The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

BM-8 BETTER MANAGEMENT TRUE STORIES FROM ALTEC FILES J. T. BONNEY, President of the Asney Amusement Corp. Head Freezes tip; Rips Fibre Gear During Eve. Show EAST ROCKAWAY, L. I., N. Y.-"During an evening show a few weeks ago, the sound suddenly went off in one of the machines of the Criterion Theatre here," declared J. T. Bonney, president of the Asney Amusement Corporation. "Upon contacting the booth, our projectionist advised us to immediately call the Altec emergency desk, which we did. Inspector Howard arrived at the theatre in short order. "He found that the intermittent movement on the disabled machine had frozen up in such a way that it had ripped up the fibre gear on the flywheel, and had broken loose the connections on the vertical shafts. "Soon after the Altec Inspector arrived, we were again able to operate properly on both machines.” • • • Altec maintains a complete stock of over 5,000 parts needed for replacement in sound equipment of all types and makes. Strategically located stock points throughout the country remain open during all show-operating hours to make immediate shipment of parts. ^ALTEC ALTEC SERVICE CORPORATION 250 West 57th Street New York City. Gentlemen: If Altec service can save me money, I will let the Altec man in my neighborhood explain it to me. Have him make an appointment at my convenience. NAME THEATRE ADDRESS CITY . . THAT YOUR THEATRE MAY NEVER BE DARK.” only lately been mopped. • As we wended our way homeward, we pondered the proposition of why it is that so many theatre men are lax on matters of common decency and cleanliness, of offering their patrons the greatest possible degree of comfort. Soap and water are inexpensive. A good vacuum cleaner does cost a few dollars, but it is an investment which pays generous dividends. Labor to maintain a continual spic-andspan condition is relatively inexpensive, although there might be added outlay in the establishing of the proper routine. • Hygiene in theatre operation is highly important. Public toilets, as a rule, stand in ill repute. While probably no patron ever deliberately attended a theatre to take advantage of such facilities, th’ occasion not infrequently arises when utilization is not only desirable but demanded by a pent-up nature. No exhibitor can afford to take a chance on any patron’s picking up any infection or infestation however great or small. While actually the possibilities for infection have by public opinion and sanitary laws been greatly reduced, through the outlawing of the public drinking cup and the community towel, there remains more than a remote chance for infection. And as for pediculosis, many have discovered that lice are no respectors of persons or places. Few there probably are of those who have had the courage to reach this far have not been at least exposed to such dangers. How many of you are there who take renewed pleasure in returning to such places? So it is with your customers if you maintain toilets in such a condition to breed and foster germs and vermin. You may not have the opportunity to make a sumptuous temple of the cinema out of your establishment, but surely, with the expenditure of a few dollars on soap, water and some deodorant, you can eliminate the filth and ammoniacal stench from what are politely called "rest rooms” — and keep them eliminated. No up-to-the-minute owner, no keenminded manager, no one alert to his obligations to the public will permit thi accumulation of odors or filth (either strewn about the floor or inscribed in quasi-privacy upon walls behind those swinging doors), any more than he would tolerate inferior projection, bad sound, uncomfortable chairs, for in so doing he would be practically telling the patron not to come back and tell his friends the exhibitor did not want them, either! Accordingly, theatre sanitation and hygiene become an integral consideration in patron comfort. Can you, Mr. Exhibitor, afford to be lax in this department with profit and prestige to your theatre? IRVING VINCENT, Manager of the Grand Theatre, Oconto Palls, Wis. Manager So Sure of Getting Sound Sells Nite Show OCONTO FALLS, WIS.— "I was playing 'Snow White’ to a very good business on Sunday afternoon, but during the second reel of the second matinee the sound went completely dead,” said Irving Vincent, Manager of the Grand Theatre here. "I checked on everything I could but with no success, so I called our Altec Inspector, W. H. Lewis at 5:30 P.M. at Iron Mountain, Mich., a distance of 85 miles. "I had visions of losing a good Sunday nite’s business, but took a chance on Lewis’ getting sound restored, and sold out the house for the evening show before he arrived. "In less than two hours, Lewis arrived, and cleared the trouble in ten minutes. My Sunday nite show hit the sheet on schedule.” Altec inspectors are intimately familiar with all types of sound projection equipment, irrespective of who manufactured it. An Altec Service Agreement gives you greater protection for your theatre. ALTEC ALTEC SERVICE CORPORATION 250 West 57th Street New York City. Gentlemen: Have the Altec man in my neighborhood call me for an appointment. No obligation to me, of course. NAME THEATRE ADDRESS CITY 73 “. . . THAT YOUR THEATRE MAY NEVER BE DARK.” ON YOUR DESK EVERY WEDNESDAY November 15, 19)8