The Film Daily (1942)

Building Remodeling " Equipment Maintenance * * * * NEW YORK, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 1942 * * * TRADE IS FACING REPLACEMENT FAMIN Exhibs, Projectionists Welcome Victory Carbon NCC Is Assured of Full Co-operation in Its Drive To Save Copper for War Introduction by National Carbon Co. of its new Victory Carbons, placed on the market in order to save copper for the nation's war needs, is bringing forth enthusiastic commendation from theater owners and projectionists in all sections of the country, a checkup of circuits and individual operators of outlets discloses. Not only are stands voicing approval of the new carbons (Continued on Page 8) New Gov't Pix Raise Technical Standards The recently completed U. S. Office of Education series of training films for machine shop workers has been conducive to raised standards of technical pioduction within the motion picture industry as evidenced in a report just issued by the Emerson Yorke Studio, New York. Stroboscopic action in the filming of any revolving, rotating or recip (Continued on Page 8) Wartime Sign is Devised For WB's "Yankee Doodle" The first wartime sign of its kind to be erected on a theater is currently attracting much attention at the Hollywood Theater on Broadway, where "Yankee Doodle Dandy" is playing a roadshow engagement. Conceived by Mort Blumenstock, in charge of Warner Bros, advertising and publicity in the East, and (Continued on Page 7) Is Considered Tops Houston — A bronze plaque has been awarded to the Village Theater here as the outstanding nabe house constructed in the U. S. and Canada during 1941. Manager Bixler received the award at a formal ceremony. Stand is owned by the Interstate chain. Plain Talk About Equipment By GEORGE H. MORRIS Equipment Editor, The Film Daily AT midnight tonight the War Production ** Board's recent order, decreeing that film theater construction projects be halted, goes into effect. It is an order of farreaching consequence to the trade, and one which is bound to be accepted philosophically and patriotically by the exhibition field at large. This attitude is clearly apparent because there has been, to this corner's knowedge and that of THE FILM DAILY'S many correspondents from coast to coast, a total absence of "beefing," or even of irritability, on the part of any circuit or individual exhibitor. • KIATU RALLY, this shoe pinches many a ' ^ nearly-completed project as well as those in less advanced stages of building. It isn't an easy sacrifice to make when you consider how much the affected chains and the smaller showmen are called upon to relinquish. Entirely aside from the economic advantages to be gained by the rearing of new houses and the costly and intensive remodelling of others, most of the showmen have viewed as a matter of deep pride and satisfaction, yes, and as a hobby, the planning and physical fashioning of their new stands, or the improvement to those extant. Now that such enterprise has been arrested, or is immediately about to be, another bright page is ready to be added to our industry's history. That page tells once more of the flaming desire of filmland to do all within its power to co-operate with the national Government, and make any essential sacrifice, to win this war. • A LTHOUGH it is vain to indulge in /A prophecy during the highly uncertain times in which we are living, — and in which so many are dying, — one cannot feel that Uncle Sam's "stop construction" order is inflexible. We say this because we know that no order yet coming from Washington is without a degree of pliancy. That is because Government officials know that rigid dogmation interferes with much that is logical and beneficial to the welfare of both the nation and the current war effort. While official Washington has not said so, certain exceptions are likely to outcrop in the instance of this "stop construction" decree, — for remember that our Government agencies, all of them, are just as anxious to preserve the present economic pattern as industry generally, and all individuals, are anxious that it be preserved. Sacrifices are asked when it is felt that they are necessary. • HERHAPS, — and admittedly we are specu' fating, — the Government will arrange for theaters which are fairly close to completion to be completed. It is entirely probable, likewise, that when projects are adjudged to be in areas wherein war workers and men in the armed forces would have no reasonable opportunity to purchase film entertainment unless theaters were completed, or built from "scratch," an order to do so will be forthcoming. Additionally, Uncle Sam is not unmindful that some degree of leniency might be extended in the matter of recouping theaters which have suffered fire damage in excess of the $5,000-limit-for-construction. • DUT whatever comes to pass, our exhibi" tion field has demonstrated its willingness to "take" it, over and above the ability of war's contingencies to "dish it out." Theaters Accenting Upkeep Trend Is Noted In Altec Service Pacts Public Is Intrigued by Raid Shelter Display A fully equipped air raid shelter was set up in an advantageous location in the lobby of the City Newsreel Theater on 14th St. where it attracted a great deal of patron in (Continued on Page 7) Necessity of keeping projection and sound equipment in thorough working order for the duration, and thus obviating the use of already scarce parts, is seen by Altec Service Corp. as impelling conscientious and patiiotic exhibitor interests to enlist the aid of theater service organizations toward this end. Further, it is noted, that conservation (Continued on Page 8) Situation So Critical That Exhibitor Leader Is Personally Probing It Atlantic City — Seriousness of the shortage of mechanical replacements for exhibitors' motion picture equipment, particularly sound equipin e n t , was sounded here yesterday by Col. H'. A. Cole, president of Allied Theater Owners of Texas and former president of Allied States A s s o c i a tion of Motion Picture Exhibitors, who holds this (Continued on Page 8) COL. H. A. COLE WPB May Give Okay To Fire Restoration Springfield, Mass. — Contractors on two fire restoration projects for Western Massachusetts Theaters, Inc., doubt that the WPB's latest order stopping amusement construction would hinder completion of their (Continued on Page 7) F. & Y. Construction Co. Announces Name Change Columbus, O. — F. & Y. Construction Co., which since 1937 has beens specializing in theater design, engineering, and construction, building (Continued on Page 7) My, Such Constancy! Rochester — Back in 1921, James Gallagher, Harry Watt, Herbert Gress, Harry Sill and Albert Page started bowling together on one of Eastman Kodak Co.'s bowling team. Now, a full 20 years later, they're still bowling together on the same team, setting some kind of a record for compatibility.