The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

August 19, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE l Technical News and Notes A Breakdown Suggestion I wonder why it is that every time something goes wrong and from a break or other cause the programme is inadvertently interrupted, someone always phones the projectionists to know what is wrong ? Surely if the projectionists are good men — and if they are not, what is the good of employing them ? — they will be able to right matters in a much shorter space if they are not called upon to waste time answering useless phone calls ? Of course, if the stoppage is of any undue length, it is up to the manager to find out what is wrong, either by phoning or going to the projection room in person. But this will seldom be necessary if the projectionists are given a few moments to get things moving again. Don’t worry them unnecessarily ; they have quite enough to do. New Screen Developments Visibestone is the name of a new screen which is formed of rod-like threads of asbestos woven together and treated with a highly reflective surfacing material. It is claimed that the light is reflected from the round surface of the rods to the remotest corners of the theatre and that the light distribution is particularly even. It is stated that " The scientific design of the ideal theoretical screen for relief picture projection depends on the critical relationship between the shape of the rods and the refractive index of the material.” It is claimed that asbestos is ideal material. But it is not claimed that this screen solves the problem of stereoscopy completely. And One in Metal Mesh Another American screen is claimed to be made from a single seamless sheet of aluminium metal mesh. The aluminium basis makes it of light weight, yet it can be hung without frames heavy enough to stretch it. The screen can be rolled for transport. It has been tested in the laboratories of both E.R.P.I., and R.C.A., and showed that the sound attenuation over a range from 55 to 6,000 cycles is uniform. It is claimed that the screen can be easily cleaned. Money Sunk A new safe of novel construction is just being developed by a concern in Los Angeles. It consists of a small drill and pick-proof steel safe which is embedded in concrete and sunk in the floor. It is particularly suited for theatre work where surplus funds during business hours are removed from the cash registers. Owing to the structure of the safe it is impossible for burglars to remove it from the premises and open it in leisure and seclusion. The top remains flush with the floor and provides no opening for the insertion of a safe-breaking tool of any kind. Moreover, it does not take up any valuable floor space, is entirely inconspicuous and its presence can be concealed by a rug or a piece of furniture. “ Voice Coil Cartridge ” Speaker An interesting feature of an electrodynamic speaker which has appeared in the States is that the voice coil is built as a complete detachable unit. In the event of the speaker failing it is not necessary to get a new one. Just remove one master screw and slip out the old voice coil. Insert a new coil and carry on. The speaker is suited to theatre and public address use. Kamm in Brighton The Brighton and Hove Skating Rink has installed sound film equipment. The hall can accommodate 6,000 persons, but at present provision for 1,000 seats only has been made. The hall has peculiar acoustic conditions which necessitated care in the installation. The set chosen was the equipment marketed by Kamm & Co. This concern is making steady progress, and has a number of installations progressing. Kamm have, of course, a first-rate service backing their set, which is proving remarkably trouble-free and satisfactory. Christie Installations The following theatres are installing Christie unit organs : Victoria, Cambridge, 3 manual ; Pavilion. Wylde Green, 3 manual ; Pavilion, Strickley, 3 manual ; New Palace, Lancaster, 2 manual ; Central, Kidderminster, 3 manual ; Lonsdale, Carlisle, 2 manual ; Gaumont Palace, Paris, 4 manual. Believe It or Not A recent order has been issued in the Paramount, Western Electric equipped, studios at Joinville forbidding any person to bring live fish on to the lot. Necessity for this was apparent after some enthusiastic angler had caught a large river trout in the Seine and thrown it into Paramount’s fountain. Casualties rose in seven minutes and four seconds to 24 goldfish and 8 pollywogs with no chance for a retake. Patron Jumps through Screen The Liberty, at Hazleton, New York, had a novel reason for closing last week in addition to any other less emphasised ones. The Western Electric story goes that an imbiber of post-Volsteadian beverage gained admission to the theatre, mounted the stage, talked back to the " talkies ” and not succeeding in silencing his opposition made a dive through the screen, landing in the sound horns. Discouraged by this and that — rprobably meaning the depressing depression — the Liberty decided to close for ” repairs.” Whiling Whalers by Wireless Optimists say that by next year the most isolated ships and camps will run their daily talking cinema shows received by television. But even this year they are not doing so badly. When the whaler Kosmos II ” sets sail for the Southern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans shortly, in search of blubber, it will carry with it a Philips Console Receiver — the last word in wireless luxury. With this receiver the crew will be able to keep in close touch with the world of music and news. What a contrast to the conditions prevailing in whalers less than 50 years ago when the crew had little or no entertainment and were forced to amuse themselves as best they could ! Insects Hate Light ! As we don’t seem likely to have any summer this year we are not likely to be worried by insects. But abroad these little chaps can sometimes be a real pest. It has been found by experiment they dislike certain colours — noticeably green, amber and canary yellow. So special colour hoods are being fitted to lamps to exclude bugs and insects from cinemas ! A. C. ILLUMINATED STILL FRAMES AND STILLS— ATTRACT ATTENTION Full Particulars from GIROSIGN LTD. 90, WARD0UR STREET, W. 1 Phones : GERRARD 3526, 3527.