Smyrna times., 1923-12-26
WHOLE NO. 3613
DOvER's BEAUTIFUL THEATRE
Opened Thursday Night With Special
Program and An Admiring Crowd
That Filled House to Capacity

Program and An Admiring Crowd
That Filled House to Capacity
Dover's new Opera House was open
ed to the public Thursday night. Hun
dreds Of friends of Geo. NJ. Schwartz,
owner of the theatre including Gov
ernor William D. Denney and men
prominent in the official and citizen
life of the State were present. Pre-
viOus to the exercises at the theatre.
Mr.. Schwartz entertained a number
of his friends in Dover, and from
Philadelphia, Wilmington and New
York at turkey dinner in the Hotel
Richardson. Following this the guests
proceeded to the new playhouse which
by this time was packed to the doors,
the only seats remaining being those
reserved for Mr.. Schwartz's guests.
Before the show was put on addresses
were made by several friends of Mr..
Schwartz closely associated with him
in the past few years and identified
with his enterprise Following the
speech making the audience was en-
tertained by ROllo F. Maitland, of
Philadelphia, at the new $4,000 or
gan in the theatre. J. Hall Ander-
son, of Dover, presided at the eXer-
cises in the theatre. Before introduc-
ing the speakers he spoke of the re-
markable achievement accomplished
by Mr.. Schwartz in finally realizing
his dreams of years to give Dover an
up-to-date theatre. Happy remarks
were made by John A. Bader the
architect and builder; w. J. High
field, of Wilmington, former Masonic
Grand Master, a personal friend; and
David Barrist, editor and publisher of
"The Exhibitor, moving picture trade
magazine. Mr.. Schwartz was called
on for a few remarks when he out
lined the policy of the management
and incidentally gave great credit to
James NJ. Satterfeld the attorney,
who, he said, helped and advised him
over seemingly unsurmountabe diff
culties when the hour seemed darkest.
The new theatre, greatly admired by
the audience, was built and equipped
at great expense, costing upwards,
it is said, of 100000. 1t includes a
splendid Typhoon Cooling System, the
first of the kind in Delaware, which
drives 100000 feet of fresh air into
the building from the roof, every min
ute, and insures an even, cool tenn
perature on the hottest summer day.
A complete steam heating system
takes care of the comfort of the pa
irons. The seating capacity of the
theatre has been increased to 100 and
that all may hear and enjoy the per-
formances, or speakers, a huge sound
ing board has been constructed over
the orchestra pit, running across the
entire width of the building and enab-
ling the patrons in every part of the
house to hear the speakers, music and
singing clearly and distinctly. An
other innovation is the installation of
$4,000 two-manual Mollar Organ,
such as is used in the finest theatres.
There is also a full compliment of
Rest Rooms with every sanitary con-
venience. Constructed under the most
eXacting building law requirements,
fire-proof and safe, it is one of the
best buildings in Dover. Across the
front of the building is a Marquise of
special design secured at great ex-
pense. 1t is a duplicate of the Mar
quise of the new S2,OOO,OOO Stanley
Theatre in Philadelphia. The new
indirect lighting system; beautiful
stage draperies; electric screens and
furnishings, new seats, there is every
appointment to add to the beauty and
comfort of the theatre. Mr.. Schwartz
the manager, received many cOmpli-
mentS.