Kinematograph year book (1944)

184 The Kinematograph Year Book. fluorescent tubular lamp, which, they anticipate will be developed in varying sizes, shapes and colours for the lighting of entrance halls, foyers, canopies and floodlighting of still boards, etc. Meanwhile, although designs are being prepared and experimental work engaged upon, it is not possible at the present time to say what the development of these lamps will be in the lighting equipment of the theatre when the lights go up again. The merging of the interests of two well-known equipment firms into G.B.-Kalee, Ltd., has provided exhibitors with a countrywide service in all forms of kinema equipment. Their engineers have managed to earn out urgent maintenance work and at the same time to effect renewals and replacement of installations which have been placed out of commission. A large number of Service and Government contracts have also been carried out. Similar essential work in industrial and other establishments has been effected by Walturdaw Cinema Supply Co., whose prompt and efficient service has proved of great benefit, particularly to exhibitors whose theaties have suffered war damage. Although problems of labour and supply have not rendered things any easier for Robert Rigby, Ltd., manufacturers of the well-known "Premier" equipment, the firm is still endeavouring as far as possible to maintain limited deliveries to commercial users. Pathe Equipment also continue to contrive to meet the demands made by exhibitors as regards illumination and have also had their share of Government business. The experience of Modernisation, Ltd., has been enlisted by a great number of exhibitors in need of replacements for blitzed and renovated premises. New models of theatre equipment are promised after the war by R. R. Beard, Ltd., but, on the other hand, Major Equipment, Ltd., formerly well-known kinema contractors, are so fully engaged on Government work that they have been unable to proceed with any theatre developments of their own. 'HE deterioration of kinema furnishings has set the exhibitor one of his X chief problems of the war period. Factors which contribute to this situation include shortage of staff, which renders reasonable maintenance difficult, the scarcity of cleaning materials, and the restrictions on the supply of fabrics and other products necessary to keep furnishings in reasonable condition, but on top of these difficulties there is one product of the war psychology which has intensified the problem until it has become a constant menace — we refer to the wilful damage caused by patrons, chiefly juveniles. In some theatres seats by the hundred have been slashed, fabrics torn off and the rubber and other upholstery removed. The result is that a serious situation has been created in certain towns where expensive furnishings installed for the better comfort and enjoyment of patrons are being ruined by young hooligans who, even if prosecuted, are let off with a totally inadequate punishment. The subject has been frequently ventilated at exhibitor meetings, but beyond the exhibition of slides of warning it appears there is no remedy for behaviour which is destroying irreplaceable equipment. It is not only the seating that suff ers, the wave of wanton damage has spread to other parts of the premises : electric light bulbs, lavatory fittings, door furnishings and even less readily removed articles have been broken up or stolen. It is therefore obvious that any complaint made respecting the shabbiness of the present day kinema, however justified, is by no means the fault of the exhibitor, who rightly appreciates the appeal of a wellfurnished and elegantly appointed theatre. If ordinary wear and tear were the only consideration, the average exhibitor should be well satisfied by the manner in which his furnishings have stood up to four years of war-time audiences and often insufficient maintenance. The appearance of many of our kinemas is a credit to the standard of quality both in material and craftsmanship of our equipment manufacturers. A little dinginess that may be observable is only to KINEMA FURNISHINGS.