Stockton Evening and Sunday Record from Stockton, California • 61

A Preview of New Breed The MS Brasalia this week gave the Port of Stockton a preview of the new breed of "hybrid" container ships that will play a major role in shaping the inland ports future. The 570-foot Brasalia, which loaded 700 tons of general cargo for Europe, is the second of five Johnson Line ships to be converted for expanded container use. The vessels are cut apart to accommodate a prefabricated midship section equipped to carry 90 20-foot containers. Special fittings make it possible to carry an additional 62 containers on deck. The conversion is adding 79 feet to each ship.

The project is believed to be the largest of its type ever undertaken by a single ship owner. COLOR-FILLED FOYER Walls of blue, vivid red carpeting and multicolored, bowl" light fixtures fail to distract Lawrence Gleason (left), General Cinema Corp. district manager, and Richard A. Al" Strader, manager ef the new Cinema theater in Sherwood Plan, as they confer on forthcoming films. I Record pMet) The Cinema-lts Bathed in Blue By Maury Kane All other cargo areas on the ships are equipped to accommodate unitized cargo on pallets.

The five versatile ships will be the only completely unitized-containerized vessels operating between Pacific Coast and North European ports. Although the Brasilias deadweight and cubic capacity was increased by one-third, the previous 19.5-knot speed was maintained. The Stockton cargo consisting of nuts, dried fruit, canned goods, cotton linters and chemicals were loaded aboard in 11 containers, measuring 8x8x20 feet, and eight measuring 8x8x8 feet. Port Traffic Manager William Turner said the converted Johnson Line ships will broaden the ports container service for valley shippers. Other Johnson Line ships due for similar conversion include the Bahia Blanca, the Rosario and the Santos.

The first vessel converted was the Rio de Janeiro. The new Cinema theater, which opened this weekend in Sherwood Plaza Shopping Center, incorporates two major innovations developed by General Cinema which operates the nationwide chain. One is the curtain-less, drape-less "shadow box" stage, which frames the screen and make for better presentation of color motion pictures, explains theater manager Richard A. "Al" Strader. During intermissions, the stage is bathed in a soft blue light provided by concealed spots, creating an ethereal effect.

The second innovation one being adopted now by many major motion picture chains is the auditorium wall treatment. The walls are covered with corrugated, perforated, aluminum panels, covering four inches of fiberglass. The rippled walls prevent the "bouncing" of the high fidelity sound and, instead, spread it evenly over the theater, Strader points out. Push-back seats on the inclined floor permit Cinema theatergoers to pass between rows without causing anyone to stand up. A staggered seating plan provides an unobstructed view of the wide screen from any seat in the house.

General Cinemas concern for color is immediately apparent on entering the lobby, with its deep blue walls and a seemingly luminous plush red carpeting. An art gallery is being included in the lobby, to provide an outlet, for displays by local artists. The snack bar is given a dramatic treatment with spotlight- i i i 4 i FOR BETTER SOUND Strader points to the Cinemas special corrugated aluminum walls, which make for better distribution of sound. has some 150 theaters throughout the country, is a poineer in the development of shopping center theaters. It established the first such theater in Farmington, in 1951.

The company also operates a chain of 12 bowling alleys. The Stockton Cinema is the firms third in the Central Valley. Others are in Fresno and in Sacramento. The latter has twin auditoriums. Another Cinema is under construction in Visalia.

The company has eight theaters now in California and plans to build another 28 in the state, according to Strader. General Cinema selected Stockton for a theater site because of its present rapid rate of growth and its "tremendous future potential for growth," according to the companys district manager, Lawrence Gleason. (Continued on Page F-20) ing. Near the snack bar are clusters of bowl-shaped special lighting fixtures in a variety of lively colors. A large planter divides the walkway leading to the theater entrance.

William Riseman Associates of Boston, designed the concrete building in cooperation with the San Francisco architectural firm of Robert Liies Inc. Pacific Investment a subsidiary of Stone Bros. Associates, which is developing the multimillion-dollar shopping center, erected the theater, which is on the west side of Pacific Avenue, adjacent to the Swain Oaks subdivision. The theater is adjacent to some 30,000 square feet of specialty shops now under construction and die mart discount department store, which opened late last month. General Cinema which MAIDEN VOYAGE Making her first trip to Stockton this week after conversion to a hybrid unilized-container vessel was the MS Brasilia, one of five Johnson Line ships be big so converted.

I Record photo) Stockton (Calif.) Record Saturday, December 21, 1968 F-25 i.