The Film Daily (1930)

fjg^ DAILY Sunday, June 8, 1930 Theater Equipment By WILLI Alt ORNSTEIN , NEW AIR EQUIPMENT HORN BROUGHT OUT BY MILES A new type of theatrical speaker based on scientific principles has been brought out by the Miles Reproducer Co. of New York City. It is of the air column type and is said to give unusually clear and natural reproduction and permits a complete range of highs and lows. An unbreakable diaphragm is one of its features. The device comes in two price ranges, $138 and $165, and is obtainable on monthly instalments of $10, with a down payment of $44.50. Claims No Vibration in Mestrum Turntable Of the numerous Mestrum turntable machines already sold and in use in theaters throughout the country, not one service call has been necessary, the manufacturer claims. The latest addition to the Mestrum line of precision equipments, it is said, embodies the latest of research activities. Chiefly, vibration has been eliminated — not only reduced to what has been called a minimum, but entiiely eliminated, it is declared. Vibration from any source — either from the floor or from the projector — is impossible, it is further stated. Perfect balance, a filter system, needle cups, expert machining, record guard, are among the features claimed in performing smooth and faithfully. Calvert Closes Deals for RCA Record Distribution Lowell V. Calvert, manager of recording operations for RCA Photophone, has arranged with the E. E. Fulton Co. of Chicago and the Stebbins Theater Equipment Co. of Kansas City for the distribution of RCA Photophone picture-music library records for non-synchronous equipment, overture and exit records, records for talking picture turntables and special shadowgraph needles. MOTION PICTURE APPARATUS of Every Type Consult Us and Save Money REPAIR SHOP with Experts on Professional Cameras Right on Premises UJIUWIGHByS ▼▼UO West 32"Sr,NewK>r*.tty«"' Phone Penna. 0330 Motion Picture Department U. S. and Canada Agents fo. Debrie Eliminating Fire Hazards in Exchanges Discussed in Manual This is the sixth of a series of articles reprinted by arrangement with M-G-M from "Film Service Book," compiled by J. S. MacLeod, manager of the company's exchange maintenance film department, THE FILM DAILY feels that these articles are vitally important to everyone connected with the physical handling of film and discs. Storage Facilities Motion picture film reacts very unfavorably in a hot, dry atmosphere. Such conditions cause the film to dry out and to become brittle and subject to shrinkage and cracking. The ideal condition for film storage is in a moist atmosphere of not more than 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Film must never be stored in close proximity to active radiators or other heating devices. If the atmosphere is hot and dry, pans of water should be placed under the bottom shelf of each rack in each vault. The water in these pans should be changed with sufficient frequency to replenish losses through evaporation. System of storing film in vaults: Each vault rack space is to be painted with a permanent number. As each shipping case is allotted a place in the vault, the number of that location must be recorded on the print record card. Fire Hazards Film constitutes the greatest fire hazard in an exchange. Properly handled and safeguarded however, film is no greater fire hazard than many items used in the average home — matches, paint, cleaning fluids, etc. The following causes tend to develop fire hazards and it is your duty to yourself, to your fellow employees and to the company for which you work to do everything possible to eliminate them: A. EXCESS EXPOSED FILM IN INSPECTION AND SHIPPING ROOMS. Inspectors must not permit any film to be exposed other than the reels under actual examination. The balance of reels comprising the entire print must be in proper containers and the covers of cases of prints under inspection are to be closed except when taking out or replacing leels. A shipper cannot actually pack for shipment more than one show at a time, Draperie* Decorations Magnascope Screens 340W.4l.tSt. W:' H" Settings Acoustical Treatments Acoustical Banners New York City 1 flOVELTVI /CEmcI /TUDIQf" BUILT On MERIT therefore only the show being packed is to be exposed at one time in the shipping room. B. IMPROPER DISPOSITION OF FILM CLIPPINGS OR SCRAP FILM. Each inspector is to be supplied with a proper receptacle in which to place all film clippings or film scraps. Such scraps are not to be permitted to accumulate on inspection tables or anywhere in the inspection room, except in prescribed receptacles. These receptacles are to be emptied every night into a larger receptacle which is to be stored in a film vault. The contents of this larger receptacle are to be disposed of at least once a week. The film scraps in these receptacles are to be under water. This receptacle is called a "film immersion tank." Film used for leader is to be kept in a suitable container and is not to be left exposed on inspection tables or elsewhere. C. OUTSIDE HAZARDS. (Such as persons in inspection room or shipping room who have no business there). D. LACK OF PROPER HOUSEKEEPING. Inspection and shipping rooms should be kept clean and neat at all times. No film or paper waste is to be permitted to accumulate on floors, tables, window sills or cabinets. No wooden furniture is to be used. Inspectors' coats, hats, personal property, etc., are to be stored in closets or lockers located outside of inspection room. E. INFREQUENT INSPECTION OF FIRE FIGHTING APPARATUS. A monthly inspection of fire extinguishers is to be made to assure that they are in working condition. Fire extinguishers are to be re-charged every six months. Each extinguisher is to have a tag attached and on this tag you are to show the date of the last recharging. Water in the fire pails is to be changed weekly and the sand in the sand pails is not to be allowed to settle or cake. Careful consideration should be given to the location of extinguishers and water pails and frequent inspections are to be made to insure that all such paraphernalia is in working condition and accessible for prompt use. F. VIOLATION OR NON-OBSERVANCE OF THE "FIRE REGULATIONS" WHICH ARE TO BE POSTED IN EVERY DEPARTMENT OF YOUR EXCHANGE. It is not possible to maintain too close a watch on conditions in ship HANDY SOUND EQUIPMENT USES STANDARD SIZE FILM Chicago — Portable talking picture projection equipment of the disc type using standard-sized film has been placed on the market by the Auditone Co. of this City. Compactness, sturdiness, efficiency and simplicity of operation are claimed for it. The apparatus is built into self-contained carrying cases and is equipped with a 16-inch turntable. The price is $495 exclusive of projector and amplifier tubes. Projectors range in price from $195 to $375. ping rooms. Our obligation is to | eliminate every hazard and to establish confidence in our ability to handie and distribute inflammable film. | Our work of five prevention can ! never cease, and avoidance of fire j in an exchange, while fortunate, must not give us a false sense of security. Winding and Holding Film Much of the damage to the edges of film results from the employment of improper methods in winding from one rewind to another. Film must be held directly in line with the reel on which it is being wound. This will insure that the film passing from one reel to the other will feed directly onto the takeup reel without touching the sides or edges of either reel. Considerable difficulty of this nature may be eliminated if the rewinds are securely bolted to the tables in direct alignment with each other. Each of the starting and stopping of rewinds should be done gradually; sudden extra tension applied to splices will break or weaken them. For inspection purposes the correct manner of holding film is between the thumb and first finger, with the hand under the film, the palm facing up. Allow the film to pass evenly through the fingers, being careful that it is not bent or "cupped" as it travels from reel to reel. "Cupping" the film to detect damaged edges, perforations or loose splices is very likely to cause splits or cracks, particularly after the film has been projected on machines using high amperage. Avoid "cinching" — that is, tightening loosely wound reels. This practice often scratches both sides of the film. When film is found to have been wound too loosely on the reel, the entire reel should be re-wound. Never allow any film to drag or fall on the floor during winding or inspection as dust or dirt on the floor scratches film and damages the sound track. The next instalment of this series will appear in THE FILM DAILY on June 15.