The Moving Picture World (May 1908)

412 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD "TRUTH IS GREAT AND IT WILL PREVAIL." This is the translation of a Latin inscription adorning the title page of a new trade paper which has shot like a rocket into view. If the projector of this new enter- prise would practice what he pretends to preach, certain statements would not have appeared in his paper; more- over, the occasion would never have arisen for its ap- pearance. The editor thereof bases all his claims to recognition on his former editorial connection with the Moving Pict- ure World. Is it through modesty or intentional over- sight that he does not mention his former connection in a similar capacity with the Magic Lantern Journal of England and with the Views and Films Index? Credit to whom credit is due. The World has not yet published its "finale." Another statement seen over the signature of the News editor, that he had the mailing list of the World, re- quires verification. The use of stereopticon pictures of biblical subjects and illustrated hymns, in a church at Pine Bluff, Ark., sug- gests the idea that the time may not be far distant when moving pictures will also be a feature at religious services.. HAS THE MOTION PICTURE BUSINESS COME TO STAY? By William M. Hamilton. This seems to me a very idle question for any person with an ounce of common sense to ask. In the first place what is the motion picture business but amusement and entertainment? Therefore, as long as the human race desires entertainment, just so long will they get it. The picture parlor of to-day is nothing more than a small theater, where, instead of the elaborate and costly stage settings that the big theater had to pay for before the advent of the motion pictures, we have it all on the film; IP" and we can go further than the setting of a drama or comedy on the stage and bring in nature's own setting and background. This is something the big theater can never hope to do. Then, again, there is the instructive side of the business. This has not been developed and when the manufacturers realize what a great field there is in this branch we may have some real good subjects. I have it from good authority that the people abroad are just wild for views of-this country. They, in this respect, are not far different from ourselves, as we also enjoy being taken to Cairo, Japan or Paris or to sit in open- mouthed wonder at the torrents of Victoria Falls. Then, again, the picture business is not different from any other' so far as the rule of perfection goes. What I mean is that jn five years' time we will look back and be astonished at the improvements all along the line that have taken place for.the betterment of this baby industry. I have not the least doubt that in some places the business appears to be on the decline. But in most such cases it can be traced to mismanagement. The old rule of how to do a thing, when to do it and where to do it, applies to this business just the same as any other. In antwar to numerous inquiries the j»ub- Hahert desire to say that tnere is in stock » limited Quantity of all bacK numbers of i the World. These will be mailed for five cents each to old subscribers only, who desire special numbers* or new subscribers may date bac& their subscription to begin with aar Dumber, Lessons for Operators. By F. H. Richardson, Operator, Chicago. CHAPTER IX.—THE PICTURE. The picture should appear on the curtain white and brilliant except for the natural shades of photography and it should be uniform in color—that is to say, no shadows, top, bottom or sides. Of course there are films which themselves, by reason of poor photography, show shadows and haze, still, as a general proposition, shadows are caused by the lamp not being in correct position in rela- tion to the condensing lens; a picture that is yellow all over usually indicates (though not always) poor light It is of prime importance that the operator bend his every endeavor to getting clear, white light on every portion of the picture, and, having succeeded in this, if his machine be in proper adjustment, there is little more he can do save grind out the right speed. But don't forget this: the really good operator—the one who really understands his business and wants to produce the best possible re- sults, never takes his eye from the curtain from the time he starts until the tail piece comes into view, the rest be- ing a mere matter of hearing, since to the practiced ear th least false note from either machine or lamp is instantly detected The Film. There should be in every operating room a reel that has been selected because it is absolutely, or at least practi- cally, well balanced and true. The spring clamp of this reel should be adjusted just right and the reel should never be allowed to leave the operating room- In adjust- ing the reel clamp-spring (spring that holds end of film) don't get it too tight or it will tear the film instead of letting the end slip out when the end is reached. When you receive a new reel at once unwind it into the film box or on the takeup as the case may be and. unless it be a brand new film, proceed as follows: Attach (if the film has none) a tail piece from 12 to 16 inches in length. Now, holding the edges of the film between thumb and finger with pressure enough to slightly cup it, rewind very slowly on your own reel, examining even' mend, cutting out all bad ones, repairing all mis-frames and examining every patch carefully to see that it is tight. DON'T get in a hurry. Take your time and do this particular job right for if you are interested in giving a good show it will pay you to do it right. But it will, with an ordinary film, say 900 feet in length, take you half an hour and, if the film be in bad condition may take twice that or even three times. Still, it must be done and done well, but when you are through.vou will not have a mis-frame, no thick, stiff patches, to make the picture jump and no loose patches to pull apart and cause vexatious delays. The bad places in the track will be detected by the pressure of the fingers and if it is just a crack extending into one sprocket hole it may be care- fully notched, but NEVER make a notch covering more than one hole. If the track break affects more than one hole cut it out and patch; If there be less than five feet of title attach a leader .of blank film from 18 to 36 inches long, according to how much title there is. You should now be able to run the film for a week with no trouble at all. It is a place where an ounce of prevention is worth several car loads of cure. The motion picture film is so well known now that it is hardly necessary to say much in explanation of the film as a film. Still. for the benefit of beginners I will relate that the motion picture film is a strip of celluloid, especially made for the purpose, upon which has beer deposited an emulsion