The Exhibitor (Nov 1938-May 1939)

BM-28 "The Declaration of Independence” Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Highlights of the campaign conducted by manager Sol Getzow, Ogontz, for Vitaphone’s "The Declaration of Independence” was the offering of 10 prizes, five to the writers of the best essays on the Declaration of Independence, five to topranking history students in the schools of the theatre’s territory. The prize was an illuminated engraving, in which was embodied a piece of original timber from Independence Hall. Further capital was made of the awards by Getzow’s calling the several parents on the telephone, informing them that their child had been awarded the prize. Presentation was, of course, made at the theatre. Other items on the Getzow program included: A special lobby display for two weeks in advance. Distribution of 8,000 heralds on the feature pictures, with 25 percent of the imprint space being devoted to the short subject. All patriotic organizations were told of the playdates. Stage announcements were made. Cooperation of school principals was obtained, with playdates being announced in the classrooms. Letters of endorsement were received from the East Germantown Post, the Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars; the Oaklane Post, Jewish War Veterans of the U. S. "Young AmericaMexico Crisis” New Haven, Connecticut Bob Russell, assisted capably by assistant manager Nat Rubin, arranged for 1,000 Boy Scouts to see this film on the last night of the week’s booking. Scoutmasters had units march to theatre, fronted by New Haven Register Boys’ Band. Sign read, "We’re On Our Way to See March of Time-' Young America’ and ’Pygmalion’ at Loew’s Pol i. ” Created lots of downtown ballyhoo and at a dime for each youngster. Highlights in Booth Operation Advantages Claimed For New Cement To U. S. theatre supply dealers last fortnight, from the Fisher Manufacturing Company, went a BETTER MANAGEMENT flock of samples of Vulco Film Cement, to be re-distributed to projectionists, theatre owners. The company claims its product to be superior to any other film cement, general manager R J. Fisher offering the following testimony to support the claim: 1. Vulco film cement vulcanizes splices, eliminating danger of fire and show tie-ups caused by splices pulling apart during projection. 2. Vulco will stand a test of 18 hours exposed to the air and will not thicken, whereas ordinary cement becomes thick if exposed to the air for even a short time. 3. It contains no acetuc acid. 4. It does not build up on the film, making a thick splice. 5. It costs less and goes farther. The Fisher Manufacturing Company urges exhibitors to accept its free offer. If your supply dealer is out of samples, write directly to the company at 60 State Street, Rochester, New York. Highlights in Miscellaneous Matters New Monitor Loudspeaker Has Diversified Uses Another long-sought tool for recording engineers, in the form of a high quality Western Electric loudspeaker of unusual compactness, has been announced by the Electrical Research Products, Inc. The new speaker is intended primarily for use by recording and broadcasting engineers for monitoring sound pickups. Although the new speaker is smaller than the average suitcase, its performance, within a 3 0degree projection angle, approaches that of a massive two-way sound radiators commonly employed in theatres. It was designed by the Bell Laboratories primarily for the use with recording systems, but in view of its small size, high quality, and low price, other applications will be found. When used in conjunction with a properly designed 12-watt amplifier, the speaker will produce adequate volume in a studio monitoring booth. If greater volume is desired, amplifiers up to 20 watts capacity may be substituted. Under loadings of this order, the frequency response is substantially flat over a range extending from 60 to 10,000 cycles a second. The speaker element is of the moving-coil type, and the field is supplied by a permanent magnet of special alloy. "Hang-over” — distortion resulting from mechanical resonance in diaphragm — is absent in the new speaker’s reproduction, because its specially shaped metal diaphragm is, for all practical consideration, "dead-beat.” The unit is designed to work in a cabinet and its efficiency is equal to that of direct radiator type speakers of similar size and weight. Because of the wider and more uniform frequency-response range, however, it will be found that a satisfactory rendition is obtained at somewhat lower input levels than would be required for the loud speakers commonly employed. Metal Frames Add Smartness To add a touch of smartness to lobby, other displays, the DeFi Manufacturing Company (not incorporated) is offering a line of chrome metal frames, card holders which should interest exhibitors already familiar with the 8x10 to 22x28 frames. The outstanding feature of the De-Fi frames, in addition to being an all-metal, chrome finish, is the patented corner plate which has a hole for tacking, thus eliminating visible nails or screws. A floor-type stand, two models of stand-up counter frames are available, as well as the usual type. In the process of development is a large standing frame for lobby art displays. Larger Quarters for Adler Sign’s Office Adler Sign Letter Company announced last week that they have moved its New York office from 1457 Broadway to 33 West 60th Street, New York City, to permit of larger operations in line with increased activities in their complete line of slotted type and lug type silhouette letters, in 6-, 8-, 10-, 12-, 16-, 24-inch sizes. The company’s new telephone number is New York City, Circle 6-3 5 5 8. ERPI "Magnetic” Telephone A portable telephone, for use in theatres, studios, other places where reliable communication is needed, which required no external source of electricity, w; s announced to the motion picture industry recently by Electrical Research Products, Inc. The "magnetic” telephone, as the device is known, is rn nufactured b\ the Western Electric Company and will transmit speech in excess of 200 miles. 1 v k 1 '4 • i 1 ' IB! « _ .. X " i ^ . iiUgif EHEli -j |_|jJ Mi ■ l‘ MUM**1 25S5 p] SIGN AND MARQUEE MANUFACTURING PLANT. The Superior Sign System, Inc., whose plant at Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, is shown here, originally started in business in 1907. Normally about 30 mechanics are employed. The buildings cover three-quarters of an acre and are of brick construction and equipped with all modern machinery. The company has a fleet of five trucks. Close to 3 00 marquees have been designed b"\ Superior. All structural steel structures are completely fabricated by the company. A siding from the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad serves the factory. In past years real large roof signs have been shipped to South America, where it is important that the minutest details be premeditated and carried out in construction and perfectly produced before shipment. The largest single order executed in this plant required four freight cars to transport. Some employees have been continuously for the company for over 30 years and all are skilled craftsmen who have settled in this Lancaster County town where they have comfortable homes, fine gardens, and the advantage of neighboring farm products. They have a persona! interest in the success of the Superior plant and in the skill and efficiency of their particular job. March 15, 19)9