Motion Picture Herald (Oct-Dec 1952)

high, 40 indies wide, 27 inches deep. It has a two-tone baked enamel finish and rock wool insulation. Refrigeration is provided by a package-type unit with sealed compressor, which is easily removed for cleaning or servicing. Maximum capacity in storage is 512 cartons.. Convention to Feature Theatre Popcorn Sales A DISCUSSION of the handling, merchandising and selling of popcorn at theatre refreshment stands will be featured on the first day of the eighth annual popcorn industries convention, according to an announcement from Thomas J. Sullivan, e.xecutive vice-president of the National Association of Popcorn Manufacturers. The convention will be held at the La Salle Hotel in Chicago, November 12, 13, 14. Scheduled to participate in a panel discussion on “Getting Maximum Returns from Concessions Operations,” are Harold J. Fitzgerald, head of the Fox-Wisconsin Amusement Corporation, Milwaukee; Abner Horn, Rainbow, Inc., Lake Charles, La.; J. J. Fitzgibbons, Jr., Theatre Confections, Ltd., Toronto; Charles Manley, Manley, Inc., Kansas City, Mo. ; and L. A. “Skip” Dunn, New England Theatres Service Corporation, Boston. The panel will consider indoor and outdoor theatres. The theme of this year’s convention is “Popcorn, America’s Newest Big Business,” according to convention chairman, Harry T. McNamara, vice-president of Blue Star Foods, Inc., Rockford, 111. Assisting him are Irving Singer of the Rex Specialty Bag Corp., Brooklyn, N. Y., who is exhibition chairman ; Martin D. Coopersmith, Marjack Company, Washington, D. C., social chairman; and J. J. Fitzgibbons, chairman of the opening luncheon. New Drink Dispenser With Magnet-Drive Pump A NEW TYPE of refrigerated drink dispenser which circulates juice around the cooling turret by means of a tiny magnet-drive pump within the bowl, has been announced by the Jet Spray Cooler Company of Somerville, Mass. Holding a capacity of 3 gallons, the unit has a plexiglass, strata-dome bowl. Drinks are cascaded over the top of the plexiglass reservoir, with the movement designed to prevent accumulation of unattractive pulp as the contents are dispensed. A thermostatically controlled temperature of 38 to 40 degrees is maintained from top to tap. 'The entire reservoir and top can be lifted out as one piece for cleaning. Sanitary protection of the tap and cabinet interior is provided by a Westinghouse “Odorout” sterilamp. The unit is rubber-mounted to avoid vibration and noise, and is encased in a royal blue plastic cabinet. The entire unit measures 21j/2 inches high, 14^2 inches wide, and 1 7 inches deep. Hat Coffee Dispenser With Four Selections A CUP OF hot coffee — ■ black, with fresh cream or sugar, or with both • — is dispensed automatically by a new coffee vender marketed by the Coan Manufacturing Company, Madison, Wis. Tradenamed the “USelect-It,” the machine has a capacity of 600 cups. The coffee used, it is pointed out, is pure, no cereals or fillers being employed. It comes to the operator in powder form to be converted to liquid. Components of the unit are detachable for quick servicing. Valve, tubing and container, all separate units, may be removed as one piece. Coffee and sugar containers lift out with no fastenings to remove. Refrigeration is accomplished for cream with a Dole “IPlate” and Tecumseh compressor. Set for five-cent operation, with ten-cent optional, the coin mechanism is a National “rejectors” change-making unit, accommodating nickels, dimes and quarters. Overall measurements of the vender are 26x26x 69 inches. A SNACK BAR THAT CHANGES WITH THE SEASONS Dressing up the refreshment stand with special displays in keeping with the season of the year is one method used at the State theatre in Nashua, N. H., to attract the attention of incoming patrons and thereby spur snack sales. For summer the stand was given a marine motif as demonstrated above. Fishing nets, floats, fish cutouts, pennants, etc., were used in designing the stand by Dave Wright, manager of concessions and vending for Colonial Theatre Company, Inc., Nashua, owners of the State. Most of the material was borrowed from a local clothing store; the ship model was loaned by a theatre employe; and the signs and murals prepared by the regular sign painter. Now that summer is over, F. D. Scribner, manager of the State, reports that the stand will be redecorated for the fall season. 22 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, OCTOBER II, 1952