Cinema News and Property Gazette Technical Supplement (1924-1925, 1943, 1946)

24 Supplement to THE CINEMA NEWS AND PROPERTY GAZETTE. October 2, 1924. WARMTH v. STUFFINESS. A WORD OF WARNING— AND ADVICE— TO EXHIBITORS. By M. 0. H. It is more to the small cinema proprietor dependent upon gas-radiator and steam-boiler heating than to the big hall with its plenum or other mechanical system of air conditioning that these brief notes are intended to apply. I do not wish to sound the alarmist note in any way ; rather is it my desire to help the small cinema, which experience in work among the masses has shown me to be a real Godsend to the poorer classes in the bitter winter months of our English climate. On several occasions in recent years I have been concerned — much against my inclination, in making orders for compulsory closing of certain cinemas during disease epidemics, and it has pained me to know that not only did such closing inflict real hardship upon struggling showmen who could ill afford the loss, but that it also deprived hundreds of poor people, young and old alike, of the possibility of snatching a little respite from the greyness of their' lives in an atmosphere of welcome warmth and comparative brightness often not possible in their own homes. Most of the cases of compulsory closing would have been unnecessary if only exhibitors would realise that cleanliness, as well as warmth of atmosphere, is essential to maintenance of public health in places where people congregate and audiences sit in practical quietude for hours at a time. I have gone into cinemas in which the atmosphere would have been described by most of the spectators present as " warm and comfortable," and have taken tests which upon examination have revealed a condition of predisposition to the spread of disease which, had they been able to know it, would have sent the audience, and even the management, rushing helter-skelter into the inclement but healthier air of the street without. What happens in the case of the small halls dependent upon gas-steam or boiler-steam radiators? The staff know that the manager will kick up a row if the auditorium does not strike warm at opening time; and so the cleaners do their work as far as possible with the doors closed. The stale, vitiated atmosphere is " trapped in " just because it happens to be warmer than the fresh air outside. Curtains, draperies, hangings, and even the upholstery of the seating, become laden with humid and foul atmosphere, which provides a natural " nursery " for disease germ culture. The imperfect cleansing of the hall itself, under such conditions, adds to the difficulty. The floors are washed in such a haphazard manner that masses of filth collect around the bases of the metal standards, in pokey corners, at the back of radiators, under the edges of linoleum and carpet runners, and similar inaccessible places, while the heavily curtained-in musicians' enclosure is too often a veritable nest of abomination. Half of the regulations, restrictions, and often quite unnecessary " rule of thumb " requisitions of the officials of the various licensing authorities arise from the knowledge of those same officials as to the atmospheric condition often obtaining in the less well-regulated cinemas, and — as always — the innocent have to suffer for the guilty. Health officers know that, given a normally clean atmosphere, the " humanity smell " arising from the body emanation of a gathering of people is not ordinarily injurious to health. It is only when the air is stale, stuffy, and germ-laden that the risk of diseasecarrying is really serious. The cinema proprietor who wishes to keep his house free from risk of contagious disease — and there is a sound advertising value in such a desire — should take good care that every cubic inch of stale atmosphere is driven out before the air is again warmed for the business of the day. He should have as few hangings and curtains as possible, and maintain those he has in perfect " sweetness." He should personally examine the work of the cleaners; poke his nose behind radiators, fire apparatus, around dark corners, and behind the musicians' enclosure; and if he detects the least suspicion of stuffiness he should root out the cause of it. Some disease-breeding dirtiness lurks in the auditorium, and it should be got rid of. The smell of carbolic in the washing water of the charwomen, or the scent of the spraying essences, may disguise, but it cannot counteract the pollution. Those officials upon whom the protection of the public health devolves have, in times of epidemic, to exercise wise precaution ; they can take no risks. But their sympathy will always be found on the side of those who consistently do their utmost to maintain cleanliness and healthy condition in places of public resort. A wet summer always presages an anxious winter for those concerned in the maintenance of public health, and these notes are written in the sincere hope that they may prove of value as a timely hint to those desirous of taking it. A DECORATING TIP. HOW TO ESTIMATE QUANTITIES IN PAINT, ETC. Where a handyman is kept around a theatre or circuit to maintain decorative repair, it is sometimes difficult for the management to keep track of supplies. Particularly does this apply to quantities of paint, colourwash, varnish, and the like protective colourings. The following rough but approximately correct estimates may serve as a useful guide. Fourteen pounds of ordinary paint will cover 40 square yards with one good coat, 14 lbs. of water paint will cover 50 square yards. A gallon of petrifying solution goes over 25 square yards; a similar quantity of medium quality varnish covers 75 square yards of well-varnished work, while a gallon of enamel will cover 75 square yards of prepared surface. Half-a-pint of any of these compositions in the hands of the average rewind boy will cover the whole damned building.