Exhibitors Herald World (Oct-Dec 1929)

64 BETTER THEATRES SECTION OF December 21, 1929 CAN YOU OFFER A MAN WITH THESE QUALIFICATIONS A WORTH-WHILE POSITION? Age 32 — Sixteen years in motion picture work — Seven of these as branch manager and salesman in exchanges. Eight as owner and manager of picture houses. Two years designing and manufacturing sound on film and disc equipment. Experienced engineer, sales manager and thoroughly knows the theatre business. — Address Box 457, Exhibitors Herald-World, 407 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, 111. BRASS BRONZE STEEL RAILINGS Ornamental Bronze Work Grilles Wickets ZERO VALVE & BRASS CORP. 634 Fourth St. Buffalo, N. Y. ILLUSTRATED SHOCABDS 59 " & ■j&XjjZ Wor Every Purpose ^sa EHH ' Qet our prices 8«H 9WMB TICKET CD. JgSS&sag The Fine Art of Stage DesignHas been practiced by this experienced organization for 60 years — and now we are going stronger than ever. Let us work out your stage problems for you. Volland Scenic Studios, Inc. St. Louis, Missouri pears no possibility for the sale of American generator sets for use in these theatres; mirror-reflector arc lamps are not used here. Screens. — The screens in use in the local theatres are generally homemade. They usually are cheap light sheets of cloth, painted heavily with white calcimine bordered with black and stretched upon frames. Visual education. — From the best sources of information available, it is evident that visual education with motion pictures is not being used in any of the schools of this district. The individual in charge of the schools and supplies therefor is the Director General of Education, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. NOGALES, SONORA From report by Consul Maurice W. Altaffer There are only three theatres in the Nogales district, and these are controlled by a single firm, which operates them as a part of its chain of motion picture theatres on the Mexican west coast. Standard projectors. — The fact that all of the theatres of the district are operated by one company has brought about a uniformity of equipment within the differing scopes of their needs. Each theatre is equipped with two American projectors of identical 1924 models. The model in use cost, at the time of purchase, $650 in United States currency, f. o. b. San Francisco, Cal. These machines were bought through the agent of the manufacturer at the latter place. All are said to be giving good service. Arc lamps. — High-intensity and mirror-reflector arc lamps are not used locally, although it is understood that they are employed in the theatres elsewhere on the west coast, notably at Hermosillo, Navojoa, Mazatlan, and Culiacan. Screens. — Motion picture screens are entirely of local fabrication, consisting simply of white cotton cloth stretched upon frames. Visual education. — E ducation by means of motion pictures has not yet taken hold, and there seems to be little or no prospect of marketing equipment here at the present time. The state official having supervision over educational matters in the Nogales district is Senor Benjamin Munoz, director general of education, Hermosillo, Senora. He is largely governed, however, by the general program outlined by the federal department of education. Dealers. — Owing to the proximity of the district to the United States and its comparative isolation from the rest of Mexico, motion picture equipment dealers in the American border cities and southern California are the best medium through which to reach this territory. PROGRESO, YUCATAN From report by Vice Consul Herman C. Vogenitz Standard projectors. — There are in Yucatan approximately 13 motion picture theatres which are relatively modern in appearance and equipment. Besides these, there are many small installations scattered throughout the country villages, which are supplied with secondhand and often cheap and defective equipment. The projectors of the better theatres are largely of American manufacture, and although not strictly modern and consisting almost entirely of the medium and cheaper grades of apparatus, they seem to be giving satisfactory service to the owners and the public. Only a few theatres have more than one projector. When new equipment is desired, it is generally purchased by the theatre operators either in Mexico City or in the United States; for this reason there are no established dealers in motion picture equipment in the peninsula. It is said that many of the newer features of the modern American apparatus are as yet unknown in Yucatan; but it is doubtful whether new and expensive apparatus could or would be purchased by the present theatre operators, at least until economic and general business conditions in the state have materially improved. Generators. — It is possible that a few American generator sets might be sold in Yucatan, but probably not until the promised improvements in the present electric lighting service and cheaper current are instituted. Arc lamps and screens —High-intensity and mirror-i^j^ctor arc lamps are not used in feQ theatres in this state. Motion picture screens in nearly all cases are composed of sheeting stretched over adequate frames. In many of the smaller theatres the screens and part of the seats are without roof and are exposed to the sky. Visual education. — As yet there has been little or no attempt to utilize motion pictures in connection with education, and owing to the small and rather poorly equipped public schools it is doubtful whether this will be attempted for some time. Advertising matter and propaganda in favor of visual education might, however, produce some interest if forwarded to the following proper state authorities : Departmento de Educacion Publica, Merida, Yucatan; Gobernador Estado de Yucantan, Merida, Yucatan; Liga Central de Resistencia, Merida, Yucatan; Liga Torres Acosta, Merida, Yucatan ; Departmento de Educacion Publica, Campeche; Gobernador del Estado de Campeche, Campeche. SALTILLO, COAHUILA From report by Consul Lynn W. Franklin Standard projectors. — Two American makes and the French Pathe motion picture projectors are reported to be in use in the theatres of Saltillo. The selling prices of these projectors range between $400 and $700 in United States currency. The Pathe is said to be preferred because it is cheaper and more simple. As a rule, the theatres are equipped with only one projector. Most of the machines in use are said to be late models ; the American projectors are considered to give excellent service.