Showmen's Trade Review (Apr-Jun 1946)

SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, June 22, 1946 E-25 POOR MAINTENANCE (Continued from Page E-9) Like most other businesses we, in show business, amortize our equipment and depreciate it over a fixed period of time which time varies with different items of equipment but remains the same for each item regardless of location. "Whenever it becomes necessary to replace equipment before it has been completely amortized and served its life expectancy we in effect compound our fixed charges, for until the original equipment has been completely amortized, we must continue to pay for it and also for its replacement. In many situations due to repeated motor burnouts, bursting boilers, etc., caused in most cases by poor maintenance, that compounding has sky-rocketed to the point where we are forced to charge off three and four times the normal amount and it is cause for alarm to each of us when we realize that every unnecessary dollar added to the "fixed" charges of our theatres reduces our net profit by an equal amount. Conversely, when through proper maintenance we are able to prolong the useful life of equipment beyond the point where it has been fully depreciated, we add to our net profit an amount exactly equal to the normal fixed charge for that period. Because obsolescene in our business is almost negligible we have a right to expect that equipment will serve us usefully long after it has been fully amortized and charged off. Popcorn Fire Hazard A very, very important adjunct to show business today is the sale of candy and popcorn. Almost in the same ratio that it has increased our profits, it has likewise increased our maintenance problems. That fact is definitely not an argument against its sale for if we were to adopt that line of reasoning we would be forced to conclude that the best way to solve all maintenance difficulties is simply to go out of business. It does mean that because of candy and popcorn our maintenance job becomes more difficult, more expensive and vastly more important because we are adding to our normal responsibilities a very sizable hazard from fire. Please, please do not under-emphasize this hazard. We are daily dumping into our theatres a tremendous amount of waste material in the form of containers which in themselves are highly combustible and a very large part of this waste paper is thoroughly soaked with seasoning oils. Any discussion of the relative kindling points of various seasoning materials is purely academic. Some burn more readily than others, as for instance peanut oil, which is very dangerous, but it all burns and bums readily. Over a period of time this seasoning oil is gradually ground into our carpets, spread over our floors, absorbed by our seat fabric and wiped into our draperies, leaving us sitting on top of the prettiest little package of dynamite in the world if the mess is allowed to accumulate. To date we have not been able to point to a definite fire and say "This was caused by popcorn seasoning" but it is an arresting and thought-provoking fact that co-incidental with the sale of candy and popcorn. theatre fires throughout the country have increased both in number and severity. The hazard is with us and if we neglect to combat and minimize it constantly by proper housecleaning measures we subject ourselves to censure for what under extreme circmustances might easily be classified as criminal negligence. Let's not have this on our conscience. Rather, let's be guided constantly by the realization that we're a part of a reputable industry — a business which, as we know it, has won the respect and confidence of the general public over a comparatively short period of rapid growth. If we expect to maintain this position against ever growing opposition, sound business judgment dictates that we protect our physical property — that we show what we have to sell in theatres that are clean, comfortable and safe. Pride in our industry and our own self-respect will allow nothing else. No. 1 Projection Room FOUR PROJECTORS are standard equipment at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Simplex E-7's are used. Seen in the center is Charles MuUer, chief projectionist; left and right respectively are Isadore R. Cohn and August Brower. Other members of the projection staff are Irving Bloom, Robert Hart, William Jackson, Joseph Kleinman, David Narcey, Norfleet Northington, Benjamin Olevsky, George Rebentisch, Victor Savage, Walter Smith and John Tillman, They not only pay for themselves ^they make money for ^^"^ IDEAL il ID C 'Built To Excel Not Just To Compete!" \ The Chairs You Sit IN, not ON, relaxing in deep cushioned comfort such as lounge chairs afford. Your IDEAL Dealer Has Samples QUICK DELIVERY IS ASSURED! Four beautiful iines to meet every need and fit every budget. IDEAL SEATING COMPANY Grand Rapids, Michigan Export Office: 330 West 42ndl Street, New York City Attention: J. E. Robin