The handbook of kinematography, the history, theory, and practice of motion photography and projection (1911)

HANDBOOK OF KINE M ATOGR APHY. 153 ments at an all-round figure—a very useful fact for those who are starting in the profession. They have some unique electric appliances, including the Hepworth Patent Arc Lamp, which, although simple in construction, is effective in its working. Another very excellent adjunct to the operating box is the Hepworth Rewinder, which folds into small compass, and by adding a small sprocket wheel measurement attachment, lengths of film can be duly checked—a matter which pays the cost of the apparatus time and again. And now we take a jump from the beginnings to, as it were, the very extreme end of projection matters. Hitherto we have been con- sidering how to equip the operating box for the starting of a successful show. But what when films have been shown time after time ? It is with heartfelt regret that we have to record the deplorable state of the film selections in certain services which are neither first nor FIG. 124. SEABORNE POWER DRIVEN FILM CLEANING MACHINE. even tenth run, but where the film is literally shaggy with age, titles gone, endings abrupt, and last, but worst of all, the remainder in a deplorable state of filth and oiliness. The writer has seen film services so far gone in this respect that a run of a few thousand feet only was sufficient to clog the roller of a dog projector almost to the point of sticking. Needless to say, when such film comes into our hands, most of us will have the natural thought " Oh, if only we could clean it before showing." Well, as a matter of fact, this can very easily be done by means of such a film cleaning machine as the Seaborne (fig. 124). In this film cleaner, the work is swiftly and automatically performed in two definite stages. First the dirty film is well covered with a suitable cleansing fluid (be it said a very cheap one), next the