Boxoffice_May.09.1960

CROWNING GLORY FOR CLEVELAND'S PALACE
the lobby—a novelty in local movie theatres—the
progi-am involves the foyer, the
auditorium, the seating arrangement and
instaUation of what is claimed to be the
largest screen in the country.
This screen measures 29 feet high and
64 feet wide. "To accomplish this." Manager
Mink explained, "we had to take off
three and one-half feet from each side
of the proscenium. Not only is this the
largest indoor screen," Manager Mink continued,
"but it offers flat projection, so
that tliere is perfect vision from all seats,
which have been staggered for better
viewing." The stretch across the proscenium
arch is 100 feet. To match the quality
of the screen, stereophonic hi-fi sound
provides the perfect accompaniment.
RED AND GOLD CARPET
This is the grand foyer in the remodeled Palace Theatre, Cleveland, showing the new carpet (4,500
square yards), crystal chandelier, marble pillars, glass concessions stand (at lower right). The entire
staircase, chandelier, pillars, etc., are repeated at the opposite side of the foyer, which leads directly into
the auditorium. The stair carpet is red, and the floor carpet is red and gold.
By ELSIE LOEB
Since 1922 the Palace Theatre in
Cleveland has consistently been one of the
finest showplaces of the country west of
New York. This has not been accomplished
by accident, but by foresight, generous
expenditure of money to meet the changing
times and by loving care of the owners
and the managers from John P. Royal
who opened the house down to the present
manager. Max Mink,
Today the Palace has just emerged from
a remodeling program encompassing the
entire theatre from entrance to screen,
at a cost of approximately $135,000 invested
by the owners, Samuel Silk and
William Halpern of New York.
The ma.in concept of the remodeling program
is to please the patrons. It acjompUshes
this by providing the best possible
screen and sound entertainment in the
most eye-appealing and physically comfortable
suiToundings possible. Beginning
with the construction of a checkroom in
The newness of the new Palace is immediately
apparent to the patron upon
entering the foyer, where his attention is
caught by the magnificent, new red and
gold carpet laid on a foam rubber base to
make walking on it a luxury conversation
piece. The 4,500 square yards of carpeting
installed covers not only the spacious foyer
but also the two marble grand staircases
at either end of the foyer. The shining
marble pillars and the elaborate ciTStal
chandeliers help bring out the rich colors in
the carpet. The concessions stand in this
area is mostly of glass and of simple design
in contrast to the formal elegance
of the foyer.
The auditorium was originally constructed
to accommodate 3,300 seats. When Cinerama
took over the operation of the theatre
in 1956 the seating capjacity was reduced
to 1,413 seats. During the fouryear
Cinerama era, the seatless areas were
ban-en. Now they have been converted into
garden spots, with simulated gi-ass on the
floor, flowers seemingly growing and garden
statuary to complete the outdoor effect.
These eye-appealing areas are located
in the rear and on the extreme
sides of the auditorium.
BOOTH ON ORCHESTRA FLOOR
A new 25x20-foot projection booth has
been built on the main auditorium floor.
Surprisingly, this solid sti-uctm-e does not
detract from the glamorous effect of the
gardens which help to conceal it. Here five
projectionists op)erate thi-ee 35 70inm projectors
showing the current attraction.
The booth, in keeping with the quality
of the remodeling program, is equipped
with the latest and best mechanical facilities
on the market. The booth, with adjoining
restroom, is air conditioned as is
also, of course, the entire theatre.
The enormous lenticular screen is
magnificently draped— first, with a full
gold cloth curtain that hangs in shimmering
folds from the proscenium arch
to the stage: and then, by a rich, red
velour cui-tajn that not only covers the
screen but also the arch above the screen
CREDITS: Curtain track and controls: Vallcn-
NTS • Draperies: Novelty Scenic Studios • Lamps:
The enormous 29x64foot screen shows up in contrast to the usherettes standing on stoge before the Ashcrott • Lenses: Isco • Proiectors: Philips Toddmagnificently
draped gold curtain. Proscenium arch had to be cut to allow for installation. AG • Screen: Hurley • Stereosound: RCA, Ampcx.
26 The MODERN THEATRE SECTION