International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1958)

\H 23 lS58 B 691299 tN v;s laoo b nternational PROJECTIONIST R. A. ENTRACHT, Publisher ROBERT C. MacLEOD, Fdifor R. A. MITCHELL, Contributing Editor Volume 33 JANUARY, 1958 No. 1 Index and Monthly Chat 3 Preliminary Equipment Inspection 5 Robert A. Mitchell Proper Method of Arc Lamp Alignment 8 Joseph Holt From the British Viewpoint: On Print Problems . . 9 R. Howard Cricks Projectionist License Exam Questions 10 8-mm Modification for TV 11 Projection Clinic 13 In The Spotlight 16 The Ole Crank Twister: On Button Jabbers 17 Frank MacDonald What Is Electronics? II. Vacuum Tube Development 18 John Sears Book Review 19 IA Elections 21 Letters to the Editor 23 Index January — December 1957 24 Miscellaneous Items — News Notes — Technical Hints INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST, published monthly by the International Projectionist Publishing Co., Inc., 19 West 44 Street, New York 36, R. A. Entracht, President. Telephone: MUrray Hill 2-2948. Subscription Representatives: AUSTRALIA — McGills, 183 Elizabeth St., Melbourne; NEW ZEALAND— Te Aro Book Depot, Ltd., 64 Courtnay Place, Wellington; ENGLAND and ELSEWHERE— Wm. Dawson & Sons, Ltd., Macklin St., London, W. C. 2. Subscription Rates: United States, Canada, and U. S. Possessions, $3.00 per year (12 issues) and $5.00 for two years (24 issues). Foreign countries: $4.00 per year and $7.00 for two years. Changes of address should be submitted four weeks in advance of publication date to insure receipt of current issue. Entered as second-class matter February 8, 1932, at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., under the act of March 3, 1879. INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST assumes no responsibility for personal opinions appearing in signed articles, or for unsolicited articles. Entire contents copyrighted 1958 by INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST PUBLISHING CO., INC. .420 Wlonihty Chdt Playing with Blocks BLOCKS, all kinds, have figured in the motion-picture business lately to start off what may be a weird year: A number of blockbusters have been released to what so far has been socko business. This, of course, is nice to see — but it would be nicer to see some orderly release instead of the annual holiday glutting. Some 11,000 teen-agers lined up for a couple of blocks in front of the New York Paramount to see a rock 'n' roll show. It was the longest line in the history of the theatre, and one of the longest ever on Broadway, requiring the restraining influence of 100 policemen. The kids' parents were over lined up in front of the Music Hall, where they let in 24,000 in a single day. The Paramount grossed over $185,000 for the week, the Music Hall a record $225,000. And these weren't the only blocks that were lined throughout the country. Just why all this sudden rush, or how long it will last seems to defy most theories — with the possible exception of one: if you give 'em what they want, you can get 'em in. Mr. Silverman Opines But out in Chicago, Edwin Silverman, president of Essaness Theatres Corp., was putting the blocks to this industry. Calling a special press conference, Silverman predicted that "all major Hollywood studios engaged in production of motion pictures for theatres, with the possible exception of one, will close within the next six months." Silverman said he based all this on observation and discussion with industry leaders. We would like to know to whom Silverman talked. And why it is that we have recently received a communication from the Association of Motion Picture Producers that states that Hollywood will make more pictures in 1958 than in 1957 or in several preceding years. For example, Paramount will have 32 pictures for release in 1958, of which 18 are already completed; 20thFox has added another five million dollars to its sixty million dollar production budget for 1958 to be expended on 65 or more pix. United Artists' schedule calls for 16 blockbusters this year, and a record 24 for 1959 (more than six months away). Universal-International's schedule is for 39 features, Walt Disney, who usually has an average of two, will have five . . . and so on, but we haven't space here. The Large "But" We do not doubt Silverman's sincerity, but we doubt his accuracy. We do not think the studios are going to shutter. But — no matter how much product is turned out, it's got to be something the public wants to see, and hears about. DeMille has been mixing Barnum and the Bible for years and making money. One more block: that's the mental block that afflicts those producers who are considering selling post-1948 pictures to TV. As if pre-1948 product hasn't clobbered the theatres enough. Anyway, the year got off to a rousing start. INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST JANUARY 1958