Boxoffice (Jan-Mar 1945)

terest and see if your service can cover it for me. “I am going to build a theatre as soon as possible after the war’s end. At present, I’m trying to collect as much data as possible. I want to shorten the inevitable planning period after the war in every way I can. “On practically every item you’ve listed, I want information on costs — even though based on prewar scales. I want as much information as there is available on building a theatre. Enough so that the day I leave the service I’ll have but one problem remaining — the location. Aside from the location, I’d like to have everything else settled in my mind and ready for discussion with the contractor. “So far, I’ve purposely avoided requesting anything specific as I want you to grasp the general picture of what I’m up against. My contacts in the industry are limited and as a result I must grope around in this fashion until I’ve established satisfactory leads that I can follow up. “To be a little more precise: If I outline the house I have in mind, are there architectural services which will offer preliminary sketches, recommending building materials, decorations and equipment? Would this include an estimate of overall cost? I realize nothing definite could be established regarding costs until all materials were agreed upon and that then there is the uncertainty of future' building costs to say nothing of the influence of location. However, it would seem that some broad, general estimate could be established as a working figure. “That’s enough for a beginning. I am enclosing your coupon and have checked those items which are of particular interest to me. I assume your Research Bureau is hardly a charitable institution, so kindly advise me my share of the upkeep. “One more thing: I understand the War Production Board conducted a fairly extensive survey designed to determine areas in need of new theatres. Can you learn if the findings of this survey are public information and, if so, can you obtain these results. “I shall await your reply with keen interest and sincerely hope your Bureau may be a means of acquiring the information I need.” Dear Jack: It’s pretty hard to plan a theatre ’til you pick a location. That done look up a theatre architect (see our list of architects herein), pick out one near where you want to locate, get his preliminary advice and then lean on him. Cost estimates given now probably will be all haywire after the war. Meantime, watch M. T. for postwar theatre models, new product developments and ideas. We’ve enrolled you in the Research Bureau and have asked all suppliers to send data to you. A well maintained theatre is a safe theatre. A clean theatre is free from fire hazards. THE \q/uiz POT A CAULDRON FOR COOKING UP ANSWERS TO OTHER PEOPLES' PROBLEMS Address The MODERN THEATRE, 332 S. Michigan Ave.. Chicago 4, 111. What Would You Do About It? Please pardon while we open our fan mail, and then excuse us for publishing a short but hot one. We pepper the Pot with a few lines from Proj. E. B. Tipton, penned in the projection room of the Manor Theatre down in Wilmington, North Carolina. He quips: “I enjoy reading your Cine' Clinic every time it is published and if you stop publishing it I know a lot of managers and projectionists who will not pick up your tradepaper for anything else.” * * * Thanx, Tip, for your rather crosshanded compliment. But what’s the matter with the rest of the book? * * * Mgr. Gabriel Howard of St. Mary’s Movie. Whitesville, Kentucky, who has ap( Continued on following page) nu qo so many / heal remen prefer SIMPLEX HIOH • rs! . / . A / i Because they assure the — — ^ utmost in value at low original cost double screen brill i an cyy and deliver a snow-white light M NATIONAL i Division of National * Simplex • Siudworth, ln< Distributed Exclusively by “There's a Branch Near You" BOXOFFICE :: February 3, 1945 25