Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Jul 1930)

HOLLYWOOD F1LM0GRAPH 29 New Developing Machine to Revolutionize Talkies Arthur Gregor Play "Decency" Soon to Open at Mayan C. R. Hunter and Robert Pierce Are the Inventors The greatest improvement in talking pictures since their advent was announced by Universal Pictures Corporation today. It is a technical improvement which greatly clarifies sound and is the invention of C. Roy Hunter, director of sound and head of the photographic division of Universal, and Robert Pierce, superintendent of the Universal laboratory. Their invention on which patents have been applied for, is a developing machine for motion picture negative and positive film. The machine has a capacity of 1,000,000 feet of film per week. It makes all present methods of developing obsolete and will shortly be adopted by all the big motion picture companies, it was stated. Sound is improved by finer development of the sound track in Movietone. Smaller lines can be developed than heretofore, due to slower processing and the fact that the slower movement of the film through the various baths eliminates the slipping of the emulsion of the film. The film moves at the rate of ten feet per minute, permitting the development of frequencies as high as 12,000 per second. Thirty minutes from the time a frame of action goes into the machine it is out completely developed and dried and on a reel ready for projection. The machine itself is 50 feet long, three feet wide and eight feet high, exclusive of the air drying system on top. This space is divided into four compartments. There are three trays, •50 feet long by three feet wide. The top tray contains developing fluid, the center tray contains hypo or hardener and the bottom tray contains distilled water for rinsing. The film is run through this as a continuous ribbon, being taken off reels at one end, passing over metal rollers and into the baths in the order named. After the washing it is led over rollers to the fourth compartment which is on top and which is dust proof. Here the film is drawn back and forth throught filtered air kept in motion by a vacuum ventilating system, the air passing over the film being alternately warm and cold. The film is lead from this compartment and automatically wound on 2000-foot reels. When a reel is nearly full, the operator cuts the film at the end of a scene and starts a new reel. The motive power for the movement of the film is furnished through a single sprocketed roller just ahead of the final reels. The machine is so finely calibrated that very little pressure is needed for the movement. Twelve strands are run through the baths at one time giving each machine a capacity of 7200 feet of film CLAUDIA DELL Warner Bros, have a "Find'' in Claudia Dell, who came to the Southland after making a great name for herself back East on the stage. Her work in "Sweet Kitty Bellairs" proved so fine that they placed her in the lead opposite Al Jolson in "Big Boy." This is enough evidence that they think like we do about her ability. per hour. Universal is now building two more of these machines which will be housed in a new laboratory building. The Hunter-Pierce machine is built largely of white pine with very few parts and a minimum of metallic parts. The machine handles all widths of film from 16 mm to 100 mm; it develops either negative or positive; is less expensive than present apparatus; can be run with a third the man power and is ideal for the use of color baths in conection with the processing of color film. So slight is the tension on the film in the machine that a break in the film can be repaired without slowing up the machine. This film is easily accessible to the operator. The baths are but a few inches deep and the film is alwa}rs visible to the naked eye. Through a pumping system connecting with the large vats, the fluids are continually kept afresh. Xot only is the Hunter-Pierce machine a revolutionary advancement in film developing but the slower movement greatly clarifies sound on film. 1 -f t KNOWS HIS SPANISH Enrique Vallejo knows his Spanish just about as well as anyone in Hollywood. This goes as fas as directing, acting, photographing, obtaining locations and gaining permission to enter in and out of Mexico, which includes the use of official buildings in that country. Katherine Wilson Given Leading Role; Perry Ivins Directs When Los Angeles has seen enough of Tiffany's filmization of "Journey's End," now holding down the boards at the Mayan Theatre, we are promised a chance to view Arthur Gregor's play, "Decency," with Katherine Wilson, a Xew York star, playing the leading role, supported by G. Pat Collins, and other will known players. Franklin Productions are staging this play for Mr. Gregor, who is well known in cinemaland as both an author and director of ability, and Los Angeles in general is interested in his latest effort, which will have its world premier opening here very soon. 1 i i ARRIVES IN HOLLYWOOD The arrival in Hollywood last week, of Mara Keval, Broadway stage actress, last seen in "The Constant Wife" and "Poppa," is by no means a newcomer to the motion picture colony. Miss Keval appeared in many silent pictures prior to her debut on the legitimate stage in Xew York. Her appearance in the motion picture colonj is the result of numerous requests from the various producers here, to appear in the "talking" pictures. CHESTER CONKLIN It is the proud boast of Chester Conklin, who plays the sheriff in Pathe's circus romance, "Swing High," that he is perhaps the only comedian on the stage or screen who has never had the desire to play Hamlet. Paradoxically, most comedians are very serious in private life, but the years of laughmaking have put their stamp on Conklin who always radiates merriment. Helen Twelvetrees and Fred Scott are featured in "Swing High" with an all-star cast of sixteen. The picture was directed by Joseph Santley.