The Washington times., 1928-05-01

Well, Keith's doors are G.
years. The billboards read,
air of solitude which creeps
present about Fifteenth and
Keith's will not abandon
center. That is a certainty
plans cannot be announced
making.
My own belief, based upon
something more substantial than
conjecture, is Keith's will soon
undertake the building Of a new
theater, of such dimensions and
seating capacity that it can meet
the challenge Of the picture houses
with $500 to 1000 comfortable
chairs, and a less than 81 top
scale.
The Keith-Albee executives once
looked over the site where the
new Federal.American National
Bank now stands but rejected 1t
as not large enough for whatever
project they had in mind. The
old Ebbitt House property, upon
which the National Press Club
Building now stands. was also
scanned carefully and passed up
as unsuitable. When the Shore.
ham Hotel was abandoned the
availability Of this property for q
new theater was given careful
consideration, but it was thumbs
down again as not large enough
for the contemplated building
plans.
You may gather from this that
considerable acreage il essential
for what the Keith-Albee interests
are planning. The search for a
suitable site is, believe, still on
but until the deeds are duly
signed, no announcement will be
forthcoming.
Harry Wardman once had am.
bilious plans for a new heater
on the northwest corner Of Four
teenth Street. at New York Ave-
nue. and II Street. Various op.
lions had been secured. and the
Shuberts were interested enough
to send Mr.. Dave Lewis down
from New York to discuss with
him the leasing Of the proposed
theater. The plans went Awry,
I am informed, because Mr..
Wardman was unable to borrow
money for his project at what
he considered a fair rate Of inter-
est, and rather than meet exorbi-
tant interest charges in the fl
nancing, he dropped the entire
matter.
Then the Shuberts became in.
terested in the old Hall Of the
Ancients property on New York
Avenue. now occupied by a TO-
story garage. Plans were drawn
for the theater and roof garden
and leasing terms practically
agreed upon. At that period the
Knickerbocker roof fell in. The
architect was obliged to revise his
plans to conform to the stricter
building regulations for safety and
more than $200,O00 was added to
the tentative cost. The Shuberts
became cold and the project died
- Mention or these facts lS peril
nent since it shows that the Lee
AMI Shubert theatrical enterprises
are interested in any plan that
will give them another house suit
able to play their attractions in
Washington. With Polls coming
down under the Governments am
bilious expansion program, Keith's
might fill the bill. It is a thor
oughly up to date amusement
house with a capacity that is
ideal for the average musical road
attraction. At any rate, the "For
Rent" sign is on the Keith play
house and the Shuberts are the
largest lesees Of theaters in Amer
lea
Meanwhile there will be no
Keith shows this summer. But
very soon there will be Keith
shows in Washington again.
Those who can turn back mem"
ory's pages to Washington's war
days may recall that for month
after month anything but a ca
pacity audience in Keith's Thea
alter was a rarity. Big time vau-
deville at 81 top. Those who
collected dividends on that busi'
ness will never be found saying
Washington il not a Keith town.
AZ -