Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Mar 1932)

February 13, 1932 Motion Picture Herald 49 tucked in between the back and the back panel. The popularity and use of the full spring backs is rapidly increasing. Because the pitch of the back is somewhat straighter to compensate for extra thickness and to allow equal access to and from chair row, the amount of weight or pressure which an occupant places against a back is slight. Therefore, the springs should be very soft. Ample provision should be made for keeping them in place and the border wire around them should be sufficiently strong to prevent the whole unit from being pushed out of place. In the design of any back, and particularly in a spring back, great care should be taken to eliminate all possible hard surfaces and sharp points which may wear against the upholstering material. In a spring back, as in a spring seat, there is motion between the covering material, the stuffing material and springs. Every caution must be taken to reduce the effect of this wear to a minimum. Most backs being used today have either a plywood or steel back panel. In order to maintain their handsome appearance as long as possible, these parts should be finished in lacquers or enamels which have been proved durable. Ordinarily a lacquered surface may be expected to look better for a longer period of time than a pigment enameled surface. It is, of course, the upholstering material which comes directly in contact with the occupant and which must withstand the effect of use. It must also withstand the wear of people passing in and out of the row, which in some parts of a house is greater than the former. At the present time a great variety of upholstering materials is being offered for use on theatre chairs. Only a small portion of the upholstering materials being manufactured for furniture will prove satisfactory for use on theatre chairs. From the viev\T)oint of many theatre owners, imitation leather is the most desirable material for seats. Comparatively, it is low in first cost, is smooth and permits easy movement on the seat. Because of its smooth surface, it does not absorb and retain dirt as do porous fabrics. Its cleaning presents no problem. It is possible to freshen the appearance of this type of material and give the house a cleaner look by going over the imitation leather now and then with lukewarm water and a mild soap containing no lye. This is particularly desirable where confections or refreshments are dispensed in the theatre. It is generally recommended that no special cleaners or dressings be used on imitation leather. Sometimes theatre owners are ofifered dressings to refinish the imitation leather. Ordinarily these give little improvement in appearance and it is often possible to ruin the material. There actually is a great difference in the ability of various imitation leathers being manufactured today to withstand the severe use which a theatre seat gets. It is highly important, therefore, that the purchaser of theatre chairs ascertain with care how and why the theatre chair manufacturer has selected his imitation leather, and form an opinion of how well informed the manufacturer is regarding the suitability of the stock he is using. In recent years there has been a great increase in the number of chairs which have been upholstered in soft fabrics. We use this term "soft fabrics" to include all fabrics other than imitation leather. Seat fabrics must withstand much more severe wear than those used on the backs. Either imitation leather should be used on the seats, or the owner should invest a sufficient amount to get a good, serviceable fabric material for the seat. Cotton velours can be used with satisfaction on theatre chair seats. While good velours can be obtained at reasonable cost there are many which are not at all suitable for theatre chair use. They are made for drapery purposes and should not even be considered for chair coverings. Some velours which are satisfactory for backs are too light and flimsy to be considered for use on seats. The manufacturer should be able to demonstrate to the buyer the service wear to be reasonably expected of any material. In recent years there has been a rapid increase in the use of rayon for upholstering fabrics. Although some pieces are all rayon, in most of these instances rayon is used in connection with cotton. Some rayon yarns are good yarns. Others are highly unsatisfactory. In other words, there are good and bad rayons just as there are good and bad cotton fabrics. The manufacturer should guard the purchaser against the use of unsuitable fabrics. Mohair pile fabrics are usually classed as the longest wearing materials. Experience and tests substantiate this. In recent years there have been changes in construction which, coupled with a downward trend in the cost, have made it possible to produce mohairs at very reasonable prices. Objections have been offered to mohair that it is uncomfortable for use on seats, that it tends to stick to the clothing and that it prevents easy movement on the seat. It is also said to be uncomfortable in summer. However, the trend in recent years has been toward finer and softer yarns and toward more erect pile. This tends to reduce such objections. The big advantage in favor of mohair is that it retains its lustre and fresh and new appearance longer than any of the other materials commonly used for theatre chairs. It is difficult to set forth rules by which a prospective purchaser can determine for himself whether or not an upholstering material will prove satisfactory in use. Perhaps these few principles will help. If long wear life under normal theatre chair use is expected, pile fabrics provide much more assurance than flat fabrics. Flat fabrics have a very definite place and are desirable from a number of standpoints. They are quite often very decorative. This is particularly true of the tapestries. Occasionally buyers are willing to exchange long life for this greater decorative effect. The present trend in household coverings is towards reps and imitation friezes. These fabrics might be considered more modern, more stylish, than the pile fabrics, but if This Picture Always Pays A worker working, safely. You're bound to boost your profits when you use Dayton Safety Ladders. Men work faster from Daytons — minds on their jobs, knowing they're safe. Work with both hands. Don't need to come down till the job's finished — large platform will hold all their materials and tools. Dayton Safety Ladders stand firm, anywhere, without holding. Strong, light, steel braced. • Straight backed. 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