International projectionist (Jan 1963-June 1965)

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST Including a special Audio-Visual section relating to the operation and maintenance of A-V equipment in the educational and industrial fields. Volume 38 November, 1963 No. 11 FRANK W. COOLEY, JR. Editor and Publisher RAY GALLO Executive Publisher AL BLOOM Managing Editor TOM KENNEDY Equipment Editor RAY GALLO ASSOCIATES National Advertising Representatives 545 Fifth Avenue, New York 17, N. Y. Telephone Murrayhill 7-7746 (Area Code 212) IN THIS ISSUE Takeup Action Important 4 By ROBERT A. MITCHELL The Cover Story: The Community Theatre 10 Miami's Concord Theatre 12 TEDA Developments 1 1 News Notes — Technical Hints — Miscellaneous Notes INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST, published monthly by the International Projectionist Publishing Co. division of The Northern Publishing Co., Post Office Box 6174, Minneapo'is 24, Minnesota. Editorial offices, 1645 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis 3, Minn. Subscription Representatives: AUSTRALIA — McGills, 183 Elizabeth St., Melbourne; NEW ZEALAND — Wixon's, Ltd., 64 Courtnay Place, Wellington; ENGLAND and ELSEWHERE — Wm. Dawson & Sons, Ltd., Macklin St., London, W. C. 2. Subscription Rates: United Stores, Canada, and U. S. Possessions, $3.00 per year (12 issues) and $5.00 for two years (24 issues). Foreign countries: $4.00 per year and $7.00 for two years. Changes of address should be submitted four weeks in advance of publication date to insure receipt of current issue. Second-class postage paid at Minneapolis, Minn. INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST assumes no responsibility for personal opinions appearing in signed articles, or for unsolicited articles. Entire contents copyrighted 1963 by INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST PUBLISHING CO. 1 International Projectionist November. 1963 MONTHLY CHAT SHORTAGE OF 70MM PRINTS The exchanges around the country have not many 70mm prints — one, two or three, with the bulk of course 35mm prints. The 70mm cost is five times more than the 35mm print. The basic print order is 250 on the 35mm prints, say these cost $1,000, the same 70mm prints would cost 85.000 to $8,000. (70mm prints last longer than the 35mm prints.) No wonder producers or distributors say that the average movie patron won't know the difference if 70mm or 35mm prints are projected on the screen. Well, why bother to use 70mm prints on hardtickel showings around capital cities of the country? Because the producers and distributors cash in the longrun and publicity on the big city's showings. Holding Back The Industry Nevertheless, the producers and distributors are holding hack the film industry on getting 70mm prints around to their exchanges. The theatre owners won't install 70 35mm projectors a> the status quo lasts — they can't get 70mm prints for love or money. The exhibitor keeps worn-out and obsolete equipment, with expensive repairs, waiting for the change of scene in the film industry. According to one equipment manufacturer, who has traveled the country several times, "this won't last long." lie says the public is selective. The public listens to stereo on the radio, many families have their own hi-fi phonographs and they know what Cinerama, Todd-AO. and 70mm looks like on the screen. Progress bound to come Progress in the film industry is bound to come. But it will come only when the producers, distributors and exhibitors get together. There are many shabby theatres in which the distributor's opulent show reaches the public; it is as important to the picture's sponsor as it is to the exhibitor. The men with investments in theatre properties might well ask themselves what they are doing about this condition. Well, there's no theatreman of experience who does not know full well that it takes more than a picture to keep the film business prosperous. The most serious factor about this situation is that the industry recognizes it, but chooses to argue back and forth between the exhibition branch and distribution branch. Study the new processes So the projectionist better study the new processes, such as the president and chairman of Cinerama, Inc., Nicolas Reisini, said in his financial report that Cinerama installations in theatres "should reach 200 by the end of 1963." The movie theatre was once the leader in providing creature comforts. It is now trailing the retail establishments catering to the American consumer. IP will hope that the well-traveled man is right about: "this won't last long." iP