Boxoffice (Jul-Sep 1947)

sheet. I cut for myself a half dozen patterns of the shape shown by sketch on the left. “Then formed it into a clip of the shape shown at right. By separate cover I am sending you one of the clips. “We no longer have to mark (or make notes) on the schedule sheet in order to remember what we have to run. As soon as we get our time schedule, we make a note of it and insert it into the clip, and then in turn, fasten the clip on the reel. Is there anything simpler than that? I ask you, and I also ask my fellow projectionists and friends, of which I am getting many through the columns of your ‘grand old mag.’ ’’ Muchas gracias, Senor Tony! So we’re passing it along for the consideration of your fellow-crafters. May they reciprocate in kind through these columns, wherein all good suggestions are most welcome. Proj. Garnett Taylor of the Vernon Theatre, Mt. Vernon, Ky., writes in as follows: “I have just finished reading the memo from Proj. Walter Bowra and would like to try and improve on his suggestion a little. May I suggest that instead of just printing the suggestions so they may be torn out and put in a looseleaf note book, why not make the whole section of The Modern Theatre separate so that it may be removed from Boxoffice? Holes could be punched in it for mounting in a binder. “I think it would be a very nice way for us guys to keep The Modern Theatre section without the whole magazine. I am sure the rest of the gang would like the idea. So how about it?” Thanks, Gar. Your suggestion is being passed along to the publisher. He’s a great guy at trying to give the readers what they want; so maybe something will come of it soon. As for us, we’d just love to do it. Proj. David C. Riddle, Box 177, North Miami Beach, Fla., comes to the aid of a brother craftsman in the following manner: “In the August edition, I noticed Pi’oj. Edward E. Bristow’s question regarding ‘white spots on the sound track that run through the machine with a thump-thump.’ “Mr. Bristow will find that these spots are actually scratches on the sound track, which have been made by hardened emulsion and dirt piling up and packing into the aperture plate. This is about the only place that film damage of this type generally happens, as there is more direct friction of metal against film here than at any other part of the projector. Once the film has been scratched in this manner, each time it is run a motor-boating effect will be heard in the background. “For the past four years I have been head of the inspection and shipping department of Stevens Pictures, Inc., in Miami, a 16mm exchange and I have noticed a great deal of this type film damage. I might also add that most of this sound track scratching occurs on new prints which have only been run several times. “As to the cause of this damage, I can say from my own personal observation that part of it is due to carelessness on the part of the projectionist. If an operator will thoroughly clean his aperture plate before running new film, he will be fairly sure to avoid damage. There are a few cases, however, where new prints have been projected before they have been thoroughly treated or allowed to be cured after coming from the laboratory. “In closing, I might add that a projectionist would be wise to get a can of Vitafilm, or some other film preservative, and keep it handy. Then when he receives a new print, a light spray of preservative will remove the tendency of the film to become sticky and will greatly reduce the danger of scratching.” Much obliged, Dave, for your very enlightening answer to the problem, which we’re sure will be helpful to Ed, as well as many other projectionists who read the column. Come in again some time. All for the nonce, fellows; but we’ll be back with you again next month with more of this and that — and What Would You Do About It? These grim faces may be your patrons, glaring at your booth — RCA Service helps prevent such breakdowns — keeps your sound clear and strong And this you, when bad-sound refunds wreck a smash-hit run. — your box-office traffic healthy and going the right way. Smash the Sound -Trouble Bugaboo! When you buy RCA Service, your sound gets regular check-ups by a skilled technician, with modern instruments to put the finger on danger spots. Your sound and projection get all parts needed for tip-top operation. You get prompt help in an emergency. Stop worrying that sound troubles will hit you where they really hurt. Join the thousands who find RCA Service smashes the sound trouble bugaboo. It will cost you but a few admissions per day. SEttViCE COMPANY INC. RADtO CORPORATION of AMBRtCA CAMDEN. N.J. BOXOFnCE :: September 13, 1947 53