"An Experiment in Film Design"

Exhibitors Herald-World, March 16, 1929

Excerpts from an article by Douglas Fox

"Important among the features of the Film Art Guild's new theatre in New York is the 'screenoscope,' designed by Frederick Kiesler of Vienna. In 1918 Kiesler began his plans for an 'ideal motion picture theatre.' It was Kiesler who designed the Film Art Cinema."

"This theatre, which was opened February 1, seats only 485 persons. Yet it incorporates much that is new in both vision and acoustics and combines the greatest projection economy with the utmost in projection scope." 

"A section of the lounge, a chamber of modern comfort
and modernistic appointments--in both respects candid to the point of bluntness." 

 

"The auditorium looking towards the rear, showing the arrangement of the indirect lighting
and deeply upholstered, chair-like, blue and silver seating." 

 

  "The left side of the auditorium, showing the black wall strip used as a second screen.
The ceiling flares upwards towards the rear." 

 

"The 'camera eye,' half shut.
This feature, called by the inventor the 'screenoscope,' is well shown
in this photograph of the auditorium."  

 

House of Shadow Silence,
an audio/visual virtual reality experience that transports audiences to a simulation of the historic Film Guild Cinema. 

 

Film Guild Cinema
52 W. 8th Street,
New York, NY

Renamed 8th Street Playhouse on May 14, 1930.
Closed November 26, 1992.

 

 

Since 1997 theatre historian,  Cezar Del Valle, has conducted a popular series of  theatre talks and walks, available for  historical societies, libraries, senior centers, etc.

Del Valle is the author of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, a three-volume history of borough theatres.

The first two chosen 2010 OUTSTANDING BOOK OF THE YEAR by the Theatre Historical Society. Final volume published in September 2014.

Currently seeking funding for “Editing & Formatting” the first three volumes of the Brooklyn Theatre Index, 3rd Edition

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