Showmen's Trade Review (Oct-Dec 1949)

E-4 SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, November 12, 1949 1 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 31 Maintenance Memos for Managers DECEMBER, 1949 Are any important keys missing as a result of employe turnover? If so, do you take the precaution of having locks changed from time to time just to make sure you are safe? At this time of the year, when most patrons are wearing tieavy Winter clothing, projectionists should run sound about one pomt higher because of the increased absorption. Are you getting full value from the lighting current you poy for or is part of it wosted because of dusty bulbs or tubes, or accumulated dirt on reflecting surfaces? If you have penny scales in restrooms or elsewhere in your theatre do you have their accuracy checked periodically? False readings annoy patrons and earn you ill will. Time now to overhaul your reserve stock of candy and other refreshments and place orders with suppliers for types that are in special demand during Christmas season. Have you been careful to avoid inflammables in your planned Christmas decorations, or if not to have them flame-proofed? Take no chances on tire or panic. If any flaws in your heating arrangements hove turned up to date, have you arranged for the necessary repairs or adjustments to keep patrons comfortable? Colder weather is coming. If you are having a television antenna installed above your theatre, be certain that the installation is effectively protected against lightning — demand guarantee on this. Does theatre air feel stale when you enter after having spent some time in the open? You don't want to waste heat by excessive ventilation, but you don't want it to smell musty, either. Have you chosen a satisfactorily cool place to store reserves of candy, etc., where furnace or steam pipes will not spoil its palatability, appearance or solability? Have you revised your candy, refreshment and beverage displays for winter season appeal? Are your counters and machines now stocked with winter merchandise? Any untidiness of staff uniforms is sure to give patrons an unfavorable impression of your theatre. Do you insist on neatness at all times and hold staff inspections periodically? Is your sound volume under observation at all times — is the projection room signalled promptly to raise or lower volume whenever size of audience changes materially? Take time out now for a thorough last-minute re-check of all your planned arrangements for handling crowds safely throughout the coming holiday week. Check the theatre's reserve supplies of lamp bulbs, and tubes, fuses, tickets, confections, sanitary requirements, etc., to make sure all are ample for holiday week. Are your Christmas tree and/or other holiday lighting and wiring arrangements perfectly safe and fool-proof electrically? Are wires located where patrons cannot trip on them? Have you had the plugs of all electrical extension cords inspected for broken casings, poor connection, loose prongs, frayed insulation and other electrical fire hazards? Have you made absolutely certain that no seasonal decorations are located where they can hide any exit sign from any angle, or even slightly impede use of any exit? Have you supplied your box office with holiday price signs, and have cashiers, doormen and ushers been thoroughly instructed on details of holiday price schedules? Have you gone over your 1949 records and report forms thoroughly to try to find woys of improving operation, maintenance and general efficiency during 1950? Do you plan to introduce any new (or revised) bookkeeping, record or report forms for use during 1950? If so, hove you ordered the new forms printed? Little time is left. Have you re-checked on your 1950 insurance policies and orrongements to make certain coverage will be complete, and in ample amount, to protect you in ALL contingencies? Have you gone back thoroughly through 1949 telephone bills and long distonce charges to see if there is any opportunity there to reduce unnecessary expenses? Do not toke the continued effectiveness of your heating system for granted; visit every part of the theatre occasionally, both when it is nearly empty and when it is crowded. Check up on your fuel consumption to dote, compote it with anticipoted consumption and supply on hand. Change your fuel delivery schedule if necessary to make sure of ample supply. Hove you installed o positive and foolproof routine to make certoin adequate amounts of ashes or sand will be spread whenever exit alleys or sidewalks are covered with ice? Has experience this winter proved that your check room facilities are adequate for caring for patrons' coots, umbrellos, overshoes — or do they need some improvement? Is the staff keeping the theotre, including rest rooms, tidy ond attractive at all times, and porticulorly just offer breaks, in spite of heavy holiday patronage? Hove holiday crowds depleted your supply of popcorn, candy or other refreshments? Take no chance of running short and losing sales, order additional supplies now. If a heavy storm should suddenly cut off all power would you be in danger of panic in your theatre for lack of emergency lighting arrangements? If so, put them in of once. Do you check with your local fire and safety outhorities now and then and ask their recommendations? If you follow their advice faithfully you can never be called negligent. CARBONS, INC. BOONTON, NEW JERSEY NEW YORK: 234 WEST 44fh StREET