Courier-Post from Camden, New Jersey • 19

Ninetn it Revolutionary New RCA Sound System Makes Local Debut at Savar COURIER-POST, CAMDEN, N. TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 1936. Savar Manager i MIGHT! SIDE TflTONE PBflVIDES Modernism Called Keynote Of Camden's New Theatre Workers Give Advice In Savar Construction FDR GLOW EFFECT Savar Theatre Marquee and Sign Include Many New Features TRUE REPRDDUCTIDAI DF LOW, HIGH TONES Theatre Manager Reveals Architect Enthusiastic Over Result of Handiwork; H. Lee Designed 100 Show Places Before Savar; Devised Many Innovations I Unprecedented Range ot High Fidelity' Product X'. 'J i I VOICES ARE 'HUMANIZED' Every, one of the 2000-odd lamps used in the marquee and sign lighting arrangement of the Savar theatre is exposed from view, according to Allan H.

Sisslnger, manager of the Claude Neon Lights of who was in charge of installation. "There are many features of the neon lighting at the said Bisslneer, "which are unique and a Union labor was used exclusively In the construction of the Savar Theatre, which opens tomorrow, it was revealed today by Judge Joseph and Samuel Varbalow, oftlcers of the Savar Amusement Company. "For the first time in the history of local large-scale building operations, labor was actually consulted for its views on construction and 1 called to participate in the drawing up and awarding of contracts," the Var-balows said. "As a result of this close cooperation, the building of the Savar was the speediest job in local history. Harmonious relationship existed throughout, the workers received high standards of wages and we employed as nearly 100 percent Camden labor as possible.

"Before any work was done Harry Volmer and other heads of the Camden Building Trades Council were called in and labor was allowed virtually to dictate its own terms." Unions which supplied men for the project included the United Building Trades Council; International Association of Bridge Structural and Ornamental Iron Workers, Local 399; Chauffeurs, Teamsters and Helpers Union, Local 676; International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 825; Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local 19; Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 98; United Brother hood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, Local 39, and Bricklayers, Masons and Plasterers U. of Local 7, vided in the basement. Communicating with the lounge is a powder room and toilet for the ladies and smoking room and toilet for the men. Toilet facilities for both and another powder room for the ladies are on the balcony. "For the safety of the patron ample exits from the main floor and enclosed fireproof stairways from the balcony have been designed.

"The unusual shape and treatment of the auditorium was a concession to the science of acoustics, but has produced an effect that is conducive to the fullest enjoyment of what transpires on the stage. The distractions caused by conspicuous lighting fixtures and lavish ornament in most theatres will be found missing. The auditorium will be softly lighted with a complete indirect lighting system that will be a source of comfort to the patrons during the performance. Between the shows a concealed flood lighting system will brilliantly Illuminate the entire auditorium by flooding the proscenium and the act curtain, which Is artls-ticaly decorated with silver ornament on a copper colored velvet background. Foyer Is Mirrored "The foyer, which is entered directly from the street, Is a room of splendid proportions, having for its principal decorative motifs a full-mirrored wall on one end and a large round mirror over a monumental stairway on the other end.

Here again indirect lighting has been employed by coves in a silvered ceiling. The stainless steel stair, railing, which is continuous from the-balcony to the lounge in the basement, is a feature worthy of attention. "The massive treatment of the exterior and its striking color scheme is complete departure from the ordinary theatre illumination. "Although there are 2000 lamps used, not a single lamp la exposed. All lamps' in feature signs, the large and safety are the primary requirements of the patron and each has been carefuly studied and provided for.

"Every seat In the theatre has a complete view of the stage and an undistorted view of the picture. "The Savar Is one of very few theatres in the United States to boast ot a public address system whereby the lowest of sounds from the stage, even a whisper, will be amplified so that it can be distinctly heard In the most remote "For those who have defective hearing a Sonotone system has been Installed which will, by the use of ear phones furnished by the management, permit those so afflicted to enjoy the performance as well as any other patron of the theatre. Seats Height of Comfort "Full spring seats with heavily upholstered backs and the most efficient heating, ventilating, air conditioning and cooling system yet devised will amply fulfill the comfort requirement that every Jheatre- goer has i a right to -demand. ''For the patrons further comfort and convenience, a lounge attractively furnished with modern chrome and leather furniture has been pro name sign, roof sign, front wall of theatre and pylon are concealed to give a glow or silhouette effect. Modernism Is the keynote of the new Savar Theatre, according to William H.

Lee, widely known architect who' designed Camden's new $500,000 amusement palace. Lee, who has designed more than 100 theatres, as well as other large buildings, and whose office is located at 1505 Race street, Philadelphia, was given a free hand by the Savar Amusement Company its desire to make the new house one of the finest in the country. "We told Mr. Lee to spare no necessary expense on this enterprise," declared Samuel Varbalow. "We told him to create a structure in which we could appropriately present any type of modern amusement with the greatest comfort and convenience to our patrons.

The result has been acclaimed by many experienced showmen as the forerunner of the theatre of the future." Lee today described himself as "more than pleased" jesult Building termed Machine "The Savar Theatre," he said, "is the first complete structure of any importance in the Philadelphia-Camden territory and the only large theatre in the country in which the fundamental theories underlying the much-discussed modern architecture have been employed. It is modernism' in its truest implications in that its design is a natural outgrowth of its functions. The structure might almost be called a machine, scientifically designed to present, free from all annoyances to the patrons the most modern type of amusement. "Vision, hearing, physical comfort LEON H. BKLBKB Former manager of the Walt Whitman Theatre, who will run new Savar.

"All outline work Is illuminated with red; and blue tubing. There are two main color actions In the illuminating. The entire front is first bathed in amber, then bathed in white, creating a subdued effect intensified with the neon tubing. many of the theatre's future patrons. Reversing the usual approach to the problem of designing a theatre front the structure was created as an appropriate background for signs and as a consequeBca tha-signs beoom an Integral part of the building instead of appearing to have been thought' of and applied after the theatre was finished.

expense involved in the elaborate equipment of a modern projection room. Literally filled with complicated electrical machinery, It represents one of the wonders of modern science. Needless to say the Savar projection room is the last word in sound and projection equipment On the stage, as well, no attempt has been made to economize. The subdued effect by individual lighting is the popular style of today. i 'The ceiling 'of the marquee is already a familiar sight to a great also very different from past installations.

The design and use of 'Few theatre patrons realize the the neon tubing is extreme. The lavish use of stainless steel throughout is of particular interest. The large letters of the name contain over 600 none of wnicn are exposea. The front of the theatre contains 1500 lamps and 1400 feet of neon tubing. The electrical consumption is approximately 87,000 watts per hour." The revolutionary new HCA Photophone "High Fidelity" iound sys-tem, recently Installed In the Badio City Music Hall and the Centre theatre, Rockefeller Centre, New.

York, will make its local debut tomorrow night with the opening ot Camden's newest theatre, the Savar. Whereas previous systems have been able to reproduce tones as low as 100 cycles and as high as 6000 at best, the newest product ol the RCA Manufacturing Company can faithfully reproduce tones as low as 40 cycles and as high as 10,000, according to Leon B. Berber manager of the i "With the installation of the new RCA apparatus," Belber declared, "patrons of the Savar will be assured of brilliantly natural and intelligible sound, sound that, until very recently, was only possible in the world's largest laboratories. "As a matter of fact, the new system actually is capable of reproducing a wider range of sound than many of the motion pictures now made can provide. In any event, RCA Photophone High Fidelity reproduction gets the utmost out of the recorded film and literally recreates the sound in all its original brilliance.

Women's Voices Aided ''Our-patrons will observe decided improvement in the natural quality of the actors' speaking voices, particularly of women's voices, heretofore the most difficult to record and reproduce because of the high frequencies involved. Now audible sounds in a range of from 40 to 10,000 cycles are faithfully reproduced with all the delicate shadings of the human voice which are so distinguishable in actual speech. This dynamic shading of tone is just as apparent in the sonorous volume of full symphony orchestra." Sound technicians from the RCA laboratories personally installed and tested the new system and reported it ready. A new giant loudspeaker, capable of reproducing the entire range of audible frequencies with the utmost fidelity, has been installed behind the perforated screen from which the sound emanates and connected with the new sound head and high quality amplifications system in the projection booth. "Technical progress In the sound motion picture art," Belber said, "has been so rapid and far-reaching since the time, a few short years ago, when speech and music were added to the moving image on the screen, that sound reproducing sys- terns of the earlier days-are now hopelessly inadequate in recreating the finely recorded pictures of the present day.

Need For Improvements Seen "Responsible motion picture exhibitors have for some time been aware that the continuous advances which have been scored in the art of recording, sound motion pictures had far outstripped the performance of curent types of motion picture reproducing equipment. "Consequently, the theatre patron was not reaping the full benefit of these remarkable Improvements if the theatre equipment did not measure up to the new, more exacting requirements. "In line with our policy of making the best possible entertainment available to our patrons, we made a thorough study of the various types of equipment on the market and unhesitatingly chose the new RCA Photophone High Fidelity sound system from all the others. "With this system there is a perceptible lift to the sound reproduced. Instruments in the orchestra take on new life and, Spoken words lose their metallic quality and take on an intimate, human timbre, and the whole effect is a revelation of recreated sound.

Our patrons are due for a pleasant surprise when they hear this new system in operation. Climaxes Years of Research "The range of volume has been improved so that the merest whisper of the wind in the grass or the great crescendo of a symphony orchestra may be reproduced with equal fidelity." The development of the new system comes 'as the culmination of years of persistent research and experiment by a group of engineers with a background of more than 30 years of acoustical experience. ON THE NtW SAVAR THEATRE Furnished By THE HOUSE OF RUTTENBERC 428 Kaighn Avenue Camden 4800' I if i 1 A Hi CONGRATULATIONS AND JEST WISHES TO THE OUR CONGRATULATIONS To The Owners of The Savar Theatre The confidence they have expressed in the future of Camden in the construction of this fine, modern new theatre should be a source of inspiration to every citizen. We extend sincere wishes for the success of this new enterprise. rrr SAVAR rv Jttutfrian $rotecttbe LOCAL 77" AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS AffllimUd With th Anuriun Federation ot Labor and Central Labor Union' of Philadelphia 120 NORTH 18th STREET Klayhou Mag nificent appears on the Camden Scene DSP THE NEW ru THEATRE A Proiperou.

Future to the New MARKET STREET at BROADWAY SAVAR THEATRE Opens Wednesday, April 15th, 11 A. M. Newest Vision and Sound Devices Unusual Seating Arrangement Combin In Miike Thin the tuuntrr'a Mint Madera rlailioiiM ART and science bring to South Jersey the Playhouse Magnificent THE NEW SAVAR most modern motion picture theatre, An unusual playhouse, planned to include the newest scientific developments in sound picture projection, air conditioning, greater physical comfort and safety. All these features combined make the Savar the "Radio City Music And for those with defective hearing, Sonotone installation are scattered throughout thi house. Simply ask the usher foi head-phones and you will be escorted to the proper seat, The Savar is of striking architec- ture.

It is the country's only large theatre in which the fundamental theories underlying truly modern design have been ex. ecuted in complete detail. CONCRETE FOUNDATION COMPANY 770 South Schuylkill Avenue Philadelphia I EMILE ESTOCLET Special Sound Aids for the Hard-of-Hearing REAL. ESTATE NEGOTIATIONS for the SAVAR AMUSEMENT CO. Making Possible the Opening of SAVAR THEATRE Were Completed by LIT Co: 114 North Broadway Camden and MARKEIM, CHALMERS and LUDINGT0N Hall of South Jersey." Vision in particular, has been given special attention.

The shape of the auditorium, method of seating, floor slant and lighting all con- tribute to a full, undistorted view of screen and Newest projectors assure the clearest of pictures. Sound handling is unique. The Savar in co-operation with RCA Victor, hag installed one of the finest public address systems in this country a method whereby even a whisper on the stage can be heard In the furthermost seat without distortion, too, for a "sound mixer" constantly checks and regulates the tonal qualities just as in a radio control room. Ease I and comfort is assured. Roomy chairs with curved backs, self-lifting seats, plenty of leg-room, wide aisles and indirect lighting insure safety and comfort during and between the performances.

The newest in air conditioning introduces natural air combined with Artesian Well Water resulting in a sweet and wholesome atmosphere without the drafts and inconveniences usually associated with mechanical air conditioning. And pictures! The Savar will feature exclusive first showings of leading famous players and producers. As an opening presentation we have selected a picture that indicates the SAVAR policy good, clean amusement. The New SAVAR Theatre Uses THE AMERICAN SYSTEM Fully Automatic All Year Round AIR CONDITIONING Healthful: Safe: Hygenic Nature! Only Equivalent Engineered, Installed, Guaranteed and Serviced by THE AMERICAN HEATING VENTILATING CO. 1505 Race Street, Philadelphia r.

D. Findett, Pre. Ceo. C. Lewis, Vice Free.

Federal Street at Fourth Camden faCjIV r3 yS 4 The SAVAR'S FIRST ATTRACTION GUimOFIETS.