Subject
Motion picture theaters -- Juvenile fiction Books
Best books
Victor Appleton
The motion picture chums at Seaside Park : $b or, The rival photo theatres of the boardwalk
"The Motion Picture Chums at Seaside Park" by Victor Appleton is a fictional novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around three young friends—Frank Durham, Randy Powell, and Pepperill Smith—who embark on an exciting venture to establish a motion picture theater at Seaside Park, a bustling ocean resort. As they explore their new surroundings, they face challenges, including the need to secure funding and navigate potential rivals in the local entertainment market. The opening of the novel introduces the chums as they assess the potential for their business in front of a vacant building they believe is a perfect location for their photo playhouse. They observe the busy boardwalk filled with visitors, suggesting a promising market for entertainment. Their aspirations take a dramatic turn when they witness an explosion from a nearby motor boat. Without hesitation, they spring into action to rescue those in danger, setting the stage for their subsequent adventures in business and friendship. The reader is drawn into a light-hearted yet adventurous narrative that captures the spirit of youthful entrepreneurship and teamwork.
Victor Appleton
The movie boys at Seaside Park : $b or, The rival photo houses of the boardwalk
The movie boys at Seaside Park : or, The rival photo houses of the boardwalk by Victor Appleton is a juvenile adventure novel written in the early 20th century. It follows three enterprising boys—Frank Durham, Randy Powell, and Pepper “Pep” Smith—who try to launch a first-class motion picture playhouse at a bustling seaside resort, balancing daring rescues, business savvy, and looming rivalry. The opening of the novel finds the boys scouting Seaside Park’s boardwalk, spotting a prime vacant building, and impressing the landlord after Frank leads a swift rescue of passengers from a burning motorboat. Their brave act brings them to the attention of wealthy Mrs. Carrington, whose offered backing—arranged through her attorney—solves their funding hurdle, while her feckless nephew Peter proves a nuisance and potential rival. Old ally Ben Jolly arrives (with ventriloquist Hal Vincent in tow), helps set up frugal living quarters, and the team splits duties: Frank and Vincent go to New York for films and equipment, Jolly to Fairlands for their old gear, and Randy and Pep prepare the venue. A final incident sees Pep heroically saving a runaway baby carriage, injuring his wrist, and being whisked by a millionaire motorist to a Brenton mansion for expert care, while Randy tracks him down—leaving the show’s launch underway but not yet open.
Victor Appleton
The motion picture chums' new idea : $b or, The first educational photo playhouse
"The Motion Picture Chums' New Idea: Or, The First Educational Photo Playhouse" by Victor Appleton is a children's adventure novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around a group of boys, known as the Motion Picture Chums, who embark on an ambitious project to establish an educational film theater in Boston. The novel explores their challenges and strategic thinking in the business world of early cinema, emphasizing themes of friendship, creativity, and perseverance. At the start of the book, Frank Durham, a key member of the group, proposes a groundbreaking idea to his friends for a new photo playhouse solely dedicated to educational films. They are excited by the prospect and quickly discuss the potential business opportunities. Frank describes his encounter with Professor Achilles Barrington, an eccentric but brilliant scientist who has formulated a plan for educational films and is seeking partners to execute it. The group eagerly anticipates the professor's arrival to explore the feasibility of his innovative venture, setting the stage for an array of adventures and dilemmas in the quest for success in the film industry.
Victor Appleton
The motion picture chums at the fair : $b or, The greatest film ever exhibited
"The Motion Picture Chums at the Fair: or, The Greatest Film Ever Exhibited" by Victor Appleton is a juvenile adventure novel written in the early 20th century. It follows a band of ambitious movie-house operators—led by steady, inventive Frank Durham, with quick-tempered Pep Smith, level-headed Randy Powell, loyal backer Hank Strapp, and cheerful organist Ben Jolly—as they chase a big opportunity to run a picture theatre at the Panama-Pacific Exposition. Their plans draw them into show-business logistics, fairground politics, and the schemes of a suspicious promoter trailed by a Secret Service man. The opening of the story shows the friends tallying record receipts at their New York theatre and debating a bold expansion to the San Francisco fair. Frank’s trip to the bank sparks a testy collision with a blustering stranger named Royston, and he later rescues a distraught, oddly dressed man from oncoming traffic. Despite rumors that all Zone concessions are taken, a telegram hints at openings, so the group rushes West; on the train they again cross paths with Royston, and a quiet fellow traveler, Richard Bullard, privately warns Frank that Royston is a dubious promoter under Secret Service watch. Reaching the fair, the boys marvel at its wonders but are told they’re too late to secure suitable space, and as they grapple with disappointment back at their hotel, Bullard arrives to ask their help in discreetly keeping Royston in sight.
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