Famous News (Jan-Feb 1982)

Spotlight on our Partners: The Purnells continued also in Red Deer. The next few years were prosperous during which time both indoor theatres were dualled, and in 1976 after the screen blew down at the 40th Avenue Drive-In, it was reopened later that same year as western Canada’s first triple drive-in. In 1978, Park Plaza Theatre Ltd. and: Central: Drive-ins Ltd. amalgamated to become Central Park Theatres Ltd. The 2-11 DriveIn was sold in 1978 thus bringing about the present holdings within the partnership, namely, the Paramount, Park Plaza and 40th Avenue DA. Despite some gloomy predictions emanating from the recent federal budget, central Alberta’s economy is booming and recently plans were drawn up for an additional three screens to be added to the present Park Plaza dual. Plans also call for two other screens to be added which will mean a total of seven screens on the present single-level structure. This construction will be only the first stage of planned total development of the site. Architectural and structural design now incorporated in the planned re-structuring of the ground level cinemas is such that a second storey may be added at some future date which will accommodate five additional screens for a total of twelve on the existing property. The association between Famous Players and the Purnells over the past 30 years has been a most cordial and prosperous one. And with this planned future expansion it will surely continue for many years to come. Sharon White now works with her father, Don, just as he too worked with his father, Len Purnell. Sitting at her desk in the Paramount Cinemas, Sharon fondly remembers the five cent bag of popcorn, playable cartoons, and the days before pinball machines were in the theatre lobby. 6 January/February, 1982 Now Hear This Good News for the Hard-OfHearing For the first time in Quebec, the hard-of-hearing are having a chance to enjoy the sound of movies. Ampli-Sound, a new broadcasting system, has been installed in the six auditoria of the remodelled Palace Theatre in Montreal by CineCom (General Sound), supervised by Cine-Com Quebec District Manager, George Latorre. The above logo is the official international symbol of accesshearing impairment adopted by the World Federation of the Deaf March 7, 1980. Just over a year ago, Communicaid For Hearing-Impaired Persons approached Cinémas Unis/ United Theatres Inc. and asked them to install an amplification system for the hard-of-hearing. Cinémas Unis/United Theatres complied and wired the newly renovated Palace 6 Cinémas. The Palace Theatre was the first theatre in Canada to introduce sound in 1927 and now is one of the first cinémas in Canada to offer Ampli-Sound for the hearing impaired. According to statistics, one person in ten has a hearing problem and one in four is hearing-impaired at the age of 65. Service to the handicapped is a high priority. Last year was the International Year of the Handicapped and we started to notice an increase in the number of ramps in public and private buildings. United Theatres/Cinémas Unis installed a ramp in the new cinémas in Galeries de la Capitale in Québec city and a special elevator in the Palace Cinémas, along with special washroom facilities in both complexes. Ampli-Sound provides pleasure and enrichment for the hard-ofhearing. Using the system is very simple. The customer need only bring a portable AM radio or pocket-size transistor equipped with an earplug or earphones; sit anywhere in the theatre and tune into the assigned frequency which is posted at the entrance to each cinéma, alongside the International Symbol. Sound is broadcast in the AM band 710 -1200 kilohertz. The earplug or earphones may be used with or without a hearing aid depending upon the _ individual’s hearing loss. They can adjust the volume to their individual needs without disturbance from ambient noise and with no disturbance to others. Ampli-Sound components consist of a solid state high fidelity AM transmitter; a specially designed RF couplet; required cable and radiating wire. The entire system is a low, onetime cost and requires next-to-no maintenance. It also carries a fiveyear warranty against defective equipment. The look of genuine happiness on the faces of those who use the radio system for the first time, is a delight to see. Litter Bag Program Reminder To maintain patron awareness of the ‘‘Litter Bag Program’’, your cooperation is requested again on the following points: © screen trailer to be shown at every performance, e candy bar attendants to offer **Litter Bag’’ to patrons who make a purchase at the candy bar. ¢ lobby receptacles to be placed in conspicuous location in the lobby. (It has been noted in some theatres that the receptacles are in an out-ofthe-way location and not visible to the patrons). ¢ display cards to be posted on the back bar walls advertising the “Litter Bag’’ program. By following the above suggestions, patron awareness will increase and assist in making the ‘‘Litter Bag Program’’ work.