The Film Daily (1929)

Friday, July 19. 1929 FILM CONTROLLED STARTING APPARATUS (Continued from Page 4) individually controlline the operation of sound or noise controlling devices (W) arranged as shown in Fig. 5. Supported above the roller (11) is a contact device (14) having pins (12) spaced at intervals transversely of the sheet or band (9) and bearing downwardly towards the roller (11). At the intervals at which any particular sound is desired, a perforation (10) is formed in the band or sheet (9) below the correspondinn control point (12) so that when tb" perforation arrives below the contact (12) the latter drops into contact with the roller (11) closing a circuit through the appropriate electro-magnet (15) and sound controlling devices (W'). The sound controlling devices are of pneumatic construction, as in a player piano and operate a selected variety of apparatus such as automobile horns, drums, bells, etc., the details of which are of no interest in connection with the synchronization of sound reproducing and production machine apparatus. United States patent No. 1,049,171 issued to F. E. Thormeyer on Dec. 31, 1912, and corresponding British patent No. 26,440 issued to W. C. Fairweather on Dec. 19, 1906, disclose various methods of controlling the starting and stopping of sound devices or of alternative production machine by the film or film feeding mechanism. In one of these forms of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a shaft (B) is rotated by the film driving mechanism and has fixed near one end a disc (C) having a flange in which is provided a cut out portion which is filled by a removable piece (c'). A latch (f) is supported by the flange (c) of the plate (C) and held from dropping downwardly and closing the contacts (g) which control the starting of a sound device (G). The disc (c) has a number of indication marks (1 to 100) each number representing the space of one picture. Consequently for any one rotation of the disc (C) a number of pictures corresponding to the distance between the cut out portion and the indicator immediately above the latch (f) for example (15) in the position shown in Fig. 1, must elapse before the cut out portion of the disc flange reaches the latch (f). Also associated with the shaft (B) is a disc (h') having at one point of its circumference a notch (h4). A pivoted arm (K) is supported to rest upon the periphery of the disc (h1) and when the notch (h4) is brought below the arm (K) the latter drops in position to engage a projection (c3) of the stop (c1) and pushes the latter out of its closing position so that when Ithe cut out portion of the flange (c) of the disc (C) again comes beneath the projecting part (f2) of the latch, the latter is released and falls downwardly to close the phonograph starting circuit. By properly setting the disc (h') and (C) relative to the starting of the film the latch (f) may be caused to drop into circuit closing position at any desired point in the progress of the film. A simpler and more direct method of controlling the starting of the sound device is, however, shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in which the film is provided with a marginal portion (11) containing a perforation (r) at the point at which it is desired to start the sound. A contact lever (s) as shown in Fig. 5, is pivoted with an arm resting against the film and in such position that when the perforation (r) passes in front of the lever the latter drops into a mercury contact and thus closes a circuit through an electro-magnet (14) controlling the operation of a sound driving motor (15). In French patent No. 420,020, issued to Juan Lupo on Jan. 20, 1911, a pair of contact rollers (s and t) shown in Figs. 1 and 2, are separated by a film (C) until a perforation in the film reaches the contacts, whereupon they are permitted to contact with each other and momentarily close a circuit through the wires (e and f) controlling the positioning of a sound box (b) of the phonograph. The phonograph is driven by a synchronous motor of a type previously described. The above apparatus would be liable to cause wear and tear on the films by the engagement of the contacts with the edge of the openings in the film. First of New "Folly Comedies" Is Started Frank T. Davis, headliner and producer of vaudeville acts, has in work at the Pathe Sound Studios, New York, "Fancy That," first of the new series of "Folly Comedies." These are a series of musical comedies in tabloid. Bill Frawley and Earle Dewey, vaudeville team, are featured in "Fancy That." Joey Chance's Crooners, and the Strollers Quartet are in the production in which a cast of 50 including Dagmar Oakland of the Ziegfeld Shows. Ray Ripley, Guy Voyer, Howard Carey, Nate Cole, Donna Frye and Mrs. Guy Voey have roles. Added to "White Devil" Cast Berlin — Hugo Doblin and Henry Bender have been added to cast of the Bloch-Rabinowitsch production, "The White Devil," which Alexander Wolkoff is directing with Iwan Mosjoukin, Lil Dagover and Betty Amann playing the leads. Curt Courant is cameraman. Salem House Closed Saturday Salem, Mass. — For the first time in 17' years the Federal closed its doors for an indefinite period. W. Paul Shay, resident manager has left to visit his home town, Elmira, N. Y. S. T. Theater Co. Formed Chicago— S. T. Theaters Co. has been formed with a capital of 400 shares of no par common. The incorporators are Joseph T. Scott, Joseph Harrow, and Alfred Magnusson. PU1L DALY SEZ/ "Fox West Coast Theaters intends to observe Greater Movie Season again this year. The circuit has had singular success with campaigns in other years, chiefly because it gets behind them and puts them over in a big way. The 'G.M.S.' idea is too good to discard." Sound at Two Johnson City Houses Johnson City, Tenn. — Sound equipment has been installed at both the Majestic and Liberty theaters here. The Majestic sound policy was inaugurated with "The Trial of Mary Dugan" while "Weary River" featured the opening bill at the Liberty. Cherry Managing Houston Met. Houston — James O. Cherry, former house manager at Dallas, has succeeded Emil Bernstecker as manager of the Metropolitan. Bernstecker has left for the Paramount home' office in New York. Lashway at Lynn, Mass. Haverhill, Mass. — Alexander L. Lashway, former manager of the Colonial here, has been transferred to management of the Olymp'a at Lynn. Paul Shay, who managed the Federal at Salem, now is at the Colonial. Shelton House Gets Sound Shelton, Wash. — Sound equipment has been installed at the Graham. Talker at Columbus, O. Columbus, O. — The Strand now is showing talking pictures. The house recently opened with sound equipment. McKee Sells Oakville House Oakville, la.— H. S. McKee has disposed of his interest in his theater here, it is reported. Sound for Kokomo House Kokomo, Ind — The Indiana closed here recently for the installation of Western Electric sound equipment. The house is expected to open about Sept. 1. Sound for Kingston, N. Y. Kingston, N. Y. — Sound picture policy was inaugurated at the Kingston with showing of "Show Boat." Force at Battle Creek Post Battle Creek, Mich.— Ted Force has been appointed manager of the Post, a Butterfield house, now featuring sound pictures. 2 More Added to Writing Staff for Vitaphone Shorts Don Ryan and John L. Hobble have been added to writing staff of the Warner eastern Vitaphone studio at Brooklyn. They join the force which includes Murray Roth and Edmund Joseph. Ryan for several years was a title writer at Hollywood, has written a novel, short stories, vaudeville sketches and articles. Hobble is author of a Belasco play, and a number of vaudeville acts and sketches. Murray Roth, director and scenario writer at the studio, also is a composer and has written music for a number of musical shows. He has been working on Vitaphone shorts for two years. Joseph formerly wrote vaudeville acts and books for musical comedies. He has been writing dialogue and continuities. Pacent Sound-on-Film Installed Pacent sound-on-film device, details of which recently were released, has been installed at the Hollywood, East Orange, N. J., is one of the first installations of the device in the East. Pacent engineers now are installing the device in the Middle West. One of the first houses completed was the Stratford, Chicago. Both Centerville House Go Sound Centerville, la. — Due to the installation of sound at the Ritz and the hold it has taken on the patrons here, the Majestic has been closed and soon will open with a sound picture policy, according to Leo Moore. manager. Vinita House Gets Sound Vinita, Okla. — Griffith Amusement Co.'s Lyric has been equipped for the showing of sound pictures. The installation cost was approximately $25,000. Fire at Uniontown House Uniontown, Pa. — Fire destroyed * interior of the Dixie. Loss is estimated at $30,000. W. E. for Hamilton, O. Hamilton, O. — Western Electric sound equipment is being installed at the Ritalto and Palace here, according to local managers. Sound pictures are expected to be shown Aug. 1. Wonderphone Makes Installations Cleveland — Wonderphone, sound reproducer made by the Film Sound Corporation, has been installed at the Lyceum, and Boulevard, Cleveland, and the Strand, Bellfontaine. Bristol, R. I. Gets Talker Bristol. R. I.— The Pastime inaugurated its talking picture policy with "The Wild Party." Talkers for Greenfield Greenfield, O.— .Western Electric sound equipment has been installed at the Fayette. Hornell House Gets New Seats Hornell N. Y.— New seats recently were installed at the Babcock here.