SHORTT'S PICTURES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1318, 22 December 1911, Page 3

SHORTT'S PICTURES.

1 . A NEW CONTINUOUS PICTURE THEATRE. "Shortt's Pictures" will (load across tho screen for the first time this evening in the now and comfortable little theatre which has been erected for their accommodation in Willis Street (at tho corner of Old Customhouse Quay). There the old auction mart, for so long a familiar feature, has been wonderfully transformed into a very cosy little theatre, which will seat ■100 people, all of whom will be afforded a full view of the screen. Comfort is specialised in neatly upholstered tip-up seats, which measure 18 inches between tho cast-iron arms—two inciies wider than the average picture theatre sa.it. The floor has bee a gently "raked" to improve the lino of sight,' and tho great height of the ceiling over the main part of the hall, in conjunction with the big ventilators and , side-windows, will make the new theatre cool and airy on tho warmest nights. The entrance hall and theatro is finished in Keen's cement, with ornamental cornices of fibrous plaster. The entrance is from the Willis Street side—for both front and back-seat patrons, but there are two exit doors on the Old Customhouse Street side' of the premises. The total, length of the'hall is 80ft., and tho average width is about 10ft. Tho screen measures lUft. by 20ft:, and stands at the Willis Street cud" of the theatre. The electric dviiamo and fittings were supplied by Messrs.'A: and T. Burt, and the switchboard, kinematograph machine (and tho little clvnamo which is to' work it) have been fitted up by Mr. Percy Pethorick, who has been engaged by the company as chief mechanician and operator. Tho operator's room is a spacious apartment, completely encased in asbestos, so that tho whole thing could catch on lire and burn out without any flame escaping. Tho new theatre, which will bo briefly known us "Shortt's Pictures," was designed by Mr. E. Larcomb, and the work was curried out by Mr. H. Manning. The ylastering work was executed by Mr W It. Emeny, and Shortt's, Ltd., supplied the seats. It is tho intention of tho management only to show the best and latest pictures, and to show them continuously from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For tho openim' programme readers are referred to an a£ vertisement in this issue.