Exhibitors Herald (1927)

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October 29, 1927 EXHIBITORS HERALD 15 The atmospheric theatre is becoming recognized beyond the boundaries of the United States as a style of architecture decidedly appropriate for the presentation of the motion picture. The picture at the left is of a model of the first atmospheric theatre to be erected in South and Central America. It is being erected by Solis, Entrialgo y Cia at Havana, Cuba. It will have all modern improvements. Guarding of the Life and Comfort Your Patrons What would you do in case of fire, panic, tragedy in your theatre ? Thinh. it over THEATRE owners are responsible morally, and in many instances legally, for the welfare and safety of their patrons. It is to their interest to know how to meet theatre emergencies, and although the following suggestions do not cover everything nor are they absolutely foolproof, they offer solution to many serious and annoying circumstances. What Would You Do in This Case? As the manager of a theatre, what would you do if, during a performance, a crazy man jumped over the balcony railing, injured patrons on the main floor, and caused so much excitement that one person would jump to his feet and yell, “Come on out of here; the balcony is falling down!”? If a demented woman jumped up on a seat and screamed, “You can’t attack me, you can’t attack me. I’ll call out the police!”? Yes, they have all actually happened. They are but two of the unusual and unexpected occurrences out of the thousands of emergencies, petty, amusing, unusual, tragic, serious and fatal, that theatre owners must cope with everywhere. A theatre owner, manager or employe is not only dealing with equipment that may be ruined or burned, but he is in daily contact with large groups of that changing, easily moved, sometimes hysterical, public that may trample itself to injury or death during a panic before anyone realizes what has happened. So perhaps the most troublesome emergencies and the ones which most easily affect the enjoyment of your patrons, are those directly involving the deportment of the audience itself. Could You Have Handled This Case? “I’m poisoned ! I’m dying, h-e-l-p, h-e-l-p!” screamed a young man as he clutched wildly at his throat and stomach By FRANK ARCHER Be Prepared Everything happening in the theatre reflects upon the manager and is to his credit or discredit. A survey and study of some of the serious theatre accidents or circumstances may help the theatre owner to appreciate — "I That his theatre and equip■*"* ment should meet the requirements suggested by the National Board of Fire Underwriters and local building inspectors. That definite training and in• struction in emergencies of all kinds should be given all employes regardless of the size of the theatre. O That his theatre should have ** * an emergency restroom, containing lounge, blankets and first aid equipment. A That the ’phone numbers of the police and fire department and the names, addresses and ’phone numbers of the manager, a nurse and physician should be typewritten and a copy posted at the box office, checkroom, backstage and in the manager’s office. during an afternoon performance at a large motion picture theatre. Two thousand people immediately forgot the show. Babies cried, women shrieked “Murder!” and yelled for the police, while others fainted. In five minutes the audience was again watching the screen and was interested only in the hero and the heroine. Here’s what might have been the situation five minutes later : Seats vacated ! Foyer, lobby and restrooms jammed with gossiping hysterical children and mothers ! Men and women too upset, nervous and excited to finish seeing the show after having witnessed a gruesome suicide — all wanting to know why a good looking, well dressed young man had to spoil their afternoon by killing himself by drinking poison in a theatre. How It Was Handled But here’s what did happen: The usher nearest the screaming man immediately called the manager from his office. All other ushers in the auditorium walked slowly up and down their aisles telling patrons in a clear, undisturbed manner, “ Kindly keep your seats, please, there’s absolutely no danger. The performance is continuing as usual.” The women who fainted were carried or assisted by the ushers to the ladies’ restroom and attention given them by the maids. The manager, who had arrived in the aisle, immediately carried the stricken patron to his office, where a strong emetic quickly dispelled the poison. By that time the ambulance, called by the assistant manager, had arrived and a phyician gave further treatment. After a few days in the hospital he returned to the theatre and profusely apologized to the management for the trouble he had caused and thanked them for probably saving his life. He had taken poison because his sweetheart had jilted him. The Results of Training and Equipment The two things that saved the foregoing situation were trained employes and proper equipment. All members of the service department had been intensely trained in the