Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1929)

October 5 . 19 29 1251 Roxy Manager Charts Characteristics of Motion Picture Theatre Patrons OBSERVATION of the 700,000 or so motion picture patrons who have visited the Roxy Theatre in its two and a half years' existance, and experiences at other theatres in which he held a similar capacity to his present post as house manager of the Roxy, have enabled Charles \V. Griswold to formulate reasons for the fluctuation in motion picture attendance at various hours of the day and on various days of the week, says an article published in the motion picture department of the New York Times of Sunday, September 29. "Saturday afternoon, for example, is almost universally devoted to one of two activities — the weekly tour of department stores or a visit to the theatre. Office workers have generally a half -holiday, and it is safe to assume that most of them alternate the prerogatives. The necessity of shopping is hurried to take an hour or so of entertainment. At the Roxy Theatre, the half -holiday coincides with the opening of a new production, and box offices are invariably highly active. "Saturday evening, on the other hand, brings the motion picture theatre patronage to a peak. The audience is composed largely of people from the further reaches of the city, who take advantage of the fact that the next morning allows for the late rising of the Sabbath. "Sunday brings patronage of a different type. From 1 1 o'clock in the morning to 3 o'clock in the afternoon, it is definitely from out of town. The overnight bag, the edge of a time-table showing out of a coat pocket, souvenir postcards and other accessories reveal the suburbanite. These early Sunday visitors almost invariably inquire as to the length of the performance so that trains may be made for their return to upper New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. "Sunday afternoon and evening are busy periods for the uniformed staff. New Yorkers are returning from near-by beaches and week-end resorts, or they have just completed a day in the open within the limits of the city itself. Thousands come to the theatre to spend the remaining hours of the week-end. "Contrary to accepted notions of blue Monday, the matinee of that day produces the largest afternoon patronage of the week. Monday is the day for special sales in department stores and shoppers seek repose after spending several hours with the business of buying. Three in every five that come into the theatre, carry a variety of packages. The first working day of the week, however, finds many who journey into the shadow realms of romance to escape the more prosaic activities of business. Monday brings hundreds of salesmen to the Roxy. They are known by the brief-cases. "Tuesday and Thursday, lodged as they are between what have become the more significant days of the week, are char acterized by the even tenor of amuse ment business. Patronage is distributed without definite ebbs or flows throughout the afternoons and evenings. The only noticeable change in patronage on those days is one of age. School children predominate at the matinees ; their elders go to the movies in the evening. "The matinee on Wednesday, because of performances in the legitimate theatres, finds the motion picture theatre less patronized. But on Wednesday evening the box offices operate at full capacity. It resembles Saturday by reason of the fact that most of the people come in pairs. The ushers find it the only time of the week that seats in the remote side sections of the theatre are in great demand, while those in the centre are patronized only when there are no others left." Photocolor Will Enlarge Irvington Film Studios The film studio facilities of Photocolor Corporation, F. E. Nemee, president, will be erpanded to keep pace with increased production. The studios are located at Irvington-on-th-Hudson. Now under construction at Irvington is a sound studio, with a 65 by 44 foot stage. THE NEW SAMUELS aulodTape $150 LIST A JUNIOR CURTAIN MACHINE AT A REAL JUNIOR PRICE -fcfc BROUG«l, ^ges COMPARE THESE FEATURES REGARDLESS OF PRICE OVERLOAD breaker. Automatically cuts off current before any damage can occur. Hand clutch. Instantly convertible to hand operation in emergencies. Elevator type traction drive. Eliminates idler pulleys and prevents slippage. May be located anywhere — Fly Gallery, Side Wall, Stage Floor or under Stage. High speed. Curtain separation at the rate of ll/i feet per second. By the manufacturers of eveRy TY * Without an Equal in Economy — Silence — Ease of Installation — Reliability of Operation. Obtainable Through Equipment Dealers and Drapery Houses Everywhere AUTOMATIC DEVICES COMPANY 739 HAMILTON STREET ALLENTOWN, PA.