In consequence of the burning of the Pickwick Theatre, moving picture shows will be given in Gerrard Hall from now until June. H.F. Comer, Y.M.C.A. secretary, is representing the University in a supervisory capacity. W.S. Roberson, who conducted the Pickwick under lease from the owner, will put on the shows in Gerrard Hall under a profit sharing arrangement with the University.
As soon as the share to be received by the Y.M.C.A. (representing the University) was decided upon, Secretary Comer said to Mr. Roberson:
“Well, we’ll just take our share in a reduced price of admission, and you can just cut the price of tickets by that percentage.” Accordingly the cut will be made.
Mr. Roberson is to bear all the expense of production, including the thorough cleaning of the building after each performance. He is also to install two projecting machines of the most approved types. Poor projection of pictures has been one of the chief complaints against the Pickwick.
As the chance from street to campus takes place, the determination is made to end the rowdyism which has marked the after-supper performances at the Pickwick. The hurling of peanuts, a pastime that has been a regular feature hitherto, is to be stopped. Not much difficulty is expected, since the students themselves, or a great many o them, are said to be getting weary of so much “rough stuff.”
The character of the weekly programs will probably not be changed, to any great extent, by reason of the shift from town to campus. Mr. Roberson had already engaged films for two or three months ahead, and the schedule will be followed out.
What will be done after June is still in doubt. There is on foot a scheme to attach a big moving picture auditorium onto the Y.M.C.A. wing of the Graham Memorial, to be run as a University community show. It is too early to say whether or not that plan will go through.
From the front page of the Chapel Hill Weekly, Feb. 14, 1924
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