Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1947)

SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, January 4, 1947 E-19 the porter what to do but checks to see that he does it. This delegated person may of course be the chief porter, where the theatre is large enough to have one, and where he is competent and trustworthy. Inspection In theatres that plan and carry out their cleaning most carefully, where the work is suitably allocated, each member of the cleaning staff is held responsible for his part, but never made responsible for it. There are of course broom-wielders who are responsible people, but in general it is held unsafe to count on their sense of responsibility. Management checks up on their results by close inspection — not just a casual glance. Inspection procedure involves such details as feeling for dust on the tops of ledges, testing for unremoved obstructions in wash-room fixtures by flushing a number of them, slapping chair upholstery at random to observe how easily more dust can be beaten out of them after they have supposedly been "cleaned" and even running a vacuum cleaner with a freshly-emptied bag over a cleaned stretch of carpet to see how much more dirt can be picked up. An assistant manager or a delegated junior member of the theatre's staff does the inspecting, and occasionally the manager himself checks up on the inspector. Minimizing the Work A well-patronized theatre gets dirty in the course of each day, and must be more or less constantly cleaned even while the audience is present. An usher may go about at intervals with a long-handled PUT MORE LIGHT ON YOUR SCREEN # All reflectors gradually deteriorate to a state where replacement cost is insignificant. A drop of only 10% in reflective efficiency results in a corresponding decrease in screen brilliancy, and represents a loss amounting to 10% of the cost of your current and carbons. Replace yours now, and regularly. Available for at) types and makes of arc lamps. NATIONAL THEATRE SUPPLY broom and dust-pan sweeping up trash. Entrance lobbies may have to be mopped from time to time, especially during bad weather, and the same is true of washrooms. This during-the-show work, and an important part of the cleaning that must be done after the show, can be minimized by installing a sufficient number of suitable aids which will help the audience cooperate in keeping the theatre neat. People do cooperate. They do use sand urns for their cigarette stubs if the management provides them. They will use receptacles for popcorn bags and candy wrappings if the same are handy — and in washrooms for paper towels and other trash. Similarly, during-the-show and afterthe-show cleaning of lobby and rest room floors can be made less frequent and less time-consuming if mats are put down at the first sign of bad weather. Behind all of these highly complicated procedures are only the two very simple objectives of keeping the theatre looking clean — and its air feeling clean. So that Mom won't hesitate about going there, or about bringing or sending the kids. (#6). Ventilated Reflectors Need Less Maintenance Ventilated reflectors do not get as dirty as unventilated ones, J. M. Smith and N. B. Burroughs report in the November, 1946, Transactions of the Illuminating Engineering Society. "Since maintenance is an ever present problem," the investigators add, "the ventilation of reflectors should be carefully considered as a valuable ally." (#7). . . . then you'll install the chairs you sit IN, not ON ... the chairs in which they can relax in deep cushioned comfort. IDEAL CHAIRS "Built to Excel — Not Just to Compete" Write for the name of your nearest dealer. He has samples. QUICK DELIVERY! 'There's a Branch Near You' IDEAL SEATING COMPANY of GRAND RAPIDS EXPORT OFFICE: DM) WEST 42™' SFHEET, NEW YOHK CITY, ATTENTION |. I. liUISIN