The international photographer (Jan-Dec 1936)

Twenty The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER October, 1936 AMATEUR MOTION PICTURE DEPARTMENT Behind the Scenes In a Film Library By Theodore F. Comstock (Editor's Note: Theodore F. Comstock, of Kodascope Libraries, Inc. of New York City, in the following article has written most interestingly on the subject of 8mm and 16mm library films. Familiar as he is with the problems of a Film Librarian, we believe Mr. Cornstock's enlightening remarks will go far in bringing about better understanding and closer co-operation between film libraries and amateur movie enthusiasts.) jHEN a customer, having read the enticing descriptions in the film catalogue, makes g| his selection and rents the pictures which he decides are suitable for a particular occasion, he naturally assumes that those films will have been properly inspected and will be in fit condition to show. There is, however, a vast difference in the quality of the inspection and careful maintenance in different libraries, and unless one is dealing with a library in which film maintenance is properly stressed, he may be greatly disappointed. Anyone who has ever attempted to entertain an audience with movies and has had the entertainment constantly interrupted by film breakages, or marred by jumpy pictures due to strained perforations, or has subjected his audience to the aggravation of excessive scratches; dirty, oily film; obviously missing sequences; titles too short to be read throughout, and the numerous other annoyances that can be caused by inadequate inspection and maintenance, will realize that such entertainment does not please. Assuming that his projector was not out of adjustment, just why was it he had so much difficulty and disappointment in the showing of those films? The obvious answer is that they were not in fit projection condition when he rented them, and the probability is that although his use of them has added to their defects, they will be sent out to the next customer in just their same poor condition. From this it will be seen that the proper inspection of films is an important consideration to the renters of films, and it occurs to the writer that film renters may be interested in the methods we employ to maintain the good condition of the films in our library. In the first place, all new films received from the laboratory are first inspected manually and then projected, to make sure that they are in perfect condition, free from mislights, in proper continuity, and with proper length titles, etc. In the case of sound films, this inspection also checks the sound for clearness, volume and proper synchronization. Only after the films have passed this inspection, are they accepted for Library use. A considerable number are rejected for cause. Upon the return of the films from each user, they are inspected and rewound at the same time. Film users are requested not to rewind films after projection. This saves both them and the library trouble, for if the customer does rewind, the library has to unwind the film again before making its inspection. The inspection process consists in rewinding the film, holding it edgewise between the fingers of an expert inspector, in such a manner that the fingers do not touch the emulsion picture surface or the sound track, but do feel both outside edges of the film to check for cuts or partial breaks. During the rewinding and inspection, a sharp lookout is also kept for scratches or oil on the film. Oil or dirt is removed at once by running the film through a special cleaning machine, which first immerses it in a bath of carbon-tetrachloride dissolving all grease and dirt, and then mechanically polishes both the emulsion and back of the film against soft, clean, flannel-covered rollers. Scratches, if serious, or strained perforations, call for a replacement of the affected portion of the film. This is ordered from the laboratory and the print is held out of use until the replacement has been made. In case of damage, the customer is notified and in aggravated cases a charge is made. The inspectors insert an inspection slip into the container with each reel of film, and make a dailv Typical Home Movie Show