Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Oct-Dec 1928)

34 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD October 27, 1928 Exhibitor Qets Patents on Device to Improve Tone of Sound Records Increased Playing Time and Constant Rate of Linear Needle Travel Claimed for Invention of W. O. James of Wisconsin Theatre [By Special Correspondent of the Herald-World] MILWAUKEE, Oct. 23.— Wallace O. James, manager of the Wisconsin theatre, has just been allowed patents on a device which promises to have an important bearing in the near future on synchronized and nonsynchronized methods employing disc records for musical accompaniment and sound effects for motion pictures. THE important feature credited to the James invention is the greatly increased playing time of a record of given diameter, as compared with the present type of disc. This is accomplished by causing the turntable to revolve slower when the needle is traveling the outer edge of sound grooves, and gradually faster as the needle approaches the center of the disc. Where the needle starts its navel near the center, the rotation speed of *he disc slows gradually as the needle approaches the outer rim. In this way the needle always travels the same linear length of groove in the same unit of time, or in other words, the rate linear needle travel is always constant. In addition to greatly increased playing time, it is claimed that this method produces a more even and better quality of tone. It is obvious that special records must be made for this method of reproduction. Present Type Discs Usable On other discs, there is no more playing time in the outer groove than in the inner one, although the former may represent three or more times the needle travel than the latter. However, the world's greatest music has been recorded on discs by the present methods of production, and it was in order to make all this material available that the James invention provides for means of control which permits the use of the present type of disc records as well as the new type of specially recorded synchronizations. By way of comparison, a well-known synchronized disc installation used a 16-inch disc in conjunction with the long feature pictures, split up into short reels of approximately 900 feet which on a governed speed of 90 feet a minute means approximately 10 minutes between change-overs from one reel to another. The same size record specially recorded for playing according to the James method will provide accompaniment for a double reel, while a 20 inch record would play for 33 minutes against 14 minutes of the other type, and provide accompaniment lor a 3,000 foot reel. With longer intervals between change-overs, and with from onehalf to one-third the present number of discs, it is claimed that the factor of error in putting on wrong discs is greatly reduced, also that the men in the projection room can work with more care and exactness in checking up equipment and making adjustments. 9,000,000 Records in 2 Years It is estimated that within two years more than 9,000,000 present type records will be required annually for the synchronized field alone, while the market for non-synchronized records will be even larger. In view of this fact it will be seen that the James invention may have an important bearing in the field, bringing about not only a greatly reduced cost to the motion picture producer for his synchronizations, but also in the shipping and distribution charges generally. In addition to use with photoplay presentations, both synchronized and non-synchronized, this device can be incorporated with multiple turntable equipment for use by traveling companies presenting musical comedies and operas, for it is possible to record the complete score of an act on a single record. It will therefore be unnecessary to carry musicians to augment small local orchestras, it is said, the recorded score being complete and sufficient in itself. James has made no definite plans as yet for the manufacture and distribution of his device but is giving careful consideration to a number of propositions already submitted. Department of Justice Studies Pending Mergers; Officials Mum on Inquiries (Washington Bureau of the Herald-lVorld) WASHINGTON, Oct. 23. — The Department of Justice is studying a number of mergers now pending in the film industry with a view to determining whether proposed amalgamation will conflict with federal antitrust laws. Officials refuse to talk regarding these inquiries, pointing out that it is the policy to keep confidential in all cases which do not involve formal proceedings. The investigations, it is stressed, are routine, such as are undertaken of mergers w any industry. Some days ago the department is understood to have suggested that Publix theatres be divorced from the West Coast chain, and it is understood that the recommendation will be carried out. but it was explained at the department that no general policy has been laid down for the film industry and that each merger now under scrutiny will be determined upon its merits. The Federal Trade Commission has refused to reopen the West Coast cases for further argument on the question of protection. A motion had been filed by counsel for Herbert L. Rothschild, operator of four theatres and one of the respondents :n the West Coast case, asking oral argument be heard on protection. At the New York Theatres NEW FILMS PARAMOUNT— "Take Me Home," a Paramount film starring Bebe Daniels and Neil Hamilton, directed by Marshall Neilan. HIPPODROME— "Stocks and Blondes," an F B 0 picture with Richard Gallagher, Jacqueline Logan and Gertrude Astor, directed by Dudley Murphy. ROXY — "Me Gangster," a Fox production with June Collyer and Don Terry, directed by Raoul Walsh. CAPITOL— "While the City Sleeps," a MetroGoldwyn-Mayer production starring Lon Chaney, directed by Jack Conway. STRAND — "Waterfront," a First National picture with Dorothy Mackaill and Jack Mulhall, directed by William Seiter. COLONY — "Melody of Love," Universal'^ first alltalking picture with Walter Pidgeon, Mildred Harris, Tom Dugan and Jane Winton. WARNER— "The Home Towners," a Warner Brothers all-talking picture with Richard Bermett and Doris Kenyon, directed by Bryan Foy. HELD OVER AND REVIVED CRITERION — "Wings," Paramount, opened August 12, 1927. ASTOR— "White Shadows in the South Seas," Metro Goldwvn-Mayer, opened August I. CENTRAL — "Lilac Time," First National, opened August 3. EMBASSY — "Submarine," Columbia, opened August 30. WINTER GARDEN— "The Singing Fool," Warner Bros., opened September 19. GAIETY — "Four Devils," Fox. opened October 3. RIALTO — "The Battle of the Sexes," United Artists, opened October 12. RIVOLI — "The Wedding March," Paramount, opened October 12. CAMEO — "i Comrades and 1 Invention," Soviet Comedy, held over for another week. FIFTH AVENUE PLAYHOUSE — "Berlin," and "Germany's Side of the War," German productions revived for another week. 55TH STREET PLAYHOUSE — "Kriemhild's Revenge," UFA production, held over for another week. F B O Is Rushing Sound And Action to Complete Program Before January (Special to the HeraldlVorld) NEW YORK, Oct. 23.— Work is progressing rapidly at Sound Studios, Inc., here and at the Hollywood studios of F B O, in an effort to complete the 1928-29 program before the new year. Work was finished last week at the sound studios on "The Joyride," a talking prologue for "Taxi 13." "Stepping High" is next. On the Coast, George B. Seitz and his "Blockade" company are on location at the Isthmus of Catalina Island. George Melford is in the second week of "Love in the Desert." Tom Mix has started work on his fourth Western for F B O, "The Drifter," while Ralph Incc's staff has completed editing "Hardboiled." Production has also been completed on "The Jazz Age.'' P. G. Wood Getting Ohio Set for Meeting Nov. 20 (Special to the Herald-World) COLUMBUS, Oct. 23.— P. J. Wood, business manager of the MPTO of Ohio, is back from Toronto and hard at work whipping into shape the program for the state convention in Columbus, November 20 and 21. Wood says several leading authorities on the industry will speak and opportunity will be given for full discussion. The program will be announced soon. An extra large attendance is expected as there are. many vital questions now before the exhibitors, especially in smaller towns. 'If He Is An EXHIBITOR, He Is A Reader Of The H ERA LD-WO RLD '