Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

BETTER THEATRES SECTION OE January 3, 1925 XVI A Kansas bird, operating the leading movie show and blacksmith shop asks : “(1) How do you set the shutter on the fly? (2) How often should I oil my rewind?” Answer: (/) Turn the fly’s wing until you can’t see any ghosts. (2) I cannot advise you as you failed to state if you used a non-rewind or not. A real-estater in Memphis wants to know: “(1) My machine No. 1 has streaks running down from the letters, what shall I do to remedy this? (2) How can I keep my relief man from cracking the Mazda bulbs?” Answer: (i) Cut out the sub-titles. (^) Crack them yourself. A cake-eater from Iowa asks the following on gilt edged writing paper: “(1) Should I pull my port hole release right away in case of fire? (2) Why does Jay object to ten-cent store tools? (3) What should I use on my lenses when they get misty?” Answer: (i) Yes, if your head is inside. (2) Because he smashed his thumb with one of Mr. Woolworth’s hammers. (5) Boric acid solution is good for your optics, if this don’t help, consult an eye doctor. A goop right in your own Chicago town wants information as follows: “(1) My picture is out of focus, what should I do? (2) My gate flys open, how can I stop it?” Answer: (/) Have the photographer take another one. {2) Tie it shut and jump over the fence. F. J. R., of New York, asks me: “(1) How can I get oil in the cups on the motor? (2) Should I keep my magazines open all the time?” Answer: (/) This is a delicate operation, better put it off a few years until you have had more experience, {ej It is not necessary if you have a book mark. I use a file or pair of pliers for a book mark, they answer the purpose ivell. W. T., another hailing from Little Old New York, seeks knowledge as follows: “(1) For some reason or other my picture won’t stay in frame, what to do? (2) What shall I do when the film breaks?” Answer: (i) If the photo of yourself you sent me looks anything like you I don’t blame the frame any. (2) After the applause is over, bow to the audience. A postal card from a tight-wad in Oklahoma City (he did not even have the courtesy to write a letter and say stamps enclosed and then forget it as most of them do) asks: ‘‘(1) What will stop vibration in the cam? (2) How can I keep my ticket girl off the date tree?” Answer: (/) Asphalt will stop it entirely. (2) Hire a good looking “Op.” I’m available. A real operator in Indiana (he enclosed a dollah bill with his question) want's to know : “Should I keep a crank near my machines?” Answer: No! Keep both the house manager and property man out of the booth. An exhibitor’s daughter in Missouri asks me: “How can I vamp the operator?” An.<;wer: Send me your photo at once; it may be that a new operator will be able to “show you.” From a machine tender in California comes the following: “(1) I read in an electrical book where it referred to ‘off’ position on the circuit. What did this mean? (2) What did it mean by saying ‘clockwise’?” Answer: (/) It refers to an “Op” that has lost his position with a road show. {2) You must be a beginner. All Projecktionists get 'clockwise” early in the game. Aloysius McCorkle writes me from Detroit: “(1) What is a terminal? (2) What is meant by ‘observance’?” Ansiver: All right Aloysius, here goes: (/) If you don’t ride the street cars you needn’t worry about it. (2) You must think my name is Webster, but for example, it’s zvhat the boss starts using zvhen the operator forgets to use it. Admirer, of Omaha, wants to know : “What is meant by ‘zero line’?” Answer: It means the manager’s line of vision when the film breaks. “Old Operator,” of Saint Looey wants to know how: “(1) to make a pin hole in his lamp house? (2) When my picture gets off ihe screen during the show, what should I do?” ^■Inszi'cr: (i) A ten penny nail and a claw hammer zvill do the dirty zvork. (2) Move the screen. J. C. J., of Nebraska, asks: “(1) Where should film scraps be kept? (2) What is it about projection room work that strains an operator’s eyes?” Answer: (/) Leave them in the print. (2) Ushers seating pretty girls too far dozvn in front. An exhibitor in Idaho asks: “(1) My operator gets drunk on the job, what shall I do in such a case? (2) How can I keep gasoline in the booth so the inspectors won’t find it?” Answer: (i) First find the case. (2) Keep it in the fire extinguisher. H. A., of Arkansas, says: “My screen is getting yellow streaks.” Answer: It’s all right, H. A., we all do occasionally. A letter smelling of garlic comes from Milwaukee and the writer seeks information as follows: “(1) How can I set loop on machine with no loopsetter? (2) How can I arrange a good changeover?” Answer: (/) Raise guide roller, hold film until you count twenty, result plenty of loop. {2) Tie a string to your dowser and attach the other end to the opposite machine base. When the newspaper you have pasted on the film starts editing across the screen, kick the string, which will release dozvser and at same time stuff your handkerchief in the other lamphouse hood. (Contimicd on page XVIII) The Saxe workshop in Milwaukee is outdoing itself in providing poster displays, stage settings and lobby displays for the chain of 23 theatres in the state. The staff employed in the workshop was so proud of its efforts for Vitagraph’s “Captain Blood,” which played at the Strand, that it posed for a picture along with its handiwork. Reading left to right are: Michael Naezek, handyman; Lawrence Mueller, card writer; Joseph Perszyk, card writer; Louis Orlove, manager of the shop; Loyal La Plaunte, in charge of the sign writers; George Leidolf, electrician; and Dave Ostlund, sign writer. He Has an Answer to All Projeetion Problems — And Then Some By NECKER FILMSCRATCHER (Transcribed by Clell Jay, Projectionist, New Theatre, Little Rock, Ark.) J~\EAR EDITOR. — Ever since I been zvriting for yoitr paper I have been / J receiving a lot of letters from folks zvanting my advice on hozv to run their theatres and operators wanting advice on questions pertaining to hanging the shadows on the silver screen that I ain’t able with my present salary to buy red stamps to mail them all a reply. So I am writing you a Pro feck. Dept, for this issue to answer a lot of questions from folks who wants to use the benefits of my knowledge and learn something, zvhich they can’t learn themselves elsezvhere except by reading these notes. — N. F.