Motion Picture Herald (1954)

thorough inspection of the entire building and have corrections made if necessary so that premises are in tip-top condition. Any unusual conditions noted should be reported to the Manager if policy decisions are required. All cleaning staff employees will be checked in and out on a written report, which will be turned in to the office for verification of payroll payments. The Cleaning Supervisor should have data like that in A Dictionary of Maintenance in this series, for reference in those phases of maintenance pertinent to the janitorial staff, and he should instruct his subordinates in the proper methods of cleaning, polishing, waxing and maintaining equipment and property as proscribed. In the Spring, and again in the Fall, the manager should lay out a special cleaning program, to cover those items which need only occasional treatment, such as washing down of walls and ceilings, dry cleaning and changing of interior fabrics (window curtains, box office drapes, etc.), which should be changed for colors and weights appropriate to the season ( summer : light weight, light color fabrics; winter : heavy velours and velvets in rich dark shades). At these seasonal cleaning periods, inaccessible portions of the theatre (such as storage rooms, dressing rooms, backstage, projection booth, etc.) should be given thorough attention to bring them back up to a par of cleanliness matching the rest of the theatre. After washing and mopping down walls and floors, it is advisable to determine whether or not a fresh coat of paint might be necessary, or some touching up of broken plaster, peeled paint or worn spots to freshen up the entire appearance of the area. We are hearing a great deal at this time about the run-down condition of many of our country’s theatres, a condition which derived in large part from the war era when both equipment and labor to use them were in scarce supply. Unfortunately, since then some theatre operators have either been unable, or unwilling, to make the necessary changes to bring their theatres back up to a standard the public has been trained to expect. Our janitorial policies can in a large measure serve to alleviate this condition, if the proper attempt is made to follow through and the objective is firmly fixed in the minds of the cleaning staff. Remember the attitude you naturally feel towards the poor guy who may panhandle you on the street? No matter how down and out he may be, if he wears a clean shirt and has made every effort to brighten up his appearance and wear a broad smile, you are inclined to forgive him the threadbare suit, unravelled collar and worn out shoes. You reach down and help him. But if he is dirty and unkempt, along with wearing worn out clothing, you try to steer clear of him. If your operation, then, is unable for financial reasons to afford complete refurbishing and painting, the least you can do is to keep it clean , with the hope your public will understand and continue to support you until you are able to make the necessary improvements. MAIDS: If your theatre has one or more Maids, the chances are you have a reasonably large house and are in a financial position to uniform her properly. Maids’ uniforms may also be rented from local linen supply houses which specialize in this service, laundering them weekly in accordance with your instructions. The primary function of a Maid is to provide service and maintain cleanliness in those parts of the theatre generally closed to male employees in the course of the day’s operations — the ladies’ rest rooms. The Maid should have at her disposal a small sewing kit with plenty of pins, needles and assorted thread to make any necessary repairs to a patron’s dress in the event of a mishap. She should also keep handy smelling salts and similar first aid supplies for minor emergencies, as well as some gum remover and fabric cleaner to remove any spots brought about by conditions for which the theatre might be held responsible In addition to her duties in the rest rooms, she might very well assist during rush periods at the Refreshment Stand, and to provide another pair of helping hands to clean up odds and ends in the lobby during “breaks.” Where separate facilities are provided for colored people, it is a general custom for the Maid to relieve the colored cashier for short breaks and in emergencies. Should the Maid prove to be an able seamstress, she might solve another management problem by undertaking to keep uniforms, curtains, etc., in repair. Naturally her schedule should be so arranged that she is immediately available at a specified position during peak periods during the theatre’s business day. PORTERS: The perfect gem of a theatre operation can be a good, reliable porter! He it is who must run countless errands, and attend to details too numerous to mention which would otherwise be a constant “headache” for the management. The perfect porter will not have to be prompted to do the hundred and one things which fall to his lot daily, but will go around thinking of them ahead of the busy manager. His day will start even before the boxoffice opens, as he will have to fill the popcorn machine so as to have it ready for the attendants at show time. He should REACHES into every seat Stretches up ‘aisles — down rows — CUTS CLEANING TIME IN HALF vacuum cuMC, COMPANY STREET CITY STATE. Pullman Vacuum Cleaner Corp. Boston 19, Mass. I would like more information about the Pullman Theater Vacuum Cleaner with Accordion Hose. SIGN FLEXIBLE Highly maneuverable, low cost vacuum cleaner with the power and capacity for big jobs. Extremely^ flexible Accordion (R) Hose cleans larger area without moving the machine, stretches from 6' to 16' and can be coupled for longer reach. Converts to wet pick-up and power blower. BETTER THEATRES SECTION 3?