The Film Daily (1942)

EQUIPMENT NEWS V™B4llY Friday, January 2, 1 941 , West Swelling '41 Building Totals (Continued from Page 1) total to an aggregate exceeding that which was registered in 1940. While the actual returns are not yet in, channels close to the compilations called attention to the fact that the Western States have been particularly active in putting up new houses this past year, and improving extant stands. Adding appreciably to the national totals will certainly be the expansion and improvements effected by Fox West Coast Theaters, Fox West Coast Theaters of Northern California, Fox InterMountain Theaters, T & D circuit, Principal Theaters, Golden States circuit, Warners, and others. Paramount's extensive job in altering the recently-acquired El Capitan (now the Hollywood Paramount) is also a factor in swelling the remodeling figure, since this was a costly and major operation. One of the chief reasons why the November-December total is expected to be higher than a year ago is the rapidity with which a number of chains, anticipating then-impending defense needs, hastened their projects to completion. Many houses, too, changed ownership in the final quarter of 1941, and their new pilots promptly improved them. When returns nationally are in, the 1941 figures are expected to show new construction and remodeling reaching the highly satisfactory total of between $23,000,000 and $24,000,000. Alexander Smith Carpet For Remodeled Sevier (.Continued from Page 1) pets have been laid by AlexanderSmith, while a new front is being constructed by Otis L. Tyre, Johnson City contractor. Work is being done while the house is dark and so far no moving picture time has been lost, management says. Hot Springs Theaters Will Undergo Repairs Hot Springs, Ark. — If it is possible to obtain materials the Malco Music Hall on the site of the old Princess Theater will be completed at a cost of some $50,000. W. Clyde Smith, manager of the Malco Theaters here, asserts. Smith declared that the project hinged upon the ability of the Malco interests to obtain the necessary materials. Weiland Building 500-Seater Pittsburgh — A. A. Weiland, pioneer exhibitor in this territory, who for many years formerly operated the Rialto Theater, Mt. Oliver, and the Weiland Theater, East End, is building a new 500-seat house in Coraopolis, Pa., which is reported to be completed by the end of January. • • • GOOD progress is reported on that "Big Game Hunt" which National Theater Supply Co. launched at December's outset to grab large contracts for G-E Mazda Lamps, of which there is no supply shortage Cash bounties were offered to NTS branches during the designated contract "hunting season." set to end April 30 Everyone in the branches is eligible, and, instead of the cash (if they win it), those successful can take Defense Savings Stamps or Defense Bonds to help the U. S. along the victory road Bounties run from $10 to $30 Incidentally, G-E is in reportedly excellent shape to supply Mazda Lamps, having been sufficiently far-sighted to build up a materials backlog Besides, — did you know that the org, has its own tungsten mines in China? • • • FEW weeks before Xmas, Bell if Howell inaugurated a unique and helpful service to dealers in the matter of helping latter to know and predict delivery dates accurately on "back orders" A special secretary was moved into the B if H shipping room, and, as shipments went forward to a dealer, company wrote that dealer by air mail, notifying him what was coming and when to expect it. Thus the dealer could plan to advertise, or telephone his customers, or plan a display Back of the idea was sincere desire of B if H to be as heupful and co-operative as possible during difficult period when supply cannot equal demand • • • BITS from Rochester: Philip C. Wolz, assistant personnel director at Eastman Kodak Co.'s Kodak Park, is the new chief zone warden of Rochester's air raid protective service In his new post, Wolz, who trained in evacuation and blackout work in World War No. 1, will assist and advise the zone wardens in perfecting the air raid precaution setup, and will be in charge of the civilian program, working with the police precincts Thomas J. Hargrove, Eastman Kodak prexy. and Frank W. Lovejoy. chairman of Kodak's board, have been elected trustees of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce ▼ T T • • • AS part of a company-wide program of war preparedness, employes at the Kearney, N. J., Works of Western Electric are currently giving a series of demonstrations of civilian first aid practices under blitz conditions In the first of this series, graudates of a WE first aid course staged a simulated attack by enemy bombers, then demonstrated their skill in an emergency before an audience of their fellow employes And, Boy, what showmanship! To add to the dramatic effect, motion pictures of big bombers and crumbling buildings introduced the demonstration Additional realism was imparted by crashing sound effects of bomb emplosions and antiaircraft fire The stage setting, prepared from photographs of devastated dwellings in Europe, represented the demolished interior of a home Plaster, bricks and debris were heaped on the floor Lying as they fell, their clothing torn and stained by "blood" (roten polish), were a man and a woman, victims of the "raid" Onto this scene of chaos came the first aiders, ready to render any immediate treatment necessary In case Cecil B. Demille wants the original cast for a production, here 'tis: The "victims,"— Miss Miriam Hull and Edward Gill The first aiders— Charles E. Vaughn, Herman Kurre and Irving J. Ran Dr. F. Parker Willey, company physician, supplied the offstage commentary, and the setting was designed by Herbert Goodman and William Dilger Big WB Stand Ready For Remodeling (Continued from Page 1) Wilmington Amusement Co., owne of the building, by the building in spector's office for a $1,500 semi circular marquee with a neon sigi bearing the theater's name. A n entrance of white mahogany will constructed with the box-office movefrom the center to the right side. Interior marble will be replace* with white mahogany, set off witl damask drapes and a modernisti' ceiling will be installed. The las three rows of orchestra seats wil be removed to enlarge the lobby an( new seats with 32-inches of spac< from back to back will be installed The boxes in the orchestra and bal cony will be removed and the seatinj capacity will be reduced by abou 200. The lounge and rest rooms fo: orchestra patrons will be on the sec ond floor, reached by a staircas<| leading from the first floor. Simila: quarters for balcony patrons will bi on the second floor. Throughout the building there wil be new draperies, carpets and fix tures. The latest type of screen new curtains and set will be installei on the stage. Improved RCA supe sound and projection equipment wil be added. Parts of the renovation not inter fering with the operation of th> house have been under way for sev eral weeks. Richard V. Kirsh i house manager. Theater Fires Atlanta — Fire destroyed loca Tenth Street Theater on Christma, Eve, damage amounting to som : $20,000. About 30 patrons were h the auditorium when blaze started but escaped injury. However, twj pedestrians and three firemen wer hurt when the theater's chimne; fell. Day prior to the conflagration house's owner, John G. Evins, died and the theater had opened late oj Christmas Eve to permit employe to attend his funeral. Osceola, Ark. — Miss Emma Co> owner of the Gem Theater whici burned recently at an estimated los of $60,000, and who also owns th. Joy Theater here, said the Gem wil probably be rebuilt. ' Insuranc amounts to $15,000. Rochester— The Babcock Theate in nearby Bath was damaged b; smoke when a fire broke out in th office of Harold Lee, manager. Caus of blaze was undetermined. Dam age was set at more than $1,000. Toledo — A fire that caused con siderable damage has closed Jac^ O'Connell's Loop Theater for sev eral weeks, during which time it i being remodeled.