Showmen's Trade Review (1945)

October 13, 1945 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW ST 11 MAINTENANCE CdUldto 194* 61 1 OCTOBER 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Check house temperature frequently and avoid overheating when theatre is crowded. Conserve fuel by renewing weather strip on windows, doors. Check w;th card file on motor maintenance. Do motors require lubricati'n, belts, bearings, brushes? Inspect wiring and switch controls. Are 'No Parking' instructions neatly painted en street, sidewalk to conform with local ordinances? Do sidewalk sign standards need paint? Keep them looking neat. Check the condition of sidewalk and curbing around theatre. Repair broken or cracked concrete which might cause accidents and improve appearance. Make certain any surplus art shop paint is stored in warm, dry place to avoid spoilage from freezing. Time for inventory of art shop equipment, supplies. If you have any unrented store rooms in the theatre building, are you using showmanship methods to find a tenant? Have rooms clean, attractive. Have you set up an exacting checkoff procedure for incoming supplies? Are contents checked before storing? Watch discounts when paying bills and save by paying promptly. Have service man from local power supplier check condition of electrical wiring entering theatre. Is insulation good, anchorage secure, contact with building protected? 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Instruct staff not to tie pennants, flags or posters to light globes. Be sure burgees or displays do not flap against neon tubing in windy weather. Have flaps of ticket machine cleaned weekly with kerosene to remove any metal polish used which may cause corrosion of metal edges. Retrieval of lamps frcr marquee while cleaning usually results in 25% loss as result of handling. Instruct cleaners to avoid unscrewing good lamps. Theatres using a chain bolt on the office or room door where money is handled are seldom troubled by hold-ups. Precautions discourage burglary. Are lamps kept in cartons, not loosely in boxes? Who has access to supply? Is inventory kept up-to-date? Are test facilities conveniently located? Make sure oil burner equipment is inspected on regular schedule. Check motor brushes, bearings, wiring strainers, nozzle and oil supply. In coal furnaces, the burning of a handful of rock salt will help to keep chimney free of draft retarding soot. Avoid waste accumulation in boiler room. Is extra carbbn supply kept in dry place? Damp carbons sputter if not thoroughly dried out before using. Check on facilities for 'hot' carbon disposal. SUodAMH&adJufi DATES October 14: William Penn born, 1644. October 21 : Laymen's Sunday. Better Parenthood Week, Oct. 21-27. October 22: First National Horse Show, opened in N. Y., 1883. October 23: First locomotive built and run in U. S. A., 1824. October 27: NAVY DAY. Theodore Roosevelt born, 1858. First shot fired by U. S. troops, World War I, 1917. October 28: Girl Scout Week, Oct. 28-Nov. 3. Statue of Liberty unveiled, 1886. Anniversary of freedom of U. S. press, 1733. October 30: John Adams (3rd President) born, 1735. October 31: HALLOWE'EN. Birthday of Juliette Low, founder of Girl Scouts. November 1 : American Art Week, Nov. 1-7. All Saints' Day. National Author's Day. November 2: James K. Polk (11th President) born, 1795. Warren G. Harding (29th President) born, 1865. November 4: National Pharmacy Week, Nov. 4-10. November 6: ELECTION DAY. November 10: U. S. Marine Corps organized, 1775. 30 31 If tubes in sound system burn out prematurely, have all voltage of equipment checked promptly by expert. Is system checked regularly by service man? Use care in creating any Hallowe'en display with autumn leaves, crepe paper or corn stalks to avoid fire from a carelessly discarded cigarette. NOVEMBER 1 4 Caution any 'green" projectionist apprentice against removing tubes for replacement from sound system while power is on. Make certain spares are kept under lock and key. Are you prepared to cope with the emergency of power failure? Test emergency lighting system regularly, check storage batteries, keep flashlights or battery lanterns accessible. Check condition of screen and use only special brush when dusting or cleaning. Cloth, soap or water will smear the surface. Refinish or replace when necessary. Inspect the air condition of rest rooms regularly. Excessive use of strong deodorants to offset fumes from faulty plumbing is poor policy. Have drains kept clean. 8 10 Make daily check of aisle lights to be sure all globes are functioning. Check wiring connections, fuses, anchorage of fixtures to seats. Have projectionist oi sound man check PA system, microphones, connections and volume control to assure facilities for announcement of election returns. In Northern areas where freezing conditions exist, be sure exposed water lines or plumbing fixtures in parts of the building which may be unheated during winter are drained. Check drains and roof gutters for fallen leaves around the strainers which may cause blockage and freeze-up in cold weather. Where there is no basement under auditorium and air vents are installed to ventilate damp areas under theatre, block off air vents to conserve heat and fuel. Make certain all awnings or screens have been stored properly. Screening should be rubbed with oil or freshly painted to prevent rust damage. *7Ue FRONT o/ tUe MONTH « t-» H » ~ I >• Business on Paramount's "Love Letters" which is said to be breaking records at the New York, Rivoli Theatre seems to justify the change in pace of the front display. Where huge pictorial art is usually used above the marquee, the entire area is devoted to star names, title and credits. Large framed paintings in brown monotone are erected at either sde of the front as shown above.