Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1946)

E-10 EQUIPMENT LITERATURE m m BUREAU m Listings for December 7, 1946 INFORMATION pertaining to theatre equipment and supplies of many kinds can be obtained' by checking and mailing the single coupon printed below. SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW will gladly forward your requests for as many items of free literature as you may desire. There is absolutely no obligation. Information on items of equipment not listed here may be requested and we will endeavor to obtain for all theatremen the desired material. Readers who wish special information on any subject may address such requests to this Bureau, where they will receive prompt attention. We ask only that the name of the theatre as well as the street address be given on all blanks or letters. | j ^ , AIR CONDITIONING. Varieties of conditioning equipment, ranging from simple blowers, coolers and air washers to complete "package" units that refrigerate, de-humidify and all but manufacture new air, cover an enormous range of mechanical devices and oontriyances. Every theatre cannot use the same conditioning apparatus. Location, availability of cold well water, type of patronage and many other factors enter into the problem of intelligent selection and should be matched against the nature and capabilities of equipment available. A number of very different devices for securing desirable air conditioning are described briefly in a folder issued by United States Air Coniitioning Corp. Compact and easily read, this folder will give any theatre manager an outline of methods and equipments, to help him choose those best suited to his own circumstances. (#1). BLACKLIGHT ORNAMENTATION. Arresting designs for theatre decoration through the use of painted lucite panels and ultra-violet light are presented in a six-page folder by Gull Industries, Inc. Suggested designs range in style from medieval to ultramodernistic, for application to ceilings as well as walls. Theatremen contemplating redecoration should find this little folder stimulating and suggestive, (#2). CARPETS. A world of information about carpets, including the various weaves, and the difTerences between them, can be found in a thirty-four page, hardcover brochure by Alexander Smith and Sons Carpet Company. Included are actual samples of Velvet, Wilton and Axminster weave — and with each, photographs enlarged 16 times to show the finer details of the surface, cross-section and back of these kinds of carpeting, side by side with a 3" x 5" sample of the carpet itself. The book is lavishly illustrated with attractive pictures of carpeting in many de luxe applications, including theatres ; and with a series of photographs explaining some of the processes of carpet manufacture. (#3). CHAIRS. Particularly of interest to the mechanically-minded, a twenty-four page brochure issued by American Seating Company presents illustratea descriptions of the dozens of detailed laboratory tests applied to steel, wood, upholstery fabrics and other materials that go into the making of a theatre chair, as well as tests applied to the finished chair itself. Methods of checking steel for hardness, ductility, strength and resiliency ; methods of testing cast iron, of ascertaining the moisture content of plywood; method of checking the strength of glued plywood samples, the holding power of glue on solid wood samples, the resistance to rust of metal parts, the service expectancy of coil springs, rubber cushions and plastic coated fabrics, the perspiration fastness of dyes — these and many more are both pictured and explained. Technically inclined readers will find much of absorbing interest in these pages. (#4). CHANGEOVER. Mechanical details of the newest Strong "Zipper" changeover are revealed in a folder by Essanay Manufacturing Company. Photographs showing the device assembled for use and partly disassembled disclose the nature and action of the component parts, which are further described in the accompanying text. This informative little brochure is accompanied, by leaflets describing other Essanay products — the Reel End Signal and the Rewind Mule. Of interest to every projectionist, and to every manager who takes a serious interest in projection. (#5). MARQUEE (CHANGEABLE) LETTERS. Mosi iheatres derive a substanti.Tl portion of their revenue from mere transients — people who stroll past or near the theatre and decide to go in after they see what's playing. The changeable letters tell them. The letters must be eminently visible. They must be attractive. And inmiune to weather. You should read a full-color, staple-folder of Wagner Sign Service, Inc., whicii includes very complete and thoroughly illustrated descriptive material, mounting instructions, lighting m<tructions, and highly helpful suggestions for preparing attractive and informative "copy." Are you certain you are getting the utmost possible advertising value out of your own changeable letters? (#6). MARQUEE (CHANGEABLE) LETTERS. Complete blue prints and instructions for installation and use of Adler silhouette letters and glass-in-frame attraction units are contained in a double envelope of literature published by Adler Silhouette Letter Company. Tributes from theatre users and architects are also included. Anyone concerned with marquee exploitation equipment will find interesting and valuable data in this attractively printed material. (#7). SANITARY AGENT. The odorless deodorant, germ-killer and fungus killer, Fort-A-Cide, is discussed in detail in a four-page, two-color brochure by the Corporation of that name. This sanitary agent, having no odor at all of its own, does not reveal that the theatre has been disinfected, and therefore ^ does not associate the theatre with the idea of disease in the minds of worried mothers. The brochure describes the disinfectant and two portable spray guns and tanks for applying it ; and illustrates, with eleven photographs, its application to auditorium, rest room and plumbing surfaces. The exact dilution to be used in each case is prescribed, together with exact instructions for the mopping, spraying or "fog-misting" of different surfaces and areas. (#8). SCREEN. A four-page, two-color brochure by Retiscope Screen Company pictures and describes the new Retiscope screen which (having a surface of woven glass fibre) is said to be as "washable as a window." This fibre glass sheet is laced into a specially designed steel frame having curved members which impart a vertical and lateral curvature to the surface that faces the audience. These curvatures, designed separately for each theatre, substantially eliminate distortion in the picture when viewed from a sharp angle, and thus make usable front corner areas of the auditorium. (#9). VACUUM CLEANING. Effective cleaning of theatre screens, drapes, ornamental surfaces and stairways, and in-place vacuuming of theatre carpets, are illustrated and described in a four-page folder issued l:y National Super Service, Inc. The bulletin sets forth both methods of using the Super vacuum cleaner to maximum advantage, and technical details of the cleaner itself. Despite the fact that the unit develops a rated one-half horsepower, to move 113 cu. ft. of air per minute at a velocity of 2'/2 miles per minute, its combination of modern, light motor core materials and high-speed design keeps the weight of this half-horsepower mechanism down to iSyi pounds for motor, bag and cord. The tools also are light ; the ten-foot extension tube, for example, weighs only 53 ounces. The Super cleaner is therefore readily portable (despite its power) which facilitates its use in the varied and versatile ways described. The bulletin should be of interest to anyone concerned with the practical problems of theatre housekeeping. (#10). SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, December 7, 1946 New 6-Phase Rectifier Gives Steadier Light steadier light for screen illumination will be available to theatres using a new 6-phase rectifier developed by McColpinChristie Corporation of Los Angeles and marketed by National Theatre Supply. The ripple content in the output of this arc supply device is said by the manufacturers to approach closely the low ripple level obtained from a motor-generator in perfect working order, and to be much lower than that of any other type of rectifier. Essential feature of the new rectifier is a transformer wound to operate from standard 3-phase input and to deliver a 6phase output to the rectifying stacks. The stacks are magnesium-copper sulphide units with a rated maximum temperature of 265° F. They are protected against overheating by a slow-acting thermostat which will not produce nuisance interruptions because of any harmless momentary overload. Associated with the rectifiers is a switching panel, mounted near the projectors, by means of which either rectifier can be temporarily used as an emergency substitute for the other, should that ever prove necessary. Also associated with the rectifiers are two remote-control starting switches which are mounted near the projectors and make unnecessary the use of heavycurrent switches at the lamphouses. (#2). New 9-mm. Carbon Not Favored By National Carbon Company Although they manufacture it, National Carbon Company do not favor the use of their new 9-mm. positive carbon for high intensity lamps normally using an 8-mm. x 7-mm. trim. A 25 per cent increase in light can be obtained, National Carbon reports, by using a 9-mm. x 8 mm. trim, with 85 amperes at 50 volts, instead of the conventional trim at 65 amperes and 38 volts. Howerever, a special optical system is needed, and there is a 70 per cent increase in the heat energy released "for which present lamp equipment is unsuitable." With existing optical systems, the light increase resulting from use of the new carbon is only 10 per cent, yet the current and voltage increase remain such that the existing rectifier or generator may be damaged. National developed the new carbon in response to requests for a means of stepping up the light from existing lamps. The unfavorable results above referred to could not have been predicted, but were disclosed as a result of extensive experiments carried out by the company after the new carbon was produced. (#3). For Cleaning Greasy Floors Greasy fioors can be more effectively cleaned with the help of a granular material announced by Blue Mountain Clay Company of Memphis, Tenn. Made of aluminum silicate, the substance is said to be able to absorb oil up to 120-140 per cent of its own weight. The product is dust-free, its makers say, and also is nonabrasive. (^'4). REQUEST FOR LITERATURE Equipment Literature Bureau 12/7/46 Showmen's Trade Review, 1501 Broadway, New York 18, N. Y. I am interested in the equipment doto mentioned in the Literature Bureau column. Sen i booklets checked below, immediately: ■ ■ 1 □ 6 □ 11 □ 16 □ ■ (print name and address) ■ ■ 2 □ 7 □ 12 □ 17 □ Theatre . ■ ■ ■ 3 □ 8 □ 13 □ 18 □ Address . ■ ■ ■ 4 □ 9 □ 14 □ 19 □ ■ 5 □ 10 □ 15 □ 20 □