Motion Picture Herald (Sep-Oct 1948)

For Everything in . . . DISCRIMINATING EXHIBITORS COME TO HEADQUARTERS.' Is the oldest, most experienced technicians, engineers and producers of Black Light materials and equipment Switzer has the know-how that assures satisfaction. . Fascinating murals and dramatic atmospheric effects are easily and inexpensively created with GLO-CRAFT PERMANENT FLUORESCENT PAINTS AND LACQUERS and THEATRICAL BLACK LIGHT EQUIPMENT FREE f Write today for details on how to give your , r theatre distinction in decoration. SWITZER BROTHERS, INC. 1110 HURON ROAD CLEVELAND 13, OHIO ROY L. COCHRAN— Owner and Manager, Juroy Theatre, North Little Rock, Arkansas — says: "In three years of operation I have used RCA Service and have not lost one minute* of time. Equipment is as good as at time of installation." To get the benefits of RCA Service — write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY, INC., Radio Corporation of America, Camden, N. J. Next Better TheatresFall Buyers Number — issue of October 23 rd WAYS & MEANS in operation, installation, maintenance John J. Sefing is a graduate mechanical engineer and has long specialized in theatre work ling for Display Frames As Units of the Building ON several recently constructed theatre fronts, patches have been left around the display frames. Now this can only mean one thing, and that is that proper provisions were not made with original plans to accommodate these particular display frames. While these patches are not too unsightly in some front jobs, they do stand out somewhat when the finish is in some slick modern material, like architectural glass and others. In new construction work, even in remodeling jobs, it should be ascertained beforehand just what kind of display frames are to be installed, the exact overall size and depth, if surface-mounted or recessed type, if of wood, Kalamein stainless steel, or alumilited extruded frame construction. Only in this way can proper provision be made so that the final installation will be neat and workmanlike in appearance. On nearly every theatre front, the standard size of display frame has a glass area of 40 inches wide by 60 inches high, and the box is 5 inches deep. Within this glass area, most of the average needs of coming attractions, photo and poster items can be readily accommodated. However, in addition to this 40 x 60 glass area, space must be provided for installing and concealing the lamps and transformers used in the display frames. Particular attention should be paid just how the lamps are installed within the frames so that advertising material is uniformly illuminated. It should be kept in mind that lumiline or fluorescent lamps must be installed vertically in each corner of the frame; and they, with any transformer, has to be masked completely from outside view by a frame about 6 inches wide at the sides of the display box. Accordingly, with these necessary provisions, the display frame should measure, on the inside, roughly 48 x 60 inches, with 2 inches added for trim all around the opening in the wall. The reason the lamp tubes should be installed vertically is that there will then be a better spill of light on the posters than when they are installed at the top and bottom, which creates a dark area at the center. Display frames should be installed in the walls so that the center of the frame is 60 inches (average eye height) from the floor of the lobby or the sidewalk. PRACTICAL PRECAUTIONS In the actual installation, the following precautions should be taken in order to have a trouble-free job: • 1. Over each opening a proper iron lintel should be installed to help carry the load off the frame in case later on there is any setting of the wall. Failure to make this provision will cause the frame to become warped and the front door panel impossible to open as the wall settles on its framework. 2. Proper wood or lead shield grounds should be provided in the masonry for fastening the frames solidly in place. 3. The outside edges of the frame where it meets the masonry wall should be caulked water-tight with good caulking cement forced in by a gun. 4. Always have the locks on the display frame of the same type so that a single key will fit them all. 5. Whenever practicable, install double front panels, or provide vent holes, to help dissipate the fogging effect of outside temperature changes. It is a good idea to take a very small dust or pipe tap from the theatre ventilating system and run it to each display frame, open to the outside. 6. It should be remembered that fluorescent tubes, when used in outside display frames, will tend to flicker in extremely cold weather. Provision must be made to reduce this to the minimum. 7. When providing the recess in the masonry wall for the display frames, make sure that the necessary conduit and wiring circuits are laid out to take care of the type of lighting to be used. Where the walls of the lobby or vestibule are of solid 50 BETTER THEATRES, SEPTEMBER 25, 1948