International projectionist (July-Dec 1934)

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST December 1934 Operation", by H. M. Wilcox and L. W. Conrow of the Erpi organization. In commenting on this paper1 this writer said: "But by far the most interesting paper . . . and one which induced the least comment when it was presented, was 'Technical Aspects of Theatre Operation,' by Messrs. Wilcox and Conrow of Electrical Research Products. "Expecting a paper on . . . sound reproducing systems, the audience was greatly surprised to hear discussed the projector, lamphouse, screen, seating, carpeting, flooring, lighting, plumbing and heating — in fact, the entire range of theatre management and operation was covered. "Erpi to date has specialized in sound equipment . . . and almost every auditor passed over the extensive scope of the paper with the thought that the writer was rambling. Near its close, however, the paper clearly disclosed Erpi's idea of rendering service on all these items at a 'reasonable' cost — a point which seemed to miss its goal insofar as 98% of the listeners were concerned. "... the paper appeared to this writer to be the first gun in a campaign by Erpi to offer a complete engineering service to theatres, with the sound equipment slated to be only one item in an overall supply and maintenance plan." Thus the program that now bids fair to be realized. But there is evidence other than the aforementioned paper, to which we shall return shortly, linking the sound equipment companies with an all-inclusive theatre servicing and maintenance plan. Particularly interesting is the establishment some months ago by one of the companies of an elaborate testing laboratory housing every conceivable type of projection and stage equipment, extensive use of which has been made by different groups of seven or eight field men who have been routed through the premises weekly. In addition, extensive surveys have been made of many theatres throughout the country, the data accruing from which has been sent to New York headquarters for collating along with a mass of projection and stage information, both old and new, which has been assembled. The projection reports of the S. M. P. E. have been eagerly sought after, even prior to their official release, and implements used for various projection equipment adjustments have been in demand. Secrecy Cloaks Preparations Strenuous efforts to cloak these activities with the strictest secrecy having proved unavailing, the sound companies, when queried on the meaning of all this activity and not inconsiderable expense, reply that it means nothing except that they are "making certain tests," or "just playing around," and that there is absolutely "nothing to it" as far as any general servicing plan is concerned. The new plan obviously stems out of the servicing of sound picture equipment during the last few years, the income from which is known to have fallen off sharply within the past year or so. Confronted with a sharp decrease in operating revenue, and taking advantage of the very limited technical knowledge of the average exhibitor, the sound companies evidently see in the plan a means for keeping intact their servicing organizations and at the same time bolstering their incomes. Returning to the S. M. P. E. paper previously mentioned, it should be noted that the paper is divided into four distinct sections, as follows: Projection Sound Light, Power and Heat Building Maintenance Heretofore the so-called electrics have confined themselves entirely to sound reproduction, and their sudden interest in other theatre departments buttresses the belief that their policy to date will be subjected to drastic revision — and expansion. The content of the paper in question lends color to this belief. A few striking phrases culled at random therefrom are appended hereto. (The italics in every case are ours.) In the introduction: "There is an old adage, 'If you want a thing done right, do it yourself ; but in this highly specialized age this should probably read, 'If you want a thing done right, hire someone who knows how.' " The foregoing is innocent enough in itself but highly significant when coupled with certain statements in the section headed "Projection." One learns therein that Erpi has "recently made a study of screen illumination in a large number of theatres," and that "not in one single case was it found that the screen THOSE BACKWARD' EUROPEANS The Union of Yugoslav Cinemas has requested all owners of motion picture theatres to handle their films more carefully than they are now doing, reports Reed Paige Clark, American Consul at Belgrade. He further states that the Union has demanded that projection and sound apparatus be kept in good repair so as not to damage foreign property and prejudice the next moving picture house at which the given picture will be shown. The Union even goes so far as to suggest the closing of theatres where films are mishandled. i Int. Proj., April, 1934, Page 15. illumination from the two projection machines was the same, and variations between machines was found to be as high as 50 to 100 per cent." The paper then proceeds to discuss picture size, screen light intensity and its useful application as compared with current costs. Jump, weave, graininess and other film imperfections are discussed. Mention is also made of screen life, the projector intermittent and the cost of release prints in terms of film mutilation. All this work is obviously quite a labor of love on the part of Erpi — unless, of course, they mean to make practical application of the resuits therefrom. Concerning Personnel Winding up the "Projection" section is this pointed reference: "The theatre personnel assigned to the operation of the projection equipment should be trained men; definite routines should be established for maintenance of the equipment, and certain standards established against which actual performance can be checked from time to time." Projectionists will undoubtedly relish this commentary on their work. The paper then proceeds to the "Sound" section, which has been the province of the electrics ever since the bars were let down on the admittance of outsiders to the projection room, thus these comments merit no special attention at this time. Subsequent divisions of the paper deal with "Light, Power and Heat" and "Building Maintenance," both of which represent new interests for the electrics, that is, where theatres are concerned. Both these divisions are studded with subtle references as to not only what should be done but how and by whom. But the real kick of the paper is reserved for the closing paragraphs embedded in which one comes across the following statements bereft of any pretense to subtlety: "As we consider each of the many problems which a theatre manager must deal with, it is quite evident that to handle the more involved technical problems of maintenance efficiently he must look for assistance and advice of an engineer or a group of engineers." That rather touchy passage having been safely negotiated, the paper then proceeds to hammer home the real reason for its preparation. Witness: "The question is, how much will maintenance of this character cost? It will cost something, of course, but in the long run the savings in efficient handling of maintenance will result in a reduction of direct operating expenses, longer life of equipment, and satisfied patrons, and will make the net expenditure a very small percentage of the cost of operation." And there you have it. It might be