The Exhibitor (1960)

feet to avoid distortion. From an oblique photo, (Fig. 2) surrounding area was studied. It was apparent from neighboring land that the creek flow could not be altered. The only solution to keep drainage off neighboring property was to put the creek into a sewer. Accordingly, tile pipe was laid in the creek bed and covered. Additional ramps as shown in Drawing 2248F were only a matter of grading and sur¬ facing once the problem of the creek was solved. An additional septic tank was added to handle the 468 car increase, and attention then concentrated to the traffic problem at the entrance. (Fig. 3) The need was hold out space for 20 percent of capacity. The photo¬ graph indicated there was much wasted space at the exit. Also fence lines (Fig. 2) made it apparent the property ran straight along the fence line to the highway. It is also quite evi¬ dent no material gain could be made with the box office in its present location. All difficulty was overcome by designing a combined entrance — exit with a sweeping S shaped drive entrance as shown on the draw¬ ing for remodeling the field. Dwg. 2248F The box office was literally picked up and moved from it’s location to almost the first ramp. Hold out area resulted in an increase of what was anticipated. Result — the highway officials were satisfied, Bachman’s problems of “where to put them” was eliminated, and only the problem of increased concession facilities for which there are so many new products avail¬ able remained. The photograph (Fig. 1) accentuated the fact that the projection room was completely off from a 90 degree projection path. Facing the screen, the projection room was on the extreme left, rest rooms next, and concession to the rear. To avoid costly removal of plumbing, the projection room was moved to the extreme right, achieving the much needed 90 degree projection path. Additional rest room facilities were placed in the area vacated by the projection equipment. Rather than re¬ move and extend all conduit, a tunnel was built from the old to the new projection room and wiring run through this tunnel. Walls of the projection room were placed on an angle so the projectors were 90 degrees from the front wall, eliminating an “out of proportion” feeling the projectionist would encounter with projectors on a 25 degree angle from the front wall. A planter area was built in front of the projection booth to prevent inter¬ ference with the projection beam. Dwg. 2248PC The concession was extended across the rear of the new projection room, doubling the square footage of area, as well as dou¬ bling the entrance and exit areas. The coun¬ ter was extended and then divided to ac¬ commodate twin service. While every situation has its individual problems and each problem must be treated as such. Bob Bachman will assure you there is a formula to solve every problem — It may not be a mathematical equation, but any drive-in theatre problem can be divided by study, plus creative engineering for layout, divided by economical and sound thinking, plus modern material, equals added profits. Th. BALLANTyNECo. ( t.J.WiLmoM. THt BALLANTyiNE CO. OMAHA, NtBI?. 44 MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR-1960 THEATRE CATALOG Edition April 6, 1960