8/13/2019 Article on the opening of the Crest Theatre from Boxoffice Magazine - February 1, 1947

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p.re - tradition j THE CRESTOPENS NEW AVENUES IN PLANNING

by CHARLES IRWIN

.fZe Crest Theatre heralded as theworld s first completely pre-fashionedshowhouse went into operation in LongBeach Calif. last week to the accom-painment of razzle-dazzle usually reservedfor a Hollywood opening. Indeed the filmcapital s great were there production ex-ecutives and stars alike. The spotlight washeld however by Charles P. Skouras. presi-dent of National Theatres and Fox WestCoast Theatres who inspired the building.Except for the concrete foundation the

entire theatre was fashioned in the fac-tory and assembled at the site even towall decorations. The house seats 1 164and its owners claim for it all the goodpoints of a theatre built by ordinary meansand more.

Theatre Can Be MovedIts frame is of steel and its panels of

gypsum. No plaster whatever was used.Construction is so designed say the

builders that the structure can be dis-assembled and moved to another loca-tion.Engineers from Henry J. Kaiser s organ-

ization worked with those of Pox WestCoast Theatres to develop the Crest andthey expect before long to make similartheatres available on a production-linebasis. Construction complies with metro-politan building and sanitary regulationsSkouras said.Within three weeks after the foundation

had been poured and construction startedthe theatre s skeletal shape was filled outand assembly of the remainder of thehouse proceeded rapidly. The building took129 tons of structural steel. Trusses pre-fabricated in the shop and cut down forease of transportation were locked intoplace with bolts and nuts. According tothe designers the frame provides maxi-mum protection against earthquakes whichsometimes shake Long Beach.A V-beam roofing called Galbestos topsthe theatre. Extra strength is provided by

THE AUDITORIUM: The Crest Theatre auditorium which seats 1.200 persons is 152 leet in length and80 feet in width. The photograph shows the unusual decorations the strip and concealed lighting andFiberglas walls and ceiling. No plaster is used in any part of the theatre.

deep corrugation. The roof is said to beable to carry all types of loads includingsnow and to be protected against deflec-tion and sagging. The material is like-wise safe from corrosive influences say itsdevelopers. It took four men six days tocomplete the roof.Space between the foundation and beams

at the top of the side wall is dividedby girds and wall paneling fitted to them.The exterior is of fluted steel which givest. .e walls a variety of vertical shadows.Gypsum walls are placed on the inside.They are interlocked by tongue and grooveand also fastened with bolts. The panelsare reinforced with wire mesh at the timethey are prefabricated. Eighteen hundredpanels of the material went into the sidefront back walls and all partitions.The ceiling is of fluted metal with baked

enamel finish. Erected in sections it issupported by steel brackets instead of be-ing bolted into place and is rigid enoughit is said to be walked on. Pour workmenput it up in one week.The elevated section of the stadium seat-ing layout sits on a structural steel framecovered with fluted steel and over thisthe concrete floor was poured.

To comply with building restrictionsall exposed structural steel is fireproofedwith precast gypsum which is bolted intoplace and covered with Galbestos to pro-tect the gypsum from weather.Gypsum panels interlocked in tongueand groove fashion divide the loungelavatories manager s office usherettesrooms projection room and air condition-ing and heater rooms.The theatre tower soaring to a height

enport with neon lightingin the lounge. The decoral

A portion of the foyer showing thenum wall decorations lighting andcoverings and the entrance door.

The MODERN THEATRE SECTION