Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1945)

42 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW March 31, 1945 News In A Nutshell (Continued from Page 33) Elsewhere in this department we report the results of personal observation of home television in action which requires no repetition here. Before the SMPE in New York last week Dr. A. H. Rosenthal, Director of Research for Scophony Corp. of America, read a paper on "Problems of Theatre Television Projection Equipment." Scophony, responsible for prewar theatre television presentation in London is energetically conducting experiments in two systems of large screen projection. First, the Supersonic system involving the diffraction of light by supersonic waves in a liquid. Second, the Skiatron method using a special type cathode-ray tube with a screen of a material possessing the property of "electron opacity." Dr. Rosenthal explained that "an additive successive color method can be easily based on the Skiatron and Supersonic methods. The Skiatron method can also provide a subtractive color television system. Present color films such as Technicolor and Kodachrome are based on the subtractive methods." The most interesting quote from his remarks for the blue chips is: "I may just mention that many far-reaching improvements have been and are being made on these methods beyond what has already been published previously." With our appetite whettened, how about a demonstration gentlemen? To wind up on television, Du Mont have a swell booklet (48 pages) titled "Time, Tubes and Television" that is worth perusing. It's for Free from the Adv. Dept., Du Mont Labs., 2 (Continued on Page 48) ADVISORY COUNCIL (Continued from Page 35) does not tie into a modern decorating scheme, we have hung draperies over the face of this area in a modern fashion rather than resort to construction of any kind. This practice is being used quite extensively throughout the country. We have also utilized a great deal of glass in the form of mirrors, structural or novelty glass for decorative purposes. We believe the flexible mirror glass product is in its infancy and will continue to grow in usefulness in the postwar period. We have also found that various types of hard woods have been used successfully in replacement of metal." Another member states that by purchasing and stocking a large inventory of essential items before shortages and freeze dates he was able to avoid resorting to substitutes except in a few minor items. Another anticipates the continued use of wooden seat standards and hardboard or compress fiber-board for kick plates. In summation there were few, if any, products developed by manufacturers in the theatre-useful categories as substitutes for pre-war products which can be singled out as having an important postwar future. Most of the items used as substitutes are pre-war products adapted to fill specific needs because of the emergency situation. For readers interested in some expert estimates on the increase in building costs for new construction at the present time, inasmuch as numerous new theatres have been erected recently as a result of fires or population shifts, here are the experience figures on 90 per cent of the council replies (10 per cent having had no recent new construction projects) : 22% Increase —20% of Council 25% to 30% Increase — 10% of Council 30% Increase — 30% of Council 30% to 50% Increase — 10% of Council 50% Increase —10% of Council 70% Increase — 10% of Council On an average, it appears that the majority opinion of 30 per cent increase reflects a satisfactory basic estimate with local conditions, insofar as labor availability is concerned, providing the reason for the spread between 22 per cent and 70 per cent in different parts of the country. Estimates of renovation cost increase follow a similar geographic pattern with the breakdown as follows : 30% Increase — 40% of Council 25% to 30% Increase— 10% of Council 28% Increase — 10% of Council 38% Increase — 10% of Council 40% to 50% Increase — 10% of Council 50% Increase — 10% of Council 70% Increase — 10% of Council These estimates reflect a higher national average increase in repair and renovation costs with the average near the 35 per cent mark, which seems to approximate the recognized increase in production and living costs arrived at by government surveys. Again the geographical and manpower elements enter into the spread between 25 and 70 per cent estimates by the council membership. Many large circuits and manufacturers, eager to stimulate interest in plant conservation and YOU may not go all out for the mailman who brings your Theatre Television Handbook — but you will be vitally interested in learning the what, how and why of theatre television from the booklet's timely articles and discussions. The Handbook was designed for projectionists, but also contains news of television developments of interest to exhibitors and theatre managers — such as television reception and largescreen projection. There are chapters dealing with the commercial possibilities of television, handling of programs, audience response. RCA's television experience is backed by a quarter century in the field of electronics and includes television installations at the New York World's Fair in 1939, and demonstration large-screen television projection at the New Yorker Theatre in 1941. This new book is offered by the RCA Service Company ' as an aid to projectionists and exhibitors in preparing for the advent of theatre television. Send for your free copy, today! Address : RCA Service Company, Inc., Box 70-176L, Camden, New Jersey. RCA SERVICE COMPANY, INC. A Radio Corporation of America Subsidiary FREE! NEW BOOK ON Don't wait— get your copy of this inTHEATRE TELEVISION formative book on Theatre Television right away. No obligation. RCA SERVICE COMPANY, Inc., Box 70-176L, Camden, N. J. Name Theatre Are you: Manager? Projectionist?. Address City • Stcte 70-6436-1