Riviera Theatre

Beautiful Decorations, Pipe Organ, Convenience, Make it a model

On April first when work begins on the new theater which the Fitzpatrick-McElroy company will erect in Three Rivers, Manager L. H. Warner of the Rex Theater will see the beginning of the realization of a vision which has been constantly before him for ten years.

The new theater which will be a model of its kind and of which the city may be proud will probably be completed late in August according to present plans of the builders.

The site of the theater is the former Lintz block and is 44 feet wide and 180 feet in depth.

The present front will be entirely removed and replaced with a new front of mottled facing brick and terra cotta window trim and cornice of ornamental design in cream colored finish. There will be one store to the south of the theater entrance 29 feet by 54 feet. The front of the store will have large plate glass windows set in copper frames and cream colored terra cotta base.

There will be a canopy the width of the entire front and projecting out over the edge of the sidewalk. This will be well lighted at all times.

The main entrance to the theater will be through a vestibule 15 feet by 15 feet to a lobby 15 feet wide leading to the theater auditorium. The vestibule will have ornamental ceiling, paneled walls and the floor of ornamental design. The ticket booth will be on the north side of the vestibule.

There will be two sets of doors at the entrance to the lobby, one set leading in and one set leading out. The lobby will have a dividing rail in the center so that the ingoing patrons can pass the outgoing ones without any confusion. The lobby will have a non-slip composition floor or will be carpeted. The walls and ceilings will be ornamental in design and decorated in artistic colors.

The entrance to the auditorium from the lobby will be through glass doors into the main aisle, which will be eight feet wide and will run across the end of the auditorium. This will be screened with a glass partition. The operating booth and the manager's office will be located over this aisle. There will be two aisles each four feet wide leading from the main aisle down to the front of the stage. The chairs, in rows of six on the sides with ten in the center row, will be large and will have upholstered seats. The aisles will be carpeted. The proscenium arch will be 23 feet by 17 feet and will have ornamental moldings and decorated in colors and gold bronze to form a beautiful frame to the picture screen.

The stage will be flanked with the organ chambers in the right and with the ventilating chamber on the left. These will have ornamental grilles and enriched cornices and moldings. The walls and ceiling of the auditorium will be paneled and decorated artistically. The lighting of the auditorium will be by four pendant electrollers, surrounded by domes with indirect lighting fixtures on the walls. The lighting of the vestibule and lobby will be by dome lights.

The operating booth will be equipped with the latest projecting machines and the very latest booth equipment.

The stage will be 20 feet deep, the full width of the house, and will be built high enough to accommodate the drops and fire screen. There will be dressing rooms and full stage equipment and the lighting will be modern throughout.

The organ will be a modern theater pipe organ by the W.W. Kimball company of Chicago. The ventilating system will be installed by the American Blower company of Chicago and the building will be heated throughout by direct steam radiation. A large Pacific boiler will be used for this purpose. There will be a ladies retiring room on the main floor and a gentleman's room in the basement with the most modern conveniences. The draperies, curtains, carpets, etc. will be artistic and good.

The front part of the present building will be remodeled into offices on the second floor with separates outside entrance on the south side. There will be strictly modern and up to date in every particular.

The owners, Fitzpatrick-McElroy and Company have instructed J. C. Brompton, their architect, to make this building first class and complete in every detail.

The name of the new theater has not been decided upon but many friends of Mr. Warner in this city and community have been gently insistent that it be named The Warner in honor of the man whose work and ability as a manager has made the new building possible. It is not violating confidence to state that he is one of the most able managers of more than fifty theaters on the Fitzpatrick-McElroy circuit and naming the new theater in his honor has been merited.

The theater is largely owned locally as there are many many stockholders in this city and vicinity. There is still some stock available, information regarding which may be secured from Manager Warner or Mr. Cokeley.

(Three Rivers Commercial)