The Film Daily (1942)

Friday, January 2, 1942 EQUIPMENT NEWS • 5 Warner Bros. Build Air Raid Shelters By RALPH WILK IV,-.' Coast Bureau w THB FI1 M DAILY Burbank — Warner Bros, studios riere have completed the first sandiiagged air raid shelters in the moion picture industry with an auxiliary system of branches, parapets ind dugouts, and 10 more are to be built. Four major shelters, all situated in basements of steel and concrete buildings, and all honey combed with sand-bagging, are now ready for any emergency. At same time, Blayney Matthews, Superintendent of Safety and Personnel, revealed three 200-ft. branches en back lot. Trenches are in readiness for safety of persons who may be too far from shelters at time of a raid. Warner Bros, plan is to provide for evacuation of up to 3,500 employes within 12 minutes after a warning. If warning is flashed when enemy planes are sighted off coast, this could give time to spare to insure safety of every person in studio. Need Anticipated Warner Bros, shelters now ready are result of months of planning. They are complete with beds, hospital units, water in gas-proof containers, kitchens, and gas protection. Wardens have been appointed, colored arrows have been painted on sidewalks pointing to shelters, and within few days rehearsal will be held to time studio evacuation. At the same time, Warner Bros, has set up elaborate checking system against possibility of sabotage, has acquired three surgical ambulances, and has installed field telephones all over lot so as to be independent of any breakdown in wire service. Field hospitals and fire-fighting units are in training and first-aid groups are organized. Studio has been divided into four zones, each with a commander and staff under him. Rescue, salvage and incendiary bomb extinguisher squads are also organized. Specially built underground storage room has been installed for fuel, lubricants, paints, lacquers and other inflammable material. Members of police and fire departments have been assigned to air raid stations, protected by sandbags, from SIMPLEX PORTABLE 35 mm. Projectors in excellent condition Models SPS and SPU 1936 and 1937 Complete . . . Guaranteed CRITERION PRODUCTS CORP. 1600 Broadway, New York WHO'SWHO IN EQUIPMENT BERT SANFORD, JR. Eastern District Manager, Altec Service Corp. Born in New York City and attended local public and private schools. Began his versatile and highly successful fiim industry career as an actor with D. W. Griffith's Biograph productions, his first role being a "spear carrier." In 1912 he joined General Film Co. as a booker, later becoming head booker, and subsequently shifted into the sales field for the organization which then appointed him assistant manager of the New York exchange. In 1917 joined Pathe and was placed in charge of bookings, going from that post to salesman for the New York territory. Joined Erpi as New York salesman in 1929. Was soon promoted to take charge of sales throughout New York State. In 1931 was again promoted, this time as manager of merchandise sales. Then received still another boost, — to office of Northeastern Divisional Sales Manager, Dec, 1933. Some four years later, Altec Service Corp., then newly-formed, made him the firm's Eastern Sales Manager. Currently occupies post of Eastern District Manager. Is member of the Motion Picture Pioneers and numerous other industry organizations. Among his hobbies is golf. Enjoys high admiration, popularity and good-will among all branches of filmland. Resides in New York at Castle Village. Is married and has a daughter, Patricia. Novelty Scenic Studios Complete Four Houses Novelty Scenic Studios reports that it has completely finished decorating the newly-opened new Edgemoor Theater, Edgewood Hills, Wilmington, Del. Firm furnished greyblue velour wall coverings, gold velour stage curtain decorated with fluorescent paint, and the tufted leatherette wall treatment in the foyer. Company has also finished decorating the new Duabar Theater, Canton, O., for Frank Gaethke. Work consisted of draperies and stage equipment, wall coverings, and fluorescent murals. Other recently completed decorating jobs include the New Grove Theater, Lorain, O., for George Schenker, with draperies, stage equipment and wall coverings, and the Garden Theater, Portsmouth, O., with wall coverings and standee rail curtains. Suburban Detroit House Opened by Brooks Bros. Detroit — The Rouge Theater, new 900-seat suburban theater in River Rouge, has been opened by Bernard, Joseph, and Leonard Brooks as a companion to their completely remodeled Admiral, opened only three weeks earlier. New house feature the use of Flex-glass, in convexly bent mirror form in complete trim around the columns. Principal contractors on the new house were: C. Howard Crane, architect; Adler Contracting Co., general builders; Hans Teichert, decorations; American Seating Co., seats; MorkGreen Studios, scenery; RCA-Photophone, sound; and National Theater Supply Co., National marquee, carpets, fixtures, Peerless Magnarc lamps with Simplex E-7 heads, and cooling system. Canadian Circuit Is Improving Houses St. John, N. B. — Franklin & Herschorn theaters are being reconditioned. A new vitrolite front has bfen completed at the Family, Halifax, enhancing this front greatly. Some changes are being planned at the Oxford, Halifax, recently acquired from Famous Players Canadian. Just what will be done has not been decided on. The first inspection of this theater, about three years old, since F & H took it over, was made by J. M. Franklin, of St. John, although convalescing from an illness. Work in enlarging and renovating the Community, Yarmouth, is continuing, although scarcity of materials is slowing up the work. Remodeling of the Mayfair, St. John, has been deferred indefinitely due to the dearth of materials including seats. The changes here planned include locating of a large and ornately finished and fixtured room for women and girls, and another for males, less fastidious. There will also be a foyer, not now available. House will be re-seated, and there will be new lighting fixtures, screen, and sound. Enlargement of the offices has been completed. This has about doubled the space, and allowed installation of a larger filing system. Ezella's Equip. Bought Cleveland — The Scoville, Essick and Reif circuit has purchased from National Theater Supply for its new Ezella Theater, Simplex projectors, Peerless Magnarc lamp houses, Hertner generator, Simplex sound, Bosch & Lomb F-2 lenses Walker screen and Alexander Smith Crestwood carpets. The 1,350 seats are being subplied by Frank Boyd of American Seating Co. up AIR co EXHIBITORS "BOOKING DATES" ADVANCED BY THE WAB ON ALL THEATRE COOLING EQUIPMENT! If you are planning to install Kooler-aire Comfort Cooling in your theatre in time for next summer's hot weather business, DON'T PUT IT OFF ANOTHER DAY! "Book" your needs NOW while the price and delivery situation are still favorable. There is no obligation in asking a usAIRco representative to call and discuss your requirements — but it is definitely to your interest to have him call at the earliest possible date. Write us TODAY. UNITED STATES AIR CONDITIONING CORPORATION MINNEAPOLIS MINNESOTA