The Charlotte Observer, Tuesday, March 8, 1927

CROWDS JAM TRAFFIC IN RUSH TO CAROLINA THEATER OPENING

New Playhouse Presented To City At Gala Ceremony

Mayor Abernethy in Formal Presentation Speech - John A. McRae Accepts on the Part of Chamber of Commerce. Music Features Program.

The new "Cathedral to Entertainment," the Carolina theatre, opened last night in a blaze of splendor and magnificence.

It flung open its doors to receive one of the most immense gatherings ever assembled for an indoor amusement in the city of Charlotte. They came from far and near and all but fought for a place in line before the ticket office.

JAM STREET.

So great was the crowd that at 7:30 p.m., half an hour before the program began, that the line extended past the Second Presbyterian church, a block from the theater. Police were necessary to preserve order at the ticket window. Hundreds were turned away, unable to enter.

Not only was there a formal presentation by Mayor Abernethy and a formal acceptance by John A. McRae, Charlotte attorney, on the part of Chamber of Commerce, but there was the customary rendition of the Star Spangled Banner and the rendition of a group of southern songs, including Dixie.

MAYOR SPEAKS.

Mayor Abernethy spoke in superlative terms of the new theater. Ascribing its advantages and beauty and lauded the Publix Theater corporation for having taken the lease on the building.

Mr. McRae accepted for Charlotte and spoke in high terms of the civic patriotism of J. H. Cutter, Charlotte capitalist, in taking the risk of constructing the theater. The building is said to have cost in excess of half a million dollars.

Warren I. Irvin, manager of the theater, acted as master of ceremonies.

The crowd was vociferous in its acclamation of the program. It clapped and shouted and even whistled in the more intense moments.

THE PROGRAM.

When Ray Alvino and his banjo boys finished their last number, it was fully five minutes before the cheering died down, notwithstanding the fact that the orchestra had begun playing and the feature picture of the evening was reeling off scene and subtitle.

It should be said at this juncture, that the banjo boys were the hit of the evening. While everything else seemed to bring gladness and joy to the tired businessman and the weary housewoman, it was this number that made the rafters rings and the welkin resound.

The banjo music tickled the audience and made it giggle. There was a black-face dancer with Ray Alvino who danced with such abandon that concern was registered among the Carolina patrons lest he sling off a foot or two in his gyrations. Ray Alvino, himself, did a turn on his instrument that was startlingly unique. The ensemble of the boys, all six of them, was pleasing as has been seen in the city in years.

Another splendid number was staged by Mr. and Mrs. Edward Atchison and the three Paramount dancers. Both Mr. and Mrs. Atchison had good voices and sang some exquisite numbers. The three dancers tripped the light fantastic in a ballet with effective grace and airiness. One, in particular, the solo dancer, twirled in most pleasing fashion. The audience burst into spontaneous applause at her movements.

There was more, much more. The program lasted until after 10:30. Nathaniel Finalon, general director of music in Publix theaters, was present as guest conductor and led in the orchestra's overture. He did a good job of directing.

ORGAN RECITAL.

And then Fae Wilcox was "at the mighty Wurlitzer," playing to the complete satisfaction of all concerned. She had a pleasing solo number giving a group of waltzes both old and new. Suitable words and scenes were thrown on the screen as she played.

Lillian Rozelle, of Salisbury, "The Carolina Nightingale," did the Star Spangled Banner at the opening of the program.

The picture, "A Kiss in a Taxi," featuring Bebe Daniels, was a frothy little affair, abounding in delightfully risque and unusual situations. It was a good picture.

Among the officials of the Publix theaters present last night were Harry Marx, director of theater management; E. J. Mullin, director of projection, all of New York; and George [...]by of Boston, field director of service.