International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1957)

An auditorium designed for the wide screen, dual-purpose Todd-AO projectors and high-quality stereosound are features of a new indoor theatre located near New York City. The Syosset — A Completely Modern Indoor Theatre By TOM PRENDERGAST Projection and Sound Engineering Depart., Skouras Theatres ANEW theatre built around a projection sound system that may well be the start of a new trend in motion picture equipment recently opened in Syosset, Long Island, near New York City. One of the few indoor theatres built in this area in recent years, the Syosset, which is jointly owned by the Skouras and Prudential circuits, has a great advantage over most indoor theatres in that it was specifically designed for the pleasing presentation of wide-screen pictures with stereophonic sound. Most important of all, the Syosset, is the first theatre in the world to use both regular 35-mm film and 70-mm Todd-AO prints in the same machines with dual-purpose Todd-AO projectors. When the theatre opened last fall, the 70-mm version of Oklahoma was presented at a gala premiere. Then, for some weeks the theatre made use of three different bills all on 35-mm prints, before going into a two-week run with the 70-mm version of Oklahoma. I think our success with dual-purpose projectors will be of interest to everyone in the motion picture industry. Here is a situation where a relatively small theatre is able to capitalize on the great projection improvement that comes from the use of widegauge film without the need for additional projectors to handle 35-mm prints. Screen Dominates As mentioned earlier, the Syosset is an unusual theatre — one built for modern projection techniques. All distraction is avoided in the simple modern decorations of the auditorium and all audience attention is focused on the 60-foot screen that covers the entire front of the theatre. No proscenium The 60-foot adjustable curved screen as seen from the projection room. Projection throw is 145 feet at an angle of 6 degrees. arch interferes with the screen which is mounted on a special adjustable frame that allows for changes in curvature whenever desired. The screen is the new high-gain white type manufactured by Raytone Screen Co. which is known as the Wondertone. This screen provides a considerably higher light gain than is possible with the standard white screen while at the same time remaining sufficiently diffusive for good sideseat viewing. The gain is accomplished through a metallic component added to the regular white pigments during a special compounding process. Viewed from the center, the new Raytone screen provides a gain of 1.30 compared with 0.85 for the standard matte screen. At viewing angles of 35 to 40 degrees this screen provides a light return of about 0.35, approximately the same as standard white screens. The figures used here are determined by comparing screens to an ideal white reflective surface which is taken to equal 1. The adjustable frame for the 60-foot screen is constructed of angled aluminum which is highly elastic. It is permanently anchored at two locations near the center of the stage. Both ends of the frame can be adjusted forward or backward for altering the screen's curvature. This frame is manufactured by the Joe Malone organization of Cheswick, Penna. Another interesting technical feature of the Syosset is the sound reproducing system. We make use of 27 surround speakers, all of which are located in the ceiling. By mounting the speakers in this way, we insure that, no matter where a patron sits in the theatre, he will never be in such close proximity to the surround horns as to receive an undesirable directional effect. By this I mean that directional sound from behind the screen is good, but that surround sound should be diffused throughout the theatre and should not appear to come from a particular spot on a side wall. The 27 surround horns are 12-inch Philips Norelco cone speakers containing built-in line-matching transformers designed for use in surround installations. They are positioned in the ceiling over both balcony and orchestra, and also in the ceiling under the balcony. Volume Adjustment We compensate for the difference in volume required in the ceiling speakers compared with those mounted under the balcony, where they are in closer proximity to the audience, : • . v^*S(fi, Exterior of the new theatre at Syosett, Long Island, showing the modern, functional decor. INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST JANUARY 1957 11