Broadway CINERAMA screen

Date: Wed, 19 Feb 2003 08:19:25 +1100
Newsgroups: rec.arts.movies.tech
Size: 865 bytes

Photos of the Oyster Bay screen indicate that it was fully louvered. Other
installations of the the 1950s had a solid center since there was no
reflection from the middle 1/4 - 1/3 . "Super" Cinerama installations from
around 1961 , like Seattle, reverted to full louvring.
But what about cinema No. 1 - the Broadway?. My understanding is that is was
of the solid center type. It has been claimed by good friend of Jack Beech
( now deceased) who was in charge of stage rigging for J.R.Clancy Company of
Syracuse, N.Y, that it was completely solid. Problems were apparently
encountered in stretching of the screen tight and Mr. Beech 'came to the
rescue' receiving a Cinerama pass signed by Fred Waller for his trouble.
I'm very interested in what they did in Albuqerque too, but does anyone have
any concrete hearsay on the Broadway Theater?.
Thanks
David Coles