Motion Picture News (Oct-Dec 1930)

114 Motion Picture News December 6 , 1 9 3 & MANAGE!?*' POUND TABLE CLUB A SHOWMAN DOES SOME GABBING The rather frank expressions to be found in this article that we are publishing will not, we hope, be taken as slams against any particular party, nor are they to be inferred as emphatic examples of showmanship made by a master craftsman. Far from it. They come to us from a showman handling a 600-seat house in the South. He had something to say, and determined to say it. Being a member of the Managers' Round Table Club, he decided that he wanted to say it on HIS Club's pages. At the conclusion of his article he included a postscript. Here it is: "If you members think these expressions all wet, send me a couple of blotters." Could anything be fairer? Indian Summer — as they call it — is on us, but personally, the Indians can have it, as it has been very disagreeable in this section and the past summer has been so dry the bullfrogs were six months old before they learned to swim. But nevertheless, business continues, and from what we are told exhibitors will have new S.R.O. signs swinging throughout 1931. But who knows? For my part, I'd rather wear out the old one. Judging from the new product work sheets, a few of the boys must expect to retire. But if a "live and let live" policy exists we may some day be able to tell each other to go to h — 1, though we do that anyway, there being no law against it, and we are permitted to use our own judgment about going to the hot spot. Despite Indian summer and the so-called depression, I'm not worried. My main job is to get behind whatever I have and try to put it across to Mr. Public in the best way possible. And that's all you have to do, too. If you know of some regular patron who hasn't darkened your door for quite a while, drop him a friendly note and enclose a pass. On the other hand — though I hope it won't happen in your town — if lie has become disabled, secure a wheel chair and go after him. What good-will that stunt got me when I had an opportunity to use it. Then, if a person who you know has been a regular attendant of the theatre, happens to be confined to his home, pay him a visit or drop him a cheerful note. The value of the good-will received is inestimable. Another good stunt to increase business — it did for me — is to persuade the referee of a football or basketball game to let you attach a piece of muslin on the back of his sweater, as an announcement plug for your film. The peanut vendors can be furnished with bags imprinted with copy on your picture, or the week's program. Incidentally, this is a great gag for a circus tie-up. While I am on the subject, I must not forget the kiddies. On Oct. 29 I sponsored a "spud" matinee, admitting all school children for a pound or more of potatoes. The result was 10 bushels and 3 pecks, which were turned over to the Chairman of the local Welfare Committee, and they are still talking about it. As this is November, it is about time for you to change your lighting colors by replacing your blue and green lamps with orange ones, as they have a tendency to cast a glow of radiance during the winter. And during the winter season it is always beneficial to a showman to help elderly persons don their wraps. They will appreciate it. The summer fans that you have been using the past season are good for next year, too, you know. (I'm directing this to those showmen who manage houses where these fans are still in use, and not to those other fortunate showmen who are located in houses possessing cooling plants — lucky guys.) They should be thoroughly cleaned and oiled and covered with a cloth or paper sack. A hint for the uniforms: they should be stored away in some up-to-date dry cleaning house, there being no charge in the event that they have your business. Don't permit the cashier to wear a fur coat while on duty. It gives the impression that the house is cold inside. A "thank you" from the cashier will go a long way, as will the other courtesies such as, "good morning" or "good evening" when answering the phone. She should always be well versed on every phase of your program, and know the title, stars, running time, and something about the type of film. As to using twenty-four sheets during the winter (this in response to a recent box in the Club section wherein a member asked whether window displays were more profitable than twenty-four sheets, or vice versa, during the winter"), my opinion is that it is not profitable to use the boards, as folks don't notice them much. A person hurrying along the street on a cold, winter's day. having his head tucked in the collar of his overcoat, does not stop to gaze around at billboards. I think it more profitable to use this part of your budget in extra newspaper publicitv, or some novelty properly distributed in each home. As Christmas is nearing, establish a Santa Claus in your lobby and have the children bring their letters to him. Many ideas can be worked out along this line. I'd like to give you some more of them, but right now I've got to step out and open the house. Wishing every member a full broad basket this Christmas and S.R.O. business, I am, (Signed) (NAME ON FILE) NOVELTY SOUVENIRS Make friends with your patrons New profits In your box offloo receipt* Olve kiddles "Brazel Novelties" and win them a« Boosters for your show house . . , Inexpensive attractive novelties serve ■■ real hmlness setters always November Club Index The complete index of activities which appeared on the Club pages during the month of November will be published in next week's issue. Don't fail to use the Club index when working out your various campaigns. You always have your choice of hundreds of different stunts. Here's Sam Wheeler Of W ante go, Kansas; House Adv. Manager Just a short time ago we showed you an example of a marquee sign that was used out in Wamego, Kansas, at the Columbia Theatre. We also explained in detail how the sign was constructed. And now we'd like to introduce the man responsible for the sign, Sam J. Wheeler, projectionist and advertising manager of the house. Wheeler is very active in his district, and the hours that are not spent in the booth are devoted to plugging the shows at the theatre. We are sure that his recent sign contribution was met with favor by his fellow Club members, who, if the occasion arises, will make use of it. We have not as yet seen what else he does along the line of exploiting shows in his town, but since he displays such activity about the house, it seems only reasonable to believe that it is extended to the rest of the town. We hope that when he sends us in his next contribution he will give us the low-down on the local show situation, and also tell us how he brings the residents into the theatre. What do you say, Sam? Let's have the dope, will you? Stocked Storeroom Assures Nowitsky Show Will Continue • Wr!t« ftr aur Frw B.ofclft. Showing r .00 1 Kindt. BRAZEL NOVELTY MFG. CO. Mc°,ltitt. S1' When you mention the stock room of the theatre you are hitting upon one of its most vital organs because of the old adage (the show must go on) is still the anthem of '=^^^^====^^===^^^^^^^^^^ the show shop; and no show can go on unless you have the necessary stock in reserve to replace any part which may be needed immediately. Replacements in stock should cover all interchangeable parts which are needed at a minute's notice and the lesser important parts which cannot be acquired locally. For instance, ever)' theatre carries a supply of lamps which could be acquired locally if needed, but they should positively have in stock concentrated filament bulbs of suitable wattage for the baby spotlights as it is difficult to find these in some towns. Out "Front" there should be extra knives for the ticket machine and spare sets of brushes and magnets for the sign, motors, etc. If the theatre is carpeted there should be on hand a quantity of carpet for patching and the necessary carpet tools for such work. A few extra seats should be carried as well as a large quantity of seat bolts, nuts, screws and expansion bolts ; also the necessary seat tools. On the stage a few extra shives and head-blocks are necessary as well as a quantity of hemp line. In the ventilating system, where only fans are used, there should be a spare belt, bearings and motor brushes. When the refrigerating plant is used, spare bearings, motor brushes, condenser coils and an extra automatic oiler are necessary along with lesser parts designated by the manufacturer of the system. If an oil burner is used in heating, it is advisable to carry an extra nozzle and spark coil. A spare head carried in the booth will cover a multitude of sins. It can be used on one of the machines, while another head is repaired, and in the case of emergency parts can be taken from it. For use in the lamps, are carried two sets of positive carbon jaws, two sets of negative carbon jaws, two drive couplings, two positive straps, and two negative spring jaw clamps. That covers spare equipment for machine and lamps along with