Showmen's Trade Review (Jan-Mar 1949)

Projection Council Report: Should Theatre or Craftsmen Own Projection Maintenance Tools? Council Majority Favors Provision by Management; Recommends Necessary Equipment and Methods for Its Handling and Care by Men in the Booth Should management supply theatre projectionists with working tools — or is it the skilled craftsman's responsibility to provide his own tools? If the theatre furnishes tools, which ones are desirable? Should they be kept under lock and key? Who should have the key? Should they be inventoried and if so how often and by whom? What bearing, if any, does the location of the theatre have on this question of projection room tools? These matters were discussed at this month's meeting of the projection supervisors who comprise the membership of STR's Projection Advisory Council, and very definite opinions emerged. The majorities that formed on various phases of the subject were substantial ones. Only on a few minor details was opinion evenly or approximately evenly divided. Who ought to supply the necessary tools? The theatre or the projectionist? The Council says the theatre, by a majority of nearly two to one. New Projector Magazines Wenzel Projector Company is now in production on these projector magazines, which are deeper than hitherto, providing greater clearance between the reel and the rear wall; and incorporate such modern improvements as oihte bearings, increased bearing surfaces, new positiveacting spring tension brakes and baked white enamel interiors. Shafts are onehalf inch in diameter throughout the length of their bearing surfaces, but the protruding portion of the upper magazin; shaft remains at three-eighth inch diameter to accommodate existing reel-end alarms. These models represent an improved addition to Wenzel's current line of magazines, which will be continued. ROBERT P. BURNS Balaban & Katz Corp. FRANK CAHILL Warner Brothers Circuit GEORGE CUTHBERT Famous Players Canadian C. A. DENTELBECK Famous Players Canadian HARRY J. GLENN Wm. K. Jenkins Theatres IRL GORDON Skirball Brothers Theatres COUNCIL MEMBERS PAUL HARRINGTON Ruffin Amusement Co. CHARLES HORSTMANN RKO Theatres A. C. INCH Griffith Theatres LESTER ISAAC Loew's, Incorporated I. F. JACOBSEN Balaban & Katz Corp. NATHANIEL LAPHN Fabian Theatres L. E. POPE Fox Midwest Amusement HARRY RUBIN Paramount Pictures LEONARD SATZ Century Circuit J. C. SKINNER Interstate Circuit BILL TONEY Tri-Stotes Theatre Corp. Moreover the majority would be even stronger than that if those Councilors were included who said they themselves do not furnish tools for one reason or another, but feel that other theatres less fortunately situated should do so. For example: "In our setup electrical and sound service are so quickly available that we do not generally supply tools. In other circumstances the following tools would be desirable: " "In practically all theatres under our jurisdiction changes and replacements and adjustments are taken care of by our Service Department so that it is not necessary to equip our projection rooms with a full list of tools. However, if a particular projectionist requests a certain tool or piece of test equipment it is supplied with the understanding that the individual requesting it will use it to advantage." "Well, don't supply meters unless they can be properly used." And a few members offered outright and unqualified disapproval to the idea of the theatre supplying projection room tools under any circumstances. "When you hire a carpenter or a watchmaker or any other craftsman, he will supply his own tools. In a craft as well paid as projection the mechanic should do the same; and if he knows how to use the tools, he does. You can be sure if a man knows enough to read a db meter or take proper care of test film, he'll own them." "Since all our theatres are serviced by our Sound and Projection Department we do not provide tools. So far as they are needed we expect projectionists to supply their own, just as electricians do. Experience over a period of many years indicates that where the theatre attempts to provide tools, petty larceny is practiced." However, as noted, if all the Council Members who offer either absolute or qualified disapproval to the idea of the theatre supplying projection room tools are counted together as a single minority, the majority on the opposite side is still almost two to one in favor of the practice-. Maintenance and Inventory Granting that the theatre does supply projection room tools, should they be kept under lock and key? An overwhelming majority of the members discussing this question voted Yes. And even larger majorities are agreed that: The keys should be entrusted to the projectionist; The tools should be inventoried periodically; and The manager is the person to make the inventory. One point on which no clear majority formed was the question of how often the inventory should be taken. Opinions varied from once a month to once a year; with the median view approximately every six months. A very small minority felt that although tools should be inventoried, this need not be done at any specific time, but only when there is a change in the personnel of the projection staff. What kinds of tools should be supplied? Thirty different items, including not only tools but meters and other facilities for testing and making repairs, were discussed. With respect to only three out of the thirty was opinion evenly divided. In the case of the other 27 items definite {Continued on Page E-11)