The Exhibitor (Nov 1941-May 1942)

WANTED: A SCHOOL FOR PROJECTIONISTS! WITH THEATRE OWNERS, managers, operators, and supply dealers experiencing worry and scarcity in many branches of theatre equipment, whether auditorium or pro¬ jection booth, one of the most basically sensible ideas heard in a long time came to our attention recently. It seems that a small group of important executives, responsible for the projection in a number of the larger circuits, met recently to discuss the probable future. One conclusion was obvious. Current scarcity in new equipment and supplies would promote increasing difficulties, recurrent breakdowns, and greater hardships. What was to be done? Vitally necessary war metals were “out” for the duration, and it would be both unpatriotic and unwise to try and bring too much pressure on Washington. If the metals were available, the factories formerly making the equipment were now full of war orders. Metals would be difficult to fabricate. Zealous care and efficient maintenance was being advised to all owners and projectionists by the more widely read trade journals, supply dealers, and manufacturers, in an unselfish manner. WHAT COULD BE THE NEXT STEP? THE PROJECTIONISTS? DEFINITELY! DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS, the pioneer projectionist improvised gadgets, filed out needed parts, and actually, from his every day experiences, contributed methods and practices which were incorporated into the design and perfection of modern projection equipment. Standards of projection are higher today than in that bygone era, and pro¬ jection equipment is more technical, but the self-reliant pioneer could be depended upon. Unfortunately, the years had diminished his originally too small number. Only a very few of these pioneers are still active. Naturally, the war has also called many to the colors. AND HERE IS WHERE a constructive trade journal takes over the basic idea. THE NEW ADMINISTRATION of the IATSE was loudly applauded for its patriotism in Syracuse, N. Y., recently when President Richard Walsh declared that “there would be no more strikes for the duration,” and that there would be no overtime charges for the running of patriotic shorts. We now call on him for a further constructive effort, both from a patriotic viewpoint and industry necessity. WE RECOGNIZE that the IATSE has contributed much to modem projection tech¬ nique. We recognize it as the organization of projectionists that by number and quality of manpower is best fitted to direct this effort. We pledge to do everything possible to publicize the endeavor, and to gain the co-operation, monetary support, and attention of theatre owners and theatre managers so that it can be successfully carried to a conclusion. BRIEFLY, we recommend a school for projectionists. WE WANT A SCHOOL, not in the common meaning, but regular open forums and illustrative discussions, where ideas and experiences may be exchanged for the benefit of our industry. When a breakdown comes, or is threatened, we want the projectionist to take the bit in his teeth, and try to muddle through. We want that old spirit of “the show must go on” to be reflected in his thinking and in his collaboration with his fellow projectionists so that they’ll clear for action, and know at least what to do — in order to avoid a dark house. We think the theatre owner should know, and appreciate, what this means to him and the public he serves. HERE NOT ONLY is patriotism but service of a high order. HERE IS THE SELF RELIANCE unon which America was founded, grew, and prospered. Here is an invitation to the IATSE, or anyone else, to start such forums and the fostering of self reliance. THE REACTION of the IATSE and the industry will be eagerly awaited. 10 Republic Bookings Reach New Peak Los Angeles — March and April Republic bookings total $2,000,000, according to an announcement made by James R. Grain¬ ger, president, last week. Record num¬ ber of advance play dates, Grainger said, are headed by “Sleepy Time Gal,” “Lady For a Night,” and “Yokel Boy.” Other Republic pictures adding to the total are “Girl From Alaska” and Gene Autry’s “Heart Of the Rio Grande.” Grainger pre¬ dicts big things for his company’s new serial, “Spy Smasher,” and said as many prints will be available as were made on “Lone Ranger,” most successful Republic chapter play to date, which grossed over $1,000,000. Eastman Net Up Rochester — Eastman Kodak Company and its wholly owned subsidiary com¬ panies in the Western Hemisphere an¬ nounced last week that net profit last year was $21,588,790, an up of $1,512,051 despite a 300 per cent tax jump. Earnings per share of common stock for 1941 and 1940 were $8.57 and $7.96, respectively. Net sales reached $172,991,349, and were the highest in the history of the company. Increase over the previous year was 41 per cent. UMPI Group Meets New York — The sub-committee on Point 5 of the agenda of the United Motion Picture Industry will convene here on March 25, according to announcement by Leon J. Bamberger, executive secre¬ tary, last week. Jack Kirsch, president, Allied Theatres of Illinois, will call the meeting to order as chait'man at a location not yet disclosed. Para. Theatres Over Top New York — The final amount collected in the March of Dimes Drive from con¬ tributions in theatres in which Paramount Pictures has an interest amounted to $207,054.50, the company announced last week. IATSE Execs to Texas Houston, Tex. — A state meeting of the IATSE was held here on March 17. All the officials of the International, headed by president Richard Walsh, are expected to attend. 200 Per Cent Salesman NEW YORK — Probably no sales¬ man in the industry will ever dupli¬ cate the feat of Leo Cantor, Pittsburgh salesman for Universal, last week. A week before working in the Bill Scully Sales Drive, he closed his last deal, making him the first salesman in his branch to sell his territory 100 per cent. That job having been completed in perfect shape, he walked over to the nearest Naval Recruiting Station and enlisted, passing his entrance exam¬ ination with another 100 per cent mark. THE EXHIBITOR RKO Men Moved New York — It was announced last week that Frank L. Drumm and Harry Gittleson have been promoted to new posts in RKO’s expanded sales department. Jack Level, publicity department, has been named editor of Flash, company’s house organ, Drumm, who has been assistant to Bob Wolff, New York branch manager, be¬ comes assistant to Bob Mochrie, eastern sales manager, and Gittleson, veteran edi¬ tor of Flash, takes over similar duties under Walter Branson, western sales manager. Dembow On Coast New York — Sam Dembow, Jr., left New York last week for Hollywood and the world premiere of Cecil B. DeMille’s “Reap the Wild Wind” at the Hollywood Paramount on March 19. En route to the Coast Dembow will visit Paramount the¬ atre associates in Minneapolis, Salt Lake, and San Francisco. In Hollywood he will join Leonard Goldenson, head of Paramount’s theatre JAY EMANUEL New Population Survey Hollywood — The public relations com¬ mittee of Association of Motion Picture Producers last week started a nation-wide survey to determine the best method of getting motion picture information to new population centers that have had a sud¬ den growth. division, who is also making a series of visits to Paramount partners. President Okays Films WASHINGTON — President Roose¬ velt, at a press conference last week stated that while the war effort must of necessity be the nation’s primary concern, it was essential that human beings must have film, radio, and dra¬ matic entertainment, sports, and out¬ door recreation to maintain a proper balance, and thus promote over-all efficiency. March 18, 1942