International photographer (Feb-Dec 1929)

Four T h INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER June, 1929 Jnlmcote The William Horsley Laboratories, 6060 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, announce their readiness to accept contracts for the treating of motion picture film, positive or negative, with Filmcote, a wonderful new rejuvenator for film just perfected after years of research and experimentation by the chemists and engineers of this old and honorable pioneer concern, under the direction of William Horsley himself. As this issue of The International Photographer goes to press the first local contracts for Filmcote processing of film are being turned out by the Filmcote machine recently built for the William Horsley Cinema Studios Supply Company, according to plans submitted by Mr. Horsley, and it is already running at its peak of capacity, 100 feet per minute. This machine, two views of which are here shown, was installed at William Horsley Laboratories about the middle of May and had its first run on May 21st, which was successful and without any imperfection of operation. It was away back in 1922, in October of that year to be exact, when the following selfexplanatory letter was written. It will be seen from this letter that even then the process now named "Filmcoting" by Mr. Horsley had its beginnings years further back, as when this letter was written, the process was well developed and had been practically proven. Mr. Ames here addressed was President of the Atlantic Chemical Company in whose laboratories the chemical dressing now called by Mr. Horsley "Filmcote" was originated. Mr. Gardner who wrote the letter was at that time assistant manager of the M. G. M. studios, and Lewis W. Physioc, now technical editor of The International Photographer was head of the photographic department of that studio. The letter follows: Top — General view of machine. Bel oil -Closeup of coating mechanism. dried out film, which buckles and throws the projected film in and out of focus. It also eliminates the necessity of waxing prints, which has been a very dangerous process heretofore, causing gummed sprocket holes and melted wax running on the body of the film itself. While we have made no actual tests as to the use of your process for the preserving of negatives, nevertheless we are confident from the careful inspection of this process on positive stock that the use of it on negatives would not interfere with the printing quantity, and that it would act as a preservative which should keep the negatives in excellent condition indefinitely. At the time these negotiations were in progress the Filmcoting process was an expensive affair. Mr. Physioc, in his report to Mr. Gardner, at the time, said that the excessive cost was the only argument against it, but in the Horsley researches that objection has been eliminated and, in addition to this economic consideration, the quality of Filmcote has been refined and in every way improved until now Mr. Horsley is justified through actual practice in making these claims: 1. Projection of the emulsion side of film against abrasions and scratches. 2. Sealing the moisture within film which is so essential. 3. Eliminating the necessity of waxing. 4. Adding strength especially to sprocket holes. 5. Makes it possible to clean oil spots and dirt from emulsion. 6. Complete protection to sound track. GOLDWYN PICTURES CORPORATION Studios, Culver City, Calif. October 30, 1922. Mr. W. W. Ames, Atlantic Chemical Company, Irvington, N. J. Dear Mr. Ames: Your letter of October 14th has been held unanswered subject to my return to the Studio, after an enforced absence of nearly five weeks. Mr. Physioc, however, went right ahead with tests but made no report on them until I had got back on the job. We have found that your process prevents approximately 90 per cent of the usual fine scratches caused by the projecting machines, which was proved by the test of film run through the projection head over five thousand times. The strength of the sprocket holes is increased over 25 per cent; this strength being principally added by the increased flexibility of the film. Renovation is made comparatively simple and easy, as a cloth dampened with plain water removes practically all surface soil or dirt. By the use of your process, it is possible for the Laboratory to take advantage of the beautiful sepias which have hitherto been abandoned because of the damage caused by oil spots. Your process so protects the mat surface that the oil cannot affect it and leaves the oil in such a condition that it can easily be removed by wiping. We also feel that there is additional brilliancy given by your process which Mr. Physioc explains is the same sort of effect as is caused by varnishing a painting. Your process also prevents the effect of violent atmospheric changes, the result of which is The sum total of these claims means that the life of film treated by "Filmcote" process is enhanced approximately 100 per cent as borne out in practical tests. One important reason why the "Filmcote" process was so slow in being brought into commercial use was the lack of an efficient machine with which to spread the "Filmcote," but this has been successfully worked out, as previously stated, through the intelligent co-operation of Messrs. Brown, O'Donnell and Rose, of the Cinema Studios Supply Company and their engineers. These machines for the application of "Filmcote" are now available or footage will be accepted for processing at a per foot price.