Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1920-05-13
THE STRAND
OPENS SATURDAY
Alma's New 100000 Theater
Will BE Completed Before
Week Is Ended.
IS A MODERN SHOW HOUSE
Equipment of Place Includes Sl0,-
900 Orchestral Pipe
Organ.

The long-lookedfor opening of
Almas new 100000 Strand theatre
will take place next Saturday. Seld-
ON, if ever, has any local event
aroused such keen interest among
people of all ages, and the occasion
warrants it. as Alma is justly proud
of possessing the largest, finest and
most completely equipped theater of
any town in the state, outside of the
Cities.
Believing that the people of Alma
and surrounding territory will be in
terested in some of the items that go
into construction and equipment of a
modern theater, we have secured the
following facts for your considera-
ton:
The Strand will seat $40 people,
which is approximately three times
the capacity of the Idlehour This
will insure everyone of a good seat
town gets 10 be considerable larger
than it is now. The seats will be
found very comfortable, being twenty
inches wide, or two inches wider
than those in the Idlehour
A fully equipped stage with every
modern appliance will make it pos
sible to stage any production that
can be shown in any other theater
in the state. Vaudeville will be
shown two days each week, and be-
ginning in the fall, road shows of
the best class will be presented from
time to time.
A new $4,000 orchestra pipe or
gan has been installed, and will be
in the hands of Mr.. Victor Gipe of
Detroit, who is considered one Of the
best picture players" in the state.
The really fine music which will be
the regular order at the Strand will
undoubtedly prove one Of the most
attractive features, and one which
will draw patronage for the house
from many miles around.
The ventilation, which is one Of the
most important items in theatre
building, has been given the most
careful and expert consideration.
Five AZ inch Swarthout ventilators in
the roof, with twelve 36 inch grills in
the ceiling, together with two 30 inch
air returns under the floor, numerous
stacks in the walls, and large air
inlet from outdoors, give assurance
Of an abundance of fresh air in con-
stant circulation. This not only
means healthful condition in cold
weather, but comfortable temper
ature in the summer when extreme
heat prevails outside.
A complete auxiliary power plant
consisting of Is Kilowatt generator
and 30 h. p. motor which will oper-
ate on gasoline, kerosene or city gas.
has been installed for emergency
service in case of trouble at the cleo
trio light company's plant, necesitat-
ing temporary shutdown. This
will mean that The Strand will con-
tinue to run no matter what happens
outside.
A well has been drilled in the base
ment, connected to an automatic
electric pump and pressure tank.
supplying the entire theater with
fresh, pure water. This includes the
faucets i'm the toilet and rest rooms.
that have been provided for both men
and women. An automatic gas tank
heater will also supply the lavatories
with hot water at all times.
Every item of equipment through
out is brand new, and of the very
latest pattern and best quality.
In connection with the theatre, an
icecream parlor, known as the Strand
Sweet Shop will be conducted by A.
II. Wilcox. A magnifcently beauti-
full fountain will dispense cooling
draughts that would delight the pal
ate Of an epicure. Purity of mater
ials and skilled care in their prepar-
alton will undoubtedly do much to
build the success of this branch Of
the enterprise in the opinion Of the
management.
The Strand Theater is owned by l..
Francis Murphy. r. l.. Spitzley and