Home Movies (1944)

sound comes more and more into use as an adjunct to home movies, there will be a greater emphasis placed upon better projection conditions for home screening of films. Giving a movie sound accompaniment through the playing of records on turntables with the projector grinding noisily in the same room, is to add confusion rather than improvement to the exhibition. Until home projectors are made less noisy or sound-proofed blimps are provided for them, the only ideal method of screening movies with sound is with the projector set apart from the room in which the audience is seated. Not every movie amateur is fortunate enough to have a home with a spacious attic or basement playroom which can be converted to a theatre by the application of wallboard and draperies; but many homes have "little theatre" possi HOME MOVIES FOR JUNE LIVING ROOM THEATRE DELUXE Separate Projection Room And Disappearing Screen Feature This Parlor Movie Theatre... By CURTIS RANDALL bilities just waiting for proper appraisal by the amateur and the little work usually required to make a home-contained theatre a reality. A model home cinema is that of Everett Billings of Glendale, California. Here, all the comforts of a downtown theatre are enjoyed in the snug living room of his home. Should drop-in visitors suggest a look at his films, they may remain seated and view the pictures projected upon a screen elevated into position above the fireplace from its unobtrusive place of concealment. The only sound one hears is that of music played from records and wired through the amplifier of the home radio which, happily for Mr. Billings, was adaptable for the purpose. The interior of this home projection booth is shown in Fig. i. There is no hint of the existence of this booth from the living room when it is not in use. Although there are port holes cut in the wall to permit beam of light from projector to reach the screen, these are covered with optical glass and concealed, when not in use, by a framed picture hinged to the wall. Figures 4 and 5 show this novel arrangement. When movies are to be shown, the framed picture is lowered by means of a cord regulated from inside the booth. Thus, two projection portholes for dual projectors, are exposed to view as well as a third porthole for use by the operator in watching the screen. The projection screen is perhaps the most novel arrangement of all. In keeping with the colonial wood trim of the walls, the 30 by 40 inch roller screen was enclosed in a wooden box of comparable finish and attached to the wall by two wooden supports about 30 inches in length. These are hinged to the wall in such a way as to blend with the • Fig. 2 — Screen is concealed in ornamental box over fireplace which is attached to wall by hinged supports. The whole arrangement blends in with pattern of paneled wall and enables screen to be put into use instantly. • Fig. 3 — By raising the, screen housing and setting it erect by means of a support extending down to top of mantle, screen is placed in position for use. When opened full length, it is well above heads of spectators. Distance from projector is approximately 18 feet. Illimili nun ilffljimii!