Exhibitors Herald (1925)

36 BETTER THEATRES SECTION OE March 28, 1925 Check Up! How many tickets have you in stock? Do you have to count rolls or figure it out? you need INVENTORY NUMBERED TICKETS that will tell you at a glance exactly how many you have. We will gladly send you samples and more information about them. Qlobe ‘Tckel Companij Specialists in Tickets and Checks Since 1873 122N. 12lh St. Philadelphia, Pa. Contrast! That’s what good projection means sharp, clear, contrast between light and dark. But contrast depends on the lens. Eliminate muddy, cloudy effects from your pictures by using Snaplite Lenses. They will inject more snap into even the poorest print, and give better ones the clear definition and strong black and white that audiences demand. See your Dealer or Write direct to KOLLMORGEN OPTICAL CORPORATION 35 Steuben St. Brooklyn, N. Y. Makers of SNAPLITE LENSES ALSO SNAPLITE JR. LENSES FOR PORTABLE UACHINES Eilm Mutilation and How to Prevent It Told by Eastman (Continued from page 35) Excessive wear of the pin-cross type of intermittent movements results in flat sides on the pins, thereby causing a slightly quickened pull-down which gives an added strain on the film perforations. On newer models these pins are equipped with rollers insuring smoother operation. Proper Alignment of Upper Magazine One widely used projection machine has an adjustment on the top magazine which allows for its proper alignment. Unless great care is taken to see that the magazine is in line, the film coming from the valve rollers will not feed squarely under the idle roller. This generally causes fractured film to crack from the perforations to the edge of the film. This improper alignment also causes film breaks resulting from film with nicked edges and from loose splices coming in direct contact with the side of the valve. Size of Idler Rollers The idler roller on the same machine mentioned above is yi in. diameter and causes the film to make a sharp turn on itself. On a roller of this size film which has been dried out and thus has become brittle may break, especially if there is an improper amount of tension on the feed roll. If trouble of this nature is encountered the substitution of a larger roller, preferably the diameter of a sprocket, namely 15/16 in., is a practical remedy. This means but a small amount of work, as only a simple extension is necessary to allow the proper amount of clearance and it will be found to be well worth while. Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 illustrate the '/i-in. roller and how the large idler roller can be installed in its place. Reels Bent reels and reels with loose and sharp-edged flanges should be discarded immediately. Fig. 7, on page 10, plainly shows what happens to the film when such reels are used. Framing In framing a picture it is common practice to move the framing lever very quickly. Fig. 14 shows what happens to the film when the framing lever is given a sharp, downward blow on a projector where the complete intermittent carriage moves as one unit. Fig. 15 shows the same damaging result on a model on which the intermittent sprocket only moves in synchronism with the framing lever. Film Loops Excessively large upper or lower loops either cause a rattle in the film guard above or allow the film to drag in any oil which may be present below. The film also has a tendency to jump the sprockets, which can take place if the idlers are set too far from the sprockets. The practice of resetting loops while the projector is running should be discouraged as in many eases the sprocket teeth strike outside of the perforations, or otherwise damage the film. Film Track or Trap Shoes Many scratches are caused by worn film tracks, or trap-shoes as they are known on one of the projectors, allowing the face of the film to scrape against the recessed aperture plate. Such tracks or trap-shoes, together with all tension shoes or door pads that show a “wavy” or badly worn-down surface, should be replaced by new ones. Fire or Valve Rollers The valve rollers of both magazines should always he kept clean. Care should be taken to see that they revolve freely as a sticking roller can cause bad emulsion scratches, especially if it is worn, thereby allowing the center of the roller to come in direct contact with the face of the film. This is especially true of the upper magazine rollers, around which dirt and small pieces of film very often accumulate. Adjustment of Film Trap Door On one make of projection machine the film trap door is designed so that it can be easily removed by merely lifting it from its holder. In replacing this film trap door care should be taken to see that it is seated properly, as unless this is done one is liable to ruin the intermittent sprocket, bend the shaft as well as ruin the film which happens to be running through the projector at the time. Strippers on Upper and Lower Sprockets On some projectors so-called strippers or stripping plates are provided to prevent, by any chance, the film from winding around or “following” the sprockets as well as to remove any accumulation of dirt that may tend to form at either side of the sprocket teeth. In resetting these strippers after the replacement of sprockets, extreme care must be taken to see that they do not come in contact {Continued on page 37)