New Britain herald., 1925-09-12
Hoffman Brothers and Contaras Bros. X Perakos Combine In Ownership of Four Playhouses Here.
Buy Half Interest in Eacl, Others Enterprises = Deal Said to Involve S1,25O,OOO.

With the object of combining re sources and elevating the standard or entertainment in local playh ouses. Israel J. Hoffman Of Ansonia and Bernard E. Hoffman of New Haven have bought half interest in the Capitol, Palace and Scenic theaters in this city and Contaras Bros. & Perakos, owners of the three houses, nave purchased half interest in T new theater which the Hoffman brothers intend to erect on Main street, near Chestnut street. An nouncement of the transaction. which was effected at a late hour last night, was made today. It Is said that approximately s1,?5o,ooO is involved.
 The Hoffmans will assume their half interest in the Capitol, Palace ana Scenic on or before January 1. l926. Contaras Bros. & Perakos will take over their half interest in the new theater upon its completion. Ground will be broken soon for the new playhouse, 1t Is expected. Announcement that the Hoffman brothers had acquired title to the site of the new theater for s2os.0oo was made on September 5. The site was purchased of the s. NJ. Davidson Co. The theater. still unnamed, will accommodate 2.5OO patrons.
 Management Arrangements
 John s. Contaras will be in charge Of the four theaters and Israel l. Hoffman will have general supervis- lon of the entire chain, including playhouses which are owned by him and his brother. Mir. Contara. will be assisted by Peter Perakos and Carlisle G. Barrett. The Hoffmaps now operate eight theaters, located in Hartford, Waterbury, Derby, An sonia and Torrington. Israel ]. Hoffman is big figure in the enter tainment world, ranking second opIy to s. z. Poli in Connecticut. He and ms brother have more than s1,ooO. 900 invested in theatrical enterprises In the state, exclusive of their local undertakings.
 commenting on the transaction hy which the two companies will com. blne their financial resources and knowledge of theater management. Israel J. Hoffman predicted a new era in New Britain. He said:
 The New Britain public will be enabled, practically for the first tune in the history of the city, to witness theatrical productions of ey- cellence that cannot be surpassed in any city. Through the facilities q, our large chain of theaters and tbe resources at our command, counIed With the merger of the theaters in New Britain, we shall be able to oro. Vlde high class of entertain ment that the people of this citv we know, will appreciate"
 Growth of Contaras Bros. S pcrsIos
 Mr. Perakos was the first member Of his firm to enter the show busi- ness. In 1907, with George Hallabv ne bought the old Bijou theater in the Stanley building on Main Etreat
 
 and in 1909 they bought the Scenic theater. In 1917, the Contsrss Bros. John, Michael and Charle. who had been engaged for years in the confectionery business. purcha.. ed Hallaby's interest in the Scenic. and they became partners with Mir Perakos. In 1919, the partnership hrm bought the old Keeneys thea Ter and named 1t the Palace thester. In 1922, they bought tho William Fox theater. now known as the Can. iitol. They have more than s5oo,ooo invested in theatrical holdings here.
 Both the Palace and the Cap,tol theaters were losing propositions. from business standpoint, when they were acquired by the Contsras Bros & Perakos. They spent thous- ands of dollars fin renovatine, re- modelling and improving the sp- pearance of both playhouses. They also acquired the Keith circuit of vaudeville and since that time, they have been steadily improving the quality Of their productions,