Showmen's Trade Review (Jul-Sep 1949)

SHOWMEN'S TRADE REVIEW, July 23, 1949 E-27 Drive-In Cost-per-Car At New High of $242 Drive-in theatres continue to grow more elaborate. The average cost-per-car of drive-in projects reported during the calendar month of June by Showmen's Trade Review reached $242, the highest average thus far recorded by our data. The number of new drive-in projects reported during June declined, however, from the high mark total of 48 set in May. June figures reveal only 26 new drive-in projects reported in that month. So far as available infoi'mation indicates, the average capacity of all drive-ins reported during June was 533 cars; the average cost per theatre $81,250. The cost per car average of $242 is derived from those reports that include both capacity and cost figures for the same theatre. New drive-in projects reported during June were distributed among the States as follows: Arkansas, 1; California, 1 Canada, 1; Connecticut, 1; Florida, 2 Georgia, 1; Illinois, 3; Indiana, 2; Iowa, 1 Maine, 1; Massachusetts, 3; Missouri, 2 New Hampshire, 1; New Mexico, 1; Oklahoma, 1; Pennsylvania, 3; Wyoming, 1. Ten new indoor theatre projects, and two remodelings, were also reported during June. The new indoor theatres are located as follows: Arkansas, 1; Canada, 2; Minnesota, 2; North Dakota, 1; Ohio, 3; Texas, 1. The average seating capacity of these projects, so far as figures are available, is 708 seats. The two remodeling projects were located in New York and Ohio, respectively. Deeply spalled or otherwise damaged concrete floors can be repaired by means of a ready-mixed material developed by United Laboratories, Inc. This is a new product which makes uneven concrete surfaces smooth. It is said to be able to withstand heavy traffic and to permit use of the floor almost immediately after application. SHIRLEY BOOTH — Partner, Booth Theatre, Rich Hill, Missouri — says: "The Booth Theatre, in continuous operation for 41 years, has used RCA Service since 1940. Our sound is kept at peak efficiency." To get the benefits of RCA Service —write: RCA SERVICE COMPANY, INC., Radio Corporation of America, Camden, N. J. Beverly Miller, owner of Miller Drive-In Theatres, reports that screen construction cost at his new SO Hiwa theatre, near Jefferson City, Missouri, was reduced one-third by building the screen tower on the ground and then raising it as here shown. The method was so successful that Miller used it again this July at his new Fort Theatre, Leavenworth, Kansas. Cut Your Cleaning Cost in Half! • The Hi-Up Tube cleans walls, cornices, draperies, all places to a height of 10 ft. plus the reach of the operator. • The Blower boosts debris, candy and popcorn boxes, papers, from under seats, down the aisle to the front for easy disposal, leaving areas clear for Super cleaning. • The Floor Tool gets all floor space right up to the wall leaving no dirty strip. • Super spotlight illuminates dark places, under things and behind stationary objects which might otherwise be overlooked, saves house lights. • Safety trap catches metal or other hard objects before they can damage the cleaner. Valuable items are often recovered. • The Screen Brush keeps the screen bright and sound holes free of clogging dirt. Keep your theatre really clean with a minimum effort. Your supply dealer will gladly give you a demonstration. Ask him or write. here's no long drawn out, expensive, hot weather drudgery when you clean your house with a Super Heavy Duty Specialized Theatre Cleaner. Any operator can do the job in half the time it takes with less powerful and less specialized cleaners. The Super tool equipment is specially designed for theatre cleaning — screen brush, blower, spotlight, upholstery tool, ail floors adapter, safety trap, hi-up tube. There is no wasted effort nor time. National Super Service Company, Inc. 1951 N. 13th STREET, TOLEDO 2, OHIO National Super Service Company of Canada TORONTO, ONT., VANCOUVER, B. C. New . . . Improved Time — Tested WENZEL Theatre Equipment Send for complete descriptive circulars, giving full details of the advantages of the new WENZEL products. WENZEL PROJECTOR CO. 2505-19 S. State St. Chicago 16, III. PRO-31 18" Upper Magazine