Year book of motion pictures (1951)

equipments in major cities from coast to coast. This was possible because of an organized training program for its personnel started by the service company in 1948. Also evidencing the expansion of this medium was a training course on theater television for projectionists selected by the lATSE. SEA American Develops New Self -Lubricating Hinge ^MERICAN SEATING CO. developed a new self-lubricating hinge, which eliminates the need of lubrication during the normal lifetime of the chair, does away with the possibility of patrons' clothing becoming spotted with grease or oil. The hinge has a bronze bearing and is available in all American Bodiform chairs. Another innovation is the riser-attached standard for use in theater balcony installations. The new standard eliminates all floor fastenings, thus facilitating cleaning and sweeping, and reducing maintenance costs. It has been developed as an answer to continuous requests from motion picture theater owners, according to the firm. American Seating is also offering smartly designed new aisle standards on several of its chairs. The company is preparing for heavy demand for seating, particularly replacement seating in theaters whose chairs have outlived their usefulness. Sales of Kroehler Well Ahead of Previous Years ^^FTER 14 YEARS of pioneering and manufacturing a retractible theater chair, the Kroehler Manufacturing Co. ended 1950 with theater chair sales well in advance of previous years. Its Canadian plant at Stratford continued to be a main source of supply providing seating for the theater boom experienced by our Northern neighbor. After a year of research, experimentation and exhaustive tests, an entirely new chair under-construction was developed. This new construction survived the severest compression and oscillation tests withstanding twice the load of previous models, according to the company. Other improvement included a new light box and overlay adjustable to give a high light in balcony situations and a low light on main floor installations. In spite of the fact that Kroehler has concentrated on theater seating, its product has been installed in many of the finer churches, temples and school auditoriums across the country. Kroehler added two new factories in 1950 — one located in Charlotte, and another in Pittsburg, Calif. The present pushback chair is available in three basic styles and embodies the convenience and comfort made possible by the know-how of the world's largest furniture manufacturer backed by 5 8 years of experience. Five Advantages Combined In IntTs Model 2000 ^ NEW LOW-PRICED theater chair in which are incorporated design features asserted tc The course was conducted in September by the service company at Camden, N. J. In 19 50, the company continued its program for expanding facilities and its long-standing policy of seeking additional means to improve its service and maintenance functions for the exhibitor. TS have been found most popular with exhibitors was placed on the market by the International Seating Co. for distribution through RCA. The new chair, designated as International Model 2000, provides for the first time in one chair five comfort, convenience and economy advantages. They comprise a long, double-curved back affording greater comfort and support and protecting the back of the seat cushion from scuffing by the shoes of patrons seated behind; extra-width seat cushions with full coil-spring edge construction, amply padded and removable from the metal seat pan for reupholste ing; an inch-deep enameled metal rim around the back of the chair to protect upholstery fabrics from wear and soiling caused by handling; rodtype hinge action, quiet in operation and requiring no oiling or other maintenance, and smart aisle panel styling with Neo-Classic design motif. Trend to Better Seating Reflected in Griggs Sales 'jpHE TREND toward better quality seating was reflected in the product ordered from the Griggs Equipment Co. of Belton, Tex. Exhibitors, well aware of the value of comfortable seating as a patronage booster, selected the finer types of Griggs chairs — those with self-rising seats ,and solid foam-rubber seats and backs. During 1950 great progress was made in the sale of Griggs' Super Star (Model 30). An innovation was the introduction of solid foam-rubber cushions in Starliner and Super Star models. During 19 50 the beautiful new Starliner chair was introduced, making available to exhibitors a deluxe streamlined chair. All these developments gave Griggs the best year in its history. The Griggs factory was expanded during 1950 to increase theater chair output and improve quality. Where a theater was being remodeled or reseated, Griggs worked with the decorators in turning out a seat that either matched or blended with the interior color scheme of the auditorium. Century Will Strengthen Seat Rehabilitation Program ^ENTURY SEATING CO., which is credited with rehabilitating a quarter million units of theater chairs during World War II, announces that it "will endeavor, in the trying period ahead, to do all in its power to eliminate the hazards which crop up in public seating by means of a sound, honest, conscientious method of seating rehabilitation." 629