmark, Gus Kerasotes, owner of the Strand Theatre, is spending $20,000 on the outside alone. "I don't know that the new front will bring one more customer to see the picture," he said, "but I just got tired of looking at that shabby old building. Fallon, Nev. — -The Lawana Theatre, second house in town owned by the Hull interests of Ely, was opened last month. Lee Birge, who also manages the Fallon Theatre, is managing the 360 seat house. Ionia, Mich. — Work on remodelling the Orpheum Theatre has proceeded so quickly, the management expected to open the house this week. Greensboro, N. C. — S. W. Craver and F. H. Beddington of Charlotte, have purchased the Criterion Theatre. They plan to remodel the house in the near future. Rayne, La. — Work is underway on remodelling of both of this town's theatres. The Joy is being completely remodeled and beautified and the Evangeline is being extensively changed, including even its name — it will be known as the Gem. Benton, Ark. — Jack Corgan, Dallas theatre architect, has prepared plans for remodelling the two story Bell building into a modern theatre seating 900 persons. Hastings on Hudson, N. Y. — Harry Weiner, manager of the Embassy Theatre, has announced a program of improvements for the house. Fire Losses Gate City, Va. — Shortly after it closed for the night, fire gutted the Gate City Theatre recently, wiping out the theatre equipment and building to the extent of $27,000. Lodi, Calif.— Fire caused $10,000 worth of damage to the Lodi Theatre here last month. The audience of 150 filed out when requested, not knowing that a fire had broken out. The projectionist, believing himself trapped in the fireproof booth, attempted to remain there, but firemen wearing gas masks rescued him and carried him out in a semi-conscious condition. Farmington, N. M. — Fire, officially credited with originating in the projection room,, did $25,000 worth of damage to the Allen Theatre recently. Marysville, Calif. — Damage which ultimately amounted to $62,500 was caused by a blaze which broke out in the Linda Theatre. A. L. Brown, the theatre's projectionist, when notified of the fire, which spread from a hole in the wall beside a switchbox in the rear of the theatre, ran outside in search of water. Failing to find a water bucket, he attached a garden hose to a hydrant only to find the water turned off. Re-entering the theatre, he asked the audience to leave. New Battle Creek Theatre Open; Fifth of Butterfield Chain There The new Michigan Theatre in Battle Creek, Mich., opened last month just a year after the Butterfield Circuit, now operating five theatres in the city, opened the Bijou. The new house has 1,000 seats all on one floor, but provision has been made for addition of a balcony later, if it should be found necessary. The Michigan Theatre's auditorium provides 1,000 seats for its patrons and was constructed to offer the ultimate of comfort and the best possible presentation of moving picture programs. Chairs, the frameworks of which are light brown in color, have seats made of sponge rubber covered with leather and velour backs. Equipment to aid those with defective hearing is spotted throughout the auditorium. There are four fluted columns on each side leading to the proscenium, which is blue with stars of gold. The stage setting includes rich velour curtains of red with deep blue borders. The theatre's curtain is of plastic mold which provides depth and an even distribution of light for the pictures. There are 10 concealed lights in the ceiling above which provide a soft glow. Their intensity will be regulated by the outdoor light so that on bright days, lights within will be brighter than on dark days and at nights. They replace the old fashioned aisle lights and will be sufficiently bright so that patrons will have no difficulty in seeing seats on entrance. At the same time, the lighting will not interfere with the audience watching a picture. Aisle carpeting is the same as that in the foyer and on the stairways leading to the smoking and puff rooms. Reds, blues, oranges and yellows are true tone colors used in the auditorium's decorations. Much of the equipment was purchased by the foresighted management of the circuit a year ago and stored until it could be installed. I. J. Hoffman Buys Capitol Theatre, Milford, Conn. I. J. Hoffman of New Haven, Conn., has purchased the Capitol Theatre Building, Milford. The property houses the Capitol Theatre, seating 800 ; two stores ; offices and lodge rooms. The sale was made by Berk and Krumgold, theatre realty specialists, of New York City. Extensive alterations under the supervision of John and Drew Eberson, theatre architects, have been started. About $40,000 will be spent in modernizing the theatre, the plans calling for new marquee and front, seats, air conditioning and projection and sound equipment. It is expected that the Capitol will be reopened about December 15th. 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