Boxoffice-May.03.1952

I
PAYS...
. to
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Theatre Trouble Spots
Experts Solve Problems of Balcony Cooling,
Bugs and Marquee Maintenance
Recent letters from Modern Theatre
readers have brought problems which
the editorial board has forwarded to experts
in each field for answer. Since each
problem is one which may be bothering
many other readers, both questions and
answers are reprinted here.
The first was a note from the manager
of a Michigan theatre who wrote to William
Stahl. author of several trade publication
articles on installation and care of
marquees, in care of the Modern Theatre.
BUGS UNDER SOFFIT LIGHTS
"My trouble," said this reader, "is that
in the summer months the bugs and millers
collect under and around the soffitt lights
and make it annoying to our patrons entering
and leaving the theatre.
"The bugs also cling to the lights inside
the marquee back of the attraction panel
and die in great numbers, making quite a
mess inside."
In addition to the bug problem, the theatreman
asked if it would add to the
beauty and life of a marquee to Simonize
it once a year: and if the background behind
the attraction panel should be painted
and how often.
CLEANING OF
MARQUEE
In answer to these questions Mr. Stahl
said.
"In direct answer to your questions, the
life and beauty of a marquee will definitely
be increased if it has periodical cleanings.
As far as Simonizing is concerned, I
am not too sure, as I do not know exactly
what kind of polish you have in mind nor
what kind of paint is being used. However,
a good paint polish would help.
"The background behind the attraction
panels should be painted at least once
every year with a good flat white paint.
"If the glass surface of the marquee was
dusted off each time you changed your
marquee copy, there would not be too
much dirt to attract your summer bugs.
YELLOW LIGHTS DISCOURAGE BUGS
"The General Electric Co. has yellow
bulbs called buglights that have been very
effective in the states of Arizona and Nevada
and have been used there for the
past several years. They come in 60-watt
bulbs at 21 cents each and 100-watt at 29
cents each. I believe that they have also
made this in a fluorescent tube which
should be available in any good electrical
appliance store.
"Theatre Specialties also has a Bevelite
marquee cleaner that will give a coat of
wax not only good for plastic marquee letters
but for your glass and plastic panels
as well."
ADJUSTING A COOLING DEVICE
The second problem presented to the
editors of the Modern Theatre is one which
has probably been closely duplicated all
over the country. It was sent in by a theatre
owner in a small town in Kansas and
concerned proper adjustment of a washedair
cooling device.
In the words of the Modern Theatre
reader: "We have 80,000 cubic feet of
space in a long, narrow building with a
very high ceiling. The measurements are
35x125x26 feet. Our present blower is
36x36 inches and we have two USAIRCO
spray mat evaporative units to cool the
air. The blower room is over the stage and
high up off the alley. We have two 36x36-
inch sheet metal ducts divided at the
mouth of the blower for distribution
through directive grilles.
A PROBLEM OF NOISE
"Now then, could we install a larger
blower and motor so that we could put
more volume at slower speed and cut out
the noise? Could we quiet the noise in the
ductwork or would we be smart to make a
new installation of some sort?
"I don't think my town is large enough
to stand the cost of refrigeration and I'm
afraid the operating costs would keep us
in the red all the time during the summertime
when we have to compete with outdoor
activities.
"Over the balcony we have two 6x6-foot
gravity flow vents for outlets, but don't
have any power fans to move the air out
from under the balcony, and the back part
of the auditorium is always hot. How can
we correct these problems?"
This problem was an.swered by George
Prantz, another Modern Theatre author,
whose reply is reprinted below:
"In answering the last part of your letter
first, I would say that your complaint
of conditions in and under the balcony
is a common one and can always be expected
unless adequate provision has been
made for the removal of air from such
pockets. This is especially true in using
which has been humidified be-
washed air
cause air of high humidity becomes very
objectionable when it becomes stagnant,
which is no doubt the main cause of your
trouble.
EXHAUST FANS WILL HELP
"To overcome this, and to aid your ventilation
at all times, my main recommendation
would be the installation of exhau.st
fans on your roof or other convenient and
.suitable location so that the air over the
balcony and beneath the balcony can be
forcibly removed and a positive flow of
air
be produced. If this l.s done. 11 will be of
aid to you at all times whether the .sea.son
is for cooling or heatinR, becau.se normally
the elevation of the .seats In. and beneath
the balcony are at a hiKhcr level and consequently
In the warmest air.
"As to adding a new blower, I believe
this would not be entirely nece.s.sary nor
beneficial for the simple rea.son It .still
would not eliminate the air pockets. Furthermore,
increasing the supply capacity
would only aggravate the air nol.se of the
present ducts as they apparently are nowcarrying
their full capacity. If it is a question
of the ducts now banging and rattling,
they can be quieted by covering with Celotex
or similar material. This material can
be applied by fastening with sheet-metal
screws, and should not be difficult if the
ducts are accessible.
HIGH CEILING COLLECTS HOT AIR
"The shape and size of your auditorium
in a way should be an advantage as high
ceilings provide a reservoir in which hot
air can accumulate before It reaches down
into the occupied areas, especially when
adequate equipment is not available.
"Although the humidity in your area is
probably somewhat higher than that in
this area, neverthele.ss evaporative cooling
should prove satisfactory if it is adequate
and properly distributed, and I certainly
do not feel that refrigeration is essential
and necessary in your situation, especially
when the original and operating costs are
considered. In the south where the humidity
really is high. I have seen evaporative
cooling function fairly well but the cooling
effect was caused mainly by the great
amount of air motion they used rather
than by the evaporative effect. Of course,
the greater the amount of air movement
used with an air washer, or even without
a washer, the greater the cooling effect
up to the point where the air motion is so
great it becomes objectionable.
FANS MUST HAVE NEEDED CAPACITY
"If an exhaust fan. or fans are installed
as suggested, be sure you obtain ones with
adequate capacity. They should have a
capacity of at least 12.000 to 15.000 cubic
feet of air per minute. If you desire more
flexible control, a fan could be installed in
each vent or rather offset enough from
each vent so that noise will not return into
the auditorium. In this way. either one or
two fans could be operated depending upon
the attendance and weather conditions."
Ilmprevemeirt "
Do It
MOVIES ARE BETTER
THAN EVER .
How About
YOUR Theatre?
Moke your theatre more ottroctivc and com
increase
fortoble in every way possible .
and hold patronage and to strengthen movie
going habits
BOXOFFICE May 3. 1952 63