Exhibitor's Trade Review (May-Aug 1925)

Page 62 Exhibitors Trade Review Projection Hints Optics, Practical Ideas and Electricity By WESLEY TROUT Film Damage In various articles on film damage I have tried to tell brother projectionists the various causes in which films are damaged, hoping to help exchanges and projectionists receive their films in better runnable condition, and to improve their methods in the handling of film so that it will remain in better condition. I have shown you that worn parts and improper adjustment of the projector causes HELIOS REFLECTOR LAMP "BEST BY TEST" APPKOVED BY UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES 25% Better Screen Illumination 30-75 % Current Saving WARREN PRODUCTS CO. 265 Canal St. NEW YORK ' RUSCUS N TREES The besl form of decoration for " movie " lobbies or for stage effects. Buy lliem here at Ruscus Headquarters — better and cheaper. Write for prices and literature on any decoration that may interest you. McCALLUM DECORATIVE CORP. 135 Seventh St., Pittsburgh, Pa. X / enormous and entirely unnecessary damage to films. In some of my previous articles I have shown how to make these adjustments on the projector so that liability to damage can be mitigated. I believe that many projectionists know that improper rewinding is also the cause of many films being unnecessarily damaged. As I have written many times before in the department, rapid rewinding is very hard on films, and if the elements of the rewinder should be out of line with each other, as has been the case many times, the strain on the film and thereto is greatly multiplied. If, on top of all that, the reels used in the rewinding have bad edges and are in poor condition, then the results are very bad indeed. Reels with bent and bad edges will greatly damage the sprocket holes and edges of the film, and the bending of the film through the sprocket holes when the reel strikes the edge of the film almost amount to a hammer blow. This tends to weaken the stock between the sprocket holes, and put same in a condition where it will break easily. "Under-Cut" Sprockets Very Bad I have seen projectors where the sprockets have developed a knife-like edge that simply tears out sprocket holes by the million. Sprockets are sold very reasonable and it is the duty of every exhibitor to keep the sprockets on his machine in perfect condition : "Under-cut" sprockets and unnecessary tight take-up tension have done more damage to films than any other thing I know of. Film Should Be Kept Moist The condition of the film has much to do with the susceptibility to any damage involving a breakage of film stock. Most every projectionist well knows that moist, pliable film is very strong and tough. You may bend it double without showing a fracture. This goes to show that the projectionist should have a film container with a damp cloth in the bottom of it for the keeping of the films moist while projecting. If you have a separate container for each reel, then place a damp rag under each reel in each container. Advantages and Disadvantages of Mazda Equipment The editor has received a large number of inquiries about Mazda equipment for motion picture projection. You can secure very good results if you install the equipment right. Follow the directions very carefully, and be sure and remember that near right will not give you the results you wish. A good screen is very important when using Mazda equipment. Use two-wing shutter to secure a brighter picture. An are lamp gives a whiter, steadier, more effective light on direct current than on alternating. Since the current supply to a theatre is usually alternating it is necessary for the exhibitor to use an expensive motorgenerator set to convert alternating current into direct for the best results with the arc lamp. The advantage of the Mazda lamp is that it operates equally well on the alternating current as it does on direct current and with equal illumination. The Mazda lamp provides a constant source of light. The intensity of the illumination does not change. The Mazda lamp furnishes a continuous uniformity of screen illumination on the screen at all times. The projectionist has no adjustments to make during operation. After the initial setting, no change is necessary during the life of the arc. The 900-watt Mazda lamp com pares very favorably with a 40-amp. direct current arc. The advantage from an illuminating point is very much in favor of the .Mazda lamp. Assuming an alternating current supply, the arc requires about 60 volts at 50 amperes and with converter losses, consumes 4 kw. per hour. The Mazda lamp (including all losses), requires approximately 1 kw. per hour. The bill, therefore, is cut to about one-fourth. NEW FILM PROTECTION ALLEVIATES FIRE DANGER The "No Blaze" film protector, which is now without question a perfect device for the prevention of fire in a motion picture machine, is the result of ten years' labor by two practical men connected with the motion picture theatre for the past eighteen years. It has recently been taken over by J. V Walcott, a Cleveland exhib tor for over fifteen years, and J. W. Warner, who has been connected with the film industry from an insurance standpoint for fifteen years. The inventors, H. B. Liebler and E. J. Nobbe, are working in a fine spirit of harmony with these gentlemen, the manufacturers of this device. With the use of this protector the safety of the patrons is absolutely guaranteed, to say noth ng of the projectionist and the theatre property. It automatically shuts off the light and machine instantly in case film breaks at top sprocket, intermittent sprocket or at lower sprocket, if film splits, take-up or driving belt breaks, sprocket holes tear, line voltage fails or lower loop is lost. With the use of "No Blaze" it is absolutely impossible to have a fire pack film m the machine, and the possibility of any film to run over on the floor is entirely eliminated thereby preventing any scratched or damaged film. The exhibitor's troubles are at an end, and he need not worry about the dreaded danger that has always been present, Fire. The terrible consequences of a panic will be entirely done away with in so far as the operating booth is concerned, for "No Blaze" is fool proof and automatic. It is manufactured by the Cleveland Film Protector Company, Cleveland, Ohio. Does Change in Weather Cause Your Organ To Be Off Pitch? EVENHEETERS Automatic Electric Heat will eliminate the trouble by MAINTAINING EVEN TEMPERATURES IN EXPRESSION CHAMBERS. EVENHEETERS are entirely automatic and electric. Reasonably priced Simple in construction Require no maintenance Approved by fire underwriters Recommended by leading organ builders Can be easily installed by your electrician Absolutely noiseless No relays or complicated wiring Entire installation inside organ chamber Write us at once, stating voltage, kind of current, size of chambers, and if anyexposed walls. Cramblet Engineering Corp. Milwaukee, Wis. Office 177 Fifth St. Factory 179 Fourth St.