The motion picture projectionist (Nov 1931-Jan 1933)

REPAIR-REPLACE NEWS VOL l, NO. i OCTOBER, 1931 REPLACE WITH SIMPLEX PROJECTORS Neglect Is Poor Economy "It is an excellent thing that theatre owners are coming to the greater realization of the importance of good projection. In the past there has been too great a tendency to believe that all expenditures for the proper maintenance of equipment and the betterment of projection were a waste of time and money. Good projection can only be secured by having good men, good working conditions and standard equipment kept in first class condition at all times. Projection rooms are under weekly supervision by inspectors of the Department, but will not compel repairs and replacements unless it is necessary to do so. Neglect, however, is very poor economy and theatre owners and managers should not wait until they are compelled to make repairs. Equipment kept in the right condition insures the safety of audiences, adds to their pleasure, reduces damages to film and I sincerely believe increases box office receipts." BART F. GREENE Chief Inspector of the Bureau of Gas & Electricity, City of New York The Effect of Motion Pictures on the Eyes {Presented before the Society of Motion Picture Engineers.) Under favorable conditions moving pictures do not cause serious eye fatigue, but it must be borne in mind that several very important elements are necessary to make these "favorable conditions." If the eyes of the observer are normal for distance vision or corrected for refractive defects the owner should not experience discomfort in viewing motion pictures provided certain other conditions prevail. Proper projection is an important factor in the elimination of eyestrain and eye discomforts and here again great improvements have been made in the mechanical field. Any unsteadiness or jerkiness will produce eyestrain as a result of the abnormal burden placed upon the extrinsic muscles of the eye in their effort to keep the eyes in alignment with uncertain and erratic movements of the pictures on the screen. GUY A. HENRY General-Director of the Eyesight Conservation Council of America REPAIR WITH GENUINE SIMPLEX PARTS Poor Projection Means Poor Business Poor screen results will do more to injure a theatre's reputation and patronage than any other single factor. Bad projection and good business are never companions. Show me a theatre where proper projection standards are not maintained, and I shall show you a theatre where business is in the same category as its projection. Good projection requires good projectors. WILLIAM F. CANAVAN International President, I.A.T.S.E. & M.P.M.O. Fire Prevention In the afternoon session, after reports of officers, Fire Marshal of Canada, Grove Smith, gave a fine address which was warmly applauded. lie pointed out the excellent record of fire prevention in Canada and stated that a majority of the modern theatres were fireproof. He likewise advised that no old projection machines should be used. "Exhibitors Daily Review," Thursday, Oct. 18, 1928 The International Projector The Economy of Good Equipment We wonder how many readers of oiir department took note of Harold B. Franklin's article in the "Showman," published in the "Motion Picture News" of May 5. I have always been a great admirer of Mr. Franklin's methods, and in looking over his article find many valuable pointers that intelligent managers everywhere ought to take note of. Let me quote one sentence, in which he says, "It is not necessary for a manager to be able to understand the details of projection, but the successful manager should be able to distinguish good from bad projection, and the progressive manager keeps abreast with the improvements that are brought forth in the field." Which leads us up to the subject of projection. We were very much surprised to find in our travels that this very important item in theatre operation has been sadly neglected in many of the smaller towns. We happened upon a theatre in a town about twenty thousand population, and the theatre appeared to be quite modern and up-to-date, with the exception of the picture on the screen. And when we reached the booth, we found equipment so ancient, as booth equipment is judged today, that it would look far better reposing in a museum. The projectors were of a very old model, the lamps were the old type arc, and the generator was a big affair that belonged in the same museum with the rest of the equipment. Without treading on the manager's toes (and he, by the way, was one of the owners of the theatre), we tried to show him what a mistake he was making, both from the standpoint of good projection and economy in operation. At this time it is not our intention to take upon ourselves the recommendation of any particular type of equipment for the booth as we are selling nothing but ideas, but we do know that new equipment would have paid for itself in this theatre in just about a year, not taking into consideration the marvelous improvement in the projection. Managers Round Table Club CHARLES E. LEWIS INTERNATIONAL PROJECTOR CORPORATION 90 COLD STREET NEW YORK