The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

X THE BIOSCOPE MODERN CINEMA TECHNIQUE August 26, 1931 Halation Eliminated New Film Equivalent of “ Backing” Photographers have always been troubled with halation in their pictures. This halation, which appears as a spreading of light around all the highlights, is due to light which has penetrated the emulsion and which is reflected back into the emulsion again by the back of the support. On glass plates, where the support is thick, halation is very serious, but with the thin film base it is so much diminished that in ordinary photography it is negligible. One of the variations which has always been claimed for film as compared with plates is the freedom from halation which film gives. The Old “ Backing ” Process Halation is, however, a relative matter. A spreading of the light which is utterly negligible in a 10 by 8 picture may be serious in a small film and very serious indeed in a motion picture frame. Negative film has, therefore, for years been made with a double coating of emulsion, so that in addition to the other benefits conferred by this procedure, halation is reduced to a minimum. When working with glass plates photographers have been accustomed to diminish the effects of halation by coating the back of the plate with a “ backing,” which prevented the light from being reflected from the back of the glass and which could be removed during or after development. Backing is a messy operation and the soluble backing in the developer is not at all desirable, but its value in the diminution of halation has led to its widespread use. The conditions of the motion picture industry are such that it has not seemed desirable to place a soluble backing on negative film, but, fortunately, the same result can be obtained in another way. For many years the Research Laboratories of the Eastman Kodak Company have been experimenting with backings, as a result of which they have evolved a special light grey backing which can be applied to negative film and which, in conjunction with the double coated film, obviates halation completely. For motion picture work a grey base will be used as the support for all Eastman Super-sensitive Type Two Panchromatic film. This grey base does not change during processing and so involves no danger of chemical trouble. Enhanced Photographic Quality It is of importance to note that antihalation backings have no direct chemical effect upon the emulsion characteristics. However, there is a decided enhancement of photographic quality effected by the avoidance of scattered light from the base side of the film. The removal of scattered light, then, gives the effect of different emulsion characteristics, although this effect is arrived at indirectly and not as an alteration of the emulsion. From a technical iiiiiiiiili i FOR 1111 UNIl FC mm 1 THAT LOOK well— WEAR well — COST the Minimum sum for the Maximum standard in harmonious design and durability CONSULT ALFRED HAROL (UNIFORMS), LTD, 22, Wardour Street, London, W. 'Phone: Garrard 6311-2 Telegrams: Staigfrocks, Piccy, Londo D L standpoint, the only difference in handling procedure demanded by grey back film is a consideration of the grey base density, which amounts to approximately .20 (63 per cent. T) in measured density after developing, fixing, washing, etc. The sensitometric difference is very slight, amounting only to a displacement to the left of the H and D curve, as compared with a similar test on white base. As a result of this base density an increase of approximately 1 J to 2 printer points is necessary. This difference is very slight and causes no difficulties in laboratory procedure. Actual tests by motion pictures show a marked improvement in sharpness, high-light detail, and an overall enhanced photographic quality. The effects of halation are far reaching and a film which destroys these effects should be in immediate demand. The “Secret” of Tooting Highlights of New Bernstein Theatre Bernstein Theatres, Ltd., in planning the construction of their great new ''talkie” house at Tooting — the Granada — have seen to it that the young men have been given a chance. Cecil Masey, F.R.I.B.A., the cinema architect, was entrusted with the plans, and Theodore Komisarjevsky, whose modernistic designing is not so " ultra ’ ’ that it cannot be appreciated by the manin-the-street, has been responsible for the interior decorations. Alec Johnstone, wellknown artist, has created the mural paintings which decorate a section of the auditorium walls. So unusual is the decorative scheme considered that the directors have sworn to secrecy everyone associated with the construction of the theatre. M. Komisarjevsky is said to have conceived a decorative scheme which is absolutely new to the cinema theatre world, and The Bioscope, which has been admitted into the secret, can, without prejudice, endorse its claim to novelty of conception. Without letting the cat completely out of the bag, we can say that the motif is a free adaptation of the Gothic style of architecture. Three of the most modem Ross projectors have been fitted in the projection room, accompanied by Western Electric apparatus. Every seat in the house, whether in stalls or circle, has ample leg room, and capacious waiting halls have been provided for patrons . Other interesting features are a quick service restaurant, where patrons will serve themselves ; a huge car park, with accommodation for several hundred cars ; a perambulator park, where mother-patrons will be able to leave their prams in safety ; and a beauty parlour. A stage 35 ft. in depth, equipped with the most modem lighting and scene shifting equipment, has been installed. A Wuriitzer organ specially designed, and with vast organ chambers extending under the stage across the whole width of the proscenium arch, is being installed and will be played by Alex Taylor, who has been appointed organist. The Granada is scheduled to open within a few weeks. New Organ-Opening Idea Christies inaugurated a new scheme in connection with organ openings at the Palace, Lancaster, last week. The instrument was played at the official opening by Dr. George Tootell, F.R.C.O., from the Pavilion, Marble Arch, to the enormous satisfaction of three packed houses. He is to be followed by another guest-organist, Mr. Peiron-W ebber, and the following week Melbourne Holman, of the County Playhouse, Wigan, takes charge. After that the famous Pattman will try the instrument out for a week, and in this way Palace patrons will have a chance of comparing the results secured by different types of organists. The idea is a clever one and should be widely adopted, as very often a quiet or “churchy” type of organist may fail to demonstrate the full range of the instrument, or a too “ jazzy ” type fail to emphasise the foundation work. The Palace organ is a particularly happy combination, well balanced and full of colour. All Christies’ latest inventions are embodied and besides being lavish in foundation and bass tone the organ has a wealth of bright solo stops. The console is the unusually beautiful one which was on display at the C.E.A. Conference at Brighton in June, and is exquisitely carved and panelled in two shades of gold.