A
newspaper report, the opening
of the Empire Cinema,
St.George's Road, St.Annes.
The new
Empire de Luxe Picturedrome, in
St. George's Road, was opened
on Monday afternoon the
magistrates, after their visit
of inspection, consenting to
the granting of a provisional
licence.
The Hall is
of roomy proportions, and cosy
and dainty in its furnishings.
Over 900 persons scowl) an
uninterrupted view of the
streets. The place has been
designed specifically for a
picturedrome by the architect,
Mr. Arnold England, and all the
latest improvements have been
incorporated.
The ceiling
is gracefully domed; the Walls
are artistically panelled; the
floor rises to give each row of
auditors a full view of the
stage; and the scheme of
decoration is dainty in cream
and gold.
The tip-up
chairs are in blue plush and
afford the maximum comfort; at
the back a balcony lounge,
containing the best seats and
approached by wide stone steps,
heavily carpeted, gives an
elevated view of the whole
house. The attractive entrance
hall, with its gilded domed
pay-box, leads to the best
seats; the lower- priced seats,
also in blue plush upholstery,
being gained from a side
entrance. Exits in abundance
are provided, with all offices
to meet the magisterial
requirements. The lanterns are
located in a separate suite of
rooms constructed of brick and
concrete, and with doors and
floors sheathed in iron.
There are
automatic shutters covering the
lantern projection apertures,
which can be closed
instantaneously, so that
perfect safety is assured. The
building is suitably
constructed of steel, brick and
Ferrorock patent stone. The
safety and comfort of patrons
have been studied in every
detail, and the whole of the
structure is impressive with
its solidarity and its restful
charm akin to luxury.
The work has
been expeditiously carried out
in a skilful manner, by St.
Annes contractors. Messrs. J.
Heap and Sons, of the Pioneer
Sawmills, secured the sole
contract and executed the
constructional work, including
excavating, brickwork and
joiner's work. Mr. J. Sutton
carried out the plastering and
fibrous embellishments; Messrs.
Russell and Co. the plumbing,
heating and electrical
fittings; Mr. J. Brierley the
slating; Mr. Wilfred Ingham the
painting and decorating; and
Messrs. J. Hall and Son the
upholstering and
furnishings.
The "Empire"
will add one more attraction
for St. Annes residents and
visitors. It is not a far cry
to the time when the only
entertainment in St. Annes was
a troupe of pierrots, who
performed in the open-air, on
the Pierhead. Other forms of
public entertainment have been
called into being as the town
has grown; to have been content
with one form of entertainment
would have been unprogressive
and unenterprising.
OPENING
CEREMONY.
The
"Hospice" was open for the
first time on Monday, and at
the matinee there was a large
attendance. Precious to the
admission of the public, a very
interesting ceremony took place
when the building was formally
declared open by Miss Doris
Crowther, the charming little
daughter of Mr. J. S. Crowther,
one of the proprietors of the
Empire. She performed the
ceremony from the inside of the
pretty entrance, and at the
word of opening the large
roller gate was thrown up,
disclosing the fair opener,
escorted by her little girl
friends, Miss Kathleen V.
Spring and Miss D. England. The
three maidens carried beautiful
bouquets. Miss Crowther was
presented with a gold locket by
the manager, and the
"supporters" were the
recipients of large boxes of
"Empire" chocolates.
An excellent
programme of the latest and
best pictures was projected,
including events of the day by
"Gaumont's Graphic." The
popularity of pictures is
easily understood after seeing
the display at the Empire. The
whole story of a novel is
compressed into ten minutes'
action, and a visit to the
Empire is like reading a number
of interesting stories.
Dramatic and comic firms are
interpolated, and so
absorbingly interesting are the
films that on Monday the large
audience frequently broke into
applause. "Monarchs of the
Prairie" is a magnificent
sporting film, of which the
Empire has the exclusive rights
in St. Annes. Among the
dramatic pictures are "The
Smuggler's daughter," "His Lost
Love," "The Cattle King's
Daughter," and "How States are
made." The comics include "Max
as a Cabdriver," "What's your
hurry," and "Everything comes
to him who waits." A change of
pictures is made every Monday
and Thursday, and there are
matinees on Wednesdays and
Saturdays.
The cosy
seats, the entertaining
pictures, the beautiful
decorations and lighting, and
the general excellence makes
the Empire a worthy addition to
the attractions of the
town.
|