Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1940)

Page 74 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW October 12, 1940 Theatre Equipment as Well as England's Showmen Standing Up Under Bombings BOMBS or no bombs, English exhibitors are keeping up their courage and not by whistling either. Kinemato graph Weekly, dated September 12 gives us an insight into how England's showmen are meeting the exigencies of war. One would think that many of mem would be wringing their hands and moaning over their losses because they are forced to close at 9 P.M. Well, they're not. Instead of that, they are smiling over the fact that for them the double feature problem is solved. When you have to close your theatre at 9 P.M., it's all you can do to show one feature. In the issue before us, the British trade paper has a section on equipment and maintenance just like the one you are reading now. It's known as The Ideal Kinema. The main article is headlined, "Restoration after damage by airraid." Right there is the evidence you've been looking for. With hardly more time than it takes to shake a fist skyward whence came the destruction, the exhibitor begins to worry about restoring his damage. And one of his principal concerns is the fact that no photograph may be taken of the ruins so that architects and engineers can determine the steps necessary. According to The Ideal Kinema, the Control of Photography Order (No. 1), 1939 (S.R.O. 1939, No. 1125) made by the Secretary of State for War under the Defense Regulations, 1939, the making of any photograph, sketch or other representation of any building, building structure or other object damaged by enemy action or as a result of steps taken to repel enemy action is forbidden except under the authority of a written permit granted by the Secretary of State or in his behalf. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Security and architects specializing in kinema buildinghave compiled statistics to show that structures "have stood up to the strain very well indeed." To quote The Ideal Kinema on this phase of War and what it proves about theatre construction and equipment. "In one case, a bomb which exploded five yards from a kinema front caused only minor damage to the front. Doors were blown loose from their hinges, but beaver-board protection which had been put up to protect them, in accordance with Home Office instructions was found to provide an excellent .shield. Debris blown from the street and other buildings landed upon the roof, but the only result was a cracking of the asbestos roofing, the main ceiling remaining unscathed. Non-splinter glass around the pay-box (box office) was undamaged, although facing the spot where the bomb fell. Not one electric bulb was smashed. Glass damaged did not splinter, criss-cross paper and solution treatment preventing this. "At another kinema, the safety of that part of the building under the balcony was demonstrated by the complete preservation from harm of patrons sheltering beneath. So long as the wall of the kinema stands, the balcony should be retained, but, of course, the collapse of the wall to which the balcony is cantilevered would mean its collapse. "The projection room remains vulnerable, and a joint meeting of exhibitors' and projectionists' organizations is being called to discuss what extra precautions can be taken to increase safety. "Sound apparatus stands up well to shock. In no kinemas near which bombs have fallen has there been any case where amplifiers, valves or loudspeakers have been damaged." Collecting of Dust and Dirt Causes Deficient Illumination Whatever wattage you are using in your lighting fixtures, you should be getting that much light. The neon on marquees and signs, the incandescent lamps in lighting fixtures, lighting coves, etc., are apt to get dusty and dirty unless you make it a point to keep them clean. Naturally the collection of dust will cause a deficiency in illumination, and where the marquee sign is concerned, this is especially noticeable. The impression one gets from looking at a sign in which some of the bulbs have burned out and have not been replaced, and in which many of the bulbs are so dirty, illumination doesn't have a ghost of a chance to shine through, is certainly not complimentary to the theatre. If they don't keep their marquee looking bright and clean, the theatregoer reasons, what about the rest of the house? Neon maintenance is important, but there are some managers who don't seem to know just how to go about it. If a neon tube stops functioning, perhaps the electrode is not making good contact or the tube needs re-pumping. CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Ten cents per word. No charge for name and address. Five insertions for the price of three. Money order or check with copy. Classified ads will appear as soon as received unless otherwise instructed. Address, Classified Dept., SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, 1501 Broadway, New York City. BOOKS FOR PROFITABLE, PRACTICAL IDEAS on showmanship, get the Encyclopedia of Exploitation. Written by showmen, for showmen, about showmanship. 462 pages of showselling contests, street stunts, lobby displays, newspaper advertising, tie ups, publicity, plus BARNUM'S LEXICON. Send check or money order for $3.50 (in Canada $3.75) to Showmen's Trade Review, 1501 Broadway, New York City. No C.O.D.'s or charge accounts. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES AGENTS WANTED FOR NATIONALLY ADVERTISED LINE THEATRE EQUIPMENT. Projectionists, Managers, make commissions during spare time. Box 513, Showmen's Trade Review, 1501 Broadway, New York City. FLOOR COVERINGS REVOLUTIONARY, SOFT SPONGE RUBBER AISLE RUNNERS — underfoot feels like a luxurious Oriental rug — noiseless, odorless, sanitary, waterproof, outwears ordinary carpet. Sample upon request. 30" wide, $1.95 yard. S. O. S. Cinema Supply Corporation, New York. NEW EQUIPMENT GOLD SEAL DOUBLE ELECTRIC TICKET REGISTERS, regularly $295.00, now $99.75 ; FOUR BARREL COIN CHANGERS, pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters, $5.55 ; PINE SCENT CONCENTRATE, gallon $5.95 (sample free); OZONATORS, $9.95; 15 in. ELECTRIC CLOCKS, $8.95; MICROPHONE, amplifier, loudspeaker system, $39.50 ; EXCITER LAMPS, 33*; PHOTOCELLS, $2.95; MERCURY VAPOR 6 AMPERE RECTIFIER BULBS, $1.95; LEATHERETTE 50" wide, 69* yard; SUNARC CARBONS, 5/6mm SUPREX COMBINATION, 100 sets $7.50; 9/13mm, 100 sets $3.95; BAUSCH & LOMB LENSES, $6.95; FILM SPLICERS, $4.19. S. O. S. CINEMA SUPPLY CORPORATION, New York. NEW EQUIPMENT THEATRES EQUIPPED COMPLETELY AT RIDICULOUSLY LOW COST. Trades taken. Time payments. Now in our fourteenth year. S. O. S. CINEMA SUPPLY CORPORATION, New York. USED EQUIPMENT JENSEN TWEETERS, $14.95 ; TONE FILTERS, $4.95; SIMPLEX INTERMITTENTS, $6.95; MECHANISMS, $79.50; AMPLIFIERS, $9.95 ; SOUNDHEADS, $9.95; LOW INTENSITY ARCS, $24.50; RECTIFIERS, $24.50; PORTABLE SOUND FILM PROJECTORS, $95.00; POWERS PROJECTORS, $39.50; LENSES, $2.95; WE'VE GOT IT— WHAT DO YOU WANT? S. O. S. CINEMA SUPPLY CORPORATION, New York. GOOD CHAIRS, 75«! UP. STANDARD MAKES, VENEERS, PANEL BACKS, SQUABS, BOX SPRING, any pitch or width. BARGAIN LIST. Independent Seating Co., 628 Eleventh Avenue, New York City. 16 MM SOUND FILM PROJECTORS, ORIGINALLY $550.00, NOW $125.00. COMPLETE with 750 watt lamp; 1600' arms; amplifier; tubes; cables; loudspeaker. Excellent condition. Abeles Advertising Service, 636 Eleventh Avenue. New York City. PAIR OF REAR SHUTTER double bearing intermittent movement Simplex projectors with sound heads, with Ten inch reflectors Peerless low intensity lamps. Pair of front shutter Simplex projectors. Will sell all or part at bargain prices. Dayton Theatre Supply Co., Ill Volkonand Street, Dayton, Ohio.