Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

120 Motion Picture News November 1 , 1930 MANAGE!?!' ROUND TABLE CLUD Vending Machines Are Discussed by Some Live Showmen Of all the subjects pertaining to theatre operation and its many modern twists the subject of vending machines has created the most peculiar kind of reaction. For example, Harold Kopplin of the Capitol Theatre in Miami, Fla., insists that the first and last purpose of a theatre is to sell entertainment and not candy or chocolate bars or even cigarettes, cigars. He backs up this statement with some mighty plausible arguments. The selling of candies, etc., from vending machines in theatres or even from a candy confection counter located within the theatre or in the lobby or foyers will tend to clutter up the corners or the aisles and in fact every other part of the theatre which they strive to keep looking inviting and clean with all sorts of wrappers and papers and not infrequently a stray piece of chocolate which is ground into the carpet or the marble work or causes some other patron to register a healthy kick because they are walking around with a nice sticky chocolate bar all over their shoes. He tells us many other interesting arguments against the vending machine angle and incidentally his claim that the patron is apt to develop a notion that the theatre is trying to get every dime out of them is not without good common horse sense. Then we have the expression of B. L. Kearney of the Palace Theatre in Ashtabula, who insists that a nearby confectionery store answers the purpose of the patron when they so desire to take some candy into the theatre and it certainly is not the part or duty of a theatre to enter into this line of business in direct competition with one of the merchants whom they may some day want to tie up with on some promotion scheme. Backing up Kopplin's opinion, we quote A. E. Warden of the Cortland Theatre in Cortland, N. Y., who says: "Personally, I feel that we are selling entertainment and not candies, chewing gum or what have you." Vending machines placed on the backs of the seats at a local theatre in his town were removed as the revenue was too small. However, he does concede that in some houses they might prove a good bet. We could then jump into Eddie Landsborough's Capitol Theatre up in Gault, Ontario, Canada, wherein he puts himself on record by saying that he has had no experience whatsoever with any type of vending machine, but considers that it might turn out to be a good proposition. Since it is out of his jurisdiction he is leaving the decision whenever that may come up for action to his home office. E. T. Mathes, in charge of the Mt. Baker, American and Avalon theatres in Bellingham, Wash., expresses the opinion of a great many other showmen in the Northwest when he says that they do not use any such machines in any of their theatres. He also is inclined to feel that it would be entering into competition with nearby confectionery or cigarette stores and would not help in the promotion of good-will or co-operation from such merchants. Fred E. Johnson, an old standby of the Club, has the following to say on the same subject: "Regarding the use of candy, cigarettes, gum and vending machines in the theatre, I cannot see this at all as they litter up your house and the kiddies have gum stuck everywhere. We allow smoking in our balcony or mezzanine foyer and rest rooms, but in a beautiful theatre like the Latonia, gum, etc., are out of place. Of course, they do it, but to have gum stuck on carpets, chairs, etc., is something I rebel at." We are inclined to give a lot of serious thought to such expressions, especially coming from some of the boys we are quoting here and, when we stop to realize that these men have seen many a year of service in show business, they are certainly qualified to pass an opinion. We are respecting the confidence of quite a few other showmen who express themselves and at whose theatres vending machines are apparently as important as the projection booth equipment because the circuit has decided to go into that line of business, but other than to tell you briefly that they are dead aeainst this angle we will say nothing further about where or who they represent. ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL! O UR slogan takes on a new meaning once more with this issue in the Showman section in Motion Picture News. YOU MUST DO YOUR PART, TOO WE'VE described how your brother managers have successfully executed all sorts of exploitation, ballyhoo and publicity stunts; and what's more important, you have contributed to those items yourself and helped make the Club pages tremendously valuable and interesting. \J OW once each month, the Club pages are being incorporated into The Showman section and "*■ ^ particular emphasis and prominence will be given material pertaining to the proper maintenance of equipment in your theatre. IpHIS important phase of showmanship and theatre management has been sadly neglected in the ■*• past. Managers are faced with all sorts of new equipment problems while still struggling along with the problems of the old. responsible for. They want to know more about the expensive apparatus they are TELL US HOW YOU DO IT QO the Managers' Round Table Club again establishes a distinct precedent and incorporates this ^ vital feature as part of our Club activities and pages. WE have got to have material for this monthly section. Just as you now send us the details of your various show-selling activities, so you must tell us how you are keeing your theatre's equipment in perfect condition all the time. How you prevent breakdowns and trouble by constantly watching every piece of equipment and furnishing in the house. How you promote cooperative goodwill between yourself and the booth, the ushers, the cleaners, etc., etc. THESE are all important factors in the proper maintenance and operation of your theatre. To broadcast how effectively and efficiently you handle this part of your job, is to let the whole world know that you are a capable manager, and besides, it will be immensely valuable and helpful to your brother members and showmen the world over. M. R. T. C.