Exhibitors Herald and Moving Picture World (Jan-Mar 1928)

February 18, 1928 EXHIBITORS HERALD and MOVING PICTURE WORLD 21 least a short while ! In actual merit as motion picture projectors they balance fairly evenly. Yes, except in some cases where the "booth" you speak of — the little sawed-off, narrow contracted "coop" — still exists, the modern theatre projection room will permit the lamphouse being pulled back sufficiently to accommodate the focal length concentrator you name. There would be advantage from the optical viewpoint in such a focal length. I would suggest that you consult with Spahr, president and general manager of the Enterprise Optical and Manufacturing Company, 564 West Randolph Street, Chicago. Same Old Wheeze Again Thomas H. Diggins, Hyannis, Mass., says he has been told by a fire chief that positive film will burn under water. He asks me about it. He also wants to know whether or not a motion picture positive film will explode without being' placed in an almost air tight container, having but one small hole in same, when a naked flame or an electric spark is ignited over said opening. I don't quite understand the "without" in the last question, when coupled with the small hole and flame-spark. However, a motion picture film, positive or otherwise, is about as explosive, in a container or out of it, as your head is. Place a film in a receptacle of some size, in a loose heap so that it will burn rapidly, set it on fire and the gases generated by the conflagration will probably explode the tank, or the gases may themselves explode This is all the "explosion of film" amounts to, and don't let them tell you otherwise. If any one tells you a film or a piece of film can itself be exploded, try and get a substantial bet out of him and then when he fails to explode the film itself — collect. As to film burning under water, I would imagine that sometimes it might, for a few seconds. Burning film supplies its own oxygen, you know, hence cannot be smothered out. Film sometimes puffs out a bit as it burns and this might, or might not, keep the water away from the seat of fire for a second or two. I doubt it, but it might. I happen to have no film here at the moment or I'd try it out. Try it yourself. Laboratory Fault Causes Trouble John Richmond, Philadelphia, Pa., asks : "Will you tell me the cause of the following trouble? In a number of shows I have run lately, one or two of the reels of film would constantly and with fair rapidity go in and out of focus — that is to say the picture would. "The whole show does not do this. Usually just one or two of the reels of film show the fault. Have tried these reels on other machines (Mean projectors I suppose, of course — Ed.) with no different results. The trouble begins after the second or third showing, and gets worse during the rest of the week. "Looking along the length of the film one sees little humps about every eight or nine frames of the affected reels. Have tried many methods of eliminating this trouble during the past three months, but without success. The only thing that would do any good at all was to rewind the film in a 20 foot hall, with the rewinder dummy at one end and the geared part at the other. I have asked other and older projectionists. They are stumped too." The fault lies in defective laboratory processes. I have had this matter up before the Society of Motion Pictures Engineers, where it has been discussed. The opinion there expressed was that it was primarily, as I remember it, due to defective drying of the prints, or defect in the process of drying. Just why rewinding with 20 feet between the rewinder elements should affect matters appreciably I don't know. I could make a Very, Very Highly Important A very great amount of needless annoyance and trouble is experienced because of the fact that projectionists and theatre managers asking for information or instruction when they have trouble with mercury arc rectifiers, motor generators, etc., do not send the information contained upon the name plate of the device. Very often, in fact usually, it is impossible to diagnose a mercury arc or motor generator trouble unless I know the serial number of the machine. This is especially necessary when the trouble is such that the matter must be referred to the manufacturer. Without the serial number he also usually is unable to say with certainty just what is wrong, and there is delay while either he or I write to get it. When you want information concerning trouble with a motor generator set or a mercury arc rectifier, always send all data contained upon the name plate of the machine. Failure may cause delay in recieving an answer. guess, but it would be only a guess, so why bother. I shall forward your letter to the Eastman Company, asking its attention to the matter. You will hear from them either direct or through this department. The Men of Tomorrow and Years to Come Harry W. Clutter, Washington, Pa., says : "I want you to know others beside professional projectionists read your Better Projection department. Just received the Bluebook of Projection, which is the most valued present I have ever had given me. Might as well confess I am but 16 years old. I have, however, been more or less acquainted with projection since I was 10 years of age. "I helped in the projection room of the Washington high school in Pittsburgh while there; also I have projected motion pictures in the local Y. M. C. A. and ran the spotlight in the local high school. Have always read Better Projection, and even traveled to Pittsburgh to secure an old edition of your Handbook from the Pittsburgh library. "Don't want it thought that I am bragging, but I have been commended on my projection work, which is more than ever happened to the other 'Y' projectionist. I think that is something to be proud of. Just as soon as I become of age I intend to apply for a license as projectionist and propose to be a real projectionist if I can." Why am I "wasting space" on a 16 year old boy, do you ask? Well, maybe friend Clutter is only 16 years old, but just the same it is of the 16-year-oIds that our future supply of projectionists must come, and don't forget that you were that age once upon a time. In this "boy's" eyes shines the light of enthusiasm. Let us hope to High Heaven that it continues to so shine, for it is of such that progress upon earth depends. Clutter is enthusiastic about motion picture Brojection, and it is our enthusiasts who make real progress in projection possible. The mart without enthusiasm seldom rises much above the level of the crowd. The no-enthusiastic worker seldom sees any good in anything except a raise in wages, or an equal wage for less time or labor. Nothing else counts. He does evenly and exactly what he feels compelled to do in order to "hold his job." He usually curses his rotten "luck" when he sees some one advanced who also wants good wages, but who desires to do everything he possibly can to deserve them— who takes real interest in and has some real love for his work, not con CONT-EL-ARC MOTOR GENERATORS FOR SMOOTH PROJECTION DEALERS: A few territories open. Write for details 'Manufactured By CONTINENTAL ELECTRIC CO., INC. 325-327 Ferry St. Newark, N. J., U.S.A.