The Exhibitor (1951)

OUT FRONT” Business firms, like fingerprints, are never alike. No matter how similar they appear to be, one will inevitably stand out. In more than 25 years of service. National Theatre Supply has come "OUT FRONT.” This is a result of National’s determination from the very start that there would never be any compromise with quality . . . that it would be built on the solid foundation of respousibility . . . and that it would grow through its outstanding service to you — the exhibitor. And these three basic factors — quality, responsibility and service — remain today . . . Three basic factors that serve as a symbol of dependability and an inspira¬ tion for continued leadership through the years ahead. Why not contact National today and step "out front” with the leader. New NPA Order Gives Priority Assistance Washington — Theatre owners and man¬ ufacturers who want to install new motion picture equipment recently were given some valuable priority aid under a new regulation issued by the National Production Authority. The new regulation allows firms to obtain materials needed for installation of equipment in existing structures on a pri¬ ority basis, without applying to NPA, provided the amounts of materials re¬ quired do not exceed two tons of carbon steel, 200 pounds of copper, and no aluminum, stainless steel, or alloy steel. Cost of installation may not exceed $1,000. NPA spokesmen pointed out that the regulation could apply to the installation of new sound equipment, theatre tele¬ vision, or any other equipment, provided limitations on materials and costs were not exceeded. The important feature of the regulation is that firms may obtain a government priority for materials, whereas they previ¬ ously had to obtain materials themselves through private sources. Where govern¬ ment certification was provided to obtain materials for maintenance, operation, and repair under the original regulation, the amendment now includes the certification of installation materials, it was empha¬ sized by the NPA. A theatreman or manufacturer may now spend up to $1,000 for any equipment listed in the order, another $1,000 for installation, as long as materials limits are not exceeded, and another $1,000 per quarter for repair and maintenance. This may be accomplished on a self-certifica¬ tion basis, without applying to the NPA. Should priorities for more materials be desired, and if one MRO quota permits him to have more, one could apply to NPA for further priority assistance. The MRO quota for each firm is 10 per cent of the amount of materials used during 1950 for purposes of maintenance, operating, or repair. Fox West Coast Managers Don't Carry Keys To Safes, Insurance Head Points Out LOS ANGELES — Irving Epsteen, Fox West Coast Theatres insurance depart¬ ment head, recently sought to correct an impression created in a police re¬ port to the effect that his theatre managers carry keys to the “inside” safes of the circuit’s houses. The account of the robbery of Stephen Smolak, Academy manager, carried in The Los Angeles Times, re¬ ported that Smolak had fooled bandits by claiming he had no key to the the¬ atre’s safe. Actually, Epsteen said, Smolak wasn’t fooling. Fox managers carry no keys to the inside depository in their offices. Only armed guard handlers have keys to the deposit boxes. Managers can stuff money into the slot of the inside safe, Epsteen pointed out, but they cannot open the box. January 9, 1952