Los Angeles herald., 1908-11-23
MAJESTIC WILL
OPENITS DOORS
THIS EVENING
NEW THEATER IS MODEL OF
BEAUTY AND COMFORT
PERFECT HARMONY OF DETAIL
MOST MARKED FEATURE
Structure Erected by Hamburgers Un-
der Mort cos Supervision Deemed
Second Only to the Famous
Amsterdam

With tonight's opening of the new
Majestic by 1.-THE Land Of Nod" COM
pany Los Angeles, after eighteen
months of preparation, will have
theater second only in the United States
in it's richness of decoration and use
of modern details for the comfort ana
pleasure of its patrons to the famous
Amsterdam theater of New YORK. In
some ways it will even excel the AM
sterdam, for Oliver Morosco, its man
ager, has aided the Hamburgers, it's
builders, in adapting the most desirable
features by a tour of all the principal
theaters of America could show him.
The Majestic has a seating capacity
of nearly 1900, but it is so admirably
arranged that every seat seems almost
directly in front of the stage. If there
are ever any pillars in the Majestic
they will be found in the scenery, for
the modern idea of great steel beams
reinforcing concrete has been been
utilized in a sweep of the balcony,
giving a perfectly free overhang of
thirty feet. The longest reinforced
concrete cantilevers in the world have
been used to support the balcony and
gallery, and even the boxes are free
from any visible supports to obstruct
the view Yet this is achieved with
a strength fully equal to a support or
ten times the number of persons who
could be crowded into the seats.
Next to the ease of viewing the stage
the spectators tonight probably Will be
most impressed with the beauty of the
decorative scheme, which is carried out
at every viewpoint in gold, green and
old rose, with finely harmonious ell
feet. The crown, symbol1cal OF Ma
jestic," is utilized freely in brass ana
stucco and in the frescoes. Green APP
pears in the great velour curtain, when
is double it's apparent length in the
folds and cost $4,000; in the draperles
and in the leather upholsteries. Colo
nowhere becomes flashy or too pre-
dominant, but artistically coats the
tons of stucco used. The old rose is
utilized for an excellent harmonizlng
effect and shows prominently in the
scagiolo marble in the lobby.
Noted Artists Work
over the great proscenium arch,
which is thirty-six feet wide, is large
painting, 1.-The Casts of Progress" by
Antoon Molkenboer, an artist of inter-
national reputation, who has been nom
ored by commissions from kings and
queens of continental Europe. Mr.
Molkenboer worked eight months on
the painting, which symbolizes western
civilized advancement. In his hands
was also the decoration of the house,
which he supervised, even> down to
making the program printing harmon
ize with the general decorative effect
This thorough attention to the har-
mony of small details is noticeable
throughout the Majestic theater. The
exit signs are not distressing clashes
with the decorations, but are artistical-
ly worked out in brass. On the stair
ways leading to the boxes one is sur
prised to find the electric lights in
closed in brass wall lamps which carry
the Majestic crown.
The comfort of patrons is looked
after in the same fashion. The seats
on the main floor are 211s inches wide.
as compared with the average width
of Is inches in most theaters. They
are fitted with pillow backs and spring
edge, and each cost $40. Several nun
bred dollars might have been saved
on the seating of the lower floor, SIM
ply by the use of the ordinary theater
seats. Every esat in the house is re-
served
The ventilating system is worked out
on the individual plan at cost OF
$4,000. The air is purified in the
basement and is distributed through
a pipe for every seat, each with It's
separate ventilator, which may be con-
trolled by the occupant to give him
lust the degre of heat or GOODNESS he
dSesires. During the winter months the
air will be warmed and in summer 1t
will be cooled
The basement will be fitted with an
elaborate cafe and will also contain
the dressing room for women and
smoking room for men. The cafe Will
be as modern and well equipped as any