Boxoffice-August.16.1965

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Discussing
Projection room house has columns, too! Equipment
includes Simplex sound, Hertner generator (160 amps).
Simplex mechanisms, Strong lamps pulling 150 amps,
Bausch & Lomb and Kollmorgen lenses. Red Simplex
speakers with blue dome lights are mounted on yellow
{stands and teardrops.
says Whitaker. "It is designed for the best
iCinemaScope projection, with the picture
bleeding off the edges of the screen for the
best effect. With the right size lenses,
which we have installed in all of our projection
booths, this imijortant operation is
jsasy to regulate."
Whitaker is a believer in color and has
i?one to experts for ideas. "Our standards,
speakers and teardrops are colorful instead
Df the conventional," he says. "After consulting
with University of Georgia authorises,
I took their suggestions and we now
jse colors to match tha surrounding foliige
of the Northeast, which nestles in a
latural tree and foliage setting, where we
jictually carved it out of the woods."
MANAGER'S HOME ON PREMISES
the manager's house and ofi'ice
under the Northeast's screen tower,
'iVhitaker states: "We have found out that
t is important that the managers of our
flrive-ins live on the premises. There is a
lot of 'housekeeping' to be done in and
'iround an outdoor theatre—just as much
jis, if not more than, must be done for a
ijonventional theatre. We have, therefore,
nade it a practice to design our screen
iowers with comfortable living quarters for
lur managers. The managers are pleased
vith the arrangement, as they are always
lose to their families as well as to their
vork. And if emergencies arise in nonhowing
hours, the manager is right on
the spot to take care of them. The curtained
windows in the living quarters are
visible from tlie boxoffice. They provide a
'homey' toucli to our drive-ins—something
tiiat the patron appreciates."
Whitaker adds that each GTC drive-in
lias a pickup truck, bearing the theatre's
name, assigned to it and that the trucks
have been found to be "very handy and
versatile."
"If a patron can't start his automobile,"
says Whitaker, "the manager gets into the
truck and offers assistance. If it is battery
trouble, a cable from the truck battery to
the one in the automobile usually gets him
started and prevents a traffic complication.
If the patron's car is out oi gas, the manager
gets behind him in the pickup and
pushes him out of the theatre to a nearby
filling station. Each one of these trucks is
equipped with a stout 2xl2-inch redwood
board, which is bolted to the front bumper,
to facilitate any pushing operation needed.
And, of course, if something is required to
help the patron out of his car trouble, the
manager can get one of his aides to jump
into the pickup and run an errand. We do
not, of course, charge a penny for this
Columned concessions house provides rooftop dining,
picture-viewing area. Speakers surround railing. Windows
are curtained. Gentle slope of asphalt paving eliminates
need for any steps.
service, and we create a great deal of
goodwill."
The truck also proves Its value in theatre
maintenance, says Whitaker. Drive-ins require
as much constant care as fourwallers,
and this means that weeds and
grass must be fought continuously, he
stresses to the managers. The truck is
equipped with a power spray and a chemical
weed killer—one gallon of which makes
100 gallons of spray—is used. "Takes very
little time," says Whitaker. "if weeds are
not peiTnitted to start growing. Manager
either does it or supervises it."
Careful maintenance pays off in the
restrooms, too. Northeast's restrooms are
tiled completely top to bottom and are kept
spotless. "Writings on the wall" ai-e uncommon.
Whitaker feels that the cleanliness
tends to discourage this type of nuisance
vandalism.
The Northeast, which gets its name from
its location on the northeast leg of 1-85,
one of Atlanta's principal freeways, was
designed by Whitaker. Jim Thigpen, of
National Theatre Supply Co., and his arch-
Continued on page 10
"Two-entrance boxoffice
is
as colonial as we could
get it and still keep it
low," says Whitaker.
Columns protect ticketmen.
Popcorn is popped
in backroom behind
cashier, who can reach
through three sides.
"Lights out" signs are
yellow plastic with red
letters. Fences are yellow
with blue lights
spaced 10 feet opart.
lOXOFTICE : : August 16. 1965