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Travelling Theatre with Free Talking Pictures

The first glance at this unique elevated cab aerodynamic coach based on a White truck chassis brings to mind
just how unusual looking it is. The second thought was that this may have been designed and constructed by
one of the commercial body builders in the Los Angeles area.

The July 1931 “Modern Mechanics” magazine contains a short article that describes a number of the details
of the “travelling talkie theatre.” At the rear of the body (below) behind a pair of doors are the movie screen
and a sound system that could be viewed and heard by as many as 2,000 people. In front of it, is an enclosed
projection room and both are powered by an on-board generator.

In the middle of the 34-foot long black and silver travelling entertainment centre are two “Pullman Cars”,
pictured below; one is complete with hot and cold running water, a kitchen and a refrigerator; the other room
was equipped with a “shower bath” and a comfortable couch and chair arrangement and a sleeping berth.
At the top front of this conveyance was the driver’s “pilot house” that was accessible via a stairway from the
lower level. A crew of six was scheduled to make a trip
with it all around the country to promote “talking pic-
tures.” The targeted audience lived in smaller communi-
ties that were without a movie theatre and presumably,
would want one after viewing this presentation.

One unanswered question remains, which Southern Cali-
fornia film company had this rig constructed, or was it
sponsored by the film industry? The answer appears to be
shown in the fine print on the side of the cab and the crest
on the side door.
Source: Old Motor Magazine http://theoldmotor.com/