The Exhibitor (Jun-Nov 1944)

BETTER MANAGEMENT BM-9 Orthoscope Lenses Held As New Projection Aid (Editor’s Note: The following material was recently prepared by the manufactur¬ ers of Orthoscope lenses to acquaint the trade with the technical details of the pro¬ duct. The new product is distributed exclusively by National Theatre Supply Company.) Why do projectionists like to work with the Orthoscope lenses? First, they seldom have to re-focus a picture once it is set, even in changing in black-and-white to color. They scarcely ever need to change the mirror adjustments, even when burn¬ ing stubs, allowing more freedom for other necessary work. They know that the light is even, and the focus sharp. And they are getting cooler running film. Ordinarily when looking at any picture from, the projection booth with opera glasses, any white object on the screen will appear to be rimmed with a rainbow effect, but with the Orthoscope Lenses this chro¬ matic aberration is eliminated, whether the film be black-and-white or color. The Orthoscope Lenses are not a hitand-miss experiment. They are an en¬ gineer's product, designed by experts, and perfected by optical technicians with many years’ experience. They are made of glass which has a very high melting point, assur¬ ing the buyer that no lamp heat will break them. Each set of lenses is constructed to fit individual specifications. An information card, completed by the projectionist, is put into the hands of an expert lens designer, who calculates from the figures supplied the correct design and curve required. The grinding is then turned over to an expert in. that line. Special tools must be made in order that the grinding machine will turn out the precise curve specified by the de¬ signer. The polishing step is an intricate one, requiring much time and skill. Each lens must be edged on a diamond cutting machine, and many hours of work are necessary to perfect each set of Orthoscope lenses. In case of breakage, exact dupli¬ cates. can be supplied for replacement at any time, since all information cards are kept on permanent file. The Orthoscope lenses, developed by H and H Optics, consist of a positive lens placed, in most cases, one and three-quar¬ ters inches from the film, and a negative lens placed six inches from the film. The principle of the negative lens is to in¬ crease the carbon crater seven to 14 times its normal size, depending upon the type of lamp in use and other contributing con¬ ditions. The positive lens collimates the light on the film at the aperture plate, en¬ larging the film image to cover the rear combination of the objective lens. This gives an equal distribution of light all over the screen. The result is a clear, flat field in which the hot spot of ordinary projec¬ tion becomes a soft light, which eliminates eyestrain from any audience point of view, near, far, or diagonal. In most cases, the over-all light has been increased as much as 61 per cent. In walking toward the screen from the extreme rear of the theatre to the front row seats, no variation in projection is appar¬ ent. In watching an audience seated in the theatre, front-row latecomers are not September. 27, 1944 seen twisting around to locate vacant seats further from the screen. They feel no eyestrain. They remain where they are throughout the show even after the cen¬ ter section has been emptied. Perhaps the best proof of the results of the Orthoscope lenses is the unsolicited praise which comes from laymen who, knowing nothing of the intricacies of pro¬ jection and judging only by what they see on the screen, will remark upon the depth, the clarity, the softness, and the almost third-dimensional effect attained by this new lighting principle. Orthoscope lenses are manufactured by the H and H Optical Company, Hollywood, Cal., and distributed exclusively by Nat¬ ional Theatre Supply. Formica Co. Announces Two Post-War Materials Cincinnati — Two new plastic materials; possessing highly desirable qualities for peace-time utilization, were announced this month by the Formica Insulation Company. First of these new products, according to J. Roger White, Formica’s vice-presi¬ dent and director of sales and advertising, is a laminated plastic adaptable to use in furniture construction, especially for table tops and counters, where hard usage, cigarettes, stains, and the like raise ned ( Continued on page BM-11) Hearts will find delight again the yhtu liean watt THE hope of a complete Victory everywhere fills American hearts today — and a grim determination that nothing shall delay it. That is why American Seating Company craftsmen will keep turning out war products as long as the need exists. When final Victory comes, other hopes will be fulfilled — the yearning to work again at peacetime tasks, and to relax when work is done. At the movies, hearts will take delight side by side, no longer separated by a world of strife. And they'll find restful comfort in theatre chairs de¬ signed and built by American Seat¬ ing Company craftsmen. American Seating Company has served the theatre industry for over 50 years. 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