International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1950)

IN THE SPOTLIGHT By HARRY SHERMAN IT IS our fervent hope that during 1950 every Local Union official — in fact, every individual member of a Local — will never relax the pressure on exhibitors to improve sanitary conditions in theaters. Existing conditions in a majority of theaters, regardless of locality, are a disgrace to the industry, a reflection upon those who presumably inspect such premises, and a challenge to Union officials. Let us not forget that the projection room is the place where we spend a major portion of our lives, and that the sanitary conditions existing in such premises may have a terrifically important bearing upon just how long that tenure of life may be. Self-interest dictates our course of action. Everybody in on this — and keep pitching. • In their first NLRB election, the television make-up artists and hair stylists employed at the NBC television station in New York City unanimously chose the newly organized Local 798, IATSE, as their collective bargaining agent. Contracts covering these workers are now being negotiated by Sal J. Scoppa, business representative for the Local, who is also organizing the make-up personnel of all other television studios in New York City. • We are glad to report that F. P. (The Reel) McCoy, popular secretary of Local 444, New Kensington, Penna., and of the TMA Lodge there, has fully recovered from a virus infection which bedded him for several weeks. • William A. Reed, 80, charter member of Atlantic City Local 310, was fatally burned in his home several weeks ago. Reed was one of the six original motion picture projectionists in this country, starting his life work back in 1896. He was also the first man to run a picture machine for an outdoor show, which was held in New Orleans 53 years ago. He was presented last March with a life gold membership card in Local 310. • Too many of us are prone to forget our fellow workers once they depart this life. It was heartwarming, therefore, to learn of the fine gesture made by Local 364, Toledo, Ohio, in remembering at Christmastime the widow of Bill Elliott, former IA president who died last summer. The Local sent Mrs. Elliott a check for $50 in remembrance of the many nice things Bill did for the IA membership while he was in office, a gesture that Local 364 members plan to repeat in the future. To John Shuff, business representative, and to the membership of Local 364, a salute for their thoughtfulness. • For a good belly-laugh ask Dick Walsh, IA president, to tell you the story of the three preachers. * There are many so-called "intimate" theaters, but we have heard of none that approaches for beauty in design, excellence of appointments and tip-top projection equipment the new Academia Theater, opened recently in Washington, D. C, by the Motion Picture Association, producer distributor organization. This theater, having only 71 seats, has a projection room 15 feet, 6 inches long; 10 feet wide, and 7 feet, 8 inches high. The room is soundproofed with JohnsManville asbestos material, and has an asbestos tiled floor. Equipment includes two Simplex E-7 projectors, Simplex sound system, Peerless Magnarc lamps, Hertner Transverter, Super Snaplite lenses, Walker Screen, and GoldE automatic rewinder. The throw is 45 feet. The regular full-time projectionist at Projection boss of America's most unique theater: Frank Mitchell in the projection room of the 71 -seat Academia Theater. the Academia is Fred Mitchell, longtime member of Washington Local 224. His hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., five days weekly at top Class A theater scale ; screenings at night or over the week-end call for overtime pay. Incidentally, Mitchell has just developed a reel-end alarm which is attached to the outside of the upper magazine and does not touch the film. Of the governor type, the alarm works on centrifugal force. • Al Johnstone, president of New Orleans Local 293 and IA representative, was one of the principal speakers at the 38th anniversary party tendered recently by Shreveport Local 222. From reports leaching this corner, we learned that Al was in top form that night — that is, oratorically speaking. • The continued illness of his wife forced Sam Isaacson, for the past 20 years president of Baltimore Local 181, to resign from office in order to devote more time to help regain her health. Sam's resignation was regretfully accepted by the membership, who hope that Mrs. Isaacson's health will soon show definite signs of improvement and that Sam will once again resume his official duties. • Pittsburgh Local 171 last month gave its annual Christmas party to the children of its members. Pictures of the previous year's holiday party were shown, in addition to a program of movie shorts and cartoons. Movies of the party were taken as Santa Claus, impersonated by one of the Local members, presented each youngster with a large package of assorted candies. • Ben Hull, member of Local 186, Springfield, Mass., and Associate Commissioner of Labor and Industry in Massachusetts, has been endorsed by the Worcester CLU for re-appointment by Covernor Dever. Ben has been active in the labor movement for many years, having served several terms as president of Local 186 and as an official of the State Federation of Labor. • The recent death of Jay Mungovan, 61, member of Rochester Local 25, 18 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST January 1950