The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Jul-Aug 1922)

July 29, 1922. the most up-to-date form of tabular pneumatics, giving perfect ** touch ’’ and instantaneous response. All four manual departments, as well as part of the pedal organ, are enclosed in swell boxes, the louvres being operated pneumatically by balanced pedals, and there is also a balanced crescendo pedal governing the entire organ, making five erescendo pedals in all. The organ is blown by a‘ Discus ’? rotary blower driven by a seven horse-power motor situated in’ the basement. The console is a magnificent example of Fuglish workmanship ; the case is made of finely polished mahogany, while the key frames and fittings are of oak and mahogany, ebonised, the whole giving an exceedingly rich but chaste effect. Tho stops of the organ, instead of being governed by the oldfashioned draw-knobs, are operated by stop keys of a very nevt design. There are fifty-two speaking stops on the organ, supplied with compressed air from nine large reservoirs at pressures varying from three and a half to twelve inches in the water gauge. These stops are augmented by nincteen coupling registers, giving an unlimited number of combinations and effects. The tonal resources of the instrument are obviously large, but these are reinforced by a variety of orchestral effects—for example, Westminster Chimes, Glockenspiel, triangle, cymbals, drums (both roll and tap), thunder pedal, sleigh bells, gong, ete.—thus giving the instrument all the powers of a full orchestra. Fresh Air. Two large fans, each driven) by a 30-horse-power electric motor situated in the sub-basement below the Café, are the beginning of the plant which performs this remarkable fent. These fans draw in the necessary air from a special area, when it is passed through a sereen in which a water jet is continuously playing. thus ensuring that the air is absolutely free from cither the slightest particle of dirt or any disagreeable odours. The surplus moisture in the air resulting from this passage through the jet is disposed of by special baffles at the rear. Both the tempering and heating batteries are provided with valves so that any graduation of heat can be obtained, The eir is then conducted throughout the building by galvanised ‘iron ducts which are also provided with valves, so that the whole power of the plant can be turned on to any one part of the building if desired. There is also a battery of tour cast-iron boilers, each eleven sections Jong and controlled independently by shut-off valves. From the main boiler headers branch circulations are run to all the offices and shops on the premises, as well as to the corridors, Foyer, and Rendezvous, with, of course, facilities for independent regulation. From these boilers also is drawn the hot water for the heating and tempering batteries. THE FILM RENTER & MOVING PICTURE NEWS (Technical Supplement). xix. Projection Room. This is a fine. large room which, by reason of its size and ventilation, will greatly aid the efficiency of projection. Two Kalee Indomitable No. 6 machines have been installed, supplied by Mesers, Weisker and supervised by Mr. H. Claughton. This is a striking testimonial to the standing of this machine. The lenses are Dalmeyer series XXIL The distribution board, curtain control, and dimmer have been made by the well-known Manchester firm of Austin Walters and Co. The vacuum plant, whieh is by Messrs. Dodd Bros., Manchester, is on the suction duet principle. These ducts follow the line of the walls, hidden from view, with inlet plugs at intervals, The Management. Mr. Charles Ogden, the managing director, will be in full control, He is one of the oldest exhibitors in the North, and his numerous successful halls guarantee efficiency in the running of this house, Mr. G. H. Barrasford, the manager of the house. is the son of the late Thomas Barrasford, who at one time owned or controlled over twenty music halls. He acted as general manager of this cicuit, booking the acts and exercising control local nanagers. Although only thirty-three, he is old in the business, having run the first continuous picture show in London in 1206. He has been twiee to America, where his experience of exploitation was largely gained. over He has previously been associated with Mr. Ogden at the Queen's, Longsight, Manchester, and hag returned North from the King’s Playhouse, Chelsea. He has brought with him as publicity manager Mr. H. Carson, who has for many vears been connected with kinema publicity. There is a big field for Mr. Carson, which he will undoubtedly exploit. The musie will be under the direction of Mr. Joseph Muscant, who has left the New Gallery Kinera to come to Manchester. The main orchestra will be comprised of seventeen players, the smaller band being ten in number. An organist worthy of the instrument is to be appointed, Other Attractions. Under the theatre are two spacious restaurants, which will ereatly add to the appeal of the theatre in due course. It has not. however, been possille to get these ready in time for the opening of the picture house. These rooms will be available for special dinners and dances. Above the hall offices are being crected, Messrs. H. Matthews and Sons (Builders), Ltd., Manchester, Were the main contractors, Messrs. Lambourne and Co., Ltd., (rortun, being responsible for the stec] work. THE SIMPLEX PROJECTOR. T is claimed fcr the Simplex projector that it is the only I machine in which the position of the shutter can be adjusted while the machine is running. Many vears’ experience has proved that the Simplex shows a perfeet picture with a light that is kind to the eves. This is an important asset ty anv theatre. A’ projection, whether from front or back, that offends the eye is fatal, and picture-gocrs are fully alive to the impertance of good and efficient screening. The Simplex has won, and is winning every day, the highest praise for its steadiness and reliability, and occupies first place in the world of motion picture projection. Ample evidence of this has recently been furnished. When D. W. Griffith staged ‘“ Way Down Mast at the Empire Theatre, London, he saw to it that the Simplex machines were duly and properly installed, with the most satisfactory results. The same preeedure oceurred when the recent season of Google “Orphans of the Storin’? was arranced at the New Scala Theatre. It is well known that Griffith uses the Simplex in all his exhibition enterprises in) America. In addition, the Simplex machines have been recently installed at the following theatres; The Rivoli, Whitechapel Road (a description of which appears in another part of the Supplement): the Seala, Leeds: Theatre Royal, Manchester: and the Coronet, Birmingham. Among numerous smaller houses in which the Simplex is to be found is the Palace, Tralee, Treland. Messrs. J. Frank Brockliss, Ltd., who have taken over control from the Imperial Company, are the sole concessionaires for Great Britain, and all information and particulars can be obtained at 167-169, Wardour Street, London, W.1. Mr. J. Krank Brockliss has been associated with the Simplex since its intreduction to this country, and the management of the technical department is in the capable hands of Mr, H. FB. Stephens, who was connected with the Imperial Co., and has now joined Mr. Breekliss.