Boxoffice-April.07.1958

with the microphone in the projection
room.
During the pre-show interval, patrons
will be entertained by tape-recorded musical
programs, consisting of latest popular
tunes and classic show tunes.
High speed lenses made by ISCO were
ground specially for the Sharpstown. These
lenses will complement the special Ashcraft
Cinex lamps to provide full light efficiency,
and have been matched to the optics of the
lamps.
Power amplifiers and sound were installed
by William Hipp sr.. Houston representative
of Altec.
It is the practice of Loew's projection department
to choose the best components ot
all projection manufacturers in the industry
when assembling- a projection system.
Particularly is this true in drive-ins where
the demands on the equipment are so much
greater.
The Ashcraft
13mm arc lamps installed
in Loew's Sharpstown Outdoor Theatre are
a case in pKJint.
COLLABORATE ON
LAMP
The first version of the Ashcraft 13mm
arc lamp was designed and built by Clarence
Ashcraft in collaboration with John
Kohler of Loew's projection department
for the Capitol Theatre in New York City,
the flagship of the Loew circuit.
This new lamp replaced a condenser type
of arc lamp that could no longer meet the
requirements since the advent of the giant
screen demanded a doubling of the light
output and a greater distribution of the
light on the screen.
This lamp fm-ther proved its merits
when it was next installed in Loew's "35"
Outdoor Theatre in Keyport, N. J. The
Ashcraft lamp then underwent still further
refinement for the projection of
MGM's 65mm wide film. This work was
carried on in Hollywood by Merle Chamberlin
and his projection staff of technicians
at the MGM studios in co-operation
with Ashcraft.
This development resulted in the lamps
being accepted by many exhibitors using
the Todd-AO projection process, one of
which is installed in Loew's Ohio Theatre
in Cleveland. The Ashcraft 13mm lamp
has once again proven itself in the installation
at Loew's Sharpstown Outdoor in
Texas.
RAMP LIGHTING SWITCHING PANELS
Kohler, as supervisor of projection and
sound for Loew's Theatres along with his
associate, Joseph Cassaro, has developed a
special ramp lighting switching system for
the new Sharpstown Outdoor Theatre.
In commenting on the new ramp lighting
equipment Kohler said:
"The reason for deciding to build our
own ramp light switching panels was
purely a consideration of space conservation
in the projection room. The ramp
light switching panels available on the
market were far too bulky for our use.
Also a consideration was the desire for uni-
A huge, two-sided, splayed electrical sign heralds
the location of the new Houston theatre. It is 28
feet high and 12 feet obove the ground. The word
"Loew's" is in red plastic with neon behind. White
neon ribbing flashes counter clockwise. Although
not visible here, shrubs conceal the base structure.
formity so the light .switching panels would
match our Motiograph sound ramp switching
panels both in shape and size.
"This design permitted the use of .standard
industrial heavy duty down transformers
for the ramp lighting. Loew's Shai-pstown
is the first Loew's outdoor theatre to
use this new design in ramp lighting
switching panels."
Kohler has been a projectionist with
Loew's theatres for the past 25 years, ten
of which were at the Capitol theatre in
New York City.
Architect for the project is John J. Mc-
Tremendous
JOE
Namara of New York. Superintendent of
building is Harry Moskowitz, also of New
York.
Construction has been under way for
about one year, McCallon said. The contractor
Is David P. Hendrlck of Waco,
Tex., and the Sharpstown ozoner is the
firm's 27th such construction Job.
A large electric marquee-type sign has
been calling attention to the theatre for
many weeks—along with the tall, sawtooth
backed .screen. The sign stands along
Bellaire Blvd., the main entrance to
Sharpstown.
Loew's executives issued this statement
regarding the new theatre: "Ehiring the
past three years we have vi.sited many of
the largest and finest outdoor theatres in
the South and East in .search of the best
ideas in sei-vice and operation we could
incorporate in our Shai-pstown Theatre. We
were fortunate in being able to adapt the
land area to our plans rather than viceversa,
as is usually the ca.se. For this reason
we were able to arrange every building
and every detail to our wishes. The result
is a masterpiece of convenience, tropical
beauty, imaginative showmanship, and
a recreational facility unsuiiiassed anywhere.
We sincerely hope Houston will be
as proud of our theatre as we are."
Little children like to play in sandboxes,
and these play areas are sometimes overlooked
in planning drive-in theatre playgrounds.
The cost is nominal.
INCREASED Boxoff ice - Concession
Sales with Quarter Midget Racing
A Natural Drive-ln Daylite Attraction
for the Jj^ Entire Family
THE FAMOUS OFFYETTE SPECIAL
featuring
JL- Automatic Hand Starter (No Lift Push Start)
^ Safety Designed Steel Reinforced Fiberglass Body
^ Hydraulic FOOT Brakes
-X- Automatic Clutch Power Transmission
-jL- Simple Governor Controls Speed
for complete operating and purchase plan contact:
HORNSTEIN, INC. ^Z^oU..,,
341 W. 44th St., New York 36, N Y. 273 W. Flagler St., Miami 36, Flo.
BOXOFFICE :: April 7, 1958