The Washington times., 1935-12-26

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Theater adds another beautiful
edifice to the notable group di-
rected by Warner Bros. Pictures,
Inc, and devoted to the finest en-
tertainment that art can devise.
1t also marks the beginning of a
building program by Warner Bros,
in Washington involving the eX-
penditure of more than $4,000, 900.
Harry NJ. Warner, president Of
Warner Bros. and the Stanley
Company of America, last Satur.
day vi ted Washington with 10.
seph Bernhard, general manager,
and approved sites and prelimi
nary plans prepared by John j.
Payette, general zone manager for
the Washington territory, for six
new theaters. These are in add
ton to the Penn.
The program calls for the i'm
mediate construction of the Up
town Theater at Connecticut Ave
nue. and Newark Street, this thea
ter being described as a sister
theater" to the Penn Theater.
The other five houses are all ex-
pected to be completed before the
end of 1896.
The new theaterS will all be of
the latest design and each one
will seat from 1000 to 1900 per-
sons. The theaterS will be of the
two floor type, with orchestra and
balcony in each, and will have all
modern Improvements for the
comfort of patrons.
The addition of the six theaterS
In 1896 will bring the total num-
Der OF theaterS operated in Wash
1ngton by Warner Bros. to 10. In
Washington alone, there will be
a total Of $4,000 seats in theaters
owned and operated by Warmers.
John j. Payette, who is in
charge of the Warner theaterS in
the washington territory, started
In show business at the age of r.
Always drawn by the theater. he
rambled one day through the
stage door of the old Academy of
Music Theaters and came out of
the front door with the position
Of usher.
Three years later he was made
assistant treasurer of this old
Washington legitimate theater.
He was then Is and the position
neceSSitated his leaving high
school. However, his progress was
last for at the age of II he was
appointed treasurer.
1t was in 1910, while still at the
age of II, that Mr.. Payette be-
came identified with motion pic
lures. His work as treasurer of
the legitimate playhouse brought
him an offer to operate the Rhode
Island Theater, a ESQ seat house,
built especially for the showing of
motion pictures. His utilization
with this theater for the next
four years brought him the funda-
mental knowledge of buying and
booking which was to be so help
full in later years.
In 1914, came the opportunity
!; to join General Film Company as
+ assistant manager. He spent a
year in Washington in the capa-
city and then W. promoted to
branch manager in Baltimore.
!, With the dissolution of the com
pany he became associated as
salesman with the Baltimore out
let OF WISE (Vitagraph, Lubin,
Selig and EsSanayD. Then came
an offer from ColdWyn which he
accepted. 1t was while he was in
Baltimore that he bought the
Southern rights to j. Stuart
Blackton'S famous preparedness
picture. THE Battle Cry of
Peace" which he took personally
on road tour throughout the
South.
With Americas entrance in the
World War, Mr.. oayette enlisted
Tor service overseas. On his dis
charge from the army, he Joined
Harry M. Crandall's circuit of
theaters. Mr.. Crandall, previous
to this had asked Mr.. Payette to
JOIN his organization which was
the most progressive in Washing
ton. Back again in the theater
operating field, Mr.. Crandall, was
made assistant manager of the
ace house, the metropolitan, ris-
Ing to the managerial post within
three weeks.
AS manager he not only booked
the house but also staged the pro,
logues, the first in WASHINGTON,
raised the crosses of the. Metropoli-
tan to unheard of figures. The
presentation of them was doubly
difficult because the theater had
no stage, curtain or Grapes. The
only place to work was a three
foot apron but the prologues
looked so rich that Mr.. Payette' $
hard work was rewarded nine
me 1ths after he joined the Gran.
dali enterprises with the position
OF assistant circuit manager. His