New Britain herald., 1921-04-22
FOX THEATER HERE
 SEEMS IMPROBABLE
Corporations Option on Main St.
 Site Expires Tonight
NO ACTION TAKEN AS YET
New York Interests Have Until Mid night to Place Initial Payments With Solomon Schurberg for Pur- chase of Properties Sought.

An option in the hands of the Will liam Fox theater corporation upon properties of Solomon Schurperg on Main street, formerly the Landers property, will expire tonight and, since MT. Schurberg has flatly re- fused to extend the option, and the company has taken no steps as yet in the way of purchasing the site, the proposed new million dollar theater for the city is likely to fall through.
 By the forfeiture of the option on account of the expiration of the period of time agreed upon. the Fox corporation will forfeit a considerable sum of money which was posted to bind the option.
 Can't Have New Lease
 The failure of the deal to be consummated does not come as a sur prise since many prominent business and real estate men, including theatrical men, have characterized the entire transa ction as an advertis- ing scheme which ii was expected would never progress beyond the stage of an option. Representatives of the Fox company have been in the city to interview Messrs. John Con- taras and Peter Perokas, owners of
 
 the building in which the present Fox theater is located. They are understood to have offered tempt ing sum of money for lease on the West Main street building. MT, Con- taras, acting for the theater men, turned the offer down, explaining that his company plans to take over the theater when the present lease of the Fox company expires. A rep- resentative of the local men has also visited the New York offices of the Fox company and received a similar offer.
 Thought Advertising stunt.
 These advances of the theater. cor poration, coming after announcement that tentative plans had been made for a new million dollar house, are taken. as an indication that the New York concern had never seriously considered building in this city, Those who claim to be conversant with the business policies of the Fox corpora- ton, say that the firms business pol icy has never been the building or direct purchase of playhouses, leases alone being taken. In New York city, it is pointed out, the only exceptions to this rule exist.
 Papers Never Filed.
 The option papers were never of fered for record at the office of the town clerk, inquiry at that office this morning disclosed. The papers were drawn February IS, and the time clause specifies that the instrument shall become void at midnight to- night. A MT. Kempner, connected with the New York offices of the Fox. company. The signboard states that porasfon. Barney Miller of this city has been acting as agent of the com pany in connection with the local building since that time. He recent: announced that the plans for tine building had been drawn and would shortly be forwarded 70 this city.
 To Remove Sign.
 In anticipation of the building being sold to the Fox interests, MT. Schurberg gave permission for the erection. of a display sign over the building announcing the plans of the company. The sign board statess that the Fox company will erect theater for moving pictures and vaudeville shows, the place to seat 5000 per- sons Mir. Schurberg said this morn ing that the board will probably be repainted next week, advertising his coal business.
 Since the company will not be in a position to secure a lease on any of the present theater buildings and, if indications hold good, will forfeit it's rights to the Schurberg site tonight, it will be necessary for the corporation to defer or possibly entirely drop its plans for a local playhouse.