Modern

suntan
Another new lamp is a onc-watl fluorescent
glow Nite Lite. This little fellow,
which has an average useful life of
3,000 hours, can be used to illuminate corners
of dark stairways, and with a simple
shield, they can be utilized to mark the
aisle seats at the end of each row. The
one-watt fluorescent glow Nite Lite requires
no ballast, starter, or other auxiliary
equipment, and operates on either AC or
DC at 105 to 125 volts.
Slimline fluorescents are still another new
and most useful type. Slimlines are long,
Blender fluorescent tubes and are available
in four lengths, ranging from 42-in. to 96-
in. long. They will provide a line of fluorescent
lighting which can be adapted to
streamlined architecural designs, or they
may be used in coves where they will supply
long lines of continuous light of low
brightness without any scalloping shadows.
FIRST IMPRESSION
It is at the ticket window that the patron
receives his first impression of what
your theatre is like on the inside just off
the sidewalk, and learns from your posters
of coming attractions. Special lighting must
be applied at the ticket window, both for
the cashiers and for the patrons because
of the necessity of seeing and counting
money. Here the Circlarc lamp lends itself
to a new installation. Pig. 4, throwing
light directly on the area where money and
tickets are exchanged. The accompanying
sketch will show how this light may be
applied.
The lighting for posters should be considerably
brighter than the general over-
Fig. 6. For lighting lobby mirrors, the Circlarc
may be used in a simple fixture The new
shape lends itseli to a variety of novel effects.
all illumination in order to attract people
to them, .so that they may read quickly
and easily. Fluorescent lamps are perfect
for poster frames, and the new poster
sheets which utilize fluorescent inks may
be brilliantly and colorfully illuminated by
means of ultraviolet light, usually called
"black light."
LOBBY
LIGHTING
Lighting in the lobby is no longer just a
means of making it possible for people to
see. It is also a means of creating beauty,
charm and atmosphere. It is in the lobby
and foyer areas, that patrons are most conscious
of the attractiveness of their surroundings,
due to higher levels of light.
Nearly all interior lighting in lobby areas
in theatres today, is indirect or semi-indirect,
and is supplemented by purely decorative
lighting. Of course, almost all the
lighting in the theatre is essentially decorative,
but the most decorative of all per-
Fig. 5. A simple method of lighting a medallion
of translucent material. Two Circlarcs mounted
back of the panel add a clever touch to lobby.
haps, is the lighting employed to illuminate
medallions and other devices on walls
and ceilings. Figs. 5 and 6. or to add color,
beauty and life to special decorations without
regard to lights supplied for seeing
purposes. Here, again, it is that the new
Circlarc lamp can be used to great advantage.
FUTURE TRENDS
What are future trends in theatre interior
lighting? There will undoubtedly be
increased use of luminous elements, not
merely for lighting but as a part of architectural
and decorative schemes. There
will be an increased use of color and colored
lights in theatres, as our general knowledge
of the proper uses of color is increased.
From a health standpoint also, it may be
possible for future theatre patrons to acquire
a gentle suntan while enjoying their
favorite movie. Ultraviolet in the erythe-
Fig. 4. Outlining the ticket aperture, the Circlarc
lamp puts light where it's needed, and
not in the eyes of the cashier or the patron.
mal
< > band will be applied in a very
unobtrusive manner and new type sunlamps
may be installed over mirrors in powder
rooms.
BLACK LIGHT
One of the most intriguing methods of
achieving decorative distinction, and one
which is also a most subtle means of directing
traffic, has not had the acceptance
in theatre interiors which it deserves. This
unusual combination of lighting and color
involves the use of completely safe ultraviolet
"black light." From concealed blacklight
lamps beautiful murals can be made
to glow with unsurpassed brilliance of
color. Strips of carpet with woven designs
colored with fluorescent dyes may be made
to become beautifully lucent under the
ultraviolet of blacklight. These fluorescent
carpet strips are frequently used in
theatre aisles, but a strip which can be
unrolled and laid over the regular carpet,
may be used to guide patrons from the
lobby to a particular aisle. No carpet ever
unrolled for the feet of royalty can equal
the almost magical radiance of blacklight.
In this article we have discussed primarily,
the usage of the newer light sources.
The accompanying sketches may suggest
some methods of applying them. If you
have a problem in making your theatre
more attractive, pleasant and comfortable,
why not call on your local public utility
for help? Practically every electric utility
company maintains a staff of competent,
trained lighting specialists. You will be
surprised at the amazing unbiased nature
of the help which you will be given.
: SECTIC
BOXOFTICE :: September 11, 1948 13