Evening star., 1927-09-18

~HIS is to he an especially
busy week for Washington's
Ohotoniav Dstrons for wit n

busy week for Washington S
photoplay patrons, for. with
several of the really good
pictures being screened at the vari-
GUS houses. the Fox Theater opens
its doors to the public Tuesday noon:
1he painters, paperhangers and
other union members have been
working night and day at Fifteenth
and F streets, SO that the big play
house is just about ready for its
gala opening. Arrangements have
been completed for special formal
opening tomorrow evening under the
auspices of the National Press Club.
Only invited guests will attend this
performance.
Roxy. as host of Washington
newspaper men last Tuesday night
at the Willard, outlined his plan for
the new theater-his schemes for big
presentations, his music for the sea-
son and the pictures which will be
exhibited. The theatcr. one of the
largest and finest in America. will
show. SAYS Roxy. only the best. max
ing it rank with the leading New
York theaters in pictures and stage
presentations.
I'VE have found" says Roxy, that
the photoplay audience expects a bit
more than the actual picture thrown
upon the screen. And it is with
this in mind that we have gone into
the elaborate stage presentations.
! These, of course, will be featured in
the new Fox-Roxy. We have a big
stage, fitted especially for the sort
of thing we propose, The lighting
effects are the last word, and the
artists who present these acts are
leaders in their particular lines.
Many of the latter have been tested
before our big audiences at the Roxy
Cathedral. the largest theater in the
world. in New York.
Il fully understand that Washing
tonians are expecting big things i'll
our new theatcr. They are familiar
with the New York presentations
and they have looked forward to the
opening OF this new theater. Our
efforts will be pointed toward that
fact-that they may not be disap-
pointed when the theater throws
open its doors and the first perform
Snces are given. Our theater staff
is developed to high ideals and we
will always seek the confidence of
the Washington public"
Many suggestions that Roxy him
self lead his famous orchestra in
one of the numbers on the opening
night have been received at the the
ater, but the impresario is modest
soul and no announcement has been
made concerning the matter 1t is
a known fact that Roxy has held
the baton, that he can lead an or
chestra in a very capable manner
and that he knows one note from
another-which cannot be said for
all orchestra leaders. The Capital
knows Roxy, but it has never seen
him lead an orchestra, although it
may.
A ND there will be no more appro-
"A pirate time than the present to
make a few notes concerning the
career of Roxy, whose real name is
S. L. Rothafel. He was born in the
little town of Saltwater. Mimi,
where he lived for II years. Then
his parents moved to New York. and
Roxy's first job was in department
store. Ambition urged and he went |
from one job to another, seeking an |
outlet for what many considered |
idle dreams and futile plans When |
he was l6 Roxy's mother died. and |
SO. with no particular home ties. he
joined the Marines. His enlistment
afforded lessons in discipline and fair
play, and when this was completed
he entered the motion picture
game" renting an empty storefoom
in Forest City. Pa, for a theater.
This was in the early days of the
films, and Roxy saw them develop
to what they are today.
Back in Minneapolis, with a
newer and better theater, Roxy in
augurated the presentation scheme"
with .-nospheric prologue and SYM
chronized music. Then from Min
neapolis to New York. where, in
1918. Roxy took charge of the
Regent. amazing his patrons with
his inality in the matter of pic
ture exhibition. Then to the New
York Strand, then the citys largest
movie house. and he later had charge
of the Rialto. Rivoli and Capitol.
Now he has his own theater. the
Roxy, which is the worlds largest
theater.
nOUGLAS FAIRBANKS goes on
- record with statement about
the poets and novelists who have
invaded Hollywood with the idea of
improving the movies" Doug states
that these men and women have
failed in their efforts for the simple