The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

THE BIOSCOPE SPONGE RUBBER in the Cinema We may confidently expect that in the near future the modern cinema will make a very extensive use of sponge rubber products. It is, in fact, rather surprising that architects have not, before now, investigated the claims of this remarkable material because, had they done so, there would have been some formidable changes in recent cinema specifications. We had an opportunity this week of discussing the matter with Messrs. Shepherd & Pritchard, of Kingly Court, who constitute the only firm, so far as our knowledge goes, specialising in sponge rubber products. The conversation was a revelation to us of what has already been achieved in this field and of the limitless prosnects for future expansion. Sponge rubber flooring is by no means new, but some of its peculiar qualities are quite unsuspected by the average reader. In the first place, it is an established fact — though rather a startling one — that the life of sponge rubber flooring is vastly longer than that of solid rubber. Where solid rubber mats and carpeting have broken down under heavy cinema wear in three months, sponge rubber has lasted without any visible sign of wear for nearly three times that period. This is a fact which has been demonstrated on shipboard, where working conditions are particularly hard, and has resulted in a switch over from solid rubber to sponge rubber. Sponge Rubber is Non-Slipping One other serious advantage came to light during shipboard tests. It was found that solid rubber gave an insecure footing, especially in wet weather. Water is, of course, a lubricant to rubber and this proves a formidable drawback in wet conditions. Sponge rubber, however, does not allow of slipping. The foot sinks into the texture of the material instead of sliding across its surface, and therefore provides as secure a foothold as carpeting. Its Advantages for Seating For cinema purposes, where floors are commonly raked, this is a formidable advantage, and in any case the complete silence of sponge rubber gives it outstanding advantages over any other floor covering. It can be quite as soft as the best carpet and has the advantage of being entirely hygienic and easily cleaned. It is now being used in enormous quantities for corridors, foyers and aisles, and in virtually every case where it has been installed its use has been consistently extended. There is, however, another field of which less is known, and this is in connection with seating. It is, perhaps, not generally recognised how much seat replacement takes place in the average popular cinema. There is one London house which has to replace an average of 20 seats weekiy, not because of mechanical difficulties, but for hygienic MODERN CINEMA TECHNIQUE I Remarkable Material with Multifarious Uses reasons. It is in this direction that sponge rubber offers special advantages. It can be supplied ready for seat replacement, built up to 2 or 3 in. in thickness. The resiliency and comfort of the seat is superior to that of the finest upholster}'. It is guaranteed not to sag, even after indefinite wear, and in the event of accidents all that is necessary is to remove the upholstery covering and wash the sponge rubber underbody. Blocks can also be supplied for arm rests, and it can safely be said that a chair equipped with sponge rubber seat and arm rests offers the maximum of comfort and luxury. A Cushion That Was loo Popular Some people have a mistaken idea of the resiliency of sponge rubber. In the early days the process of manufacture was by no means so perfect as it is to-day and early specimens did, undoubtedly, show permanent compression. But the modern sponge rubber as supplied for the mounting of machinery, motor generators, talking equipment, amplifiers, pick-ups and so forth has permanent elasticity. A 2 in. block left under a motor generator for months will return to its 2 in. thickness when the pressure is removed, and in this way it acts as perfect insulator for vibration. What is commonly done in connection with rubber seating is to instal one row as an experiment and then gradually extend throughout the house at convenient intervals. But one famous house within a few miles of London had a curious experience in this connection. The proprietor arranged for a continuous sponge rubber mat to be fitted to the front gallery row, as an experiment. He was advised to cover this with Willesden Canvas but refused. After the first night’s use he went to examine the cushion for signs of wear but found that every particle of it had disappeared. The patrons had cut it up and taken it away with them. This continuous rubber seating is most fascinating stuff to handle. It looks like a block of solid rubber about 1 in. to 1£ in. thick, but is extremely light, yielding and flexible. It can be built up into any shape. For instance, we saw some driving seats for motor-cars which seemed to be about in. to 4 in. thick, and which were amazingly comfortable and gave just the right feeling of resistance necessary for comfort in a driving seat. Entirely Hygienic Sponge rubber has replaced the use of ordinary mattresses for ambulance and hospital work for obvious reasons. Sponge rubber is just as soft and no matter how badly it is stained in use it can be washed perfectly in a few seconds under a hose and dried as quickly. Even under the best conditions, it is impossible to keep ambulance July 15, 1931 mattresses in anything like a sterile condition, but an ambulance fitted with rubber mattresses and rubber floor can with a minimum of effort be kept as clean as an operating theatre. The Company’s sponge rubber products are marketed in the trade name of Sylen Tred, and they are already being used in industry in thousands of directions. Some of the largest typewriter makers, for instance, have discontinued the supply of felt typewriter mats but use light Sylen Tred mats which are more elastic, lighter and cleaner. But it is chiefly with cinema uses of sponge rubber that we are concerned, and it can safely be said that there is no material which has so strong a claim on the modern architect as sponge rubber. It has every advantage, including low cost and long life, and from a decorative standpoint can be supplied in so many different designs, finishes and colourings as to silence all opposition on that score. Exhibitors who are tired of replacing worn carpets and linoleum or are troubled by the sound of patrons moving to their seats should get into touch with Messrs. Shepherd (S' Pritchard, who can not only show them interesting products but suggest numerous ways of reducing first expenditure. One of the most effective uses for sponge rubber is in connection with stair treads either with or without the use of top carpets. In this connection the exhibitor can easily spend three and four times as much as he need. A talk with Mr. Pritchard, the Company’s expert, may result in a saving of many pounds. Playhouse for Greenford A cinema to be called the Playhouse is to be built at Greenford, Middlesex, at the junction of Costons Lane and Ruislip Road, by a company called Greenford Playhouse, Ltd. Foundations have been almost completed and the building contractors — The Universal Housing Co., of Rickmansworth — are about to start on the superstructure. The theatre has been designed by A. R. A. Blay, A. I. A. A., of " Mountview,” Ricksmansworth, and will have a modern elevation while the interior treatment will be equally modern. Capacity will be about 1,200, in stalls and circle, while a stage 40 ft. wide by 12-14 ft. deep will be provided. It is anticipated that Western Electric sound system will be installed, while the steelwork contract will be carried out by A. J. Main & Co., Ltd. Other contracts are about to be settled. The building contract stipulates completion of the building by October 3rd. Greenford Playhouse, Ltd., was registered as a private company on J uly 8th, with a capital of £13,200. The directors are C-apt. P. E. Tickler, Capt. F. C. R. Britten, C. Shergold, A. C. A. (who is also the secretary), R. C. S. Baxter, F. Hammond, H. A. Steel and H. E. Schlittler. The registered office is at the Gem Cinema, The Green, Southall, controlled by the same group, which further controls the Feltham Playhouse. Represented in Europe by WALTER PEARCE 33, KING STREET, LONDON, W.C.2 Telephone : TEMPLE BAR 2231