The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-11-05
PALACE
THEATER OPENS

Marcus Locw's now Palace Thcater
was opened 20 Washinstonians last
night And a representative audi
encc Of Capital theater devotees came,
saW-and was conquered.
1t would be weak TO say that the
Palace is this city:s most impressive
Iy beautiful photoplay house. In
its immensely, its appointments and
its capabilities il stands out alone.
or its capabilities. apparently the
most has been made, II last nights
opening performance was any Glitter
! ion.
Every one of the 5000 seats in the
edifice was occupied when the curtain
rose at about $50, disclosing a stage
set of beautiful simplicity. The Pal
ace symphony Orchestra of more than
| twenty pieces rendered selections
with an artistry that ELECTED bursts
OF applause. The slowly changing
| lighting effects, three colors merg-
ing by imperceptible degrees from
one to the other. in harmony with
the mood of the music-added i'm
measursbly to the appeal Of the
opening crchestTation.
THE Star-Spangled Banner" sung
by Mile. Julia Helity. OF the Winter
Garden. was the opening number.
Then the curtains again parted and
Mack Sonnet comedy was shown,
followed by the Hearst Pathe news
reel
Following this. the opening cere-
monies were introduced. y. T. Gran
lund, acting as stage director, in
PRODUCED. one after another, an ar
ray Of important personaGes of the
world OF the footlights and the screen
and others OF equal prominence in
other lines of endeavor.
There were the Cuddles and Georgia
of the old days-now Lila Lee, the IA
nous screen star, and George Price,
vaudeville specialist: there were
Agnes Ayres and Gladys Leslie, Vita
graph stars; Carlyle Blackwell, who
made a short speech: Mollie King.
whose distinctive style OF singing cap
tivated the audience; Frank LOOMS,
Vitagraph's director par excellence,
and Harry Tierney.
There was Rita Jolivet, born in
France, educated in England. wife OF
an Italian nobleman, and stanch
American - pcrsonification of the
unity of the allied nations. And the
most impressive moment of the entire
night came when, at Rita Jolivet's
suggestion, the vast audience stood
for a minute in silent prayer for our
boys over there.
Then there was introduced James
Montgomery Flagg, noted illustrator,
who in a few minutes sketched Rita
Jolivet, the finished picture to be
sold next week for the benefit of the
United War Work Fund.
And last-Aiarcus Loew himself.
Cnassuming, he stood in the midst
of all the splendor he has created. and
spoke a few simple words, welcoming
Washingtonians to his newest house,
and closing with:
and / think I can safely say
that I am opening this theater at the
end of the world war"
Finally came the feature picture OF
the evening. Mary PickfoHd in ",Iphan-
ma Enlists," q perturbation OF Major
Rupert Hughes delightful story-and
a perturbation which increases rather
than lessons the charm OF a charming
narrative.
Acting, setting, captioninG, screen
ing-all were perfect. The musical
accompaniment OF the orchestra under
the direction OF Theodore Vail left
nothing to be desired.
And when THE End" was flashed on
the screen the great audience left the
theater in full satisfaction that a gem
of great worth and beauty had been
added to Washington's collection OF
playhouses.
Description OF the new theater
would be inadequate in the space
available. The richness Of the ap-
pointments and furnishings, the eX-
quisite taste of the mural decorations,
the soft, disnified beauty of the color
scheme, the grandeur which the vast,
uncolumned sweep OF orchestra and
balcony floors effect, the sense of
comfort, warmth, and delight are IN
rivaled in any other theater in the
city. The ventilation, too, is perfect.
1t is certain that success will crown
Mr. LoeB-'s new venture.