Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1947)

Guarantees long, dependable, trouble-free performance. Now being installed everywhere by discriminating theatres. Decide now to replace your obsolete equipment. Write for free literature or see your Independent Theatre Supply Dealer for a free demonstration. MOTIOGRAPH, INC. 4431 W. Lake St., Chicago 24, HI. Export Department FRAZAR &• HANSEN, LTD. 301 Clay Street San Francisco 11, Calif. PRODUCING THE BETTER PROJECTORS 45; FOR OVER 50 YEARS What Would You Do About It? (Continuation of the Qxnz Pot) solenoid and this releases a spring, opening the valve on the C02 and at the same time opening a two-pole single-throw knife switch. On one side of the switch is the negative, or arc circuit feeding the lamp. On the other side is the motor. So when the switch is pulled it stops the motor as well as killing the arc. “There two jets in the head; one in the upper magazine and one in the soundhead and another in the lower magazine, completely flooding all parts of the machine with C02. “The points mount directly over the film gate, or in the lower part of the magazine, or over the top loop above the gate. Sorry at this time I don’t have any pictures; but will be glad to furnish them later if you wish. Thank you kindly for all help and information.” And just to clarify the record, we print his enclosed press notice just as it appeared in the Baltimore NEWS-LEADER, headed, “Area Men Receive Patent for Movie Film Fire Extinguisher.” It reads: “The United States Patent Office has issued a patent for a moving picture projector automatic fire extinguisher to Charles R. Brown, of 3107 Baybriar Road, Dundalk and to George W. Berndt, of 614 North Dukeland Street, Baltimore. The patent was issued from Washington June 12, and awarded to Messrs. Brown and Berndt two weeks ago. “Both Mr. Brown and Mr. Berndt have operated moving picture projectors at various times for a number of years. The former, a native of New York City, operates the projector in the Lord Calvert Theatre on Washington Boulevard. Mr. Berndt, also a native of New York, is a carburetion technician with the Stephen Seth Company, Baltimore. “According to Mr. Brown, several large moving picture projection equipment manufacturers already are showing interest in the invention. “Explaining the principle of operation, Mr. Brown said the extinguisher is a cartridge of carbon dioxide gas hooked ingeniously onto the projector. When film catches fire, he explained, the heat automatically and instantaneously trips a metal trigger, which works much the same as a furnace thermostat, causing the gas to spew out over the film and enclosing mechanism. So quick is this action, Mr. Brown said, that only a minute amount of blazing film, at the speed of 90 feet per minute, is damaged. “He outlined these other features: The invention immediately cuts off the light source from the projection arc lamp. Stops the projector from feeding any additional film into the fire area. A blaze is immediately and effectively confined to the projector without any danger of it spreading. The gas produces no damage of any kind to either the film or the mechanism. The projector is in running order within five minutes after fire breaks out. “The idea for the extinguisher belongs to Mr. Brown; but both men take credit for its perfection. The project took a year to complete. Mr. Brown said the idea struck him one night when he was showing pictures in a theatre. On the screen, he said, was a demonstration of a burning airplane being extinguished with carbon dioxide gas while in flight.” Congratulations, Charley, on getting patent protection on your brain-child. We advise it in all cases, although publication herein is good evidence of prior conception. Under “help wanted” we now present a letter from Proj. Edward E. Bristow, jr., of Bennettsville, S. C., which reads: “First let me introduce myself. I am twenty-one years old, and I am very much enthused with projectionists’ work. Have been that way ever since I was ten years old. My old man runs three tent shows in small towns where they don’t have theatres. I used to do the running of the equipment, which was 16mm and old Powers’ 35mm machines. During that time 1 ran into a lot of trouble which I didn’t understand how to correct, and I didn’t have anybody to turn to. “For the past few months now I have been running Simplex Model E-7s in a first class theatre, and in looking through Boxoffice I saw your Quiz Pot where I could write and tell my troubles. I don’t intend to start asking a lot of questions in my first letter; but I would like to write more in the near future. “My first question is: What makes white spots in a sound track that run through the machine with a thump-thump? Next, can you give me an address where I could get a book on the operation of all types of equipment? Hope I have not put you to too much trouble, and if there is any cost, let me know.” Okay, Eddie; we’ll try to help by recommending that you write each of the projection equipment and accessory manufacturers whose advertisements you’ll find in this issue and ask them to send you their operating manuals and literature. In the nature of “suggestions” we give now a memo from Proj. Walter A. Bowra, of the Fox-Rio Grande Theatre at Las Cruces, New Mexico. He says: “Having been a projectionist for twentyodd years and a constant reader of your magazine, and all others I can get my hands on, this is my first time to write your Quiz Pot. “I found a suggestion I must answer, written by Edward W. Coleman, San Francisco, pertaining to making The Modern Theatre available to the men in booth. I think this the best suggestion yet. However, he left out one thing, i.e., why can’t these suggestions be arranged so they can be kept? Why not print them like Boxoffice used to print their release forms? They could then be torn out and put in a loose leaf notebook. “I have copies and pages torn from copies that I have kept, dated in the early thirties. I wouldn’t throw them away for anything. So keep up the good work.” Confidentially, Walt, we are planning to reprint The Quiz Pot columns from all 56 The MODERN THEATRE SECTION