Exhibitors Herald (1927)

48 BETTER THEATRES SECTION OF October 29, 1927 Now ready If you have a balcony type theatre of the smaller size, you can now have an Acme that exactly fits your need. for Any size theatre Write for full details of this new compact outfit. i lVlTI LL USHER. SIGNAL SYSTEM ACME Electric Construction Co. 407 South Dearborn Street CHICAGO 7250 Get ’Em Going and Coming! — a gay, happy audience, greet them with the enticing fragrance of Hot Popcorn and Peanuts and watch the extra nickels and dimes pour in ! A KINGERY POPCORN POPPER or PEANUT ROASTER is easily installed right in your lobby — and the profit is big on every bag. Kingery machines are attractive — built to occupy little space — and require little attention. W rite today for further information — no obligation. The Kingery Mfg. Co. 410 E. Pearl St. Cincinnati, O. Dept. EH10 were led to believe they had been in danger, and by the managers who, although particularly alert and equal to the occasion, were intimated as not doing what they should have done. When a Nearby Building Bums A great deal of commotion was caused in a large downtown theatre by a patron who, seeing a small fire a few doors from the theatre, purchased a ticket, rushed into the auditorium and shouted, “The building next door is on fire, get out, run for your lives!” If you have a fire or are any way involved in such predicaments that are likely to get into the press be sure to call the newspapers and have them get the right slant on the story. Kinebooth Fires When a reel of film recently caught fire and caused $2,500 damage to projection room equipment the explosion was thought to have been caused by a short circuit in the electric wiring. Although flames were darting out of the projection booth windows a large crowd left in extremely orderly fashion. Causes and Cost of Theatre Fires in 1919 (Compiled by the National Board of Fire Underwriters ) Exposure to nearby fires, $240,000, 17 per cent. Unknown, $450,000, 32 per cent. Miscellaneous, $125,000, 9 per cent. Smoking and matches, $62,000, 4^2 per cent. Stoves, furnaces, boilers, $110,000, 8 per cent. Electricity, $110,000, 8 per cent. Defective chimneys, flues, gas, hot ashes, open lights, rubbish, petroleum, sparks from machinery, etc., $301,000, 21 per per cent. Safeguards Against Fire Following are listed a few of the precautionary measures to be taken : 1. Inspection of entire theatre by fire, electrical, insurance and building department inspectors. 2. Efficient alarm systems. 3. Automatic sprinklers. 4. Hand extinguishers. 5. Fire curtains. 6. As most fires have begun backstage a great deal of precaution should be used there. No open flames, explosives, fireworks, candles, matches or lamps should be allowed. Automatic and manually operated ventilating ducts should be installed backstage. 7. Fire drills for ushers, employes and night cleaners. 8. Metal clad shutters, doors and wire-glass windows. 9. Exits well illuminated and free from stumbling blocks. 10. Modernly constructed fireproof projection booth. Fire Drills Purpose: To insure proper discipline and quick and safe egress in case of fire or panic and to insure correct deportment during the unnecessary excitement. Ushers: When disturbances do not warrant clearing the house, ushers should walk to territory and quiet patrons by the announcement, “Kindly keep your seats, please, there is absolutely no danger. The performance is continuing as usual.” (Note: See that ushers or employes talk directly and slowly while practicing this procedure.) When it is necessary to clear the house, ushers remark to those nearest the exits, “Kindly leave your seats, please. It is necessary that the house be vacated.” In Case of Fire (Guide for ushers and employes) 1. Notify the fire department.