The Moving picture world (November 1926-December 1926)

better Projection ^hi$ Department Wasfoundui in, 1910 bi{ its freseni 6ditor'* Fine Installation In Paramount Theatre PRESENTLY I shall devote probably an entire issue of this department to a description of the projection room, or, perhaps, I might better say, projection suite of the new, magnificent Paramount Theatre, which rears its truly imposing i ile at the very heart of Broadway, Times Square. So striking is the building that €ven the seasoned, hard-boiled Broadwayite stops to stare. I say projection "suite" because I don't quite know what else to call it. I examined it while it still was far from completion, v/tth none of the projectors even delivered, much less installed, and was much impressed. There is a special elevator landing for the projectionists, a spacious private hallway for the various rooms, a private office for the Chief Projectionist, a booth of ample size entirely finished in polished, high-grade marble. It is entirely for the use of the projection staff. And that is but a mere Beginning. When it is finished I will give it a complete description. It well deserves it. Rubin Deserves Credit Supervisor of Projection Harry Rubin deserves much credit for the excellence of the lay-out. May I offer, in advance, my sincere congratulations to Paramount tor the completeness and excellence of the projection room and its appurtenances. Men who would not produce high-grade results on the screen with such a layout would be disgraced indeed, but I have no fear but 'hat the projection will be high grade, for I have had an advance peek at the names of the projectionists who will be favored. I have been favored with an invitation to the opening of the theatre and most certainly will be there, though as a rule I don't care for first nights. A, P. S. to Start Projection Contest THE American Projection Society will launch a contest, and has invited me to be one of the judges. I have accepted. I don't know all the details as yet, but it is designed, as I understand the matter, to determine (a) just what constitutes the most acceptable and best theatre projection room, and (b) to see what theatres have them. This department will give you full particulars of the contest as soon as they arc available. You will send your answer-i to the .American Projection Society direct or through this department if you prefer to. There will be some substantial cash prizes donated by various manufacturers. Bluebook School Question No. 544 — PracticaJ question submitted by G. L. Doe, Chicago. Suppose you 2u-e employed cis chief projectionist in a theatre under construction. Your employer asks your advice as to what type of lamp, or light source it is advisable to use for the projectors. Just what various things would you give consideration, and what information would you desire to have before offering advice? "Brother Richardson — I say "Brother" because I believe you are a member of the I. A., but whether you are or not I firmly believe you have been a 'big brother' to projectionists everywhere, including our own Chicago — you no doubt have some very able men, called 'Broadway men' in the 'Big Town.' Also I am very firmly convinced, from some of the samples who have been in Chicago, that not a few of them have to purchase hats several times too large, because of the fact that their heads are — what I shall say — unduly enlarged. "I would like to see some of the Broadway men (who up to now have been rather conspicuous by their absence from the 'School' — I wonder why) — take a shot at this question. I woiJd also like to see Brother Gray's answer, if he has the time, and that is no slap at Gray, who is an able man whom 1 admire." There, gentlemen, I shall ask no other question this week, for this really is a big thing. It may even consume the entire depsu-tment the week the reply is published. It ought to, anyhow. Also I am wondering whether Broadway will accept the direct challenge of this very able Chicago man. What he says about "Broadway men" is, in my opinion, exactly true. There are Broadway men who can, I believe, answer thi« question as fully as any one could answer it. But how many of them can — well, that is quite another story. Dentlehach Visits N. Y. CHARLES DENTLEHACH, Supervisor of Projection for Famous PlayersCanadian Corporation, was in New ^'ork recently. "Charlie" looks as spry as ever. He advises me that Mr. Nathan, head of the Canadian Corporation, h^s given him satisfactory authority over projection matters, and if that is so there is no reason why Dentlebeck should not build his position into a very real one. He has the ah'lity. His Best Bet to Try Other Work JOHN R. ALLBRIGHT, Portland, Maine, writes briefly thus : "I am 19 years of age. Have an excellent education, as Dad, who died not many months ago, was well off. But we find there is very little left now that things are all settled, and I must at once take my place in the work world and earn money, as mother must not be permitted to bear the burden of four other chi'dren, none but myself old enough to help much. "I have been thus frank because I want to ask you this question : Would it be possible for me to qualify as a motion picture machine operator, later to 'graduate,' if hard work would accomplish it, into a real motion picture projectionist, by going lo New York City and taking a course in one of the schools which I understand exist there?" There is more, but that tells the story. You have been frank and so will I be. The schools, or any of them I know anything about, will give you next to nothing of value. They simply learn you to thread a projector, "trim" a lamp, keep some sort of a light on the screen when your luck is good, and splice a film. The rest of it consists merely "stuffing" you with answers to questions which will probably be asked in examination. Year's Study Needed I could not, in justice to the industry, advise you to do anything except serve a regular apprenticeship of at least one fall year, and two would be much better, studying the Bluebook and such other helpful books as you can get meanwhile. The trouble with that is, though, that you would probably have trouble finding a position as apprentice which would enable j'ou to help your mother much, and yrur highly laudable and most honorable desire and determination to he'p her should not be in any degree discouraged. It does you high credit and I wish I might help you. Under the conditions I couid only advise you o seek some form of employment where youi earning power will begin ir.imediateiy. Mejnwhile, if you really wish to adopt projection as your future profession, get a Bluebook, start studying, and try to arrange v. ith some one of the local projectionists to permit you to help him two or three evenings a vveek in return for the exprience. You might even go to the Business Agent of the local, state your exact circumstances and' ask the local to permit you to start in that way, or any way they may approve. I think you will find them willing to help you in any reasonable way. That is not the advice you wanted, of course, but it is the best I am able to give under the conditions.