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ISCU SSIN G modern tendencies in theater design, a writer in one of the architectural magazines thinks that he is justified in saying

t the esign of a theater should be theat­rical. This, however, would seem to be hardly an appropriate word to use, since architecture is real , while theatrical is com: monly interpreted to mean an illusion. However, the word might be correctly ap­plied to stage settings since there is a fine distinction between the stage and the theater itself. '

The "movies" have revolutionized the theater. They have made it democratic. People of all classes who pay the same price of admission a price which all can afford -sit side by side, see the same performance and all are made equally comfortable. An unusual condition has thus been brought about, which accounts in no small measure for the present tendency to create elaborate theater interiors designs which often fair­ly ooze ornament,. in which an undecorated surface is seldom seen, and luxury is sug­gested in every detail.

The audiences in these motio~ picture theaters are largely made up of the masses. These people revel in luxury a·nd beauty which are beyond their means. They, there­fore, patronize those theaters which appeal to them most in luxury and beauty. At the same time, these theaters satisfy the intelli-

Igentsia. To them, their ornateness is not a I suggestion of luxury, but serves actually as a stimulant to their imagination. It thrills the one class and attracts the other.

I The plan of a theater is largely a matter of seating. In the larger houses in the

I metropoli tan districts, where land cost is high, it is necessary to include as many seats as possible in order to reduce the cost per seat. This necessitates mezzanine and bal­cony floors in addition to the orchestra. The

: actual layout of these several floors is gov­. erned to a very great extent by building

codes and fire laws enfo rced in th e vario u cities. Projecti on and sig ht line, too, mu t be properly considered. Based on the e stipulations, the problem is to g ive the occ u­pant of every seat in the house a clear and unobstructed view of th e stage. Ten or fi f­teen years 190, it might have been necessa ry to permit of an unobstructed view of th e screen only. But today the photoplay is only a part of the entertainmer t which th e motion picture theater presents. It is often preceded by " jazz" and classical selections by a capable orchestra, and foll owed by solo o r chorus numbers which are presented with elaborate stage settings. These, then , necessitate a clear view not only of the entire stage, but of the orchestra as well.

Modern engineering skill has come to the assistance of architects in the solution of this phase of theater design. The piers and columns which supported the balcony in the old-fashioned theater are now dispensed with, so that one seat is just as good as another, and apparatus may be installed b~T which the floor of the orchestra pit is raised so that during a feature number the musi­cians are in clear view of the audience, and when the picture goes on, they are again lowered out of sight.

The modern motion picture theater must allow for the presentation of numbers which require a full stage setting, as \-vell as a screen. Acoustics , too , must be con­sidered.

Concerning the design of the Tower Theater, featured in this article, the archi­tect, S. Charles Lee, wri tes :

"The plan and design of the building is distinctly original. It represents the solu­tion of a very difficult problem, due to the fact that the ground on which the owner desired to build his theater was extremely small, and also that tall buildings on all sides of this location made it imperative that this small amusement house assume at least an effect of height. A building with

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Qhe ARCHITECT ,

56 .AND ENGINEER. July, 1928

offi ces ove rhead was eliminated from con­sideration as impractical , and th e problem was to create a structure that would not be d,varfed by those surrounding it. Another problem "vas to achieve an effect of interior spaciousness , in spi ri t as ,"'ell as in rea li ty. The result h as been gra tifying, and on thi s 50x150-foot lot, formerly occ upied by a 650-seat theater, there now stands a 900 -seat theater.

" Small shops which line th e two street fronts are proving a very satisfactory in­come feature , adding to , rather than de­tracting from the appearance of the build-

Hand-pail/t cd by HeiusbergeH Decorating Company

"The interi o r is also French Renaissance in theme. Bronze and marble (French Na poleon and I tali an Bottecin o) have been used in profusi on, no effort o r expense be­ing spared to prod uce an effect of richne s and lasting beauty. vValls and ceilings of auditorium are richly d eco rated with

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plaster mouldings of intricate design , and fine mural paintings. A high domed ceiling I and an unusual balcony arrangement COI1- ! tribute much to an effect of spaciousness. Draperies, carpeti ng, and furnishings ' throu.ghout are luxuri ous and in keeping wi th the architectural setting. .

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DETAIL OF CEILING, TOWER THEATER, LOS ANGELES S. Charles Lee, Architect

ing. These shops also serve to keep a flow of people past the theater doors.

"The type of architecture emphasized is a modified French Renaissance. The ex­terior finish is of buff colored terra cotta in a particularl y attractive pattern. The canopy ove r the front entrance is of cast iron , bronze finish. Terra cotta sign frames above the roo f of the building will be utilized by commercia l advertisers for in­offensive advertising. They also serve the purpose of adding height and grace to the building. A n unusual lighting effect, pro­duced by means of tubalite and effective flood lighting, contribute to the beauty of the exterior.

"The basement contains a lounge room ca pable of accommodating at once half the capacity of the house, made inviting and restful by means of luxurious divans before a marble fireplace , oak paneled walls and beamed ceilings. This lounge room is equipped with microphone for transmission of music from the audi to rium. There are also on the basement floor: men 's and women's rest rooms , marble toilet rooms, children 's play room, housing rooms for the heating and ventilating plant and storage rooms for theater and shops.

"Movietone and Vitaphone are included in the theater equipment."

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Jul y, 1928

'Jhe ARCHITECT AND ENGINEER-

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