Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
In 1920, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “Binghamton, New York, work came in during February and proved to be a good contract.” He was referring to the Strand Theatre on Chenago street in Binghamton, New York. When the theater opened that spring, the “Press and Sun-Bulletin” reported, “In the decorations some of some of the best artists in the country have been employed…The asbestos curtain is decorated to harmonize with the rest of the house. The drop curtain, of blue, is hand-painted to correspond in tone with the draperies. The scenery is all of the newest and latest design” (6 March 1920, page 12). A picture of the asbestos curtain was pictured alongside the article about the new theater.
Local headlines announced, “Theater Built in Record Time Despite Delays. Contractor Badgley Erects Strand in About Seven Months of Actual Work. Best Materials Are Used. Binghamton’s New Playhouse Is Absolutely Fireproof, Declares Builder” (“Press and Sun-Bulletin,” 6 March 1920, page 13). The article continued, “Work on the Strand Theater, Binghamton’s new playhouse, which will be opened on Monday, was begun on May 20, 1919, under the direction of A. E. Badgley, who has since had full charge of its construction.
“Inasmuch as the [work] was interrupted entirely for a month and partially for two weeks more by the contractor’s inability to get deliveries of steel, the theater was actually completed in approximately seven months’ working time. This constitutes a record of which both Mr. Badgley and the members of the company are rather proud.
“The celerity with which the work was done becomes even more surprising when it is realized that a large part of it had to be performed in the face of the most severe weather conditions in many years. Cold wave followed cold wave, but the builders early got the building enclosed and thereafter work proceeded almost as fast as it would have in Summer.
“The long wait occasioned by the none delivery of steel came in September and October and was due to conditions prevalent throughout the country. The contractor obtained his steel rather than more quickly than he had first expected, and the work thereafter went with a rush. But for the unavoidable delay the theater could have been opened by Christmas.
“Mr. Badgley said today that none but the best materials, steel, brick and concrete, were used in the building, and that it is absolutely fireproof.
An unusual feature is that no posts have been used anywhere in the auditorium. The balcony is supported by steel girders weighing18 and 20 tons, leaving a clear space everywhere in the auditorium.
“The seating capacity is given by the management as approximately 1,600.
“The ground dimensions of the theater are 134 by 60 feet and the height from the floor to the dome is 50 feet. The stage opening is 32 feet and the height to the top of the proscenium arch, 26 feet. The stage is ample in size for the most elaborate vaudeville offerings.
“In the construction of the building there was an unusual freedom from delays sometimes caused by error in the plans and the things overlooked. Aside from the delay arising from the difficulty in obtaining steel, everything went with great smoothness.
“Names of Builders. The following men and concerns furnished materials and workmanship for the theater: Contractor in charge of construction, A. E. Badgkey, Stone Opera House building; plumbing, Robert J. Malane, State Street; heating plant, Runyan & Ogden, Commericial Avenue; cement, J. W. Ballard company, Jarvis Street; draperies, Sisson Brothers-Welden company, Court Street.”
I am pausing to comment on the draperies credited to the Sisson Brother-Welden Company. The draperies mentioned were for the rest of the building and not the stage. Sisson Brother-Welden company was a local dry goods and supply store, not a theatrical manufacturing firm.
The article continued: “carpets and furniture, Sanitary Bedding and Furniture company, Chenago Street; roofing, Binghamton Slag Roofing company, State Street; signs, Georger F. Ullman company, State Street; hardware, Crocker & Ogden, Court Street; tinning, Sullivan & Brothers, State Street’ plaster work, Maltby & company, Corning; X-Ray Reflector company, 31 West 46th street, New York City; automatic ticket sellers and cash registers. Automatic Ticket Selling and Cash Resgister company, 1737 Broadway, New York City; organ, Kimball Organ Company, Chicago; decorating, Gustave Brandt company, Chicago.”
Interesting that there is no individual note for the scenery and stage machinery, especially as the asbestos curtain my Moses was pictured alongside the article. However, the Strand primarily featured photoplays. The article concluded with, “The photoplays will be supplied by the following companies, Goldwyn Distributing Company, 200 Peral Street, Buffalo; Famous players-Laskey Corporation, 215 Franklin Street, Buffalo; Select Pictures Corporation, Franklin street, Buffalo; United Artists, 29 Seventh Avenue, New York City; First National Exhibitors, Inc., Franklin Street, Buffalo.”
Of particular interest to me was the X-Ray lighting system. On March 6, the “Binghamton Press” reported, “The lighting effect are obtained by means of the latest X-Ray system, used at present in only a few theaters in the United States. All the lights are concealed in ‘coves’ and are controlled by a dimming system so that they cannot only be dimmed or made to blaze brilliantly at will, but also to shed light of any color desired…On the ceiling are panels shaded in light fine delicate colors, and reaching entirely across the theater, above the proscenium arch, is a striking mural painting. This, like the other paintings, is lighted with battery of X-Ray lights in front of the balcony rail, making it stand out prominently. The dome, also beautifully decorated, is lighted with X-Ray lights which many be manipulated to create any color effect desired.”
For future film features, the article continued, “The projection room is the back of the balcony and entirely out of the way. It is equipped with two of the latest Simplex projecting machines. These will be operated with direct current, which assures steady and flickerless pictures.”
To be continued…
