Boxoffice-Febuary.26.1949

New Akron Linda Theatre
Built for and by Youth
AKRON— If
the pollsters made a checkup
a tufted or pillow effect. On this same
to find out what kind of motion picture
theatre most appeals to young people, the
answer probably would be the Linda Theatre,
color note, the exit doors are of brown and
gold plastic with large metallic buttons as
a decorative feature.
Akron's newest film house. This new In contrast to the reds used in the
foyer,
showcase was designed, built and decorated
according to the ideas of 21-year old Lino
Alessio who has breathed the spirit of
youth in this beautiful $200,000 structure.
The Linda, named after Lino's 2 ^-yearold
sister, has many innovations, chief of
which is the radiant heating installation,
said to be the first of its kind in any Ohio
theatre. To provide the proper heat, 15,000
feet of pipe line was laid under the flooring.
With the accent on youth, the Linda
specializes in eye appeal. First to attract
attention is the brilliantly lighted marquee:
next are three glass panels in the face of
the building, illuminated in three different,
alternating colors. The builtin ticket booth
conforms to the architectural construction
of the building, and leaves an unobstructed
entrance into the lobby through five
glass
doors.
The lobby, with red and gold carpet, is
furnished in morocco leather furniture and
offers a pleasant meeting place for the
young people. The foyer stresses the welcome
shades of red and gold featured in
the carpet. The walls are done in gray
plastic blocks with brown rosettes, giving
walls of the 800-seat auditorium are decorated
in rose floral damask. Approaching
the stage, the wall covering blends into
full draped turquoise and silver satin hangings.
The stage and screen curtains combine
all of the auditorium shades, being of
red plush and silver satin.
The concealed lighting is in ceiling
coves, and uses varying colors to blend
with the mood of the picture. The seats
are staggered for better view and also for
better view is the reverse incline construction
of the auditorium floor. This means
that the floor slopes for a space, levels off
for another space and then slopes again,
thus giving three level ranges.
The building, which includes four stores.
is of Haydite blocks with a terra cotta
front. Inasmuch as the new Linda, located
on Goodyear Heights boulevard, is a neighborhood
house, the owners are appealing
to family trade by providing parking space
for 1.000 cars.
Lino Alessio designed and supervised
construction of the theatre. He is a graduate
of Buchtel high school and briefly attended
Akron university. Manager of the
theatre is Lino's 19-year old brother Reno.
Lino Alessio,
designer and supervisor.
Although their father is a general contractor,
his position in relation to the Linda
was reduced to that of an adviser. The
boys built the kind of theatre they think
young people will like to attend.
The opening of the Linda was on the
scale of a college prom. Two pretty girls
in formals gave away 850 roses to the
ladies. WADC broadcast a description of
the theatre and also interviews with patrons.
NBC picked it up for national
broadcast. The 21-year old Lino and the
19-year old Reno have proved that in building
and operating a theatre, imagination
and enthusiasm can meet experience and
conservatism on an equal footing.
CREDITS :
Two interior views. Left, the spacious lobby in red and gold carpet and gray
plastic blocks with brown rosettes on walls. Right, auditorium view.
Air Conditioning: Orton Hearing Co.
Booth Equipment: National Theatre Supply.
Marquee ond Sign: Bellows Electric Co.
Projectors: Simplex with Peerless Magnarc
lamps, Cinephore F 2 lenses.
Radiant Heat ond Plumbing: Thatcher Plumbing
Co.
Screen: Walker plastic molded, Cleveland
office of National Theatre Supply.
Seats: American Seating Co. Bodiform.
Sound: Simplex Four Star, including Voice of
the Theatre.
Start 300-Seat Theatre
At South Charleston
CINCINNATI—W. B. Urling, South Charleston,
W. Va., has disclosed plans for construction
of a 300-seat theatre in Kincaid,
W. Va., and work on the new structure has
been started.
Urling and William Thalheimer, Logan, W.
Va., have completed plans for construction
of a theatre for Negro patronage in Charleston,
W. Va. Urling and Thalheimer. with
Roy Letsinger, also will begin work on a new
theatre at Jenkins, Ky., where they also own
and operate the Jenkins.
Poppy Day Film Shown
FAIRMONT, W. VA.—The Lee Theatre
here exhibited "G I. Joe's Kid," sponsored
by VFW Post 629. depicting what is done with
some of the money spent on Poppy day. It
was photographed at the VFW home for
widows and orphans at Eaton Rapids. Mich.
Install Sound Equipment
FREEPORT, PA.—John Wiseman's Ritz
has new sound equipment with Voice of the
Theatre speakers, lamps and generator. National
Theatre Supply furnished the equipment.
Ohio Theatre Supply Co.
Gets Typhoon Franchise
CLEVELAND—Ohio Theatre Supply Co.,
owned and operated by Ben L. Ogron, has
been appointed exclusive franchise dealer in
the Cleveland exchange area for the Typhoon
Air Conditioning Co., makers of an air conditioning
unit built especially for smaller
theatres up to 1.000 seats.
Ohio Theatre Supply is not only a sales
organization for Typhoon, Ogron says, but
also guarantees the installation for a year,
makes the installation, and maintains 24-
hour service.
BOXOFTICE :: February 26, 1949