Motion Picture Herald (Mar-Apr 1947)

For the impression of Complete Remodeling YOU CAN NOW USE BLACK LIGHT DECORATION • Fascinating murals • Dramatic atmospheric effects • Illusion of spaciousness are all easily and inexpensively created with [r|«*n«i # 1 1 J PERMANENT FLUORESCENT PAINTS AND LACQUERS and THEATRICAL BLACK LIGHT EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE NOW! Free Advisory Service Expert layout and design engineering Write today for full details. *WITZER BROTHERS, INC. J 1220 Huron Road • Cleveland 15, Ohio MAKES THEATRE AIR AS PURE AND REFRESHING AS A MOUNTAIN BREEZE ELECTRO -AIRE OZONE EQUIPMENT Cleans the air electrically. Positively eliminates all odors, including those prevalent in restrooms and from popcorn concessions. No Chemicals No Extras Required For literature and prices writ* THE ELECTROAIRE CORPORATION 41-38 37th Street LONG ISLAND CITY 1, N. Y. CONCERNING THE . . . how some things can be done and how some things might be done better. THEATRE BUILDING by BEN SCHLANGER Theatre Architect & Consultant HOW OPERATING POLICY AFFECTS BALCONY LEVEL THE FLOOR LEVEL of the first row of chairs behind a crossover in a theatre balcony should be determined by the policy of operation. If a theatre is to be operated, or is likely in the future to be operated, on a continuous performance policy, thereby creating considerable traffic in such a crossover, it is advisable to place the level of this row of seats high enough so that vision of the entire height of the picture will clear over the heads of people walking through the crossover. The person walking in the forward edge of the crossover (nearest the screen) creates more of an obstruction than the person walking close to the first row of the balcony. If it is possible, crossovers should be placed behind the last row of seats of the balcony, if the building code allows it. (For example, a balcony of more than seven rows depth in the city of New York requires such an intermediate crossover.) • SPACE FOR LOCKERS going further into the provision of coin-operated lockers for coats, umbrellas and parcels — about which we wrote awhile back — we have come to the conclusion that, for the average situation, there should be one locker for every 25 seats. These lockers could be placed back-toback, with space in front of each row about 3 feet 4 inches wide. A two-locker unit measures 18 inches in width and depth. The floor space required amounts to something, it is true, but it is space put to a very good purpose from the point of view of service to patrons, and the return generously pays the rent on the space, particularly when you consider that most theatres have space that can be well adapted to this service without taking anything from other functions. W e have always been an advocate of a lift or dumbwaiter for carrying film to and from the projection room. Now it strikes us that the use of this device can be easily extended. It could be employed, for exam ple, to transport cleaning materials and other supplies to upper levels and back again. The shaft size would have to be increased, of course, to accommodate packages and implements larger than a program of film, with the mechanism geared for the increase in load. Hand-operated dumbwaiters are manufactured to take loads up to 500 pounds. Doors leading into the shaft should be fireproof and self-closing. • AIR RECIRCULATION DUCTS ALONG AUDITORIUM SIDES AIR RECIRCULATION in theatre air-conditioning systems is usually carried through metal mushroom openings placed under the auditorium chairs, these mushrooms leading to masonry trenches to return the air to the main fan system. These mushrooms create construction difficulties due to the accuracy of location necessary for their spacing under the chairs. Furthermore, they project above the floor level, which somewhat hampers cleaning and leads to scuffing of patrons' shoes. There is at least one substitution for these mushrooms. That is to place the masonry air trenches that serve the main floor against the side walls of the auditorium. The side walls in the auditorium immediately above the trench would then be constructed with an air space between the structural wall and the interior. Small grilles could be used in the interior wall for openings to the trench below, kept as close to the floor as possible for efficient air circulation, although at least 6 inches should be allowed between the finished floor and the bottom of the grille to make a base for mopping. It is advisable to have a damper arrangement behind these grilles to enable maximum adjustment of air flow. Being vertical and away from the floor, such grilles would reduce the chances of dirt and papers finding their way into the air system. Floor mushrooms can suck in considerable dirt and paper scraps. • A continuous check has been made on the serviceability of asphalt tile as a wall finish. The reports have been excellent over a six-month period in a recent installation. 28 BETTER THEATRES, APRIL 5, 1947