The Exhibitor (1966)

Editorial It Needn’t Cost A Fortune The recent Theatre Equipment Dealers Association-Theatre Equip¬ ment and Supply Manufacturers Association conference in Ft. Lauder¬ dale, Fla., is glowing evidence of the value of intra-industry discussion. Equipment manufacturers and dealers took full advantage of the opportunity to meet and discuss new equipment, technical advances, and mutual problems, with all the activity aimed at providing the world’s theatres with more efficient projection and sound. The conference also provided a forum for the expression of exhibitor views, ably presented by Sherrill Corwin, president of the National As¬ sociation of Theatre Owners, who urged research designed to create the truly automated theatre of tomorrow. Intra-industry communications are our stock-in-trade, and it was in¬ deed heartening to see them advanced through representation at this conference by the heads of four vital industry organizations : Corwin of NATO; G. Carlton Hunt, Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers; Spero Kontos, TEDA; and John Currie, TESMA. In an industry where relations between various factions are often strained, any forum for a frank exchange of views and opinions is valuable. As Corwin pointed out, the prosperity of the equipment and supply industry is meshed with the well being of exhibition. The obser¬ vation, of course, could be extended to include the mutual dependence of film buyers and sellers as well, but Corwin saved these observations for other conferences. As far as the technical aspects of the motion picture industry are concerned, the NATO chief issued a call for increased research leading toward the automated theatre. He pointed out that such progress would not mean the elimination of the projectionist’s position. Rather, it would uplift that position and enable “control chiefs” (which is what they would be in an automated house) to provide theatregoers with the ulti¬ mate achievements in projection and sound, adding a new dimension to the theatregoing experience. Increased communications between equipment and supply personnel and exhibitors could also do much to bring about a day when faulty projection and sound is the exception in theatres rather than an all too common occurrence. Corwin termed this “preventive maintenance,” and suggested that it could come about through periodic visits to the¬ atres by trained personnel who could spot trouble spots and suggest remedial action of the necessary purchase of new equipment belore the point of complete equipment breakdown was reached. Due to a lack of communication within the industry (regardless of who is at fault for the situation), too many theatremen only come in contact with equipment experts at critical times and in expensive situ¬ ations. This is hardly conducive to a happy relationship and makes a visit to the supply dealer about as pleasant as a visit to the dentist. Proper theatre maintenance needn’t cost a fortune. That is one mes¬ sage the technical community must carry to the world’s showmen. The pages of this journal and the rest of the trade press are available to carry these messages and to bridge the gaps between factions of this industry with a constant flow of needed information. Let’s communicate, fellows! PHYSICAL THEATRE • EXTRA PROFITS • Sectional department of MOTION PIC¬ TURE EXHIBITOR, published once a month by Jay Emanuel Publications, Inc., 317 N. Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107. All contents copyrighted and all reprint rights reserved. Performing 39 years of continuous Theatre Sound Service and nobody even noticed That’s as it should be. Nobody should notice RCA theatre sound service. It’s a local, behind-the-scenes service, planned to assure award-winning per¬ formances from your optical and mag¬ netic sound systems, single or multiple track, standard or wide screen. You can keep your equipment roll¬ ing best through the services of a local RCA theatre service technician — as thousands of other exhibitors do now. Write or phone for details. RCA SERVICE COMPANY A Division of Radio Corporation of America Technical Products Service Industrial Center, Camden, N. J. 08101 Phone: (609) 963-8000 The Most Trusted Name in Electronics February 15, 1967 PHYSICAL THEATRE • EXTRA PROFITS DEPARTMENT of MOTION PICTURE EXHIBITOR PE-3