Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1949)

E-16 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, October 15, 1949 HARRY HOLLAND — Owner, Bishop Theatre, Bishop, Calif. — says: "Happily, I endorse the excellent qualities of RCA Service rendered me over a period of many years. In my recently rebuilt theatre I am continuing with the dependable RCA Sound and Service." To get the benefits of RCA Service — write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY, INC., Radio Corporation of America, Camden, N. J. This Christmas . . . Everyone will Enjoy the Added Beauty of Your Lighted Tree in MOTION! KASSON ELECTRIC CHRISTMAS TREE TURNER IDEAL for holiday lobby displays, the "Kasson" will prove a thrilling eye-catcher during the Christmas season. Holder is water-proof, permitting watering of tree to keep it fresh. Unit is sturdy, dependable, built to last for years. Double, built-in outlet for tree lights. A.C. only. Write us for complete information! GENERAL DIE AND STAMPING CO. Dept. 72, 266 Mott St., New York 12, N. Y. DRIVE-INS! Seat pedestrian-patrons in Outdoor Theatre Chairs Cradle-form seats and deepcurved backs insure comfort. Back and seat slats are solid wood. All parts durably finished for outdoors — hardware treated for rust-resistance. (Also available for attaching to risers.) Write for details. AMERICAN SEATING COMPANY Grand Rapids 2, Michigan Branch Offices and Distributors in Principal Cities ^ • • • • • Maintenance Memos for Managers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 NOVEMBER, 1949 Does some staff member watch picture and sound ot all times and report foults promptly to the projection room.' Are you told of faults that occur In your absence.' Have you made a regular schedule for progressive changes In the timing of your outdoor lighting to conform to seasonal changes in daylight? Time tor another careful inspection of carpet throughout the theatre? Shift badly worn sections to places where troffic Is light for the sake of economy. Time now to consider the types of refreshments that sell best during winter weather and place your orders for them so they will be on hand in ample time? If your balcony is not open during matinee performances do you nevertheless hove an ushei check it regularly as a safety measure and to prevent abuses? Does the stoff alwoys remember to put out rubber mots PROMPTLY when weather turns stormy? Impress them with the need for conserving the life of your carpets. Time again to have all sump motors thoroughly inspected for brush and commutator condition, condition of bearings, end lubrication? Don't delay needed repairs. Have sump pumps themselves thoroughly Inspected for condition of all washers and packing. Authorize any repairs needed to conserve power and prevent leaks. Have you a schedule for thorough periodic inspection of all bare wooden floors? Splintered, loose or uneven boards can lead to expensive law suits. If you have an unused organ be sure oil is kept on all metal parts, organ loft swept and cleaned occasionally, organ Inspected often for damage by rodents. Remind employes who change the marquee letters that they ore never to stand on, or rest the ladder against, any frail or brittle parts of the marquee. Is your own projection equipment damaging prints? Consult with protectionists ond authorize whatever repoirs to equipment may be needed to prevent this. Have you been careful to avoid inflammables in your planned Thanksgiving Day decorations, or if not to hove such materials f lome-proof'ed? Take NO chances on sofety. Has the cleaning stoff been warned never to use brass polish, but only machine oil, en top plate of ticket machine? Are newly-hired cleaners so warned? Do you yourself watch all lighting to make certain faulty tubes or bulbs are always replaced promptly — that "dead eyes" and flickering fluorescents do not annoy your patrons? Are you compelled to use deodorants in rest rooms? If so, are you certain you have exhausted every possible alternative resource of ventilotion and cleanliness? Will a relief engineer in your theatre know where to find every size and type fuse he may need In an emergency, and just what type and size to use at every point? Is plumbing causing trouble — does water drain slowly anywhere because of clogged or partly clogged pipes? Don't risk expensive flood repairs; fix plumbing immediately. Make certain that cleaning crew does not waste electricity; that they turn off work lights as soon as cleaning each part of theatre has been completed. In projection room fires, projectionists are expected to operate safety devices and then get out — to save their lungs. Are switches properly located for this? Do you watch changeovers for any alteration in brightness of picture and volume of sound? Insist that projectors be accurately equalized in both respects. Time to hove the box-office change-maker overhauled? How long since it has been cleaned, adjusted, oiled ond had all its working parts inspected? Outdoor electric boxes take a heavy beating from winter weather. Have them all examined, any rust removed, and sanded and repainted as may be necessary. Have you made orrangements for complete, regular, expert inspection and maintenance of all furnace and heating equipment throughout the winter months? Do you have buzzers and phones between office, floor and projection room checked periodically to keep them in perfect working order for every need or possible emergency? Check occasionally on opening theatre to make sure porter staff always turn off automatic urinol and toilet flushing devices when cleaning is completed. Listen to sound carefully when size of the audience changes. Do your arrongements for keeping sound volume setting adjusted to size of attendance work out well? Time to re-examine roofs, gutters, leaders, water tank, etc., for any signs of rust or other fault that miglit lead to leaks under pressure of winter weather? Have you set up a regular, fool-proof routine whereby every fire extinguisher in the theatre will be insnccted and refilled at the intervols specified on its label? Arc all the theatre's extra keys kept locked up at all times, but properly tagged so every one can be identified readily whenever it may be needed? i