American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1926)

Six AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER November, 1926 PROTECTION * ConduBed by EARL J. DENISON Projection Room Should Be Reserved Best Location when Plans Are Drawn Build Theatres By Daniel B. Clark, Around Projection A.S.C. If good projection is to be desired, the time house's interior. They come to see a picture — to begin to provide for it is when an architect a good picture. And they cannot see such with first begins to draw the plans for a new mo imperfect projection. And there cannot be tion picture theatre — or legitimate house for perfect projection, if the projectors must do that matter. all but. walk around corners to get the images Gone is the era when an orthodox theatre on the screen was converted into a cinema palace by tack Architect's Duty ing up a screen and finding a hole in the wall Motion picture theatre architects have a in which could be thrown the projection duty that is greater than the mere designing of "booth." But do our theatre builders give edifices that are pleasing to the eye. Their ample consideration to the room that is to house the projectors? Bad Throw In last month's issue of the American Cine task is to design a structure in which motion pictures may be seen to the greatest advantage— which means nothing more than that it must be possible to project films at the great matographer, H. Lyman Broening, A.S.C., est advantage, called attention to the bad throw in a Los An Should Consult geles theatre, to which fell the honor of pre If it is not a part of the equipment of such senting the important production "Ben Hur, architects to know where and how to place to the film capital. It so happens that this is ?uch projection rooms, then it should behoove a comparatively new house, only a couple of them to consult some competent projection enyears old. While it presumably was primarily gineer who is fortified with the necessary designed for a legitimate theatre, it is reason knowledge. In a word, the cinema house able to believe that the exhibition of motion should be built around the projection appointpictures in an establishment, located as this is, ments, rather that the latter's being built into was well within the thoughts of those respon the theatre. sible for the erection and planning of the house. That an imperfect projection arrangement was created is lamentable. Afterthought? All Are Concerned All of this represents an exceedingly deepseated matter, of interest to all those identified with a given motion picture — whether it be the Yet this condition exists throughout the projectionist, exhibitor, producer, star, direc country today. Projection rooms are put in tor or cinematographer. We all need the best as more or less an afterthought. They are projection — for by projection we place our placed in a part of the house most agreeable wares before the ultimate consumer, the thea to other considerations whether it be the gen tre-goer eral style of interior architecture which can Those who erect theatres are in the key posi not be marred under any conditions or what tion. It is they who may insist not only that not their houses have the best projection equip . ment obtainable, but that, in addition, this best Come to View Ficture equipment be provided that place in the house, But patrons do not come to a theatre to feast most suited to maximum results. Mr. Theatre their eyes exclusively on the beauty of a Builder, tell that to Mr. Architect!