New Picture Theatre.

Opunake Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 3565, 6 September 1921, Page 2

New Picture Theatre.

OPENED ON SATURDAY

TO BUMPER HOUSES.

The long-looked-for opening of Opunake's new picture theatre was realised on Saturday afiernoon, when the first pictures were screened. The success of* the show is assured from the outset, Saturday's audiences being cordial and emphatic in their approval of the new theatre and the programmes presented. At both the afternoon matinee and in the evening the pictures were greeted with a bumper house. There was not a vacant seat in any part of the building, all reserved seats being taken up berore the evening session. The management, in their resolve to "make good," have succeeded, and Mr Arthur White, the sole lessee, is to be congratulated on his enterprise. There were, of course, trifling hitches, which are almost inseparable from an opening day. Among exotic possibilities of twenty years ago, no one guessed that Opunake would ever have a picture theatre such as this. But nobody thought of pictures seriously twenty years ago. The cinema came, and conquered, and to-day it is part of the people's lives. And who will deny that good wholesome pictures are not good for the people to see ?

The pictures Mr White intends to present will include the best moving pictures that can be got. Then there will be orchestral music. All the arrangements for the comfort of spectators are excellent, even now beiore the scheme of comfort is perfect. There is no reason why Mr White should not make a great and permanent succesi of this enterprise, and there is every reason why he should. All sons of people lovei pictures, and Mr White will depend for popularity on presenting only the best.

On Saturday afternoon the programme advertised was screened, the youngsters taking full advantage of the box office sign "no charge for children".

In the evening the leading film was "The Virgin of Stamboul," which was well screened, showing • Miss Priscilla Dean in her most characteristic acting. The story is one of a powerful, intriguing Sheik, who murders the lover of his favourite wile, and is seen by the "Virgin" and who forces marriage upon her to bind her to silence. A dashing American soldier of fortune, leader ot a band of Bedouin Arabs, eventually saves the "Virgin" from the harem of the unspeakable Sheik, and all is well thereafter, the East & West being at peace. The picture was in • gorgeous- setting,, and held the interest of the audience from start to finish. The supporting pictures were a breezy comedy entitled "A Movie Hero," and the first episode of the serial "The Diamond Queen," a serial which promises to be filled with thrilling incidents. The opening scenes are laid in and near New York City. Later the scene shifts to the diamond country of Africa and its surrounding jungle land. Thl story is a good one and the picture has been well made. It should prove a draw. Pictures will be shown at the theatre every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights, and a matinee every baturday afternoon* THE THEATRE. The building, which was erected to the order of Mr J C O'Rorke, is

conveniently situated in the centre of Main Street, has been constructed of reinforced concrete, the depth of the building from the. street beirg no feet, of which 82 feet are utilised for the tLeatre, and 28 leet for two shops immediately in front. The width of the building is 57 feet. The walls of the theatre portion are 8 inches in. thickness, and 24 teet in height from the floor to the ceiling, - the floor being on a graduated slope from the back to the stage, thus allowing people in all parts of the hall to see the stage or screen comfortably. The building is well supplied with light, and has a good system ot ventilation, having no less than sixteen ventilators each 3 feet 6 inches by 1 foot 6 inches and situa* ted around the walls near the roof of the building, ensuring a continual current of fresh air without any draught. The interior walls are finished with plaster, and the ceiling with librous plaster, with domes down the centre. The stage, which will be completely fitted for concerts and other entertainments", besides the screening of pictures, is 24ft by 18ft and has three dressing rooms adja*

cjnt. The main exit is situated on the side of the theatre, and the entrance through the vestibule from Main Street. The strong probability that even this big building will, in the near future, prove too small for requirements, has not been lost signt of, for with a view to future needs the building has been so constructed to allow tor the addition of a dress circle or gallery of about 30ft by 37ft, capable of seating about 250 persons. The whole theatre has been constructed to provide the maximum accommodation without in any degree sacrificing convenience! A very decided improvement is the seating accommodation, which is made up of modern leather lined tip-up chairs and chairs with spring seats and backs. The building was designed by Mr Arthur White, who also had sole supervision of the work, i'he electrical fittings were installed by Messrs Patterson and Co, of New fly mouth. Messrs O'Rorke and White are to .'• be congratulated on their and it is certain their progressivenestT fi will merit the reward it deserves. The opening of the^theatre moves i>punake one step forward. It is a

splend'd acquisition to the town'and one of the most up-to-date buildings of its kind in Taranaki.