Exhibitors Herald (Dec 1924-Mar 1925)

XXIV BETTER THEATRES SECTION OE January 3, 1925 Sanitary Phases of the Theatre — Their Importanee By HERMAN N. BUNDESEN, M. D. Heatlh Commissioner, City of Chicago I THINK I may safely assume that the readers of this publication are pretty familiar with the fact that the departmpt of health has been responsible for putting good air into the “movies.” Also it has been responsible for doing some other things regarding the equipment and management of motion picture theatres which have contributed to the comfort, health and safety of the patrons of these very popular places of amusement. One of the gratifying things that I have to note in connection with the development of the motion picture industry — and it certainly is an industry — is the fact that the average “movie” playhouse now in point of sanitary equipment exceeds perhaps any other place of public assembly; and this would include not only the regular theatres but lodge halls, and even our churches. * * In the early days of the motion picture theatre they were, as a rule, ' installed in ordinary business rooms with no ventilation possible on account of the fact that the object screen in the rear and the projecting machine in the front made it impossible to get good air in or bad air out. It was not long, however, until these conditions, constituting in themselves so serious a menace to the health of the public, forced the department of health to attempt some means of regulation and with the result that theatres of this class were soon abandoned and were replaced by others of far superior type in every way. It is only fair to the managers of these theatres to say that in most instances they were quick to realize that their places, from a standpoint of sanitation, were almost criminally bad and they met in a spirit of splendid cooperation the efforts of the department of health to put them on a better Public health officials realize that in times when there is an outbreak of the epidemic diseases, like influenza or poliomyelitis, all places of public assembly are regarded as being places where diseases of this kind are spread. In fact, the department of health has gone so far as to ask and enlist the cooperation of the theatre managers of Chicago in the proper conduct of their places during outbreaks of this kind. It is only fitting to them I should make my due acknowledgement to the managers of the theatres of the city of Chicago for the splendid and wholehearted way in which they have cooperated with the department of health along these lines. * There is, however, a sanitary side to theatre construction and management that I am constrained as a health officer to believe has not been given the attention which it in importance deserves. I refer now to what would be called regular sanitary equipment, in the way of toilets, lavatories, towel supply and other conveniences that contribute not only to the comfort of the patrons of places of this kind, but more especially to the professional people who are employed therein. In this connection, I would refer, too, to the lighting and ventilation of the dressing rooms for the performers. Some of these are tucked away in cubby holes under the stage and are simply, from a standpoint of sanitation, vile. This criticism, however, would apply perhaps with more force to the older theatres then to those that have been built re in a survey among theatres in Chicago it was found that only about a dozen houses were failing to observe the requirements of the law in keeping their places in the most healthful condition. Dr. Herman N. Bundesen, health commissioner, who in recent meetings with exhibitors and in articles in this department has pointed out the importance of theatre ventilation, calls attention to another feature of public protection — sanitation in the theatre. Dr. B undesen’s suggestions in this respect are reprinted herewith from an article which appeared in "Better Theatres” section some months ago. cently where both the building department and the department of health have demanded that ample facilities as to light, ventilation and toilet facilities be provided. It is unfortunate, however, that building and plumbing regulations do not specifically cover these requirements and that whatever standards of excellence along these lines have been reached have been due to the vigilance of the inspection service of the department of health. I have noticed that in some of the recently constructed outlying theatres the managers have gone to unusual lengths in providing sanitary equipment for their theatres, not only for the people who work in those theatres, including the performers, but also the attendants, and in addition they have not forgotten those things which contribute so much to the comfort and safety of the patrons. These features, I have noticed, include restrooms, with a maid in charge to take care of children while their mothers are attending the performance. All these seem to me to be steps along right lines. Also they appeal to me as being, from a strictly monetary standpoint, excellent investments; I mean by this, that they will pay big dividends on the money invested. Patrons of places of public amusement are quick to observe and appreciate the things that have been done for their comfort and safety, and the theatre that can offer the most along these lines is the theatre that, in my judgment will get the business. Perhaps it would be safe to say that in Chicago, as well as in other large cities, the sanitary requirements in theatre construction and management are of the highest standard. This does not mean that there is no room for improvement. It only means that we are working along right lines and still striving for higher standards in the things that may be done to make playhouses of every kind and character, not only attractive, but safe for those who patronize them. * * * However, it is perhaps in the towns of smaller size that such standards are not even being striven for, that conditions are in many cases inexcusably bad, and that people of towns of this kind who patronize these theatres have not yet been educated up to the point where they are ready to demand better conditions at a price of withholding their patronage if they are not provided. I hope that this brief article may be of Ushering staff at Jones, Linick & Schaefer’s Rialto theatre which has replaced girls formerly employed. Boy ushers have also been found more competent and have taken the place of girls at other of the company’s houses.