Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1939)

Max i'^.^^^ SHO W M 1". N ' S TKADl K !• \' 1 l", W Page 31 BOX You ask them, STR answers them with advice on your equipment problems. If you wrote the question, you'll be most interested in the answer. If you didn't write the question, you'll be interested both in question and answer, because the other fellows' problems may be yours too. Come on — ask your questions about equipment — how to buy it, maintain it, get the sure results required to make your theatre a de luxe picture house. S mall-Ton'n Exhibitor zurites: Our generator is located in an entrance passage to our projection booth. Although we have it inspected and overhauled regularly it has begun to vibrate and zve have had some complaints from people using our small balcony-logc section that the noise disturbs them. ANSWER: If all the bearings, brush connections and commutator are in good condition then the only other suggestion is that the generator mounting needs replacement. Most generators are mounted on cork over a concrete base. \\'hen so mounted and properly fastened the danger of noise and vibration is minimized. If yours is so mounted then your trouble will have to be solved by re-locating the generator where it cannot cause any complaints. Why not investigate and see if you cannot place it in a well-ventilated room where the vibration cannot be heard? O'r replace it with a rectifier. * * * IV.B.R. writes: The peculiar floor plan of my theatre results in particularly heavy traffic betzu'een the entrance door from the lobby and the rear of the theatre. So much so that we cannot keep the carpet in that section looking as zvell as the rest of the house. Perhaps there' is some special carpet that is made to zvithstand such punishment. If there is zve never heard of it. Have you a suggestion? ANSWER: There is nothing new to your problem. It has developed in thousands of theatres in dozens of different areas subject to unusual wear and tear. The best solution is that the passage or area be covered with a perforated rubber mat made up expressly for that section. You can get such mats in plain black or in color to match the decorative scheme of the theatre. We know of no carpet that will serve the same purpose. D.J.E. asks: We have a sound system that is made up of various parts from different manufacturers. We've been keeping it in fairly good shape hut recently we have had trouble getting parts because the .people who . made some of them are out of business. What will we do zvhen zve can no longer patch the system? ANSWER: If you've had the make-shift equipment for a long time you've probably had all the service out of it that your investment was worth. Why take chances or keep worrying about it any longer? Wouldn't it be far more sensible to put in one of the new sound systems now available at so reasonable a cost and thereby eliminate all possibility of breakdown or trouble? Even though your makeshift equipment probably cost you very little when you installed it as against costs at that time you will find that a complete, new system will cost you even less today. We suggest that you make the move before you develop expensive refund trouble. Air Conditioning Essential to Success of Modern Theatre Tlicrc is little or no excuse for any nu>dern theatre to be without air conditioning. To contend that one cannot afford it is almost the same as saying that one can't afford to have good business throughout the .summer. A cool, comfortalile theatre, with good projection, comfortable seats and pleasant surroundings will attract summertime patrons. And the steady increase in business will offset the initial cost. If you can keep your house open during the summer in spite of poor business; if you show the best of pictures, then it stands to reason you can install air conditioning for the comfort of your patrons. You might as well have good business during the warmer months, since you'll probably be operating anyway. An air conditioning company representative will be glad to discuss your problem, if you call on him. He doesn't obligate you in any way. Remember this — air conditioning will make your house healthful and comfortable in both summer and winter. Investing in it, therefore, is doubly worth while. MORAL IN RHYTHM So they can see the picture, Each patron forward bends. Some day they'll all sit upright When boothmen clean the lens. St. Louis Optimistic Concerns in St. Louis, Mo., which furnish draperies, carpets, chairs, projection and stage equipment, etc., to theatres in Eastern Missouri, Southern Illinois, Southeastern Iowa, Northeastern Arkansas and Northwestern Kentucky declare that prospects for the second quarter look bright. If only a part of the prospective projects get under way during the next seven weeks, the gross volume should certainly be ahead of the business in April, May and June, 1938. Upstate Michigan Houses Start Wave of Spring RemodelHng upstate Michigan houses have been involved in a wave of spring remodeling, which began a few weeks ago and is still progressing. In Caro, for example, Ashman Brothers are remodeling the Strand Theatre, enlarging it from 450 to 550 seats, and installing Super Simplex projectors, Magnarc lamps, a Hertner transverter. Walker screen. National marquee and Crestwood carpeting. The equipment is being furnished through the National Theatre Supply Co. At New Baltimore a new National marquee is being installed on the New Theatre by Manager Sydney Hunt. New Simplex projectors and Western Electric Mirrophonic sound are being installed in the Davison at Davison, according to Manager LaVerne Burbank. At Crystal Lake, Lee Carrow is building and equipping a new 350-seat house, which will be operated during the summer in this theatreless resort town. Carrow also owns the Dreamland at Carson City. He will probably call the house at Crystal Lake the Crystal. Going from the theatrical to the non-theatrical. Simplex projectors and sound were purchased by General Motors for use in its exhibit at the New York World's Fair. tea more PROJECT/ON ARcl. focoy for -~--_!_^^"'Pmenf. 9 products P''o/ecf(on. ''ofSa/e'by EL-ECTHIC COHPOHATION > 2501 LAGRANGE STREET, £xp«rt OffiiTi Hmiiii 1220 W, WUm, OHIO Vnrk City