Motion Picture Herald (1953)

supply the original flashlight, he will take better care of it because it is his own personal property ; that’s the way it has worked out for me. Should this equipment become defective, we take his flashlight and replace it with a new one; and if he goes through the season with his flashlight, we buy it from him at the price he paid for it. In 1951 our loss of flashlights to emplo3’'ees amounted to 76; in 1953 this number decreased to 8. In addition we have a running inventory chart of each time an employe requires a bulb or battery replacement. This plan definitely emphasizes the management is concerned not only with the care and maintenance of such a small item as a flashlight, but in the care and handling of all equipment. All uniforms, including white jacket and cap, are supplied and cleaned by the management. As the organization develops, it is stressed that each employee have a working knowledge of every function of the drivein except projection. For example, an usher is taught the operation of the refreshment service — how supplies are moved up to proper display position, how to make out box-ofhce statements ; running time of show schedules, ticket selling, how to handle the jeep and the equipment for helping a motorist who is out of gas or has a flat tire ; inventorying the uniforms to be sent out for cleaning ; receiving and checking the invoice statement of cleaned uniforms. He is also trained to be constantly on the alert for burned out bulbs at ramps and driveways and in directional signs, and shown how to replace them. As these supplies are under lock and key, he must come to the manager. This procedure develops an alertness that indicates to the manager the attendant is willing and cooperative to make certain the operation of the drive-in is running along smoothly. TROUBLESOME PATRONS The new employee should be carefully trained in observing patrons who may be boisterous or driving carelessly. He should not be encouraged to take such matters in his own hands, however, but rather to bring it to the attention of a uniformed officer, or directly to that of the manager, and preferably both. In such instances, the officer can usually convince the obnoxious patron that such conduct will not be tolerated by advising him that it is necessary to take his license number because of a complaint that he is disturbing other patrons. Should the offender persist in the objectionable conduct, the uniformed officer is then warranted in sternly advising the driver of the car to proceed to the nearest exist, where he then asks for the registration and driving license, making out a detailed report, one copy for RMASCREEN AMERICAN AND CANADIAN PAT. APPLIED FOR V-T-r-Jp No Mainienance Ti No More Painting n: ilO % More Refleeted Light Uniform Reflection At All Tim® For New and Existing Drive-ins Permascreen being manufactured of vitreous enamel with a waffle-like finish, now makes painted drive-in screens obsolete. This is what Ken Callion of the Midway Drive-in at San Diego, California, who purchased a second Permascreen for the Midway Drive-in at Tucson, Arizona, writes to a fellow exhibitor: Mr. Frank D. Rubel Central States Theatre Corp. Paramount Building Des Moines, Iowa Dear Frank: Received your letter of January 12th regarding our recent PERMASCREEN installation. I have delayed answering until we had the opportunity to see several pictures, both black and white and color, projected on this new surface. I am now in a position to give you an honest answer. PERMASCREEN is wonderful ! A very noticeable increase in light reflection but more important, a great improvement in definition; we actually get a dimensional effect with depth of focus a 100% better. Customer reaction is very good. All in all, we are very well pleased. It costs a lot of money but it is well worth it. It you have any further questions, please feel free to write us. Sincerely, Kenneth H. Gallion With Permascreen, drive-ins can now have as good a picture as the best indoor theatres. PERMASCREEN CAN BE PURCHASED ON A TIME PAYMENT PLAN OTHER POBLOCKI PRODUCTS FOR THE DRIVE-IN THEATRE •HANDY ANDY Debris Collector and Incinerato •SNACK KAR Mobile Food Vendor •TRAFFIC CONTROL Mobile Traffic Director ■ ATT R ACTION SIGNS •NAME SIGNS BOX OFFICES FOR THE INDOOR THEATRE marquees Conventional and Inr NAME SIGNS BOX OFFICES FRONTS Stainless Steel DISTRIBUTED BY NATIONAL THEATRE S U F E i Y SB N£W CAR-COUNTER FOR DRIVE-INS! The new FOOLPROOF DRIVE-IN CAR COUNTER is now being made by the Berezny Engineering and Manufacturing Co. The unit, which can be placed just inside the box-office area of a drive-in, is constructed of heavy gauge steel. It Is available in two models, one with a visible counter, and one with an invisible, locked meter. For information, write: BEiiZNY EKGINEERINC AND MANUFACTURING CO. 4208 AVALON BL.VO., LOS ANGELES 11, CALIF. BETTER THEATRES SECTION 19