 At the time , the Princess was considered a showpiece of elegance and modernity . It was the first building west of Winnipeg to be faced with marble . The Edmonton Journal remarked on the quality of the “ photoplay house ’ s ” finishings , remarking on the solid marble facade , frescoes , brass mirrors and the abundance of gold leaf decoration . On the technical side , two modern projectors were housed in their own fireproof machine room . The Princess was serviced by a freight elevator , which was an unusual feature for a building of its size , and the theatre lighting was indirect and gentle on theatregoers ’ eyes . The Journal was also impressed by three novel firsts for a movie theatre in Edmonton : an electric ticketing machine , an “ electric time @-@ projecting clock ” , and a refrigerated drinking fountain . Perhaps most importantly , the forced air ventilation system was capable of filtering , heating , and cooling air and featured dedicated intake and output fans making the Princess by far the most comfortable theatre in Edmonton . 
