The world film encyclopedia (1933)

460 How A Cinema Is Run meats ; for the manager is, in many instances, responsible for the cinema's advertisements in the Press. New curtains have been designed for the proscenium, and his next visitor brings him samples of material for the great drapes. The cinema-organist wishes to try a new programme of musical numbers and calls at the manager's office to discuss their suitability in relation to the week's programme. So the afternoon passes. Meanwhile the manager will have found time to watch the progress of his matineeshow, receiving reports from the box office, as to the numbers admitted, the formation of queues, and so on. Throughout the day he maintains constant touch with his various officials. In all he may control as many as a hundred workers. In my own cinema I have a " service staff " of forty. These, the uniformed men of the house, are under a chief of service, an assistant chief, and five captains, all being supervised by myself and my three assistantmanagers. On the technical side there is the chief engineer, with his staff of six engineers and six electricians who are responsible for the lighting, ventilation, and general mechanics of the building. Then there is the chief projectionist, with his six assistants. He is lord of picture and sound, all matters relating to the projection and sound-system coming under his direct control. Special attendants placed about the auditorium keep a minuteby-minute log of the shows. They note down any breaks, in film or sound, any momentary failure of light, or, indeed, any of the dozens of tiny incidents which happen in even the best-run cinemas and which call for correction. There is an accountant's department, with a chief accountant, a treasurer, a junior accountant, and six cashiers. In the restaurant there is a manageress and twelve waitresses ; six chefs work in the kitchens below. During my day I must find time thoroughly to inspect all these departments, as well as the tailor's shop in the basement, where the uniformed staff's liveries are valeted and kept in trim. The " service staff," in addition to their daily inspection by their own officers, parade weekly under the manager's eye. " Credits " are awarded to all those whose efficiency or conspicuous courtesy to patrons warrants special reward. By the time the evening comes the manager will have watched the " change," as we call the exodus and influx of patrons between programmes. He keeps his ears open and catches many useful criticisms in the remarks of the departing film-goers as they leave the theatre. The evening deepens in the streets outside. The manager, in that famous dress-suit, is still at his post. Sometimes there is the personal appearance of a star to be carefully stage-managed; or some celebrity may visit the cinema whose special comfort must be quietly arranged. Is the programme running right, to the nearest half-minute ? Is that " short " providing the necessary contrast to the second feature which follows it ? Does the big picture come easily and naturally on top of that ? The staff are at their posts. The programme is running smoothly. The whole house, stalls and balconies, is weU filled with contented patrons. The organist has played his big " number," or perhaps a stage-show has successfully paved the way for the big picture, now well under way. A last look round his cinema and the manager walks through the specially-decorated display in the entrance-hall — another of his little efforts — and sets his face toward home. Time, 10.30 p.m.