The Canadian Independent (Mar 15, 1938)

Ba Page 6 THe CANADIAN eee ISSUED FOR THE BENEFIT OF | INDEPENDENT THEATRE OWNERS ‘OEE DOES ETE ETT Bh lf A Great Emergency Comes Will You Be Prepared For It? FIRE, EXPLOSION, BURST WATER PIPE, SHORT CIRCUIT OR OTHER ACCIDENT MAY CAUSE A PANIC; BE READY TO GET AN AUDIENCE OUT QUICKLY (Reprinted from the Showmen’s Trade Review). When the_emergency comes, will you be prepared? Whether it be a fire, or an explosion, or a burst water pipe or a short circuit, will you be ready to get your patrons out of the theatre without panic and with no loss of life or injury to any of them? Your answer to these questions must be: YES! Even if there isn’t the slightest doubt in your mind about this answer, just to ease your conscience, make a periodic check-up. Then, should the unexpected happen, you will know that you have at least done your share. Here are some items to think about: Is your entire staff (even the clean-up boy who joined your staff last week) ac quainted with the nature of lighting system, have you tried it out recently, to see that it works (batteries okay, no shorts or broken wires) ? Are you, the manager, or to whomever the duty will fall, fully prepared to get up on the stage, quickly arid quietly, and reassure your patrons that although nothing serious has happened, you desire them to leave the theatre for safety’s sake? Would you know off-hand how to direct your patrons to the nearest exits? And are these exits so. lighted that your patrons can get to them? And will these exit doors open when they have to? Does each of your ushers know his station and his work in this respect? (Don’t forget the extra usher who is just on for one or two nights of the week). How does your asbestos curtain work (or does it?) Have you tried your fire hose out lately (with real water under pressure) ? When was the last time you refilled your fire extinguishers? Where is the nearest fire alarm box? Who, in your staff, has the duty of attending to the alarm? What, if anything, would some of your staff do if a fire extinguisher were shoved into his hands? Not everybody knows how to use these things, you know, and it’s quite a job to really get the hang of the thing at a moment’s notice. All these questions should be answered, right now being as good a time as any. We seriously suggest that a special meeting of the staff be called for the purpose of a discussion on these matters at least once every other week. Conduct an emergency drill every so often, and if you notice any one or 277 VICTORIA STREET WARNER’S NEW RADIO SHOW (Continued from Page 1) The plan, having Dick Powell for Master of Ceremonies, is being arranged so that all Warner theatres and theatres playing Warner pictures can hook into the show and make it part of their program. This is a. new wrinkle in the contract that Warner Bros. are insisting on, but to what extent it will prove desirable for theatres remains a question. Warner executives have so far not confirmed the report, but admit considering several radio contracts. H’ywood Dilemma All ends of the industry are wrinkling their brows over the knotty problem of putting a floor under falling theatre grosses. The answer seems to be hit pictures, if enough of them can be had. Hollywood is caught on the horns of the dilemma of having to reduce costs on the one hand because of reduced receipts, and of turning out bigger and better. pictures in an effort to create boxoffice strength. more of your staff just going through the motions as though it were all so silly, take our advice, have a good talk with that fellow. He might prove to be the cause of a horrible panic and citywide condemnation of your theatre. INDEPENDENT PATRONIZE THE ADVERTISERS WHO MAINTAIN (7. =a READY SOON! PACKS A TERRIFIC WALLOP “WORLD FAMOUS GODEY PRINTS” Never before such a crowd-getter! you'll buy it; don’t say we didn’t warn you.... Canadian Premium Distributors Mar. 15, 1938 If you see it — TORONTO WA. 3116 “Snow ~ WARNER'S NEW | “Snow White” To To. Show As Is The so-called ‘“horror’’ scenes in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” will not be cut by Walt Disney, as careful checks after preliminary showings revealed no audience reactions indicating such deletions. Some of the shots of the ~ -witch’s face were first thought to be frightening to children, and English censors were planning to ban children from these showings except where accompanied by an adult. On further thought, the ban was revoked, and Walt Disney gave up the idea of snipping out some of the ‘horror’ sequences after the film’s premiere proved entirely satisfactory as is. Protest Ban on ‘China Strikes Back’ Three thousand people gathered in the Orpheum theatre, Vancouver, B.C., to register a protest against ‘the Censorship ban on ‘China Strikes Back,” which was scheduled for showing at that theatre. Mr. A. M. Stephen, president of the Vancouver branch of Canadian League for Peace and Democracy, under whose auspices. the film was to be shown, called on the crowd to pass a resolution asking for an investigation into the amount of pressure exerted by foreign consultates on Canadian cenSOors. & + ws