Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1938)

TRUE STORIES FROM ALTEC FILES RAY R. KELSALL, district manager of the San Jose Amusement Co., Inc. Races Through Holiday Traffic; Saves Sun. Shoiv SAN JOSE, CAL.— "On a recent Sunday afternoon, during peak show hours, with over 1200 in the audience at the Victory Theatre, the sound stopped during the last reel of the feature film,” declared Ray R. Kelsall, district manager of the San Jose Amusement Co., Inc. "Although Sunday traffic in San Jose is heavy, the Altec Inspector, J. W. Gilroy, actually got to my theatre in five minutes. He found a line fuse to the amplifier was constantly blowing, and at once installed his emergency amplifier. This took five minutes and the show was resumed without loss of a single patron. "Gilroy located a defective insulation in an obscure place that was causing arcing to the transformer. He worked until 1 A.M., and got the regular amplifier operating properly.” No matter what type or model your sound equipment is, the Altec Service Inspector is equipped by training and experience to make it deliver peak performance at all times. ALTEC SERVICE CORPORATION 250 West 57th Street New York City. Gentlemen: If I can get better sound projection out of my equipment by having Altec Sendee, you may have the Altec Inspector in my neighborhood call me for an appointment. No obligation to me, of course. NAME THEATRE ADDRESS CITY . . THAT YOUR THEATRE MAY NEVER BE DARK.” SOUND SALES SOAR — says Hartley “Theatre owners who are giving 100 per cent active support to the Million Dollar Drive seem to realize that better projection is one of the best ways to prove to the public that “Motion Pictures Are Your Best Entertainment,” says E. M. Hartley, head of the sound equipment division of National Theatre Supply Company. Hartley, just returned to headquarters from a Midwestern trip, reports a very satisfactory pick-up in demand for new sound systems and projectors, particularly in the St. Louis area, where seven complete units were contracted for in one week. Concluding his optimistic report on company activities, Mr. Hartley explained the current rise of interest in better sound and projection by saying further: “Hollywood is asking theatre owners and managers to show pictures so that patrons hear sound and see the picture as they were recorded. All the work of this great industry is delivered at the theatre in a can, and that is the point where the theatre owner and manager can prove that they are showmen by giving their audiences superior screen presentation. Their part of this important job is to discard old and obsolete equipment whenever possible and keep their equipment in first class condition at all times. The winning combination is the production of good pictures by Hollywood, good showmanship by the theatre owner and manager, technical knowledge of the projectionist with his realization that he also must be a showman in order that patrons may get the fullest possible enjoyment from the picture. All of this must be supplemented at all times by the use of up-to-date sound and visual motion picture equipment.” Emergency Light Plant A Safety Provision In theatres, current failures mean complete shutdowns. Without current for projectors, lights and sound apparatus, the performance must end. Refunds must be made. In addition, there is always danger of panic when a crowd of people is suddenly plunged into darkness. No one knows when lightning, winds, sleet, fires or floods may interrupt electric service, causing lights to go out and motors to stop. When current fails, motion halts and confusion begins. One thing is certain, however. If an emergency electric plant has been installed, there will always be plenty of light, even when city power is at a standstill, because the modern emergency plant responds instantly through the automatic transfer switch. Nobody need be near the plant; it starts, runs by itself, and when regular service is resumed, whether minutes or hours after, it stops. Stopping is also automatic. A “stand-by” electric plant is indeed important in safeguarding service and profits. TRUE STORIES FROM ALTEC FILES TED NICHOLAS, Manager of the Lyric Theatre , Indianapolis, Ind. Quick Action by Engineer Saves Afternoon Show INDIANAPOLIS, IND.— "Just a few minutes before our Saturday afternoon stage show, the sound suddenly stopped,” declared Ted Nicholas, Manager of the Lyric Theatre here. "We called our Altec Inspector, P. V. Woolley, at 1:30 P.M. He arrived at 1:45, and discovered a short circuit in the motor-generator armature. He immediately connected some storage batteries obtained locally to provide power in place of the defective motor-generator. Sound was ready right on schedule when the picture hit the sheet at the close of the stage show at 2:05. "Woolley stayed with us the remainder of the day to be sure that the improvised power supply would hold up without interruption. He installed a new armature from Altec’s warehouse the next morning and by opening time Sunday everything was normal.” Altec services the largest number of theatres of any service organization in the field. Having nothing but service to sell, the Altec Inspector has one job only— to make the sound equipment you now have deliver the highest possible quality of sound. ALTEC SERVICE CORPORATION 250 West 57th Street New York City Gentlemen: If an Altec Service Agreement means greater peace of mind to me you may have the Altec man in my neighborhood tell me the reasons. No obligation to me, of course. NAME THEATRE ADDRESS CITY 39 “...THAT YOUR THEATRE MAY NEVER BE DARK. 78 The MODERN THEATRE SECTION