Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Who uses platters?

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Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 12-25-2002, 06:50 PM:

Specifically, which screening rooms and single-screen theatres use platters? Why? When did they convert (if previously a c/o house) and is the second projector still in place?

(We can assume that the vast majority of multi-screen theatres use platters, so don't reply to comment about multiplexes, please. I'm only asking about single-screen houses and screening rooms. Thanks.)

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-25-2002, 07:42 PM:

Why the fabulous Film-Tech Screening Room has a platter! [Big Grin]

I could easily name at least ten thousand screens with platters, but since you ONLY want to hear about screening rooms and single screens, let me think...

Granada Greenville in Dallas had a demon platter from hell, but it's now closed.
The Lakewood Theater in Dallas also uses a platter.

That's about it, but then there are no single screens in Dallas other than these two.

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 12-25-2002, 08:11 PM:

The "historic" single-screen McDonald Theatre in downtown Eugene ran on a platter since at least circa 1995, until it was "repurposed" about 1 1/2 years ago as a live concert venue. I'm not sure about prior to 1995; however since Act III was running the McDonald as well as other multiplexes in Eugene, it would make sense for all their screens in the area to be plattered so they could shuttle prints around. I'm thinking the newspaper reported that Regal sold all the projection equipment to the new operators, but I'm not positive about that. At least after Act III renovated it in 1995, there was only 1 projector in the booth. (Act III installed all 3 digital sound formats there in 1995, and the big grand-reopening after the renovation was "Pocahontas" in SR-D. They also tried to get it THX-certified but the balcony made it very problematic).

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-25-2002, 08:28 PM:

The Continental in Denver which used to be a single screen eventually began to use a platter. Not sure exactly when. But awhile after that the theater was converted into a 6 plex. No, they did not slice up the big auditorium into 6 smaller ones, they built 5 new auditoriums around the original 90 foot (or is it 95? Not sure) big screen. It used to have 2 Norelco AA2's. One is still there. But a Christie 35GPS is used instead as the Norelco collects dust. I don't know what they did with the other Norelco.

Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 12-25-2002, 08:36 PM:

Davis had one single-screen that was slated to close when the new 6-plex opened 13 years ago, but ended up being closed for a few months and re-opening with remodeling in the auditoruim but not much in the booth. It opened with changeovers in 1968 and had a platter installed in 1979 (I belive the platter there was a Christie 50th Anniversary edition!) When I started working at the 6-plex, they had the projectionist there run about 2 blocks down to the single screen to thread up the show, which was then started with a downstairs start button. Complaints about the trailers being loud caused management to have the projectionist start the show there manually, adjusting the volume for the trailers, though the schedule didn't always allow time to do this so often it was just started from upstairs then the projectionist would run back to the other theater to start another show in 5 minutes! That was one of the funnest parts (for me, not anyone else who worked there) of working there- when they finally gave up and closed the single-screen in 1999 (after building a new 5-screen elsewhere in town) they started using a second person there and having the projectionist at the 6-plex just stay there.

Posted by John Westlund (Member # 913) on 12-25-2002, 09:04 PM:

The Mt. Burney Theatre (that I work at) is a single screen that uses a Christie AW3R.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-25-2002, 09:23 PM:

Joe said....."I don't know what they did with the other Norelco."

I believe it went to Casper Wyoming!! Casper is home to more DP-70's than any other town(except L.A. perhaps)in the U.S. Don't remember how many screens are in town, but all have DP-70's on them. What a fun place to go service!!!
If you're ever in Casper and have never seen a DP-70 in action this is the place.......
Mark @ CLACO

Posted by Bernie Anderson Jr (Member # 410) on 12-25-2002, 09:58 PM:

As a operator that has worked in many single screen theatres, what would be the purpose of one projector? Why? Let's say you have a sold out show of a 1000 people and you strip a gear or the lamp doesn't light. Now you're screwed! But, if you had another machine you wouldn't loose the show. The Bethlehem Drive In in PA is a prime example. At that time we were running two features (3 shows a night: 8:30, 10:30 & 12:30-you saw the sun rise at this theatre at the end of the shift) we were running BX100s on RCA sound with Core-lites. One of the machines went down on Friday night. The place was packed. Well, although you had a lot of little intermissions (we got our threading time down to 45sec. a reel) the show went on and we finished up the night without giving out one pass or money back. Single screens and single projectors just don't make sense.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-25-2002, 10:00 PM:

My single-screener has a platter (Christie AW3). We converted in 1980. There are two other single-screens within 100 miles of here, both with platters...the Montana Theatre in Miles City, and the Centre Cinema in Hardin. Both were converted in the last two years or so. The Centre has a Big Sky platter, don't know about the Montana.

Posted by Ray Brown (Member # 1449) on 12-25-2002, 10:51 PM:

The Liberty Theater in Dayton (where I spend alot of time) has a AW3R. Single screen, 150 seats.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-25-2002, 11:17 PM:

Its pretty easy to know who uses platters and who doesn't. Just subtract all the theatres that were listed in the Change Over House Thread from all the rest of the theatres in the US and those are the ones that use platters....there will be a few big reel transports dispersed in there too but probably less than 3%.
Mark

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-25-2002, 11:49 PM:

What is the difference between AA2 and DP70? Same thing? Everyone always called the projector(s) and the Continental "Norelco AA2's".

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 12-26-2002, 12:53 AM:

Philips manufactured the DP-70 which became the Universal 70/35 and then the Norelco (North American Philips) AA-II after a few improvements and being the first projector to receive an Academy Award for the year 1962.

Visit Thomas Hauerslev's www.dp70.com for information overload. [Smile]

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 12-26-2002, 07:49 AM:

Not so fast there Mark G. Nobody claimed the theatres listed in the C/O thread were comprehensive...For instance, there is the North Carolina School for the Arts...their theatres are open to the public, there are three screens, all changeover and all 20-minute reels on 35mm. They are also 16 and 70mm capable. I just thought about the screens for about 30 seconds and let it go at that.

Steve

Posted by Bernie Anderson Jr (Member # 410) on 12-26-2002, 07:57 AM:

Still, no one has mentioned why their single switched over to a platter and blew out the other machine.

Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 12-26-2002, 08:22 AM:

2 single screens in Central Ohio --- DREXEL GRANDVIEW and STUDIO 35. Both are platter, and have been for some time. Both run with a minimal staff, and Studio 35 has the complication of having a full bar and other food (they call in pizza orders to a place down the street.)

Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 12-26-2002, 09:56 AM:

The Lafayette theatre in Suffern NY is a single screen 1920's theatre with a platter. I assume the second projector was removed do to lack of space. The theatre also has a Wurlitzer Pipe Organ that is played before the shows on Fri/Sat nights. Our own Bernie Anderson Jr. is one of the organists, when he is not off running projectors in NJ.

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 12-26-2002, 10:44 AM:

Bernie wrote:

quote:

Still, no one has mentioned why their single switched over to a platter and blew out the other machine.

Bernie, I will try to answer for the uk, but need to explain the origin of the singles screens we have today first. Over here we have had several types of cincmas:

There were many purpose built cinemas opened around 1010, in response to new safety legislation which prohibited the prenentation in most of the places used for it. Most of these closed over the years, but a fair number still remain, some in largely original condition. These were quite small, under 1000 seats, so were generally not sub-divided.

Then there were the larger cinemas built in the late '20s to the late '30s. These generally held about 1500 - 2500, with a few over 3000, and just one, the Gaumont State Kilburn, going over 4000 (by just four seats) these were too large in later years, and very few indeed survive as single screens. Many simply closed and were demolished, others were converted to other use, mainly bingo, and most of those which continued to show film were tripled during the '70s. These conversions were almost always equipped with platters, one of the original machines being moved downstairs to one of the small screens, with the other receiving equipment from a closed theatre. Sometimes additional screens were later added, using the former front stalls seating, stage area, etc. In the last ten years or so, most of these conversions have closed, to be replaced by new purpose built multi-screen facilities. It is very unlikely that any of these places would ever be re-converted to single screen cinemas; they would be too large for todays needs, drastic and irreversible alterations have been made over the years, the buildings are often in poor condition, and would be very expensive to renovate and maintain (the reason for many of the closures), and the high value of the land for re-development.

Many modern multiplex cinemas have been built in recent years, but these have just about always had platters from the start. A few do have one or more screens with two machines.

Then there are the small cinemas which operate as part of some larger arts complex. or museum, etc. These are probably the most likely to have two machines today.

Lastly, there are the multi-purpose venues, which show film occasionally, and operate te rest of the time as live theatres, concert halls, sports venues, etc.

The early cinemas which remain are usually independently operated, and show a mixture of material, art house, classic, world cinema, festivals etc. The projection boxes of this era were very small, just large enough to contain two projectors, but nothing else, even if the separate rewind room, which was a legal requirement, has now been combined with it there is not a lot of space. Many of these places have a 16mm machine for special events, and there would not be room for a second 35mm machine. There is not usually room for a platter either, and the most common arrangement is an old projector, often a Westar, fitted with a xenon lamp, and fed from a tower. It is quite common to run the adverts and trailers from a small spool on the projector while the main feature is rewinding on the tower.

The multi purpose venues also have little space, the projection equipment has to fit in amongst thelighting and sound equipment etc. Also, these places see film as only being a minor part of their programming, and only install the minimum of equipment, grnerally similar to that described above.

The full time single screen cinema as part of some larger complex is more likely to have more modern equipment, and this tends to mean a platter, but may be two machines, towers are less common in this type of venue.

As a matter of interest, how does the cost of one machine, with a platter and make up table compare with that for two machines? Since this would be of concern mainly to places on tight budgets, let's consider reasonable secondhand equipment, which is what they would be most likely to buy. I wouldn't have thought there would be a great deal in it, compared to the total cost, including screen and frame, masking, seating, curtains, seating etc.

If I was building a cinema I would certainly prefer to go the two machine route. Even better, two dual guage machines, plus one 16mm (double band) and a video projector, with a wide range of machines to feed into it. Plus a pair of Carousel slide projectors, that should handle most special events, festivals, conference work, private hire etc. as well as the more normal shows. I don't think I'd want to install digital projection at the moment, maybe later, when the cost comes down.

Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 12-26-2002, 10:55 AM:

quote:
Still, no one has mentioned why their single switched over to a platter and blew out the other machine.

In every instance I know of, it was to eliminate a dedicated projectionist.

Posted by Dave Ganoe (Member # 53) on 12-26-2002, 01:16 PM:

I worked at a single screen in PA that switched from carbon changeover to platter xenon about 4 years ago. I miss doing the changeovers!

Posted by Bernie Anderson Jr (Member # 410) on 12-26-2002, 01:34 PM:

But Tim,
My friend's theatre is a single (manager operated) 500 seat theatre. When he took it over in 1970 it had carbons with 20 min reel CO. He later converted to Xenon and 6K. He also added eprad Co-operators with cued change overs. I think he said in the 30 years of having the place, the automation failed to work twice because of a switch being put in the wrong position (operator error). I've seen these things in action and they do a change over better than most people. But he would never dream of going to a platter mostly because of a lost show. I understand in multipexes you need the platter. Your overhead for the cost of a projectionist would be increadible. I think that the Amboy, when it had 9 screens with auto CO had two guys in the booth rewinding and threading. But with a single, especially like the Lafayette, Suffern, NY. It doesn't make sense. Loose the projector and loose the show. From a business point of view, you are gambling, almost like Russian Roulette, with these machines. If anyone knows as well as I do, when does the projector go down? Not when it Santa Clause 2 in it's 10th week, but opening night of Lord Of The Rings. As a theatre owner, even with a twin or 3 plex it would only make sense to have two machines as security.

Posted by Jim Alexander (Member # 226) on 12-26-2002, 02:04 PM:

My theatre, built in 1942 had 2000ft changer over Century-C projectors when I took it over five years ago. This past summer I took out one projector and put in a Strong AP3 platter with a brain-wrap fail safe. I also upgraded the sound pickup from Exciter lamp to a Component Engineering ASR-40 reverse scan conversion kit. All in all it was two of the best upgrades I could hope for. It meant a fair bit of retraining, going to a platter, but the end result is a much cleaner presentation.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-26-2002, 02:13 PM:

quote:
In every instance I know of, it was to eliminate a dedicated projectionist.

Not here. I was working the booth myself when we automated, and I still work it.

Our basic reason was because the old equipment was just old and tired. We origianlly installed the platter in a storage room next to the booth, and kept the second projector for emergencies. Later, it got to be such a pain to thread the film over the various rollers, that we took out the other projector and put the platter in the booth.

In the 20 years since, I've learned quite a bit...if I had it to do over again, I probably would have kept the original heads, because they were really not in bad shape, and thought about converting to a 6000' changeover system rather than the platter. But I'm happy with my AW3...21 years and counting without a major repair.

Posted by Will Morrow (Member # 792) on 12-26-2002, 02:40 PM:

"The Broadway" theater in Mt. Pleasant uses a platter system. There are holes in the floor where the second projector used to be though. This was a Loeks theater, but he sold it, and it was bought by a community theater group. They do special showings of classics and live community theater there as well.

:-)

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 12-26-2002, 03:54 PM:

Mark wrote: "I believe it went to Casper Wyoming!! Casper is home to more DP-70's than any other town(except L.A. perhaps)in the U.S. Don't remember how many screens are in town, but all have DP-70's on them. What a fun place to go service!!!
If you're ever in Casper and have never seen a DP-70 in action this is the place......."

Are those DP-70's all still capable of projecting 70mm prints, including the soundtracks (mag or DTS)?

Posted by Aaron Sisemore (Member # 145) on 12-26-2002, 06:32 PM:

The Colfax Theatre in Colfax, CA is a single that can run 6000' changeovers or plattered (been several years since I was there, but they had either a Neumade NeuTronic platter or a Christie AW2...John Eickhof (who I believe used to own the place) would know more.

The Colusa Theatre in Colusa, CA has both of its projectors installed but one is on a Christie console, the other one (both Simplex XLs/RCA SH) on the original Brenkert base with the original Enarc carbon lamp. The platter here is a custom modded Christie AW2.

The Bal Theatre in San Leandro, CA is another plattered single- Last I was in the booth it sported a NeuTronic platter feeding a Simplex XL.

-Aaron

Posted by Tristan Lane (Member # 1169) on 12-27-2002, 01:30 AM:

The local discount theatre here uses a Strong Alpha. They opted to keep the 2nd projector in place as a spare machine should anything happen to the main projector.

The Met - an arthouse here in town also uses an old potts platter.

Another Theatre, in Baker City, OR was running C/O's until 1997 when new owners aquired it and ditched the super simplexes and added a single Centruy with an Alpha platter.

Elgin, OR also has an opera house which at one point in time was changeovers until recently when a [puke]

CFS Super

was installed.

Posted by Sean Weitzel (Member # 244) on 12-27-2002, 02:40 AM:

Two single screens that I know run platters are:

The Bridge in San Francisco, Ca. Last time I was there, they were running two Super Simplexes. One was running reel to reel and was used for the preshow trailers, the other was the feature only machine and was fed with a Christie AW3.

Century 21 in San Jose is a single screen. I have never been into the booth, but it's pretty easy to see into the booth from the auditorium. I believe they have a Century JJ with a Christie AW something or other.

Speaking of the Colfax, does anyone know if Guy Ericson is still projectionist there? The last time I was there was when Jerry Macguire was a new release. I met Guy and he let me take lots of photographs of the booth and the projector museum. I'll try to find the slides and scan them soon.

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 12-27-2002, 07:56 AM:

I'm not sure why this is a question. A single screener, typically struggling to make a go of it, is likely not to keep someone in the booth full time. So of course they are going to use a platter or big reels (my term for 6000' reels, the feature length tower reels being "giant" reels) with automated changeovers. But the latter requires rewinding and rethreading twice while a platter needs no rewinding, rethreading only once, and less complex automation. So it's going to be a platter.

Assuming a reasonably decent platter, guidance, film cleaner, and a good operator along with frequent checks of presentation quality from the ground there is no reason that this method of operation is going to give a poorer end result than that of a large multiplex where operators must cover many screens each, particularly the ill-designed ones where they must run between many non connected booths.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-27-2002, 08:09 AM:

John, They can run 70mm on any two given screens at once. One mag and one DTS. They ran the 70mm Titanic print there for quite a long run.
Recently we installed 3 DP-70 in Logan UT at a new plex. Aside from Casper we have installed another 10 DP-70 at various plex's around the mountain states. Always on the biggest screens in a complex and so far as I know none of these DP-70 have had any down time. Shown is a photo of Clayton setting up lenses on one of the machines in Logan. These machines are completely refinished and re-built with many upgrades done to them, and they are completley re-wired as well.
There are also several complex's that are all DP-70 such as the Iris Theatre in Casper. These machines are like the Everready Bunny.......you know!

Mark @ CLACO
P.S. You should see the new 25 ton overhead crane we had installed in the shop to deal with the latest batch of DP-70's [Wink]

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-27-2002, 12:17 PM:

There's that insane mounting of the film cleaner below the digital penthouse again! [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 12-27-2002, 12:57 PM:

Come on Brad; you know SDDS is completely immune to dirt! [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-27-2002, 01:19 PM:

It is that way so they use it continously........same on all projectors, and yes, it does help keep the SDDS a bit more stable than it otherwise might be. Go into 9 out of 10 booths that ahev them mounted above and I'll bet you 10 dollars that the PTR rollers are laying around the booth someplace.....
Mark @ CLACO

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-27-2002, 01:28 PM:

Steve, my issue with it is the digital offset for sync.

Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 12-27-2002, 03:26 PM:

Will Morrow: re: Braodway in Mt Pleasant, MI

Hello Will,

Your information is a bit sketchy in regard to this theatre. The original booth is on the third floor and was abandoned when it became necessary to have the candy seller run the show. [Big Grin]

The two Simplex projectors were dismantled and the main floor reseated to make room for the current booth behind the concession stand. The "new booth" allowed the show to run without trips to the third floor for rethreading. There is no keystone effect as the projector is in line with the screen center.

The current machine, a Simplex XL, converted carbon/Xenon lamphouse and platter were installed in the theatre in Alma but the civic players group sold it to the 'Friends of the Broadway'. The sound system is from a closed multiplex.

An unsuccessful effort was made to interest another group in the old booth for festival use.

KEN

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-27-2002, 06:37 PM:

There is no problem with it for any of the formats. I'll state for the last time that the whole idea is to make them use the cleaners every time........scheduling and such is so they can clean the rollers after each show. Gee....for some reason or other this psychology seems to work well.
Mark @ CLACO

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-27-2002, 07:09 PM:

Interesting that tactic works up there. Down here what happens is the "projectionists" just skip threading the penthouse and the cleaner and run the movie in analog.

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 12-27-2002, 07:31 PM:

You are teaching them wrong! Leave out any training about analog at all. Let them think that digital is the only thing there.....they will use them then.....
Mark

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-27-2002, 08:10 PM:

Hmmmm, I'll try that! Better yet I'll just pull the analog pickups. [thumbsup]

Posted by Steve Kraus (Member # 476) on 12-27-2002, 09:10 PM:

Too funny! No analog backup and remove the framing knobs! Look ma, we're projecting without a net!

Posted by Will Morrow (Member # 792) on 12-27-2002, 09:36 PM:

re:Kenneth Wuepper

Sketchy is right, and my comment was based on one visit to the the "new" booth. I am curious how long ago that was done, the moving of the booth to behind the concession stand, that is.

I did notice that was a carbon/xenon convert too. Pretty nifty looking. I only have multiplex experience under my belt, and I have been in the booth since Celebration! was born here in Mt. Pleasant.

I wonder what happened to the two simplexes that were upstairs?

Looking forward to hearing more on this.

Thanks again.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-27-2002, 09:44 PM:

quote:
No analog backup and remove the framing knobs! Look ma, we're projecting without a net!

And for those who complain, we take away their frameline threading leaders too. Let them thread on pure clear leader! [evil]

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 12-27-2002, 10:06 PM:

Don't forget blindfolds. [evil]

Actually, when I worked at the drive-in, we used to challenge each other to thread blindfolded and in-frame! (hint: on used prints, there's usually splices on the frameline in the head leader, or certainly between the head leader and picture).

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 12-27-2002, 10:10 PM:

No analog, no framing control, pure clear leader (no framelines), blindfolded, in a wheelchair and/or one hand tied behind their back. Film must be properly threaded and in frame.

Yes this can all be done, as about 10 years ago we had our own "handicapped projection olympics" for kicks after hours.

(Damnit John, you just blew one of my secret "cheats" for threading in frame blindfolded or with clear leader!!!)

Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 12-27-2002, 10:12 PM:

What is the point of clear leader if you are blindfolded?

Posted by Chris Markiewicz (Member # 1415) on 12-29-2002, 01:18 AM:

Kahilu Theatre, Kamuela, Hawaii. Christie P35C, AW3, Kintek KT-700, QSC amps, JBL speakers, Hurley screen.
Honoka'a People's Theatre, Honoka'a, Hawaii. Recently went to platter. Strong or Potts platter, DTS.
Aloha Theatre, Kainaliu, Hawaii. Simplex 35 and pedestal, Xetron lamphouse, Neutronic platter, CP-45.

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 02-10-2003, 05:26 AM:

Northeastern University - Blackman Auditorium - Boston, MA.

Century SA, Christie SLC lamphouse with 4kw bulb, AW3R, CP65 (running mono only), nice Schneider lenses for all formats (1.33, 1.66, 1.85, scope). Very nice installation done in 1995 that gets very little use at this time. This place has the brightest picture I've ever seen.

I don't understand why they put in a platter, though, since they will never show anything more than once; also, the booth is very cramped and a second machine would have taken up less space. Considering the quality of the rest of the equipment, cost clearly wasn't the issue.

Unrelated question: When did Century decide that the shutter timing adjustment wasn't really needed? Why? Is it still available as an extra-cost option?

Posted by Bill Carter (Member # 156) on 02-10-2003, 08:56 PM:

The Heights Theater in Minneapolis has a pair of Norelco AAII's, both mag and 70mm capable, plus a Speco platter. They also have a Norelco FP-16 (16mm) projector.

I have a Christie AW-3 in my home screening room, which is also changeover capable. [thumbsup]

Posted by Tom Doyle (Member # 1474) on 02-11-2003, 09:17 PM:

The Ridgefield Playhouse (Ridgefield, CT) uses a platter for a single screen. It was built in the late 30s, but closed in the 70s. Restoration was started a few years ago. I don't believe they ever showed movies originally, just live shows, so there was no old equipment around as a starting point for the booth.

The weird thing is, the projectionist working there was pretty experienced. I'm not sure why he had recommended platters. However, he was laid off recently so someone cheaper could do the job - his trainee. So much for making work easier.

Posted by Michael West (Member # 428) on 02-12-2003, 11:44 PM:

the oxford theatre (halifax's only single house cinema c1936) uses but yet another strong platter. it was set up in 1990 to - 1).cut operating costs, 2).reduce maintanence costs with just one projector, 3).first step in getting rid of the union.

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 02-12-2003, 11:55 PM:

Our local art house, The Kentucky Theatre, has two screens. The main screen for the original auditorium is reel to reel with no autiomation, 6000' reels. All manual. The second screen used to be a seperate theatre that ran X rated movies. The auditorium was restored and made to access from the main lobby of the Kentucky. This one uses a platter system with automation.