The Berkshire Eagle from Pittsfield, Massachusetts • 6

kwA-4 1- 6The Berkshire, Eagle, Saturcddy, Feb. 4, 1967' ribme ement Stildy Shows Relocation Is Unnerving.Eperience m. 0 1 1 Theatre Renovated and Renamed Showcase arii. Cut in Hall 4 Owners 1.p Half 1 ners 1I tnoved into a nearby public housing project, most of the up- By JOHN PIERSON WASHINGTON Sup. roma were cuspersect into neighborhoods far from the old southwest.

Loss is Deep "For many, the loss Was deep and continues ys ays ays ay ays Drop in Building Causes -Decline In Steel Orders Steel pmdue-ers report a 10 per cent drop in orders in January and blame the low level of home building as a major cause, but they claim also that homeowners and home buyers are going on "strike" against 'luxury pliances. The steel producers said the cut back in orders and employment by manufacturers of appliances such as kitchen ranges, dishwashers and garbage disposal units are going beyond what would be a true reflection of the reduction in home Thursz. "They, have not readjUsied; and one-fourth of the respondents have not a single friend since leaving the old southwest." The people resent this. Said one: "You should not ask people to leave the neighborhood in-which they were born and lived all their lives." 1 1 1 i 1 1 J' 1 ,,1 1 1 1 --1 PI, i i 't i 4, i 5,,, 1 I 1 i 1 1 ''''11, I 1 S. I Jj Iel ..1 0 Self-Contained Power Plants For the Home I Concluded 'rhursz: "If a neighborhood requires 'the bull.

dozer approach (and many do not), plans should be made for the families to move into new homes on 9r near the kite." a A -4 'I i IVY 7......., odk I (ill 11111111111L. sloir By EDWARD FARRELL The new Showcase Theatre may have difficulty in shaldng its old identities. (There are many who still call it the Kameo de. 41te the' fact that it had operated for nearly 20 years as the State Theatre.) However, Col. Samuel X.

Goldstein, president of Western Massachusetts and owner of the theatre, has extended' himself to see that old ghosts have been put to rest permanently. The balcony, once the favorite launching pad for periodic spit-bail and popcorn- barrages, is gone. The rock like chairs designed to Induce discomfort at minute intervals, have been replaced by- the ultimate in comfort: spring cushion seats that rock slightly. The stage has disappeared. It Is completely hidden by a 17 by 33 foot screen of the most modern design.

Dramatic Change Probably the most dramatic change was made in placing the seats. Because the pitch of the floor is more gradual than in most theatres, Col. Goldstein had the seats staggered so that no one sits directly behind the person in front. This gives every patron a clear, unobstructed view of the screen. (Ladies still will be requested to remove their hats during the main feature.) It was a costly arrangement because the seating capacity has been reduced from 1,100 to 438.

However, with the added comfort, the Improved screen, new sound equipment, improvements in projection and a stimulating decor, Col. Goldstein hopes to entice the public away from the "boob tube" back into the theatre. Among the other interesting touches to the renovated theatre Is the location of the ticket office. It hasbeen moved inside the foyer near the concession stand. according, to Francis J.

Faille, who is overseeing the reopening project for Col. Goldstein, "is to give the patron ments in projection and a stimu- lathlg decor, Col. Goldstein hopes to entice the public away from the "boob tube" back into the theatre. Among' the other, interesting touches to the renovated theatre Is the location of the ticket of- Hee. It hasbeen moved inside the foyer near the concession stand.

according, to Francis Faille, who is overseeing the project for Col. Gold- "is to give the patron r. FARRELL Neese Theatre kr shaldng its here are many the Kameo de- at it had oper- 20 years as Samuel I ant of Western rheatres and eatre, has ex, CO see that old ice the favorite periodic spit- 1- barrages, is like chairs de. discomfort at vals, have been a ultimate in cushion seats disappeared. It len by a 17 by of the most most dramatic in placing the Le pitch of the 'adual than in Col.

Goldstein B. pose you hadn't made one friend in five years. Then you'd know what it's like to be a slum dweller who's been relocated far away from his broken-down home. That's the conclusion of a study made of 98 poor families five years after they were kicked out of their homes in southwest Washington, D.C., to make way for urban renewat The study was done 3)y Daniel Thursz, a professor at the University of Maryland school of social work. Says Thursz: "When slums are torn down, the people who lived there should be given new homes on or near the site of their old homes.

They should not be scattered to the four winds." Demoralized Otherwise, they wilrbe very wthappy. Their world will be wrenched apart so hard as to leave them demoralized and easy prey for a host of social ills he said. Probably a million Americans have been uprooted by the renewal bulldozer and relocated elsewhere, either with or without government assistance. But powerful forces are opposed to the idea of letting poor families remain in their old neighborhoods once slums are cleared. Many supporters of urban renewal see it as a way of creating attractive neighborhoods to lure middle-and upper-class people who otherwise would flee to the suburbs.

Rich peoplw have fancier houses than poor people and pay more taxes. So the case for getting rid of the poor is hard to resist. Their Home But if Thursz is right, maybe it should be resisted. His investigation revealed a poignant fact. "No matter how dirty, inadequate; and unsanitary the old southwest was, it was also h-o-m-e for families that had been there for a long time." Most of them had resided in Washington at least 10 years.

"One should not romanticize the life of the slum dweller," Thursz says. The people he interviewed anted things changed." But except for a few who 3 Mitchell RENOVATED TIIEATRE will open Feb. 15 under the name "Showcase Theatre." The balcony has been re, moved, seats staggered and capacity more than halved by Western Massachusetts Theatres, the new owners. The new 33-foot-wide screen covers up the old stage area The interior was completely refurbished. The cushioned chairs rock with plenty of leg room between the staggered rows.

The' original Cameo opened in 1929. Mitchell PURITAN QUALITY WALLPAPER PIIRITAII WASHINGTON, The day appears to be inching closer when blackout-wary homeowners can cut their lines to the local power company. Scientists and engineers in a numbee of Industrial labs are making slow but measurable progress toward perfecting small electrical generating units strictly for home use. But it is many years Problems still Be ahead in developing generators that can produce sufficient quantities of electricity to run' the average home's lights, appliances and heating system at a cost competitive with the juice coming over a utility line. In theory, though, home generators can be made practical.

One approach is the fuel cell, designed to work like those which powered Gemini spacecraft. The General Electric Co. is experimenting with one- that would convert a hydrocarbon fuel like gasoline or kerosene-directly into electriCity. A more recent invention, spurred by the great Northeast 'blackout of 1965, is a -gas-fired thermionic generator. Where the GE cell uses a chemical process to set up a flow of electrons to make electritity, the thermionic generator employs heat.

pe biz cu 1 nu ml SIT str MI 1 150 Patterns in stock goo at tif 0 off regular price! The latest in design and colors dial 3-5611 ANN HARDWARE CO, Western Massachusetts Theatres expects to start work on the store interiors once the theatre is completed. Mr. Faille said the office has been besieged with potential tenants for the stores, but no decision on who will occupy yet been made. A new, gas-fired heatirig tern has been installed throughJ. out the building, and gas operreopening ated 'air conditioning equip-stein, mept is being planned for the some added protection from the theatre section.

weather." Traditionally, box of- The theatre, will operate on a flees are located out in front of anew type of schedule. There will the theatre almost on the street. be performances every evening Marquees offer some protection, starting at 8 with matinee but more than once patrons formances only on Wednesdays, have had sharp winds whip tick- Saturdays and Sundays ets and change from their However, Mr. Faille said hands. The office location also special schedules will be arallows patrons standing ill line ranged for sChool vacation to wait in comfort weeks and on holidays on the exterior of the theatre, The official opening is set for Western Massachusetts Theatres expects to start work on the store interiors once the theatre Is completed.

Mr. Faille said the office has been besieged with potential tenants for the stores, but no decision on who will occupy them ias yet been made. -) A new, gas-fired heating tem has been installed through- out the building, and gas oper- ated 'air conditioning equip- ment is being planned for the theatre section. The theatre, will operate on a new type of schedule. There will be performances every evening starting at 8 with matinee per- formances only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

However, Mr. Faille special schedules will, be ar- ranged for school vacation weeks and on holidays. The official opening is set for 537 North St. Free Parking Delivery sociations of Independent Insurance Agents. Mr.

Daley is married to the former Marilyn Shaughnessy. They live at 37 Pollock Ave. Mr. Tucker also announced that Mrs. Ralph R.

Kirby of 43 Richaed Drive has joined the firm as an associate. the marquee has been corn- Feb. 15, but the Pittsfield Ki- pletely redesigned with a new'. wanis Club will have a benefit ueker and Daley Orgamze system of lights installed. A new performance on the 14th.

facade covers the entrance and The Showcase Theatre has in- the two stores that flank it. herited a checkered career. It Ins ranee and Realty Firm St-ores for Rent began as the Kameo in 1929 and 4 was operated by Peter Cimini until 1948 when it was closed for 1 1 refurbishing and a change in 1 4 name. As the Kameo, it fee- I tured second run movies, Class features and assorted attractions designed to cater to i -5 the younger audiences. Its Sa- i turday matinees were devastat- ,01 i i ing for adults.

Hurricane force i 4r .7. sys-, popcorn, storms, mixed with ill 't' candied apples and gum --I i''. pers propelled from the balcony i showered the audience. Traffic .1 1 up- and down and across the t. aisles was endless.

The noise 'i level matched that of a In fact, there are some who be- here the national trend away i- from motion pictures started in i the Kerne. 1 4 When it changed over to the i 1 I i State Theatre, competition from i I il 14, television began to set in, and i I the theatre went rough I ser- les of openings an -closings and an appropiate number of man- Richard F. Tucker William F. Daley agers. Its later years were marked Two Pittsfield men, Richard was associated briefly with a' by a series of owners, court -F.

Tucker and William F. Denis J. Duquette- of Dalton. 'tsuits and finally its sale to le Western Massachusetts Theatres Day, announced today they He was an industrial arts In- 1.7-Ta- ihdig63. It wasn't 'until this year have formed a new real estate structor at Dalton High School that Mr.

Goldstein decided to re- and insurance agency with of. before entering the real estate i open the movie house. Goldstein flees in Da business. He is a native of also owns the Palace and Capitol Dalton and Pittsfield. 442 1661 9.

1- about ,17 theatres in Pittsfield along with Mas the Tucker, DaleY Agency. Fitchburg State College. He is others throughout Main headquarters are at 857 married to the former Joan iii 6 Western Massachusetts. The new firm, will be known Fitchburg and a-- graduate of ain Dalton. A Pittsfield of- Quinn of North Adams.

1 7-- No manager has yet been as- fice is being opened in the Tray- Mr. Daley is a native of Ban- signed to the theatre, but Mr. Faille, who is assistant to elodge Motel on Cheshire Road gor, Maine, and a graduate of in Pittsfield. St. Anselm's Ile was Goldsteini has been in Pittsfield Mr.

Tucker, recently elected associated with the Metropolitan to supervise the renovating pro- -ject and reopening plans. He to his second term as president Life Insurance Co. in Pittsfield of the Berkshire County Board for a number of years before -used to be stationed in Pittsfield of Real Estate Brokers, has resigning to- become an inde- 'as manager of the old Strand been in the rear estate business pendent agent. He has corn. and Palace theatres.

He lives in in Pittsfield and Dalton since pleted the Life Underwriters daily between that community Greenfield now and commutes 1957' He has operated his own Training Course and is a mem- agency most of the time. He her of the nalional and local As-and Pittsfield. I i i.i 1..,... i''''' li 1 i i i- 1.. 1 I I "ej, Tel.

442-6916 Complintents of CAPITOL THEATRE Compliments of CAPITOL THEATRE SUPPLY CO. 28 PIEDMONT STREET BOSTON, MASS. iloDownPaymenti Let us Install the new EFFICIENT WET BASE BURNHAM JUBILEE OIL-FIRED BOILER 24 Warren Ter. Pittsfield 14. 24 Warren Ter.

Pittsfield I I Congratulations to the Is Proud To Have Supplied Miscellaneous Lumber' Doors and Millwork for the new ave Su'-' lied )u Lumbe Aillwork for if SHOWCASE THEATRE StIOUJORSE INERTIIE 111 PIS I I I I I Efi licIE We are proud to have been selected as a supplier. :..1.. 1 rtvii t.trr lk. I '44, I '1 1 1 4 1 '-e i r- 4, 1 PITTSFIELD SUPPLY 501 North St. 'TOL 445-4509 Much, Good Luck to the another North Street conversion from steam SHOWCASE beautified throughout with 111 1 Paints 1 Tops In fuel officiencyl Sum flame 100 surrounded by water-.

backed heatire- -urfaces plus efficient Vertica lue Travel and hundreds of heat-grabbing fins get more heat from the fual you buy! Other outstanding features ore: Lifetime Cast-Iron Con. strliction Completely Auto. matic Plentifulyeaeround hot faucet water Handsome havily Insulated locket Available with Ex. 'tended Jacket Fire Retardant Paint Spray-Texture Paint distributed, and supplied by 4 IL -x to NATURAL GAS HEAT Berkshire Wallpaper Paint another d- proudly completed 1 0011 evall li fQrthe- .01,10 rirr1 '171 1111,1 (1.1' 1 r'o rj 9 11.41... "In the longrun the costs less 1 1927..40 years of 196, r.

439 North Street 447-7078 YOU GET 1. A FREE HEATING SURVEY 2'. IMMEDIATE INSTALLATION 'A ikwww.mm!mm,mimmimm CALL 442-16161 the too. PLUMBING for the Entrance, Exit doors and Stand Up Rails I of for the Entrance, Exit doors and Stand Up Rails. SHOWCASE Supplied Installed by 8 0 Allendale Ile a Shpping Center I 105.

TYLER SIIOWCASE THEATRE piiismuo PITISVIEM It Sell It I 1.