South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-01-28


theater to be devoted to the
showing of photoplays, will be
opened to the public next Satur-
day at 6 p. m. II is planned to
have the city officials and few
guests of the management in
Spect the ;heater on Friday even
ing. Few theaters in the entire
country are more elaborate or
have so large g seating capacity
and none can excel the Black
stone from the point Of roomyI
comfort and the safety Of pa
irons.
The theater was started 10
months ago and IS located on the
east side Of one of the busiest
blocks on Michigan street just
south Of Jefferson boulevard.
The playhouse cost over $780,
600, IS absolutely tire-proOf AMI
is equipped from cellar TO dome
with the most modern appliances
of every description. Aside from
the doors and window Casings
there has been no wood used in
the construction work. With
solid concrete floors and stair
ways, tile lobby and imported
marble wainscoating. there is an
air Of solidity and permaneuce
that is convincing.
The Blackstone has a seating
capacity Of ;, 500 with the rows
OF seats gradually rising from
the orchestra rail to the highest
elevation in ascending circles
similar to the old Roman coli
scum. There is no balcony, for
the connecting steps and stair
ways make the entire auditorium
one vast area Of desirable loca-
tons. The main lobby entrance .
strikes about midway in the seat
elevation AND patrons m a ".
choose their location, either ON
the higher or lower levels.
No Balcony.
IS stated. there is no balcony.
~ the term is commonly used in
connection with theaterS; no sec
lion Of seats across the back of
me auditorium separated from
the main floor, hut on either side
~ the house are meZzauine bal
ConieS extending back from near
The stage until they connect with
the circling seats. This innOva- .
ton in seating arrangement does
away with the stage boxes and
every seat IS 50 situated that the
picture being shown can he view I.
Cd without firing the eyes. There
IS not a single post in the entire
theater and every seat has an un- I
ohStructed view of the screen.
The Blackstone was designed
by Henry NewhouSe, a Chicago |
architect who has planned many
thcaters and has endeavored to /
combine in this structure all the /
most practical and advantageous /
features that go to make a safe, |
modern and beautiful editice forl
the showing OF the silent drama. !
The front Of the theater is I'M
preSSive and artistic. Ten mas |
Sive columns decorate the facade. |
Immense urns and balconies con-
zeal the lighting system that
makes the theater brilliantly at
tractive. A handsome and elab- |
crate electric sign adds to the IL /
Elimination and a generous can
opy extends over the sidewalk, f!
Ralph Sollitt & Sons COnStruc- /
tion Co. OF Chicago, had the con-
tract for the erection of the
building and by personal atten- /
~tion to the work has given the |
Blackstone corporation a mag |
nificent and substantial structure. /
The lobby measures 6Ox35 /
feet and is a combination OIL
white marble. tile and bronze
trimmings. The duplex box Of
fee. with room for two attend
ants and equipped with the latest
rapid ticket-Seiling and change |
making devices. occupies a
marble and glass kiosk, situated |
IN the corner of the main lobby. I
making il easy Of access from all
sides.
Entering and passing through,
the spacious lobby the patron is
confronted bv some exceptional
" handsome loaded glass doors !
on the other side Of which is an
inner lobby or foyer 10 feet deep I
and SO feet wide, with c0nven-
lent StairWavS on each side lead