The Exhibitor (1950)

EP-8 EXTRA PROFITS items. Strips of window cards, covered with red and white crepe paper and fast¬ ened together with staples, made the giant, imitation candy sticks. Window cards covered with red or gi'een crepe paper made the “packages,” and the film companies furnished the stars’ pictures. A red paper ribbon was placed around a green “package,” and vice versa. The plastic Santa Claus, in relief and lighted from within, is the most expensive item but it served the Christmas season around the theatre for several years. Even so, the total cost was about $8 and a little time. During the Hallowe'en season, we used paper jack-o-lanterns surrounded with bowls of popcorn and the stars’ pictures were stapled on Hallowe’en background paper. Thanksgiving season found us turning the jack-o-lantern faces to the wall, leaving pumpkins in the midst of bowls of popcorn. We added a few ears of raw popcorn dangling on threads, and a few tree leaves of the beautiful autumn colors were placed here and there on the shelves. Our latest brainstorm is to fashion an “S S Lollipop” from our candies, similar to the one seen in “You’re My Every¬ thing,” and having it towing “barges” of candy bars and popcorn. It should go over big in this little city, on the Ohio River, in southern Indiana. We have found that when our refreshment gross drops below $.07 per patron, we can change the scen¬ ery, not the merchandise, and get the Lyon Industries, Inc., New York, recently an¬ nounced the addition of this new dual drink vendor to its line. The company states that a choice of two flavors in disposable cups is now possible with the same machine. Requiring 24 inches by 30 inches floor space, it dispenses 1,400 drinks from one filling of syrup and cups. gross back to $.07 per person, and even better. Change the scene to fit the season. If there seems to be no particular season, try something with local color, like the “towboat and barges on the Ohio River.” Victory is in sight! One final push! Write, wire, talk to your Senators. Ask repeal of 20 per cent tax! — COMPO — " THEATRES FROM C0AST-T0-C0AST ARE STARRING the popping oil that keeps patrons coming back for more! You can't miss with popcorn sales when Popsit Plus does the popping. Gives that famous butter-like flavor, color and aroma that guarantee return engagements That's why . . . IT’S AMERICA’S BEST SELLING POPPING OIL! Made by C. F. SIMONIN'S SONS, INC. Phila. 34, Pa. Convenient Warehouse Stocks and Distributors Coast to Coast POPPING OIL SPECIALISTS TO THE NATION Restricted Popcorn Eaters? Arnold Brumm Tries Dignity Nights" Milwaukee — If patrons want to chomp crackerjack and popcorn, or snap peanut shells at the Ritz, it’s all right with man¬ ager Arnold Brumm, but on Monday nights, designated by Brumm as “Dignity Nights,” the chompers and the snappers are seated in specific isolated sections of the theatre, where they can munch away to their hearts’ content without disturbing others, it was announced recently. Eliciting a great deal of pleasure from patrons, “Dignity Night” was recently started as a regular Monday night feature, and may be continued throughout the week if the patrons accept the idea. In addition to the restricted “peanut gallery,” Brumm further implemented his anti-noise crusade by ruling that children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent, and by instructing his aides to re¬ mind patrons to speak only in soft whis¬ pers, and to stress the need for keeping romance on the screen only. Exhibitors are viewing the experiment with interest. FTC Orders Practices Stopped Washington— The Federal Trade Com¬ mission ordered the Automatic Canteen Company of America recently to stop alleged practices that violate anti-trust laws. In particular, it ordered the Chicago concern to cease making exclusive con¬ tracts with automatic vending machine distributors, and to stop accepting cutrate prices from confectionery makers. The commission found that the concern, which buys vending machines, and leases them to distributors throughout the coun¬ try, had violated the Clayton and Robinson-Patman anti-trust laws on those two counts. It said Automatic Canteen had increased its sales from $1,937,000 in 1936 to $12,899,000 in 1945, largely through its allegedly illegal practices. The NEW Patented SPEED-SCOOP Three times more efficient. Scoop and pour a bagful of popcorn in one single easy motion. Made of light, stainless aluminum. Cool hardwood handle. Perfectly balanced for maximum efficiency and speed. Only $2.50 at your Theatre Supply or Popcorn Supply Dealer. SPEED-SCOOP 109 Thornton Avenue, San Francisco 24, Calif. OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT CONCESSIONAIRES FROM COAST TO COAST OVER l/4 CENTURY KNOW SPECIALIZING WL IN REFRESHMENT » SERVICE FOR K .DRIVE-IN THEATRES/ V. • SPORTSERVICE Corp. | SPORTSERVICE BLDG. • BUFFALO. N.Y. • WA. 2506 EXHIBITOR July 5, 1950