Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1945)

46 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW June 23, 1945 The Theatre Construction & Maintenance ADVISORY COUNCIL C. B. AKERS GRIFFITH THEATRES K. F. ANDERSON W. S. BUTTERFIELD THEATRES W. H. APPLEGATE, JR. CENTURY CIRCUIT W. B. ARMSTRONG GOLDEN STATE THEATRES E. E. CLEVELAND "western MASS. THEATRES J. H. ELDER INTERSTATE CIRCUIT EMANUEL FRISCH RANDFORCE AMUSEMENT CORP. MELVIN C. GLATZ FOX INTER-MOUNTAIN THEATRES HARRY J. GLENN WM. K. JENKINS THEATRES HERMAN R. MAIER WARNER BROTHERS CIRCUIT DICK DICKSON NATIONAL THEATRES HARRY MOSCOWITZ LOEW'S INCORPORATED L. PARMENTIER EVERGREEN THEATRES SAMUEL ROSEN FABIAN THEATRES FRANK D. RUBEL WOMETCO THEATRES R. SCHMID MINNESOTA AMUSEMENT CO. CLAYTON TUNSTILL MALCO THEATRES R. VAN GETSON BALABAN and KATZ CORP. JULES S. WOLFE FAMOUS PLAYERS CANADIAN I Inspection Procedure— Authority To Repair, Discussed by Council No. 4 — A Continuing Series of Reports by Experts on Problems of Vital Importance The old saw about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure should mean a great deal to the theatre owner and the theatre manager also. If there were any need to emphasize that point, the actual incident recited by one of our Council members during the latest meeting of our board of experts should serve very nicely, indeed. Here's what happened : Two days after the member referred to had informed the manager of a theatre, he had attended as a patron, that the roof of the theatre no doubt had developed a leak, an area of plaster twenty by twenty feet crashed to the auditorium floor. The accident to the theatre (a small independently-operated house) cost the boxoffice income for three days — in addition to the more costly final repair than that which could have been made before the crash. Fortunately the theatre was closed when the ceiling plaster broke loose. Problems of theatre operation related to the incident cited above form the basis of this meeting's discussion, dealing with managerial responsibility for maintenance and house inspection. Some of our Council members indicate that since many managers shun responsibility they may as well be relieved of it. However, the other opinion is that a manager who is incapable of shouldering complete responsibility isn't worth his salt. Also brought to the fore at this session are some pointers that, if followed, can help to erase that apprehensive look which many theatremen wear when away from their houses during operating hours as they worry lest some accident may occur to a patron or employe. In the handling of a law suit the defense attorney will automatically strive to anticipate the claims and strategy of the prosecution in preparing the case for his client. He will play up every proof of precautions taken prior to an accident to counteract charges of neglect. If theatre owners were to think of the dangers prevalent in handling thousands of people in terms of a potential law suit for every minor accident occurring in the theatre he would im mediately recognize the need to prepare a good case — just in case. Instead of planned preparedness, many exhibitors spend quaking hours remote from their theatres worrying for fear something will happen to patrons in their theatres. Sure they're insured — but — the more accidents the higher go the insurance rates, so the cost is inevitably shouldered by the theatre. Procedure for Proper Inspection We asked the Council what procedure could be recommended to insure proper inspection and functioning of safety equipment. While members were almost unanimous in urging that theatremen seek the cooperation of local fire department officials in making periodic inspection of safety devices, one in particular hit the nail on the head — but emphatically. "It has always been my policy," he stated, "to enlist the services and invite the supervision and cooperation of local authorities responsible for checking all these matters and to cooperate with them 100 per cent in complying with their suggestions. In this manner, an owner could never be charged with criminal responsibility in case of a panic or failure in any of the safety devices." By following such procedure the theatre owner tiot only places himself in a position of having a sound case with expert witnesses enlisted in advance, of accident trouble but he is better able to sleep nights and is emphasizing the importance of safety precaution in the eyes of his managers. Several members suggest monthly inspection You Can Participate! If you were to discuss your operational problems with a group of the most prominent construction and maintenance experts in the theatre field, what are some of the questions you would be inclined to ask. The purpose of the Advisory Council is to help independent and small circuit operators find sound information on their general problems. We would welcome your suggestions or questions for inclusion in the agenda of future Council meetings. Please bear in mind that this is not an architectural service nor are opinions expressed on the merit or demerits of manufacturers' products. by local authorities. Others advocate quarterly inspection, but the Council unanimously urge daily inspection by the house manager of panic bolts, exits and their accessibility, exit and aisle lighting, booth condition, carpet in aisles and on stairways or ramps, etc. A member in assessing the value of local fire department inspection said, "You usually gain two objectives in such an arrangement. First, it gives them the feeling that you are willing to cooperate to the fullest extent and they are not so apt to be picking on minor items which sometimes arise in theatre operation. Second, it saves paying for inspection or minor adjustments that might be needed for there is seldom any charge for such cooperation. The courtesy of a few passes, of course, is always appreciated." A member suggests paying the projectionist a separate weekly fee for inspection and maintenance of all safety equipment in hours when the theatre is closed. Under this set-up the man feels the responsibility and an occasional personal check by the house manager will keep him on the alert as to his responsibility. Another member points out that fire extinguishers should be tagged for date to be refilled, fire hose should be tested at least once each year, film containers should never be opened outside the projection room and that film should be returned to the film cabinet as soon as it has been removed from the projector and rewound. One of the functions of various insurance companies is to supply experienced men to make plant inspections. A member offers this advice : "If I were an independent theatre operator with maybe one or two theatres to look after I would arrange with a reputable insurance company to check my boilers and heating plant four times each year and have the same agency check the air conditioning system. Beyond that I would try to train my managers or assistant managers in such a manner that they would become perfectly familiar with the proper operation of the mechanical equipment in the theatre." This opinion goes to the root of the next question we asked : "What degree of responsibility would you delegate to the house manager in regard to equipment and plant inspection and what degree of authority should he be permitted in correcting conditions requiring attention?" Most members will agree that this is the sixty(Continued on Page 52) ^1 It