Year book of motion pictures (1944)

equipment in theaters will no doubt he more luxurious through the greater application of Foamex pads on seats, back and armrest. It is further felt by the firm that Firestone Velon. a woven plastic fabric seat covering material, which retains its blight color, flexibility and can be readily cleaned for preservation of sanitary conditions, will also be offered to theaters. * * * At 1943's outset, Dazian's, Inc., faced the prospect of 12 long months of futility and disappointment. The market in fabrics, especially for those types used by the motion picture industry, was growing tighter and tighter, and was approaching the point where virtually nothing would be available. Firm watched its vast inventory rapidly declining and knew that its mills were finding it increasingly more difficult to produce these materials. But with all the difficulties experienced, Dazian's found there was no rationing of ingenuity. It saw its clients in the industry served as usual.— their needs met. W hen certain materials were unavailable, ingenious substitutes were called up. giving added benefits in many instances. Company's newest customer was Uncle Sam. During the year a large amount of Government requirements were met by Dazian's. * * # Maier-Lavaty Company, makers of Qualitv Built Uniforms for the theater trade, eclipsed in 1943 its 1942 sales in dollars and cents business. Much of this was brought about through the servicing of the officers of the armed forces and many defense plants, the balance distributed between the hotel and theater fields. Supply was confined to many different territories. Firm looks forward to many more theater contracts in 1944, in view of the fact that woolen mills will be better able to supply materials. Company is still confined to Government regulations regarding style, etc., of which there are certain types which cannot be used because of wool conservation restrictions. * * # During 1943, more than 23,150,000 shells ranging from 20 mm. to 105 mm. were produced by Armstrong Cork Co. Year's production figures included more than 30,170,000 sq. yds. of camouflage netting of several types; more than 2,950,000 lineal yards of duck in various widths; bomb racks of several types; more than 1,250,000 anti-aircraft cartridge cases; and aircraft and sub-assemblies for more than 5,750 military planes. In addition, company turned out large numbers of gun turrets for fighting planes. Of Armstrong's production of linoleum, asphalt tile, and other floor coverings consumed by filmland in normal times, 5,528,000 traceable yards went to Army hospitals, powder plants, troop transport cars, training planes, and war housing projects. A large amount of the company's shoe materials, insulating materials, packings, gaskets, seals, glass containers, etc., also went to war. Approximately 75 per cent of Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co.'s productive facilities during 1943 were devoted to manufacture of glass for war purposes, ranging all the way from flat glass to be used in building up through bullet-resisting glass, gun sights and optical glass. Firm's contribution to the motion picture industry in '43 was limited by necessity, with building restrictions practically eliminating all of the work normally done for the trade. Company does not anticipate any startling developments after the war and feels that the glass and metal which went into theater construction before the war represents essentially what will be available when build ing operations are renewed. # # # United Slates Plywood Corp. furnished Flexwood and Flexglass in considerable quantities during '43 for decoration and maintenance of motion picture theaters throughout the country. Flexwood was used primarily for treatment of lobbies and auditoriums. It is a thin veneer mounted on fabric and is so flexible that it may be wrapped around a pencil. It is applied directly to existing wall surfaces, such as plaster, marble, etc., and creates warm, rich and luxurious interiors. Among installations in, '43 were for Hollywood's Hollywood-Paramount; Colony, Jackson Heights, L. I.; Victory, Holvoke, Mass.; Newark Paramount; and many others. Flexglass has had even wider use for theeter decoration. Most spectacular use of this glass in flexible form has been for manufacture of huge signs on various Broadway film palaces. Letters on these signs, often as much as 12 Et. high, have been created out of Flexglass in various colored mirrors by Artkraft-Strauss. Among them last year were those for "Lifeboat,"' "Cry Havoc." "Thousands Cheer," "Thank Your Lucky Stars," "North Star," "Best Foot Forward," "The Human Comedy," etc. Several San Francisco houses used Flexglass letters for their reader board alphabets. Many applications of Flexglass for decoration were repotted during the span, • # # * Complying with WPB orders. General Register Corp. manufactured no ticket issuing machines during 1943. However, WPB did allocate to the company for that purpose sufficient materials to enable it to repair and keep going every ticket issuing machine requiring attention. The theaters were not let clown in that respect. During the year, the firm continued to make "Fire Control" instruments for the United States and its Allies. Company officials declare that when the war of any emergencies that might arise where is over it will return to the manufacture of ticket issuing machines and will be ready with new and better types and models both in the electrically operated and hand operated classes. Much though has been given to this by organization's engineers. Officials declared that it is also quite possible that WPB may grant permission for manufacture