Boxoffice-January.08.1955

FOX THEATRE ALL NEW BUT THE WALLS
Continued from preceding page
ment includes the latest optical type sound
with 60 watts of power output. The theatre
is equipped with the latest, improved
magnetic stereophonic sound equipment
capable of producing frequencies from 30
cycles to 15,000 cycles. There are four
channels of amplification: three of these
channels feed three sets of directional
speakers back of the projection screen and
the fourth channel supplies a number of
auditorium side wall speakers.
LIGHTS, CURTAIN CONTROLLED IN
BOOTH
The projection room includes a public
address system which is connected to concealed
horns. A specially designed control
enables the projectionist to have full control
of the lighting system, curtains and
public address system at all times. Special
effects for the screen and curtain illumination
have been planned for main titles and
also for intermissions. This sound equipment
has dual amplification to take care
of any emergency which may arise due to
trouble in one of the amplifiers.
The decorative scheme of the 1,509-seat
auditorium is one of dynamic design that
flows unbroken around the dome in the
ceiling. The proscenium arch is designed
to be the center of interest with strength
of detail. Over the center of the proscenium
arch is a sunburst effect composed of staff
ornaments indirectly lighted. The entire
ornament is made out of staff work covered
with gold leaf. The same ornamental staff
work runs along the wall elevation, gracefully
forming the dado line on each side
of the theatre, which is finished in ivory,
gold and pastel carmine. A very elaborate
valance made of staff work and leafed with
gold is installed at the head of the proscenium
arch, to receive the beautiful
stage drapes and curtains, made of red,
peach and gold colors.
A specially woven carpet of unique design laid over heavy cushioning, and custom-built furnitu
the Fox mezzanine lounge on inviting place to rest. Restrooms are located off the lounge, as well a
phone booth. There is also a cup-vending beverage machine as may be noted at the center right
The Fox is owned by the Evergreen circuit,
a subsidiary of National Theatres
It is managed by Oscar Nyberg, a veteran
in Portland theatre management.
A cavalcade of stars and Hollywood
theatre personalities were on hand for the
theatre opening, as well as theatre executives
from Oregon and Washington.
CREDITS: Air conditioning and filtering: Westinghouse
• Architect; Dougan & Hiems • Carpeting:
Alexander Smith • Concession equipment
Drink dispensers. Movie Hour Fountainette; Ice
Cream freezer, Frigidaire; Butter dispenser, But-
R-Churn • Curtain end light control: Grosh Studios
• Plumbing: Standard Sanitary • Custom-made
furniture: Theatre Upholstering Co. • Projection
and Sound: Simplex • Screen: Miracle Mirror •
Seats: Bodiform * Stereophonic sound: Ampex.
Detail of silver aluminum scrolls and /'owe
decorate the walls of the foyer leading
mezzanine lounge.
FILTERED, CONDITIONED AIR
The air conditioning system is the very
latest and is automatically controlled by
thermostats which maintain the most
healthful and comfortable temperatures
throughout the winter and summer. All air
is filtered to remove dust, and the air is
distributed throughout the entire auditorium
through various types of ornamental
ceiling diffusers. The refrigeration system
is hermetically sealed and uses Pi-eon 12,
a safe and harmless refrigerant. The heating
system is of the latest design, usinv
hot water for heat, and is controlled thermostatically,
the thermostats being located
in various parts of the theatre to maintain
an even temperature throughout. Thirty
thousand cubic feet of filtered cold or
heated air is delivered to the theatre each
minute, which is more than adequate for
the seating capacity of this theatre.
Russell F. McCullough, National Theatres
maintenance manager and purchasing
agent supervised the details of this new
modern theatre and Carl Moeller was the
designer.
The ladies' powder room in the Fox is luxuriously appointed, with custom made lounges, and swiyi
before the curved powder bar. Inset down lights in the canopy above the bar and mirrors create sht
illumination. Framed paintings on the walls add a homelike touch.
16 The MODERN THEATRE SI