The film daily year book of motion pictures (1950)

21,000 lumens. The generous sized lamphouse and rugged burner mechanism have been designed to burn the larger carbons at up to 130 amperes, at which current 26.000 lumens are available. This compares to the 17,000 lumens projected by the 70-ampere Suprex or the 7,000 lumens of the 1 K\V lamp. The lamphouse measures 35" long x 24" wide x 28" high, which large content of 20.000 cubic inches combines with the forced air cooling of the positive carbon feeding mechanism to assure low operating temperatures within the lamphouse even when burned at 130 amperes. The position of the positive arc crater is automatically maintained at the exact focal point of the reflector by means of Strong’s exclusive Lightronic Crater Positioning System. The positive and negative carbons are advanced by separate motors, the speeds of which are governed by the Bi-Metal I.ightronic Tube. Once the arc has been struck, the crater positioning and the arc gap length are automatically maintained without manual adjustment or further attention. A stream of air directed just above the arc stabilizes its burning, assures complete combustion of any black soot, and carries away the white smoke which would otherwise be deposited on the reflector. The optical system comprises an eliptical reflector I614" in diameter with a resultant speed of f/1.9 to match the currently available high speed f/1.9 projection lens. The mirror and its tilting mechanism are an integral part of the back door of the lamphouse which swings out to allow easy cleaning of the reflector and convenient trimming of the lamp. The Strong Mighty “90” features unit construction whereby the various components are instantly removable for cleaning and inspection. The lamphouse is finished in attractive gunmetal gray with chrome trim and weighs 165 lb*. There is an arc imager, ammeter for reading the current at the arc, an automatic trimming and framing light and an inside dowser system. BALLANTYN'E CO.. Chicago, came out with a new high-intensity arc lamp designed for use in large theaters and drive-ins. Made for the firm by the C. S. Ashcraft Manufacturing Co. of Long Island City, N. Y., the lamp was made available in two models, the Hydro-Arc 8, which uses 7-mm. negative and 8-mm. positive carbons for operation at 74 amperes, and the Hvdro-Arc 9, which uses 5/16-mm. negative and 9-mm. positive carbons for operation at 85 amperes. Both models have water-cooled mechanisms and horizontal trims with no rotating carbons. V \ 1949 the General Electric Co.’s lamp A department recorded several developments of importance to the film industry. One of the most important was the development of a radically different type of light source, a compact 5000-watt mercury lamp with simplified equipment for use in motion picture studios. The lamp is easy to operate, has excellent color quality, high efficiency, cleanliness and freedom from noise and will allow actors to work under high levels of illumination with less heat discomfort. The source gives people and objects a normal appearance and requires only minor filtering for color photography. The lamps and equipments were undergoing tests in the picture studios early this year. On the basis of these tests additional improvements are predicted for 1950. Of interest to theater owners and operators was the development of the newest narrow-beam projector spotlight, the 200-watt PAR-46, constructed on the principles of the all-glass sealed beam auto headlights and having the similar attribute of accurate light control. Last year also brought good news to the users of 8mm. and 16mm. projectors in the form of improved projection lamps. The new lamps have mechanically-formed filaments which improve initial screen illumination and give better light maintenance during life. They also provide more uniform performance than the older lamps which had hand-formed filaments. Inclusion of this construction in other lamps is planned as production conditions permit. LAST YEAR witnessed the introduction by the C. S. Ashcraft Manufacturing Co., Long Island City, N. Y., of the Super-High Intensity projection lamp using a 16-inch reflector, rotating water-cooled positive carbons and a massive lamphouse affording adequate ventilation for high amperages. At first the lamp used a 9-mm. carbon at 85 to 90 amperes, producing approximately 21,000 lumens. The introduction of carbons 10-mm. b\ 20 inches increased the current to 100 amperes, producing the maximum obtainable with any lamp, 23,000 to 24,000 lumens. Ashcraft is set this year to market its new HydroArc for smaller drive-ins with screens up to 50 feet. This lamp has a 15-inch high-peed reflector and uses a 9-mm. non-rotating but water-cooled carbon. The trim is linear. A full 20-inch carbon is accommodated. The lamphouse is large. The arc operates at 72 to 82 amperes. The company says a great many “hopped up” Suprex-type arcs should be replaced by this lamp, which, it is pointed out. is designed for the purpose and is not to be regarded as a make-shift. CARPETING According to paul garst, manager of the contract division of the Alexander Smith & Sons Carpet Co. and C. H. Masland & Sons, several thousand theaters purchased Smith and Masland carpets through dealers in 1949. Among the outstanding theaters which installed Smith and Masland merchandise were: Strand Theater, 721