International projectionist (Jan 1963-June 1965)

CINERAMA DOME THEATRE revealed by Nicolas Reisini, Cinerama, Inc. president. This radically-new movie theatre is based upon the "geodesic dome" concept. Revolutionary New Theatre Idea Revealed A radically-new design for motion picture theatres has been disclosed to a special meeting of more than 100 leading movie exhibitors by Nicolas Reisini, president of Cinerama, Inc. The new Cinerama theatre is based upon the "Geodesic Dome" principle developed by R. Buckminster Fuller. A model-and-plans of a typical Cinerama Dome Theatre of 1,000 seats, to be constructed of precast concrete, was displayed by Mr. Reisini, who stated that the new Cinerama theatre will cost approximately $250,000, said to be one-half as much as a conventional motion picture theatre of comparable size, and it will take half as long to construct. Cinerama is making its patented designs and blueprints available to selected exhibitors desiring to build these unique Cinerama showcases in the U. S. and Canada. The revolutionary new motion picture theatre presents a new approach to geodesic dome design and the use of relatively inexpensive precast concrete as a building material. The designs were produced by Geometries, Inc., Cambridge, Mass. architectural and engineering firm, in association with Cinerama's own technical staff. Also present at the meeting was John J. McNamara. prominent theatre architect. The model of the Cinerama Dome Theatre shown to the assembled movie executives was of a 1,000-seat theatre approximately 140 ft. in diameter and 52 ft. high. It is assembled from some 300 precast concrete panels fitted together to form the dome shape. Reisini stated that "Cinerama's goal is to see that at least 300 of these dome theatres are built in the U.S. and Canada in the next two years, and that an equal number are constructed abroad. The new and economical geodesic dome theatre will also enable exhibitors to bring Cinerama to many smaller localities which hithertofore could not afford to sustain a large house." He added, "We hope to greatly enlarge the family of Cinerama exhibitors this way. The philosophy behind Cinerama's thinking is that we must concentrate not only in producing the best Cinerama films possible, but also in seeing that these films are exhibited in the most appropriate new theatres throughout the world." The dome is constructed by bolting the panels together flange-to-flange. Resilient anchor plates are used for mounting the dome onto the foundation. After assembly, the joints between the panels are packed with an expoxy mortar. This transfers the loads between panels and forms a watertight seal. After the dome is assembled, an interior coat of sprayed BRIGHTER LIGHT LONGER BURNING SHARPER PICTURE Free Test Samples n*w* F Wf ■» » 1IWVT1 W» » f » ■ WF» asbestos plaster is applied which provides thermal insulation, acoustical absorption and fireproofing. The fire-resistant characteristics of concrete make it particularly advantageous for theatre use. The geodesic dome is the creation of R. Buckminster Fuller, an architect-engineer, mathematician and philosopher whose work is based upon an analysis of the principles of structure as found in nature. The design is based on mathematical principles embodying force distributions similar to those found in atoms, molecules, and crystals. It is considered one of the lightest, strongest and most economical of all construction forms. A geodesic dome has the structural advantage inherent in a spherical shape, which presents an almost ideal configuration for withstanding wind, snow and dead loads. Applied loads are transferred in an arc manner (Continued on Page 18) $2k CURTAIN CONTROLS, TRACKS and SPECIAL OPERATING DEVICES VALLENjnc. AKRON 4, OHIO ' Norelco projection equipment Available from leading theatre supply dealers North American Philips Co., Inc. Motion Picture Equipment Division 100 E. 42nd St., New York 17, N.Y. WUUHC &wfo*t& CARBONS INC., BOONTON, N. J. *■* A — ■ ---- ■ jau t * i International Projectionist March 1963 STEADIER LIGHT LESS ATTENTION PERFECT COLOR BALANCE Free Carbon Chart 15